Mar 6, 2020, 1:30 pm
Last edit by: WineCountryUA
05April 2020
FAQ
With extended status. will we automatically get additional PlusPoints in 2021 (40 for Plats and 280 for 1KsGS?
No, your existing PlusPoints will be extended 6 months but to get additional 2021 PlusPoints you will need to meet the reduced thresholds for 2020
[5 April 2020] Status extended 1 year - United Hub
- Status extended 1 year (expires 1/31/22)
- Plus Points extended 6 months
- Lower qualifying thresholds to gain 2021 status in 2020 (about 50%)
[5 April 2020] United will extend Premier status for 12 months (SF Gate):
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[7 March 2020] A message to our Premier members (email):
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MileagePlus Status Extended Until 2022
Throughout these unprecedented times, we remain committed to doing what is right and fair for all of our MileagePlus members and are pleased to share the steps we are taking to reciprocate the trust and loyalty that you have placed in United. These steps include not only Premier status updates, but also an extension of current memberships and subscriptions. The updates will happen automatically over the next few weeks — there's nothing you need to do.
The big news: If you have current 2020 Premier status, it will be extended to January 31, 2022. At a minimum, you will enjoy the same published status next year that you have today, up to Premier 1K®.
We're reducing the 2020 Premier qualifying points (PQP) and flight requirements for all tiers by 50%. You'll still need a minimum of four flight segments on United or United Express®.
We're also doubling PQP for United Explorer cards and quadrupling PQP for the United Club cards.
At the same time that we're decreasing the published program's PQP requirements, via a promotion from May 1 – December 31, 2020, we're doubling (for United Explorer cards) or quadrupling (for United Club cards) the maximum number of PQP that Cardmembers can earn during 2020 to help achieve a higher level of status than you already have.
1K® and Platinum members, we're increasing your ability to upgrade by extending PlusPoints expiration dates by six months and expanding Skip Waitlist.
Over the years, you have placed your trust and loyalty in United, and we are honored to do the same for you. We are all in this together.
Status extension to January 31, 2022, applies to all members that met the published criteria of the MileagePlus program in 2019, status associated with the United/Marriott RewardsPlus program and status offered as part of a Sales nomination. Status granted from other programs and policies may not apply.
Throughout these unprecedented times, we remain committed to doing what is right and fair for all of our MileagePlus members and are pleased to share the steps we are taking to reciprocate the trust and loyalty that you have placed in United. These steps include not only Premier status updates, but also an extension of current memberships and subscriptions. The updates will happen automatically over the next few weeks — there's nothing you need to do.
The big news: If you have current 2020 Premier status, it will be extended to January 31, 2022. At a minimum, you will enjoy the same published status next year that you have today, up to Premier 1K®.
We're reducing the 2020 Premier qualifying points (PQP) and flight requirements for all tiers by 50%. You'll still need a minimum of four flight segments on United or United Express®.
We're also doubling PQP for United Explorer cards and quadrupling PQP for the United Club cards.
At the same time that we're decreasing the published program's PQP requirements, via a promotion from May 1 – December 31, 2020, we're doubling (for United Explorer cards) or quadrupling (for United Club cards) the maximum number of PQP that Cardmembers can earn during 2020 to help achieve a higher level of status than you already have.
1K® and Platinum members, we're increasing your ability to upgrade by extending PlusPoints expiration dates by six months and expanding Skip Waitlist.
- This means a six-month extension of any PlusPoints set to expire on or before January 31, 2021.
- Last year we introduced Skip Waitlist on select flights as a benefit to 1K members, giving you more opportunities to confirm an upgrade request at the time of booking. This benefit will now be available for the rest of 2020 in a significantly expanded selection of long-haul international regions and will have expanded availability in 2021 as well.
- We want to make sure your benefits are still there when you're ready to start flying again. That's why we're extending purchased United Club℠ memberships and purchased subscriptions for Economy Plus®, United Wi-Fi℠ and checked bags by six months. You should see this reflected in your MileagePlus account soon.
