United offers two new methods to attain elite status in the next year. The first allows existing elites to keep their status while still allowing for modest spending. The second gives those who don't have status or have re-qualified an extra boost in their chances of becoming an elite tier.United last fall announced that 2021 would be the year of elite qualificationLower status requirementsCurrent elites face a difficult start to achieving statusBonus qualifying spending for status in the first quarterlyRelaxed restrictions on credit card-earned elite qualifying spending towards top statusThese are the 2021 qualifications:Status Normal Qualifying spend/Flights 2021 Silver Qualifying spend/Flights $3,000 + 12 Segments of $5,000 $8,000 + 16 Flights Or $7,000 Platinum $6,000 +16 Flights Or $10,000 $9,000 +24 Flights Or $15,000 $12,000 + 36 Flys Or $15,000 $12,000 + 36 flights or $15,000 $12,000 + $9,000 + 24 or $10,000 1K $18,000+ 54 Flights OR $24,000 $13,500 +36 Flights, or $15,000Based on their current status, elite members have an automatic advantage to earn status next year.2021 Status Qualifying Spend Deposit Premier Silver 875 Premier Gold 1,750 Premier Platinum 2,500 Premier 1K 3,750Since then, United has held several promotions to help its members achieve their revenue-based status. For those who simply want to re-qualify, however, this is no longer an option.Existing Elites: Promotion To RequalifyCurrent elite members can re-earn their status on July 27, 2021, regardless of how much flight time they have already earned.Fly + Spend Silver 4 + $600 700 Gold 6 + $1200 1400 Platinum 8 + $1800 $1,400 Platinum 10 + $2700 $3,000Zach Honig reports that corporate flyers, anyone who booked a ticket with a corporate code starting January 1, 2019, get an extra boost to the challenge.Silver: 100 eligible dollars100 qualified dollars gold: 200 qualifying dollars200 qualified dollars Platinum: 300 qualifiers300 qualifying dollars 1K:400 qualifying dollarsNon-status passengers who do not re-earn this status will automatically be eligible for the bonus. Ill explain next.Not to be forgotten, Global Services members already have their status extended without any additional requirements.Bonus for those without status or who have already been requalifiedElite qualifying spend bonuses are available to members without status or who have re-qualified for current status. These bonuses can be used for the first three trips between now November 30 and November 30.Current Status Trip 1 Bonus Trip 2 Bonus Trip 3 Bonus Total Potential None 250 75 75 400 Silver 350 100 100 550 Gold 700 175 175 1050 Platinum 1,000 250 250 1500 1K 1,500 375 375 2250This offer will allow you to receive a bonus for one award-trip. (In 2021, and 2022 Delta will count all award travel toward elite status.Members can get one qualifying flight for every $4,000 spent with United co-brand credit card cards. Maximum two flights at $8,000.United wants customers to spend (a little) in order to maintain statusDelta and Air Canada just extended everyone's status.American has offered several promotions and now allows everyone to keep their status for $2000 travel spending or $15,000 credit card spending during defined periods.Although the United thresholds are more difficult, they offer an advantage for customers who have just earned their first status or are trying to achieve higher status. Although United is not likely to extend its status straight, this new set of offers suggests that United will not. However, Live and Lets Fly reports that targeted offers are being considered for members from the Asia Pacific region.
