Go Back  FlyerTalk Forums > Miles&Points > Airlines and Mileage Programs > United Airlines | MileagePlus
Reload this Page >

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

Community
Wiki Posts
Search
Old Mar 6, 2020, 1:30 pm
FlyerTalk Forums Expert How-Tos and Guides
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.
-------------

[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.
-------------
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). ....





Print Wikipost

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

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Apr 6, 2020, 10:12 pm
  #946  
FlyerTalk Evangelist
 
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: Between AUS, EWR, and YTO In a little twisty maze of airline seats, all alike.. but I wanna go home with the armadillo
Programs: CO, NW, & UA forum moderator emeritus
Posts: 35,432
Originally Posted by mhelbrau
As a 1K currently at 16k PQP, I think it would be a better incentive to eliminate that 9 to 21k deadzone. Assuming travel opens back up some time in H2, I don't think this will be a deal breaker for me, but it would be nice to have some additional encouragement over those 12k.
Are we sure that no additional PP are earned until $21k? I find that hard t believe.
Xyzzy is offline  
Old Apr 6, 2020, 10:22 pm
  #947  
Moderator: United Airlines
 
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: SFO
Programs: UA Plat 1.997MM, Hyatt Discoverist, Marriott Plat/LT Gold, Hilton Silver, IHG Plat
Posts: 66,859
Originally Posted by Xyzzy
Are we sure that no additional PP are earned until $21k? I find that hard t believe.
Seems to what UA Insider has posted, that one will get 280 (+40) PlusPoints at the new reduced qualification levels but no more until you meet the previously planned levels
Xyzzy likes this.
WineCountryUA is offline  
Old Apr 6, 2020, 10:38 pm
  #948  
 
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: HNL
Programs: UA GS4MM, MR LT Plat, Hilton Gold
Posts: 6,447
Originally Posted by WineCountryUA
Seems to what UA Insider has posted, that one will get 280 (+40) PlusPoints at the new reduced qualification levels but no more until you meet the previously planned levels
If we can all fly the second half I suspect a lot of aggressive promotions will start appearing - but not until we can fly again.
HNLbasedFlyer is offline  
Old Apr 6, 2020, 10:54 pm
  #949  
 
Join Date: Mar 2014
Programs: Mileage Plus Global Services 2MM
Posts: 1,201
I'm thrilled UA is taking this approach and was clearly "locked and loaded" when DL announced. This was not all put together in a matter of hours.

While it seemed to be early in the process to announce program changes for 2021, I think their hand was forced a bit. Airlines are running ghost ships right now and frankly people's belief this will change in the next few months is overly optimistic. We are going to have "hot spots" pop up all year as an area relaxes lock down orders and the virus jumps to that area. I'll be shocked if there is over 50% capacity on domestic flights before the end of the year. International is not happening in 2020 imho.

This virus scared the heck out of people and the death toll will go up the next few months. Business as usual isn't coming any time soon. Based on that, the release of the MP changes was probably premature, but necessary since DL blinked first.
bluedemon211 is offline  
Old Apr 6, 2020, 11:10 pm
  #950  
 
Join Date: Dec 2006
Programs: United 1k aa exec plat
Posts: 1,842
Originally Posted by jsloan

Qualification for a higher status level than achieved in CY2019; if you're a 1K, they count toward qualification for PlusPoints.
sorry,but what does this mean?why do they only count toward plus points for 1ks?
bryanwallace is offline  
Old Apr 7, 2020, 12:01 am
  #951  
FlyerTalk Evangelist
 
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: Honolulu Harbor
Programs: UA 1K
Posts: 15,026
Originally Posted by bryanwallace
sorry,but what does this mean?why do they only count toward plus points for 1ks?
Those who get to (or re-qualify for) 2021 1K via PQPs and PQFs this year will get PPs. This also applies to those who get to (or qualify as) 2021 Plat via PQPs and PQFs in 2020. It appears that those who retain Plat or 1K in 2021 via extension of current 2020 status only (ie not meeting the qualification hurdles) will not get PPs.
jsloan likes this.
IAH-OIL-TRASH is offline  
Old Apr 7, 2020, 12:03 am
  #952  
FlyerTalk Evangelist
 
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Austin, TX
Posts: 21,415
Originally Posted by bryanwallace
sorry,but what does this mean?why do they only count toward plus points for 1ks?
The question was, why bother flying UA if your status has already been extended.