- If your travel plans have been disrupted, and you have an electronic travel certificate from us for the value of your ticket, you now have two years from the date it was issued to book a new flight, as well as up to an additional 11 months to travel. This includes all currently valid and all new electronic travel certificates issued on or after April 1, 2020.
- We are currently waiving all award redeposit fees for travel through end of May 2020.
- We are now also waiving all redeposit fees for award ticket cancellations made more than 30 days before departure for the remainder of 2020.
Over the years, you have placed your trust and loyalty in United, and we are honored to do the same for you. We are all in this together.
Status extension to January 31, 2022, applies to all members that met the published criteria of the MileagePlus program in 2019, status associated with the United/Marriott RewardsPlus program and status offered as part of a Sales nomination. Status granted from other programs and policies may not apply.
With extended status. will we automatically get additional PlusPoints in 2021 (40 for Plats and 280 for 1KsGS?
No, your existing PlusPoints will be extended 6 months but to get additional 2021 PlusPoints you will need to meet the reduced thresholds for 2020
[5 April 2020] Status extended 1 year - United Hub
- Status extended 1 year (expires 1/31/22)
- Plus Points extended 6 months
- Lower qualifying thresholds to gain 2021 status in 2020 (about 50%)
[5 April 2020] United will extend Premier status for 12 months (SF Gate):
United will announce on Sunday that it is extending elite status to MileagePlus Premier members through 2021 and members will retain their current status through January 2022. This follows a similar move by Delta Air Lines on April 4 to extend SkyMiles Medallion elite status to 2021.
A United spokesperson has confirmed this to SFGATE, adding: "We are also going to help both general members and members who want to reach the next status level by lowering thresholds for Premier Qualifying Points (PQP’s) for the 2021 status year."
In addition to the elite status extension, United will extend all its annual subscription options by six months, including United Club memberships, wi-fi, checked bags and EconomyPlus, according to the spokesperson.
A United spokesperson has confirmed this to SFGATE, adding: "We are also going to help both general members and members who want to reach the next status level by lowering thresholds for Premier Qualifying Points (PQP’s) for the 2021 status year."
In addition to the elite status extension, United will extend all its annual subscription options by six months, including United Club memberships, wi-fi, checked bags and EconomyPlus, according to the spokesperson.
[7 March 2020] A message to our Premier members (email):
At this time, we are not planning any changes for our 2021 Premier program but we will continue to evaluate our options as we learn more about how the current climate is affecting members' activity. In the interim though, we do plan to give members who are participating in a MileagePlus 2020 Premier Status Match Challenge promotion an additional 30 days to complete their challenge. This extension will automatically be reflected in member accounts within the next week.
There's a good (but not exhaustive) crowdsourced list of company travel restrictions here: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1...bWhYFM/preview .....
Hey there!
As true loyalty is best tested in challenging times, I did a bit of research on how different airlines and hotel programmes have responded:
Feel free to comment that Google Sheets file and if you have some better insights, let me know (I used only what was available on English-speaking websites and some blog posts I could find, showing emails from the programmes). ....
As true loyalty is best tested in challenging times, I did a bit of research on how different airlines and hotel programmes have responded:
- 74 airline loyalty responses (status, miles expiration extensions) and booking flexibility terms (changes and refunds)
- 18 hotel loyalty responses (status, points expiration extensions) and booking flexibility terms (changes and refunds)
Feel free to comment that Google Sheets file and if you have some better insights, let me know (I used only what was available on English-speaking websites and some blog posts I could find, showing emails from the programmes). ....
