Mar 6, 2020, 1:30 pm
Last edit by: WineCountryUA
05April 2020
FAQ
With extended status. will we automatically get additional PlusPoints in 2021 (40 for Plats and 280 for 1KsGS?
No, your existing PlusPoints will be extended 6 months but to get additional 2021 PlusPoints you will need to meet the reduced thresholds for 2020
[5 April 2020] Status extended 1 year - United Hub
- Status extended 1 year (expires 1/31/22)
- Plus Points extended 6 months
- Lower qualifying thresholds to gain 2021 status in 2020 (about 50%)
[5 April 2020] United will extend Premier status for 12 months (SF Gate):
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[7 March 2020] A message to our Premier members (email):
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MileagePlus Status Extended Until 2022
Throughout these unprecedented times, we remain committed to doing what is right and fair for all of our MileagePlus members and are 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 updates will happen automatically over the next few weeks — there's nothing you need to do.
The big news: If you have current 2020 Premier status, it 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®.
We're reducing the 2020 Premier qualifying points (PQP) and flight requirements for all tiers by 50%. You'll still need a minimum of four flight segments on United or United Express®.
We're also doubling PQP for 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 – 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 during 2020 to help achieve a higher level of status than you already have.
1K® and Platinum members, we're increasing your ability to upgrade by extending PlusPoints expiration dates by six months and expanding Skip Waitlist.
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.
Status extension to January 31, 2022, applies to all members that met the published criteria of the MileagePlus program in 2019, status associated with the United/Marriott RewardsPlus program and status offered as part of a Sales nomination. Status granted from other programs and policies may not apply.
Throughout these unprecedented times, we remain committed to doing what is right and fair for all of our MileagePlus members and are 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 updates will happen automatically over the next few weeks — there's nothing you need to do.
The big news: If you have current 2020 Premier status, it 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®.
We're reducing the 2020 Premier qualifying points (PQP) and flight requirements for all tiers by 50%. You'll still need a minimum of four flight segments on United or United Express®.
We're also doubling PQP for 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 – 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 during 2020 to help achieve a higher level of status than you already have.
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 on select flights 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 want to make sure your benefits are still there when you're ready to start flying again. That's why we're extending purchased United Club℠ memberships and purchased subscriptions for Economy Plus®, United Wi-Fi℠ and checked bags by six months. You should see this reflected in your MileagePlus account soon.
- 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 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.
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.
Status extension to January 31, 2022, applies to all members that met the published criteria of the MileagePlus program in 2019, status associated with the United/Marriott RewardsPlus program and status offered as part of a Sales nomination. Status granted from other programs and policies may not apply.
With extended status. will we automatically get additional PlusPoints in 2021 (40 for Plats and 280 for 1KsGS?
No, your existing PlusPoints will be extended 6 months but to get additional 2021 PlusPoints you will need to meet the reduced thresholds for 2020
[5 April 2020] Status extended 1 year - United Hub
- Status extended 1 year (expires 1/31/22)
- Plus Points extended 6 months
- Lower qualifying thresholds to gain 2021 status in 2020 (about 50%)
[5 April 2020] United will extend Premier status for 12 months (SF Gate):
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.
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.
[7 March 2020] A message to our Premier members (email):
At this time, we are not planning any changes for our 2021 Premier program but we will continue to evaluate our options as we learn more about how the current climate is affecting members' activity. In the interim though, we do plan to give members who are participating in a MileagePlus 2020 Premier Status Match Challenge promotion an additional 30 days to complete their challenge. This extension will automatically be reflected in member accounts within the next week.
There's a good (but not exhaustive) crowdsourced list of company travel restrictions here: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1...bWhYFM/preview .....
Hey there!
As true loyalty is best tested in challenging times, I did a bit of research on how different airlines and hotel programmes have responded:
Feel free to comment that Google Sheets file and if you have some better insights, let me know (I used only what was available on English-speaking websites and some blog posts I could find, showing emails from the programmes). ....
As true loyalty is best tested in challenging times, I did a bit of research on how different airlines and hotel programmes have responded:
- 74 airline loyalty responses (status, miles expiration extensions) and booking flexibility terms (changes and refunds)
- 18 hotel loyalty responses (status, points expiration extensions) and booking flexibility terms (changes and refunds)
Feel free to comment that Google Sheets file and if you have some better insights, let me know (I used only what was available on English-speaking websites and some blog posts I could find, showing emails from the programmes). ....