Besides the obvious reason of being able to use your status, the other answer is that you would fly UA in order to achieve a higher status level -- but if you're 1K, there is no (published) higher status level; instead, the reason is to earn PlusPoints. The extended status does not, of itself, grant any new PlusPoints for 2021.
jsloan is offline  
Old Apr 7, 2020, 2:56 am
  #953  
FlyerTalk Evangelist
 
Join Date: Mar 2010
Programs: DL, OZ, AC, AS, AA, BA, Hilton, Hyatt, Marriott, IHG
Posts: 19,903
Originally Posted by bluedemon211
I'm thrilled UA is taking this approach and was clearly "locked and loaded" when DL announced. This was not all put together in a matter of hours.

While it seemed to be early in the process to announce program changes for 2021, I think their hand was forced a bit. Airlines are running ghost ships right now and frankly people's belief this will change in the next few months is overly optimistic. We are going to have "hot spots" pop up all year as an area relaxes lock down orders and the virus jumps to that area. I'll be shocked if there is over 50% capacity on domestic flights before the end of the year. International is not happening in 2020 imho.

This virus scared the heck out of people and the death toll will go up the next few months. Business as usual isn't coming any time soon. Based on that, the release of the MP changes was probably premature, but necessary since DL blinked first.
UA is already looking at restarting SFO-PVG service; albeit on a limited basis and most likely once a week.
lsquare is offline  
Old Apr 7, 2020, 3:51 am
  #954  
 
Join Date: Sep 2013
Posts: 1,116
Originally Posted by lsquare
UA is already looking at restarting SFO-PVG service; albeit on a limited basis and most likely once a week.
it will be very limited. Used to be multiple daily options to China from several airports. Once per week from one is a way different thing.

ive said it before all travel is being scrutinized hard this year due to a 25-30% loss of revenue. Best case is things get back to normal towards end of year and 2021 budgets get close to 2018 or 2019 levels.
bluedemon211 likes this.
jp12687 is offline  
Old Apr 7, 2020, 7:41 am
  #955  
 
Join Date: Dec 2009
Posts: 350
Originally Posted by lsquare
UA is already looking at restarting SFO-PVG service; albeit on a limited basis and most likely once a week.
where did you hear this? please please please bring this back. i don't want to have to transit in tokyo or elsewhere. PVG-SFO would be SUPER amazing
deskover54 is offline  
Old Apr 7, 2020, 9:43 am
  #956  
 
Join Date: Feb 2020
Programs: United Mileage Plus
Posts: 28
Do we have an eta of when our updated statuses will appear in our account from this? I want to upgrade some seats to e+ now that im gold
the lost is offline  
Old Apr 7, 2020, 10:11 am
  #957  
FlyerTalk Evangelist
 
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Austin, TX
Posts: 21,415
Originally Posted by the lost
Do we have an eta of when our updated statuses will appear in our account from this? I want to upgrade some seats to e+ now that im gold
I suspect it will take a few days. weeks. (ETA: They've now updated mystatus.united.com with a message saying that our accounts should see the relevant updates in "the next few weeks.")

Last edited by jsloan; Apr 7, 2020 at 11:56 am
jsloan is offline  
Old Apr 7, 2020, 10:31 am
  #958  
 
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
Did any 1K not receive the update from MP yet?

I haven't...

(I requalified last year for this year - in 2019 for 2020)
SuperFlyBoy is offline  
Old Apr 7, 2020, 1:22 pm
  #959  
 
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Tampa
Programs: UA Global Services and 3MM, Lifetime Hilton Diamond/Marriott Titanium Ambassador, Hertz PC
Posts: 250
Originally Posted by SuperFlyBoy
Did any 1K not receive the update from MP yet?

I haven't...

(I requalified last year for this year - in 2019 for 2020)
I did not get any email from MP. I am GS and just reached 3MM status so i figure they excluded me since the extension has no impact on my status I guess.
KevinPK1 is offline  
Old Apr 7, 2020, 1:26 pm
  #960  
 
Join Date: Aug 2011
Programs: UA 1K | Marriott LT Platinum
Posts: 459
Originally Posted by KevinPK1
I did not get any email from MP. I am GS and just reached 3MM status so i figure they excluded me since the extension has no impact on my status I guess.
You both should have received it. GS here and received the email from MP. It came from United MileagePlus and was entitled "An update on your Premier status and more"
n8-the-gr8 is offline  


Contact Us - Manage Preferences - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Terms of Service -

This site is owned, operated, and maintained by MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. Copyright © 2024 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Designated trademarks are the property of their respective owners.