UA • CONFIRMS • Status Extension to JAN 2022; PQP Thresholds Reduced by ˝ for 2020
Apr 4, 2020, 1:07 pm
#676
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: SAN
Programs: 1K (since 2008), *G (since 1990), 1MM
Posts: 3,217
I still think that current management is seriously considering to dump the whole program. They are just not interested in two way loyalty and rightly or wrongly their only priority lies in maximizing profits to reassure shareholders and line their own pockets as well. When things get back to normal no incentive will move anybody to leave their shelters and start boarding aircraft just for status' sake. This forced time off will bring many folks back to their senses and will change how life proceeds from now on. There will be an uptick in passengers but not a wholesale return to what is was before. Every airline will start from the same starting point without having gained any advantages ( or disadvantages ) during the slowdown and proportional market share will remain as it was before. And therefor in my humble opinion there is from UA's perspective no need to offer any hand outs. Surely something would need to be done with the Chase partnership but they could figure something out. I am sure of that. Maybe even something innovative? My 5 cents.
This thread is hilarious. The email seems to be a Rorschach Test that amplifies whatever the reader is already feeling about United. Those who already despised United see it as "buzz off, we're busy". I, on the other hand, clearly read it as saying that they recognize the challenges and will figure out the best way to handle it later ... which is effectively the same thing most other airlines are saying (at least those without rolling qualification years).
It's obvious that they're going to make accommodations at this point. Dissecting the tone of the email is kind of silly.
It's obvious that they're going to make accommodations at this point. Dissecting the tone of the email is kind of silly.
UA could get away with "Kirbyazation" in good times. Things will be markedly different in next few years and UA has a choice of which path to follow - 1) "Damn the torpedoes, full steam ahead" Kirby mode, or 2) something different. I don't think #1 would set up UA for a successful rebound. UA's (pre-DOT ruling) stance on refunds was definitely a step down the wrong path. They need to QUICKLY respond to the ruling by offering something better if they want to steer their customers towards a credit (versus refund). They can still hold onto the money and customers if they make a customer-friendly offer.
They should also not trail competitors in statements to the effect that "We're looking at revising status qualification metrics considering these difficult times".
Get smart, Wells Tower...
They should also not trail competitors in statements to the effect that "We're looking at revising status qualification metrics considering these difficult times".
Get smart, Wells Tower...
If the idea of a frequent flyer program is to encourage people to fly your airline, then United has not met that goal with my 2021 flying choices and I am someone who books and pays months in advance so United usually has my funds for a long period of time. I suspect I am not the only person who flies on their own dime and books great fares and wants to be high on the upgrade list by booking early. The 2020 changes to the United Mileage Plus program (for 2021 status) told me United no longer valued me as a repeat flying customer and I should look elsewhere for my flying needs in 2021. United has done nothing to change my mind about this and another airline is likely to be getting my money in 2021. But I am a loyal United 1K member for 2020 and receiving all the benefits that entails - value for my spend.
Apr 5, 2020, 8:08 am
#677
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Houston
Programs: UA LT GS 4.2 MM, AA Gold 1MM, HH Lifetime Diamond, Marriott Lifetime Gold
Posts: 394
It looks like Delta has extended status by a year
https://onemileatatime.com/delta-sky...allion-status/
https://onemileatatime.com/delta-sky...allion-status/
Apr 5, 2020, 8:16 am
#678
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: Canada
Programs: UA*1K MM
Posts: 23,297
It looks like Delta has extended status by a year
https://onemileatatime.com/delta-sky...allion-status/
https://onemileatatime.com/delta-sky...allion-status/
Now, will AA and UA be sheep, or will they come up with a different solution....
Apr 5, 2020, 8:29 am
#679
Join Date: May 2010
Location: AVP & PEK
Programs: UA 1K 1.8MM
Posts: 6,340
Would it have been so difficult for UA to be the leader here?
Good on DL for doing this!
It wouldn't surprise me one bit if UA does something similar very soon, but just not quite as generous. Extend until Dec 31, 2021, maybe?
Their true colors seem even more evident in this crisis. Shame on them.
Apr 5, 2020, 8:33 am
#680
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: BOM-SIN-EWR
Programs: UA*G (1K again), Sixt Plat, *was*: SQ QPP01 & SK EBS/EBG, LH SEN, AA EXP, 9wPlat
Posts: 8,606
Apr 5, 2020, 8:37 am
#681
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: Canada
Programs: UA*1K MM
Posts: 23,297
As a byproduct of this, in late 2021 and all of 2022, everyone will be elite....
