Guide To United Airlines Status Match & Challenge

In order to lure frequent flyers who are loyal to competing airlines but are considering a switch, airlines often offer status challenge or status match programs. Alaska, Delta, and Southwest are some of the major airlines in the US.

I wanted to take a look at the program offered by United, as the airline has just published its status challenge program, reflecting elite requirements having been increased this year.

There is a published status challenge program for United Mileage Plus.

You can have your status matched for a period of 120 days and then your status can be extended based on activity within that period. It is not possible for United to offer this program for Global Services status.

What status will United match?

If you have status with United Airlines, you can be matched with any of the programs.

• Alaska Mileage Plan
• American AAdvantage
• Delta SkyMiles
• JetBlue TrueBlue
• Southwest Rapid Rewards
• British Airways Executive Club
• Virgin Atlantic Flying Club

Below you can see a chart showing all the details of the elite tiers. It is possible to match higher elite tiers toPremier Platinum. If you want to keep the status longer, you have to complete certain requirements.

How do you maintain United status?

If you want to keep your United status after the initial 120 day match period, you will have to complete certain activities. It's possible to maintain elite status if you earn PQF and PQP.

• PQF stands for “Premier Qualifying Flights,” with each flight you take earning you one PQF
• PQP stands for “Premier Qualifying Points,” with one point being earned for each dollar spent, before taxes and fees

Standard United Mileage Plus status requirements are as follows.

• Premier Silver requires 12 PQF and 4,000 PQP, OR just 5,000 PQP
• Premier Gold requires 24 PQF and 8,000 PQP, OR just 10,000 PQP
• Premier Platinum requires 36 PQF and 12,000 PQP, OR just 15,000 PQP
• Premier 1K requires 54 PQF and 18,000 PQP, OR just 24,000 PQP

The challenge requires you to earn a certain number of PQF and PQP in 120 days.

• Premier Silver requires four PQF and 1,300 PQP
• Premier Gold requires eight PQF and 2,600 PQP
• Premier Platinum requires 12 PQF and 4,000 PQP

How long is matched United status valid for?

The validity of your status depends on when you finish your challenge.

• If you complete the challenge before July 1, then the status is only valid for the remainder of the program year (which would be through January 31 of the following year, in this case 2024)
• If you complete the challenge after July 1, then the status is valid for the remainder of the program year, and the entire following program year (which would be through January 31 two years later, in this case 2025)

If you start a challenge, it will be valid through January 31, 2024. It will be valid through January 31, 2025. You only have to complete the challenge in July or later if you want to start the challenge in March.

How do you request a United status challenge?

Complete this form if you want to participate in the United MileagePlus status match challenge. There are a few things to keep in mind.

• It can take 7-14 business days to get a response and for your account to be upgraded
• This program is not available to those who have participated in a status match challenge with United in the past five years
• Those who hold trial or temporary status with a competitor aren’t eligible to participate
• Those who earn Premier Platinum through the match will be awarded 20 PlusPoints
• There’s no cost to participate in a United status match

What are the benefits of United elite status?

What are the perks of being a United Airlines Mileage Plus member?

There are many benefits to being a premier silver status.

• Complimentary upgrades in most domestic markets
• Complimentary Economy Plus seating at time of check-in
• One complimentary checked bag
• A 40% mileage bonus (7x miles per dollar spent)

The most popular benefits of premier gold are listed.

• Complimentary upgrades in most domestic markets
• Complimentary Economy Plus seating at time of booking
• Two complimentary checked bags
• A 60% mileage bonus (8x miles per dollar spent)
• Star Alliance Gold status

There are a number of popular benefits of the status.

• Complimentary upgrades in most domestic markets
• Complimentary Economy Plus seating at time of booking
• Three complimentary checked bags
• An 80% mileage bonus (9x miles per dollar spent)
• Star Alliance Gold status

The most valuable benefit is upgrades and they are prioritized by status. The higher your status, the more likely you are to clear. Don't expect to see a lot of upgrade as a premier silver member

Is a United Airlines status challenge worth it?

If you really want to switch your loyalty to United, then completing a status challenge is worth it. The potential to maintain it in the long run makes this a good option.

Some people like to status match just for the sake of it, or because they have one trip where it can be useful. Since you can only request one challenge every five years, and you can't even get top tier status with this program, I wouldn't recommend it.

If you want to switch business to United, you should consider the status challenge program.

A status match promotion is open to frequent flyers with other airlines. You can get status upfront for 120 days, but you need to complete certain flying and spending requirements in order to keep that status through January. If you wait until July to complete a status challenge, you will get an additional year of status from the program.

Have omaat readers participated in a United status challenge? What were your experiences like?