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 ½ for 2020
#1036
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Toronto
Programs: UA 1K, AC MM E75, Marriott LT Ti, IHG Dia Amb, Hyatt Glob
Posts: 15,521
#1037
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
My eyes deceived me.
#1038
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: BOS, PVG
Programs: United 1K and 1MM, Marriott Ambassador
Posts: 10,000
#1039
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
#1040
Join Date: Feb 2020
Programs: United Mileage Plus
Posts: 28
You actually don't want another reduction, because it would signal further setback in the entire economy - things are tough as it is now, i can't foresee further reduction from any of the US3. If we were to come close there, FF programs would be the last thing on the company's mind; the collapse of the entire US airlines industry, and other related industries would become reality..
#1041
Join Date: Jun 2016
Posts: 148
Will someone who received 1K as a soft landing from GS have their 1K status extended?
#1043
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: Honolulu Harbor
Programs: UA 1K
Posts: 15,025
I know it won't happen, but I wish in 2021, UA would differentiate earned status vs extended status for upgrade purposes only within tiers. Example: 1Ks who cleared hurdles in 2020 for 2021 would be listed (by fare class) ahead of extended status 1Ks (who would also be listed by fare class). The earned status 1Ks would be "Preferred 1Ks" . All 1Ks ("earned" and "extended"), of course, would be ahead of Plats, who would again be subdivided by "earned" vs "extended". One small way to reward those who bring revenue to UA in 2020, and maybe provide some a carrot to requalify instead of just ride the extension.
All other 1K benefits would remain the same.
All other 1K benefits would remain the same.
Last edited by IAH-OIL-TRASH; Apr 28, 2020 at 8:03 pm
#1044
Join Date: Feb 2008
Posts: 1,597
I know it won't happen, but I wish in 2021, UA would differentiate earned status vs extended status for upgrade purposes only within tiers. Example: 1Ks who cleared hurdles in 2020 for 2021 would be listed (by fare class) ahead of extended status 1Ks (who would also be listed by fare class). The earned status 1Ks would be "Preferred 1Ks" . All 1Ks ("earned" and "extended"), of course, would be ahead of Plats, who would again be subdivided by "earned" vs "extended". One small way to reward those who bring revenue to UA in 2020, and maybe provide some a carrot to requalify instead of just ride the extension.
All other 1K benefits would remain the same.
All other 1K benefits would remain the same.
A 1K or Platinum who is responsibly staying at home now, shouldn't be penalized in the form of a sub-elite level next year when travel is hopefully safer. They should be thanked for doing their part even by United which is a business, yes, but a socially responsible one.
With all that said, United does give "earned" 1Ks this year another 320 (280+40) plus points (which is huge) and "earned" Platinums +40 plus points. So in addition to a safer flight thanks to people like me who are not attending various functions around the world that I would have otherwise happily gone to this year, you do get a sizeable reward for "earning" the status this year and you'll be able to enjoy those points during a period which other 1Ks and Platinums have none.
Last edited by bmw303; Apr 28, 2020 at 8:23 pm
#1045
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: Honolulu Harbor
Programs: UA 1K
Posts: 15,025
As for PPs, I guess you missed PPs expiring 1/31/21 will be extended for 6 months. No, there won't be "none" being used by those just extending their status.
#1046
Join Date: Feb 2008
Posts: 1,597
For the rest of the year? Outside of January/February flights, I'll be qualifying in August through December. Seems like that is the purpose of the reduce hurdles, to compensate for the equivalent of 6 months of no flying.
As for PPs, I guess you missed PPs expiring 1/31/21 will be extended for 6 months. No, there won't be "none" being used by those just extending their status.
As for PPs, I guess you missed PPs expiring 1/31/21 will be extended for 6 months. No, there won't be "none" being used by those just extending their status.
To the point, I believe "earned" 1Ks do get a sizeable benefit (namely 320 plus points) that you do get to enjoy all of 2021, and for at least 5 months during which the other 1Ks have none (I did not miss the extension point in my original post). So you do get a sizeable reward and it would make little sense to differentiate further among the tiers. But that's just my opinion.
I do
Last edited by bmw303; Apr 28, 2020 at 8:45 pm
#1047
Join Date: Aug 2014
Location: Oakland, CA
Programs: UA 1K, IHG Spire, Marriott Gold
Posts: 25
2021 Plus Points
In light of the announcement that current premier status will be extended through January 2022, does this mean that 1K folks will get a new set of 280 Plus Points to be used in 2021? And if so, any idea when those might show up in our accounts?
#1048
Join Date: Apr 2016
Programs: UA 1K 1MM, AA Gold, Marriott Titanium, Hilton Diamond, Hyatt Discoverist
Posts: 695
the new set of plus points will show up when it is earned at the lower requirements for this year. No automatic new drop of plus points.
#1049
Join Date: Aug 2014
Location: Oakland, CA
Programs: UA 1K, IHG Spire, Marriott Gold
Posts: 25
But if I understand the new policy to extend status, there are no "new" requirements to be a 1K in 2021 if one is already a 1K in 2020, no?
#1050
Moderator: United Airlines
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: SFO
Programs: UA Plat 1.995MM, Hyatt Discoverist, Marriott Plat/LT Gold, Hilton Silver, IHG Plat
Posts: 66,857
Correct but as always you need to meet the annual requirements to earn the upgrade certs. So you will retain your status and the PlusPoints you have have been extended 6 months but to get additional PlusPoints you need to meet the reduced threshold in 2020.