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.

An update on your Premier status and more

Dear XXXX,

I hope this note finds you, your family and your friends safe and healthy during these unprecedented times. Across United®, we continue to support those in need — providing safe air travel, repatriating customers around the world and transporting critically needed supplies and cargo. In every instance, in every possible way, we're committed to the safety and care of every one of our customers and colleagues.

When I wrote to you just a few weeks ago on how MileagePlus® is responding to the effects of COVID-19, I promised that we would continue to evaluate and assess our approach, especially as it relates to your Premier® status, and to stay in touch to share further updates. Throughout this crisis, we remain committed to doing what is right and fair for all of our members, and I am 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 big news: Your current 2020 Premier status 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®. (You will see this reflected in your account in the coming weeks.)

There's more: Your 2020 Premier qualifying points (PQP) activity may allow you to reach a higher status.
• Knowing that your current status is intact for next year is important, but if you want to earn higher than your current status, we've reduced the PQP and flight requirements for all tiers by 50%. (You'll still need a minimum of four flight segments on United or United Express®.)
• This means that travels you already completed this year, as well as travel you take later this year, can help you reach a higher published status for next year.



We're also doubling PQP for the 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 through 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 by using their card during 2020 to help achieve a higher level of status than you already have. More details to come.

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 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 United Club℠ memberships purchased directly from United and purchased subscriptions for Economy Plus®, United Wi‑Fi℠ and checked bags by six months. You will 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.

As always, thank you for your continued relationship. I look forward to seeing many of you on board when we all return to travel.

Until then, stay healthy and be well.



Luc Bondar
Vice President, Loyalty and President of MileagePlus
United Airlines