The elite status of select members has been quietly extended by United MileagePlus.
elite status extensions
Many frequent flyers have reported that their MileagePlus accounts have been updated to reflect their elite status. The status has been extended for select members who were not able to engage with United at their accustomed level due to the swine flu.
The status expiration has been extended by a year for members who have benefited from a status extension. Data points show that a few people have seen their status extended.
This will be controversial.
The status extension for some United members is not disclosed.
The airline wanted people to try to requalify for status so they waited until late in the year to extend status.
It is not clear if United will do anything significant for those who actually requalify, rather than those who had their status extended for a second year in a row.
Last year, United extended their elite status for all members. The invitation-only Global Services status will be extended by another year.
Some United MileagePlus elite status is being extended.
PlusPoints is extended by United Mileage Plus.
PlusPoints, which is the currency that can be redeemed for upgrades, is being extended as well.
The PlusPoints that were due to expire on January 31, 2022, will be extended through at least July 31, 2022, which is seven months.
The PlusPoints of Global Services, 1K, and Platinum members will be extended through January 31, 2023 if they requalify for status this year.
All of the PlusPoints for MileagePlus members will be extended to July 31, 2022, according to United. The extra PlusPoints validity for those who earned status the hard way is a nice gesture, but I think most who earned status this year will not be happy with that.
The Mileage PlusPoints are being extended by United.
The requirements for elite United MileagePlus are lowered.
The program will lower elite requirements in the same way it did in the year 2021, so it will be easier to earn status in the year 2022.
If you qualify based on a combination of PQPs and PQFs, the requirements will be reduced. Depending on the metric you are looking at, requirements are being lowered by 33-43%.
Here are United's requirements for the year 2022.
It will require a minimum of 3000 PQPs + 8 PQFs or 3,500 PQPs.
It will require 6,000 PQPs plus 16 PQFs or 7,000 PQPs, which is more than before.
It will require 9000 PQPs + 24 PQFs or 10,000 PQPs, which is more than the 12,000 PQPs + 36 PQFs or 15,000 PQPs it required before.
It will require 13,500 PQPs + 36 PQFs or 15,000 PQPs, compared to 18,000 PQPs + 54 PQFs or 24,000 PQPs.
How does United's policy compare to others?
Delta SkyMiles was the first of the big three carriers to extend their status. The status was extended by a further year. SkyMiles elite members who earned status this year will be prioritized for upgrades over others who just had their status extended. That seems fair to me.
The program has made it easier to earn status, even though American AAdvantage hasn't extended it yet.
The new Loyalty Points method of qualification for American AAdvantage members will be introduced in late 2020 or early 2021.
American AAdvantage gives members other ways to requalify, including earning 2,000 EQDs or spending $15,000 on a co-branded credit card late in the year.
It seems like United is somewhere between American and Delta when it comes to extending status, but not for everyone.
Delta was the first to extend their status.
The bottom line.
Many elite members have their status extended by a further year. We don't know what metrics United uses to decide which status to extend, but if you check your MileagePlus account, you should see if you are eligible. PlusPoints are being extended by six to 12 months.
The requirements for next year have been lowered by United. I wouldn't be surprised to see more promotions from the airline next year.
Has your status been extended? What do you think about this extension?
Ben is the founder of OMAAT.
