Apologies if this is a stupid question but does anyone know if you fly a certain number of miles will you hit 3P? I only ask because i'll probably fly 22,000 miles this year so probably missing the 25k premier mark. (Now taking cover from those 1k flyers looking down )

FAILURE IS NOT AN OPTION!
This is FlyerTalk y'know... re-read your post and think about it. It's March, and you're already giving up on the idea of hitting 2P (25k miles) by just 3000 miles? Get a grip! At the very least you should be asking about non-flying ways to get those missing 3000 EQMs (most likely a Platinum credit card or whatever).

Buck up and join the ranks of the lowly 2P.

That's not a request, that's an order!

In the UK unfortunately we don't get Plat credit cards, just bog standard ones.

I haven't given up on 25k, i was purely enquiring about 3P just incase... Now making my sig "Aiming to become a lowly 2P"

Yes boss

I was at PHL the other night standing around the gate to ORD and I was amazed by the number of people holding BPs with Seating 1 and Premier Associate status. I literally saw 3 or 4 separate individuals out of the 8 or 10 around the gate reader all clamoring to get on the aircraft. It got me thinking that maybe UA should go to a 2 group elite boarding system like US with *G in group 1 and *S in group 2.

Speaking as a lowly 2P, I'd have no problem with 1P, 1K and UGS-types boarding ahead of me. Frankly, I still feel a bit funny taking advantage of some of the perks of having status. The boarding thing, in particular, I've never quite figured out. Why do I want to be in a metal tube with uncomfortable seats and bad air any sooner than I have to? But yet it's something that I've just accepted as what one does. Yeah, I know, better chance your carry-on will have room, but that's never been much of a problem for me (I don't have one of those big things with wheels, whatever they're called... rollerboards?).

In post#1, the 1st sentence in the announcement spells it out already, "by INVITATION only." I guess the question is who can invite 3P? We already know 1K and UAL can. Who else?

I was purely speculating that United may "invite" one if they hit 20K miles or something... Having said that the title assumes you are an associate of a Premier member...

As my "personal M+ trainer/boss" Mike said "Failure is not an option!" - I will be a lowly 2P by year end

I was talking to an agent on the phone about the benefits of 3P and she read me the UA profile on it--the first few lines were "Nominated by UA sales / marketing..."

I think it is a soft landing for people who had good spend, or prospective good spend next year.

Believing is everything. You're 98% of the way there already! ^

Mike, if you're going to write "lowly 2P" in italicized pink, how are you going to write "superlowly 3P??"

I pray I'll never have to!

The way boarding works right now is:

First & biz class
seating 1 (all elites)
seating 2 (windows)
seating 3 (middles)
seating 4 (aisles)

I wouldn't be averse to Prem Assoc being guaranteed no worse than seating 2. But I like the idea of this status because u get to sit in Y+ without paying $300 for Econ Plus Access . . . *and* you get to upgrade on T fares. As long as these new 3Ps go after the 2Ps for UGs (as it will), what real difference does it really make to upper elites? Share pre-boarding with more people? Please. With the exception of a few flights a day on narrow bodys doing hub to hub, the % of elites on any given flight is still small, at around 25% or less. Occasionally on late afternoon flights to DEN, ORD, etc, you can see that number go to 50%, but generally, a 3P status won't crimp the style of 1Ks. And it's a smart business decision on United's part.

I agree completely. It's not like 3Ps are going to be at the airport that much unless they are soon on their way to higher status.

Does anyone know how UAL is deciding who gets this? Last year I was Prem Exec, but officially back to the blue card this year. My husband, who was "only" Premier, recieved his Premier Associate card today. I realize the perks are minimal, but access to Economy Plus is pretty valuable to me. I'm feeling SO unappreciated!!!!

Did you get the fast track offer with your card?

http://flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=536120

If not, you should definitely call and ask to be registered... You could be back at 1P in no time