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):
-------------
[7 March 2020] A message to our Premier members (email):
-------------
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 ½ for 2020
Apr 5, 2020, 8:28 pm
#826
Join Date: Jun 2011
Posts: 923
+1. I'm looking to fly up front next month and am not looking forward to it. Saw an article that Delta told its pilots not to tell its FAs if infected. How is anyone supposed to know whether an FA or all the people that walk past your seat in C haven't just sprayed your seat with aerolyzed viral particles? I'd rather just not fly...
Apr 5, 2020, 8:28 pm
#827
Join Date: May 2001
Location: RNO, NV, USA.
Programs: UA 2MM
Posts: 5,063
Apr 5, 2020, 8:38 pm
#828
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: NYC
Programs: UA GS (1MM), DL Gold, Marriott Plat, Hyatt Globalist, Avis CC
Posts: 526
Lots of details from a United for Business email I got:
We're making some key changes to the MileagePlus program for you
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.
- 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.
Apr 5, 2020, 8:43 pm
#829
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: NYC, FLL
Programs: UA PP 1MM, Marriott Bonvoy LTTE, BA Gold
Posts: 6,324
Lots of details from a United for Business email I got:
We're making some key changes to the MileagePlus program for you
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.
- 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.
Apr 5, 2020, 8:45 pm
#830
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Austin, TX
Posts: 21,415
Given past practice for UA soft landings, UA million miler, and NZ’s recent status extension for their elites, I’m anticipating that at the start of the new year UA will indeed load an additional 40/320 PP for all 2021 Plt/1k members, even if the new thresholds aren’t met. Believe the new reduced status thresholds will be needed only for Premiers interested jumping into or up a level.
Apr 5, 2020, 8:49 pm
#831
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: SFO/SJC
Programs: UA 1K & 2MM, Bonvoy Titanium & LTP, HH Gold, Accor Silver, Hertz PC, Avis PC
Posts: 2,350
Only time will tell if this was a good move, but of course all three had to move pretty much in lock step.
For me, I'm 900 PQP or 5 PQF away from an "earned" 1K for 2021 - which I presume comes with the regular quota of Plus Points. Although we, like many companies, are slashing travel for the year because of the way revenues are getting crushed, if it's safe to fly, then I'll hit that target. If it's not safe to fly by the end of the year, UA will be reducing the target further anyway.
What this boils down to is I'm going to have at least 720 Plus Points for the first half of 2021, with 400 of them needing to be used up in that period. Lot of SFO-SEA confirmed in the front in my future.
The 24 month ETC expiration is a nice touch.
For me, I'm 900 PQP or 5 PQF away from an "earned" 1K for 2021 - which I presume comes with the regular quota of Plus Points. Although we, like many companies, are slashing travel for the year because of the way revenues are getting crushed, if it's safe to fly, then I'll hit that target. If it's not safe to fly by the end of the year, UA will be reducing the target further anyway.
What this boils down to is I'm going to have at least 720 Plus Points for the first half of 2021, with 400 of them needing to be used up in that period. Lot of SFO-SEA confirmed in the front in my future.
The 24 month ETC expiration is a nice touch.
Apr 5, 2020, 8:50 pm
#832
Join Date: Jul 2017
Location: YVR
Programs: UA 1K
Posts: 975
So I guess the big question now is whether UA will roll over 2020's PQF / PQP to 2022 qualification?
Apr 5, 2020, 8:53 pm
#833
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Clinging to the edifices of a decadent past from the biggest city in America nobody really cares about.
Programs: (ಠ_ಠ)
Posts: 9,077
Put me down as well. $9k works and I'm already about $1.9k in so far.
Apr 5, 2020, 8:54 pm
#834
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: YYZ
Programs: UA1K MM, JL JMB SAPPHIRE, Marriott Titanium/LTP, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 1,267
Apr 5, 2020, 8:55 pm
#835
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2017
Programs: AS 75K, DL Silver, UA Platinum, Hilton Gold, Hyatt Discoverist, Marriott Platinum + LT Gold
Posts: 10,515
Apr 5, 2020, 8:57 pm
#836
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: LAX/TPE
Programs: United 1K, JAL Sapphire, SPG Lifetime Platinum, National Executive Elite, Hertz PC, Avis PC
Posts: 42,222
My take on the UA changes is the following:
More 1Ks in 2021 as the threshold for Platinums and Golds to hit 1K this year, assuming flying is restored by end of summer, is doable.