UA • CONFIRMS • Status Extension to JAN 2022; PQP Thresholds Reduced by ½ for 2020
Feb 22, 2020, 4:47 am
#31
Join Date: May 2008
Location: Bay Area
Programs: UA 1k now; AA (no status); HY Diamond; SPG Platinum
Posts: 724
I for one could be severely impacted by the virus.
my hope was to hit 24K PQP this year.
After first week of Feb I was sitting good at 5.5k PQP. But due to virus- I don’t think I will start flying again to Asia until late April at earliest.
If the virus makes return during cold months again.
it will be hard to hit PQP
my hope was to hit 24K PQP this year.
After first week of Feb I was sitting good at 5.5k PQP. But due to virus- I don’t think I will start flying again to Asia until late April at earliest.
If the virus makes return during cold months again.
it will be hard to hit PQP
Feb 22, 2020, 6:02 am
#32
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: Klagetoh
Posts: 20,202
And here I was thinking that the real victims of this outbreak were the people who’ve died as a result of contracting the disease, followed by those who’ve faced weeks of quarantine.
Silly me.
Silly me.
Feb 22, 2020, 6:46 am
#33
Join Date: Sep 2013
Posts: 1,121
The question becomes one of loyalty. Currently they have a lot of high value 1k/GSers who basically fly UA exclusively for $40-100k.
from what I’ve seen a lot of those people seem to be J TPAC flyers.
current companies are shutting down travel to Asia and conferences world wide.
so the question becomes if this runs through the summer you have a lot of very loyal people who will lose status. If they lose the status that opens up them moving to another carrier and taking revenue away next year as well.
i could see them offering a challenge vs an all out waiver to people.
from what I’ve seen a lot of those people seem to be J TPAC flyers.
current companies are shutting down travel to Asia and conferences world wide.
so the question becomes if this runs through the summer you have a lot of very loyal people who will lose status. If they lose the status that opens up them moving to another carrier and taking revenue away next year as well.
i could see them offering a challenge vs an all out waiver to people.
Feb 22, 2020, 6:57 am
#34
Join Date: Jun 2014
Programs: UA MM
Posts: 4,366
The question becomes one of loyalty. Currently they have a lot of high value 1k/GSers who basically fly UA exclusively for $40-100k.
from what I’ve seen a lot of those people seem to be J TPAC flyers.
current companies are shutting down travel to Asia and conferences world wide.
so the question becomes if this runs through the summer you have a lot of very loyal people who will lose status. If they lose the status that opens up them moving to another carrier and taking revenue away next year as well.
i could see them offering a challenge vs an all out waiver to people.
from what I’ve seen a lot of those people seem to be J TPAC flyers.
current companies are shutting down travel to Asia and conferences world wide.
so the question becomes if this runs through the summer you have a lot of very loyal people who will lose status. If they lose the status that opens up them moving to another carrier and taking revenue away next year as well.
i could see them offering a challenge vs an all out waiver to people.
Feb 22, 2020, 7:08 am
#35
Join Date: Sep 2013
Posts: 1,121
I'm curious on your observation about J TPAC. My guess is J TATL is a much bigger contributor to UA's bottom line. We know total TATL revenue is nearly 50% greater than TPAC plus fares seem (to me) to be higher in general for TATL routes which would translate to substantially higher yield on TATL from the generally shorter runs.
the couple times I have ended up in Y going TPAC I’ve never cleared and never even at the top of the list. My TPAC fare is usually close in and 9500-12000 round trip. Cabin is always full.
was in EWR- BRU recently with half the cabin empty.
Feb 22, 2020, 8:13 am
#36
Join Date: Jun 2014
Programs: UA MM
Posts: 4,366
I fly more TPACs then TATLs. My TATLs are usually personal and I have about a 75% upgrade clearance and always top of the list.
the couple times I have ended up in Y going TPAC I’ve never cleared and never even at the top of the list. My TPAC fare is usually close in and 9500-12000 round trip. Cabin is always full.
was in EWR- BRU recently with half the cabin empty.
the couple times I have ended up in Y going TPAC I’ve never cleared and never even at the top of the list. My TPAC fare is usually close in and 9500-12000 round trip. Cabin is always full.
was in EWR- BRU recently with half the cabin empty.
