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UA • CONFIRMS • Status Extension to JAN 2022; PQP Thresholds Reduced by ½ for 2020

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Old Mar 6, 2020, 1:30 pm
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Last edit by: WineCountryUA
05April 2020
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.
  • 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're extending all annual membership and subscription benefits by six months.
  • 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.
All electronic travel certificates now have 24 months to be used.
  • 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 have removed some redeposit fees for the rest of the year.
  • 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.
Finally, we'll be making it easier to earn status in 2021 for the 2022 program year. We recognize that getting back to travel will occur at a different pace for different members. Keep an eye out for changes we will make to help you earn status in 2021 for 2022, as we'll share details later this year.

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.
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):
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.
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[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.
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Originally Posted by Sykes
There's a good (but not exhaustive) crowdsourced list of company travel restrictions here: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1...bWhYFM/preview .....
Originally Posted by Fims
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:
  • 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)
The full outcome is freely available at https://bit.ly/loyalty-response-covid19

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). ....





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UA • CONFIRMS • Status Extension to JAN 2022; PQP Thresholds Reduced by ½ for 2020

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Old Apr 6, 2020, 10:02 am
  #901  
 
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Colorado
Programs: UA Gold (.85 MM), HH Diamond, SPG Platinum (LT Gold), Hertz PC, National EE
Posts: 5,660
Originally Posted by cfischer
so they need to address the new +P question now. Too bad they neglected to address this at all.

It is still listed as: After meeting the requirements for Premier 1K, members earn 20 PlusPoints for every 3,000 PQP beyond 18,000 PQP.

Now, the requirements are no longer 18k PQP but rather 9k PQP. I am currently at 13k PQP so should I get 280 +Ps now? Then another 20 +Ps? because it is 3k beyond the current limit? Or will we get 280 +Ps at 9k and then more once we get beyond 18k?

If this is answered somewhere ... please post!
Somehow I don’t think you will get to double dip and get 2x points, and I also don’t think this is high on the priority list to address ASAP.
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Old Apr 6, 2020, 10:14 am
  #902  
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Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: Honolulu Harbor
Programs: UA 1K
Posts: 15,026
Originally Posted by J.Edward
I’d agree - see comment below for details.

The real issue is how frequently “paper” elites become “real” elites by actually traveling.
On my routes, my competition is (usually) less business travelers than leisure travelers. Reduced capacity will probably reproduce the same or tougher competition for upgrades. I promise you UA's schedule will not nearly resemble summer 2019's in summer 2020 or summer 2021. Another contributing factor is some companies will be putting HVFs in coach. They'll want to be in F. There's a lot of moving parts. I hope you're right, but I think reduced capacity is going to be the equalizer relative to reduced travel.
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Old Apr 6, 2020, 10:20 am
  #903  
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Join Date: Aug 2005
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Originally Posted by COSPILOT
Somehow I don’t think you will get to double dip and get 2x points, and I also don’t think this is high on the priority list to address ASAP.
who is talking about double dipping? Where is the 2x? What am I missing?

Also, one of the few incentives to keep flying in 2H20, so quite important IMO for UA to address to keep some of their high spenders.
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Old Apr 6, 2020, 10:51 am
  #904  
 
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: PHL
Programs: UA 1K 1MM, Marriott Gold, IHG Platinum, Raddison Platinum, Avis Presidents Club
Posts: 5,271
Originally Posted by IAH-OIL-TRASH
On my routes, my competition is (usually) less business travelers than leisure travelers. Reduced capacity will probably reproduce the same or tougher competition for upgrades. I promise you UA's schedule will not nearly resemble summer 2019's in summer 2020 or summer 2021. Another contributing factor is some companies will be putting HVFs in coach. They'll want to be in F. There's a lot of moving parts. I hope you're right, but I think reduced capacity is going to be the equalizer relative to reduced travel.
I'd agree, alot of moving parts which will be changing over time. Right now UA has to have enough planes in the air even though they are nearly empty. As things get back to normal, they'll start to fill up. At some point, UA will need to start adding flights and routes back in. During this time, I'd expect to see some routes that are completely full and some routes that are completely empty. International is even more complicated. How will UA manage PZ > 0? How will that balance with the supply of PP given these new thresholds and business environment? So many moving parts. I think the best thing to do is to keep any eye on things and be ready to take advantage of any opportunities (assuming you'll be traveling)
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Old Apr 6, 2020, 11:15 am
  #905  
 