Apr 5, 2020, 8:46 am
#682
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: NYC (Primarily EWR)
Programs: UA 1K / *G, Marriott Bonvoy Gold; Avis PC
Posts: 9,002
No doubt UA will shortly be following, since that is what they are conditioned to do. They also have the pickle of moved over to a pure spending qualification that is highly levered to the economic cycle - so I’m sure they are figuring out how to get themselves out of the pickle they created for themselves.
Apr 5, 2020, 8:48 am
#683
Join Date: May 2010
Location: AVP & PEK
Programs: UA 1K 1.8MM
Posts: 6,340
Not too sure about that, actually.
I reckon there won't even be that much of an increase. But so what if there is?
Apr 5, 2020, 8:54 am
#684
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2003
Posts: 10,218
I don’t understand how you think this is gonna happen. I highly doubt travel will even be remotely near 2019 levels over the next 24 months. If that’s the case, who cares if there are a lot of elite members who got extended? Most wont be flying.
Apr 5, 2020, 9:11 am
#686
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2003
Programs: UA*Lifetime GS, Hyatt* Lifetime Globalist
Posts: 12,322
..... now Delta is getting all the goodwills and praises for being sensitive to customers’ needs and a leader in customer services and rewarding loyalty!
UA management is so disconnected from the real world of serving customers and having the arrogance to sending out the previous communication not doing anything.
I have been flying United for 3+ decades and this is probably their worst in terms of PR and being sensitive to the changing environment. I remember UA was a leader post 9/11, and was the first to come out of block to extend status for one extra year while leaving the competitions behind in negative publicity.
It is inevitable that loyalty status would be extended judging from decisions made by hotel chains and international airlines. UA management is just not smart enough see the writings on the walls and dragging its feet.
I guess Marriott and UA truly deserve each other in the Reward Plus partnership.
UA management is so disconnected from the real world of serving customers and having the arrogance to sending out the previous communication not doing anything.
I have been flying United for 3+ decades and this is probably their worst in terms of PR and being sensitive to the changing environment. I remember UA was a leader post 9/11, and was the first to come out of block to extend status for one extra year while leaving the competitions behind in negative publicity.
It is inevitable that loyalty status would be extended judging from decisions made by hotel chains and international airlines. UA management is just not smart enough see the writings on the walls and dragging its feet.
I guess Marriott and UA truly deserve each other in the Reward Plus partnership.
Last edited by UA_Flyer; Apr 5, 2020 at 9:39 am
Apr 5, 2020, 9:14 am
#687
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: NYC, FLL
Programs: UA PP 1MM, Marriott Bonvoy LTTE, BA Gold
Posts: 6,318
Well done Delta. Their communications and leadership during this crisis has been outstanding, really.
As noted above, we should see UA follow in 3,2,1...
As noted above, we should see UA follow in 3,2,1...
Apr 5, 2020, 9:24 am
#688
Join Date: May 2010
Location: AVP & PEK
Programs: UA 1K 1.8MM
Posts: 6,340
If you do something like this first, you get all the good press and goodwill.
How could ANYONE not see that this was going to happen eventually?
Is this UA stupidity, UA arrogance or UA cowardice (or all of these)?
Just amazing!
Apr 5, 2020, 9:26 am
#689
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: GVA (Greater Vancouver Area)
Programs: DREAD Gold; UA 1.035MM; Bonvoy Au-197; PCC Elite+; CCC Elite+; MSC C-12; CWC Au-197; WoH Dis
Posts: 52,133
Apr 5, 2020, 9:27 am
#690
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: Canada
Programs: UA*1K MM
Posts: 23,297
I do hope you are right though, that people will be grounded longer for their work-related flying, resulting in less elites.
As someone who is already qualified for Gold this year, I welcome an extension of 1K (for both me and wife) until end of 2021. If an extension was to happen, even at current qualifying levels, we'll easily make 1K come Dec.2021.