Current 1Ks get rather limited benefits from this, aside from retaining their status in 2021 and an extra 6 months on upgrade points
If UA wanted to incentivize me to fly THIS year vs waiting for next year, they should have copied Delta's well thought out approach which basically comes down to counting two years as one, so I had incentive to fly throughout the next 24 months vs kicking back and saying "no need to fly extra this year because the PQF is wasted with my bonus year status, I'll just wait for January 2021".
Of course Kirby probably thought that was too customer friendly, rather than being a good business decision.
More 1Ks in 2021 as the threshold for Platinums and Golds to hit 1K this year, assuming flying is restored by end of summer, is doable.
Current 1Ks get rather limited benefits from this, aside from retaining their status in 2021 and an extra 6 months on upgrade points
If UA wanted to incentivize me to fly THIS year vs waiting for next year, they should have copied Delta's well thought out approach which basically comes down to counting two years as one, so I had incentive to fly throughout the next 24 months vs kicking back and saying "no need to fly extra this year because the PQF is wasted with my bonus year status, I'll just wait for January 2021".
Of course Kirby probably thought that was too customer friendly, rather than being a good business decision.
Apr 5, 2020, 9:01 pm
#837
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: ORD
Programs: UA GS
Posts: 143
I’m a bit worried about this part:
I earned 1K for 6 years straight and then had my first kid, which caused me to miss a bunch of travel. With my 2019 flying I qualified for gold and narrowly missed platinum (for 2020 status). Since I was a 1K at the time united very generously extended my 1K status through 2020 (they have a policy to do so for Maternity/paternity or medical disability). I am hopeful I would be eligible for the further extension but realize I might not based on that language. Does anybody have any insight? Of course my flying has taken a severe hit this year due to company policy changes as well as the aforementioned kid.
I’m also concerned that if the extension does not apply to me, that the system might not recognize that I would have been gold without the extension, and drop me to GM.
I’m sure these answers will be known in time... but since I’m grounded there’s a lot to think about!!
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.
I’m also concerned that if the extension does not apply to me, that the system might not recognize that I would have been gold without the extension, and drop me to GM.
I’m sure these answers will be known in time... but since I’m grounded there’s a lot to think about!!
Apr 5, 2020, 9:01 pm
#838
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2003
Programs: UA*Lifetime GS, Hyatt* Lifetime Globalist
Posts: 12,337
26 PQF and 9,000 PQP or 12,000 PQP for 1k, I have already made it ! I am looking forward to the additional Plus Points to be deposit into my account.
Apr 5, 2020, 9:03 pm
#839
Join Date: Jul 2017
Location: YVR
Programs: UA 1K
Posts: 975
So assuming things don't change, those who are not looking to level up, ie already have 1K status, and just want to maintain their status for the 2022 program year, any PQF / PQP earned this year is meaningless?
Apr 5, 2020, 9:04 pm
#840
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: NYC
Programs: UA GS (1MM), DL Gold, Marriott Plat, Hyatt Globalist, Avis CC
Posts: 526
My take on the UA changes is the following:
If UA wanted to incentivize me to fly THIS year vs waiting for next year, they should have copied Delta's well thought out approach which basically comes down to counting two years as one, so I had incentive to fly throughout the next 24 months vs kicking back and saying "no need to fly extra this year because the PQF is wasted with my bonus year status, I'll just wait for January 2021".
If UA wanted to incentivize me to fly THIS year vs waiting for next year, they should have copied Delta's well thought out approach which basically comes down to counting two years as one, so I had incentive to fly throughout the next 24 months vs kicking back and saying "no need to fly extra this year because the PQF is wasted with my bonus year status, I'll just wait for January 2021".