Join Date: Jun 2016
Posts: 170
Sorry if I missed this explained above. I'm confused about status extension for 2021... I'm a current 1k, does my status just extend with no additional plus points for 2021 or do we get a new batch of them that expire in Jan 2022?
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Old Apr 6, 2020, 11:17 am
  #906  
 
Join Date: Jul 2016
Programs: United, Southwest
Posts: 572
Newbie Question

Does this mean I simply have to spend $2500 on a flight with United before the end of the year and I’ll be Silver? Haven’t flown United since they changed the “rules” last year. Flew Delta and Virgin Atlantic in January (Delta One/Upper Class) and really didn’t like the “pods”. Surprisingly! Thanks. Sorry I’m not up on the lingo.
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Old Apr 6, 2020, 11:19 am
  #907  
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Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: Canada
Programs: UA*1K MM SK EBG LATAM BL
Posts: 23,309
Originally Posted by WheelsUpGal
Does this mean I simply have to spend $2500 on a flight with United before the end of the year and I’ll be Silver? Haven’t flown United since they changed the “rules” last year. Flew Delta and Virgin Atlantic in January (Delta One/Upper Class) and really didn’t like the “pods”. Surprisingly! Thanks. Sorry I’m not up on the lingo.
It will require 4 segments to be on United metal as well.
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Old Apr 6, 2020, 11:32 am
  #908  
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Originally Posted by poohfighter
Sorry if I missed this explained above. I'm confused about status extension for 2021... I'm a current 1k, does my status just extend with no additional plus points for 2021 or do we get a new batch of them that expire in Jan 2022?
There's been no announcement to this point; until / unless United says otherwise, you should assume that no P+ will be granted unless the new, lower qualification requirements are met.
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Old Apr 6, 2020, 11:45 am
  #909  
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Join Date: Oct 2004
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Programs: DL SM, UA MP.
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Why are people saying there will be more 1Ks in 2021?

Are you able to add to your qualifying totals from 2019 with flying this year?

Or will any flying in 2020 roll in for 2022 status?
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Old Apr 6, 2020, 11:51 am
  #910  
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Originally Posted by jsloan
There's been no announcement to this point; until / unless United says otherwise, you should assume that no P+ will be granted unless the new, lower qualification requirements are met.
I would assume that, too. They are extending current Premier status through to January 2022, not re-qualifying Premiers January 1 for 2021. I would also assume if one actually meets the Plat or 1K qualification standards (PQP and PQF) this year for 2021, they would get the PPs.

I also assumed during the early tenure of Oscar that UA had a chance to catch up to Delta in terms of the flying experience

Last edited by IAH-OIL-TRASH; Apr 6, 2020 at 11:58 am
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Old Apr 6, 2020, 12:09 pm
  #911  
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Join Date: Jan 2002
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Programs: UA*1K MM SK EBG LATAM BL
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Originally Posted by wco81
Why are people saying there will be more 1Ks in 2021?
Are you able to add to your qualifying totals from 2019 with flying this year?
Or will any flying in 2020 roll in for 2022 status?
Three fold
2019 qualifiers will have 1K until end of 2021 - granted, they will not have upgrades to use past June
2020 qualifiers (at reduced levels) will have 1K until end of 2021 (assuming there is any flying happening in 2020)
2021 as the year goes on, new qualifiers (at supposedly reduced levels) (and status matches) wil join the ranks

Of course, this may not happen, if the economy tanks, and with it OPM flying.
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Old Apr 6, 2020, 12:55 pm
  #912  
 
Join Date: Sep 2013
Posts: 1,116
I emailed united about GS

"Currently The Global Services membership is still by invitation only. Internal parameters may be adjusted in response to the challenges faced by everyone within the program. Please be patient as this ever-changing process reveals itself. If something changes we will expedite our information to you. Thank you for the loyalty you've shown Global Services. We look forward to an opportunity to welcome you onboard again soon."
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Old Apr 6, 2020, 1:33 pm
  #913  
 
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: Chicago
Posts: 1,162
Originally Posted by jp12687
I emailed united about GS

"Currently The Global Services membership is still by invitation only. Internal parameters may be adjusted in response to the challenges faced by everyone within the program. Please be patient as this ever-changing process reveals itself. If something changes we will expedite our information to you. Thank you for the loyalty you've shown Global Services. We look forward to an opportunity to welcome you onboard again soon."
Aside from nominated GS status (corporate accounts, travel deciders, VIPs, 4MMs, companions - those who don’t earn it via $50K+ in-year spend), it will be interesting to see whether UA leaves the qualification requirements relatively intact for those who earn their GS status with their spend. UA will be desperate for this subsegment’s patronage like never before so why send them a signal to take their business elsewhere? Many of these fliers spend closer to $100K than $50K in a normal year. They choose flights based on schedule and are not price sensitive nor driven by luxury, which fits UA’s proposition to a T.
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Old Apr 6, 2020, 1:47 pm
  #914  
 
Join Date: Aug 2011
Programs: UA 1K | Marriott LT Platinum
Posts: 459
Originally Posted by AirbusFan2B
Aside from nominated GS status (corporate accounts, travel deciders, VIPs, 4MMs, companions - those who don’t earn it via $50K+ in-year spend), it will be interesting to see whether UA leaves the qualification requirements relatively intact for those who earn their GS status with their spend. UA will be desperate for this subsegment’s patronage like never before so why send them a signal to take their business elsewhere? Many of these fliers spend closer to $100K than $50K in a normal year. They choose flights based on schedule and are not price sensitive nor driven by luxury, which fits UA’s proposition to a T.
By signal do you mean if they automatically grant status for next year, you won't be incentivized to fly them and will fly other carriers to double up status?

I've seen this sentiment a lot and it really baffles me. I've been GS for a year now and it has absolutely increased my strict loyalty to United not because I am trying to requalify but because I have the top treatment in all cases (efficiency of using miles, treatment in IRROPS, chances of upgrade, number of award miles earned, etc.). Why would I start flying American or Delta where I get no preferential treatment, earn very few miles per dollar, etc. just to get status on two airlines?? I've had this before and found it useless.

The only counter-argument I can see is someone who already has GS and would have normally stayed United to requal but instead will try other carriers where they prefer the product over United (because otherwise why not at least get preferential GS treatment except for a better hard product). But if that's the case, why didn't they just do that all the time before?
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Old Apr 6, 2020, 1:53 pm
  #915  
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Join Date: Sep 2003
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Originally Posted by n8-the-gr8
... I've been GS for a year now and it has absolutely increased my strict loyalty to United not because I am trying to requalify but because I have the top treatment in all cases (efficiency of using miles, treatment in IRROPS, chances of upgrade, number of award miles earned, etc.). Why would I start flying American or Delta where I get no preferential treatment, earn very few miles per dollar, etc. just to get status on two airlines?? I've had this before and found it useless....
Well, you're GS.

The differences is benefits received might be better at lower levels. I'm pretty sure (based in Hawaii, and knowing some AAers here) that my upgrade chances out the Islands would be higher on AA than UA, where I'm fighting UA's large West Coast Premier population for CPU and instrument benefits. UA's network/frequencies out of Hawaii is the best of the 3 legacies w/ DL a distant 3rd, which is why I stick w/ UA. If UA is going to give me a pass on qualifying for 1K for 2021 and lowered hurdles, I might give AA a whirl to see how it compares. UA is giving a certain segment of its Premiers the opportunity to try other airlines w/o losing their UA status.

If one status or challenge matches to AA or DL, one gets the preferential treatment.
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