Feb 22, 2020, 8:30 am
#37
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: SRQ, PDX
Programs: UA 1 MM, AA, DL
Posts: 940
Good news? From today's South China Morning Post: A Cathay Pacific spokeswoman said: “We understand that the Covid-19 outbreak may have affected their (frequent flyer) travel plans, and we are exploring different options to help our members achieve and maintain their tier requirements under the circumstances."
Feb 22, 2020, 8:51 am
#38
Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: SFO
Programs: UA 1MM 1K, BA Gold
Posts: 431
This is a chance for UA to measure how loyalty inducing status is and how much status benefits the airline. They can do some randomization and extend status for certain people and then see how their bookings/spending compares to the rest.
Feb 22, 2020, 9:14 am
#39
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Washington, DC
Programs: UA 1K 1MM, AA, DL
Posts: 7,547
The question becomes one of loyalty. Currently they have a lot of high value 1k/GSers who basically fly UA exclusively for $40-100k.
from what I’ve seen a lot of those people seem to be J TPAC flyers.
current companies are shutting down travel to Asia and conferences world wide.
so the question becomes if this runs through the summer you have a lot of very loyal people who will lose status. If they lose the status that opens up them moving to another carrier and taking revenue away next year as well.
i could see them offering a challenge vs an all out waiver to people.
from what I’ve seen a lot of those people seem to be J TPAC flyers.
current companies are shutting down travel to Asia and conferences world wide.
so the question becomes if this runs through the summer you have a lot of very loyal people who will lose status. If they lose the status that opens up them moving to another carrier and taking revenue away next year as well.
i could see them offering a challenge vs an all out waiver to people.
That said, someone in SFO is probably locked into UA anyway so they may not worry too much . . .
Feb 22, 2020, 10:55 am
#40
Join Date: Feb 2008
Programs: 6 year GS, now 2MM Jeff-ugee, *wood LTPlt, SkyPeso PLT
Posts: 6,526
Both CX and SQ are evidently going to extend status. See https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/...requent-fliers details unknown.
I would think that there is going to be competitive pressure to do something similar, perhaps individually targeted (UA pulls those elites with substantial Asian travel, sends them a year long extension of elite status) This would seem to be the smart way to do it, but then you can't count on UA to do the smart thing...
I have a friend goes to HKG on business all the time, UA loyalist and GS, has been forced to take CX with flight cancellations. He was pleasantly surprised by the service levels and seat quality. (And I told him the food is not as good as it was 2-3 years ago). I will be interested to see what he does when UA stats flying again.
I would think that there is going to be competitive pressure to do something similar, perhaps individually targeted (UA pulls those elites with substantial Asian travel, sends them a year long extension of elite status) This would seem to be the smart way to do it, but then you can't count on UA to do the smart thing...
I have a friend goes to HKG on business all the time, UA loyalist and GS, has been forced to take CX with flight cancellations. He was pleasantly surprised by the service levels and seat quality. (And I told him the food is not as good as it was 2-3 years ago). I will be interested to see what he does when UA stats flying again.
Feb 23, 2020, 8:50 am
#41
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Washington, DC
Programs: UA 1K 1MM, AA, DL
Posts: 7,547
Both CX and SQ are evidently going to extend status. See https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/...requent-fliers details unknown.
I would think that there is going to be competitive pressure to do something similar, perhaps individually targeted (UA pulls those elites with substantial Asian travel, sends them a year long extension of elite status) This would seem to be the smart way to do it, but then you can't count on UA to do the smart thing...
I have a friend goes to HKG on business all the time, UA loyalist and GS, has been forced to take CX with flight cancellations. He was pleasantly surprised by the service levels and seat quality. (And I told him the food is not as good as it was 2-3 years ago). I will be interested to see what he does when UA stats flying again.
I would think that there is going to be competitive pressure to do something similar, perhaps individually targeted (UA pulls those elites with substantial Asian travel, sends them a year long extension of elite status) This would seem to be the smart way to do it, but then you can't count on UA to do the smart thing...
I have a friend goes to HKG on business all the time, UA loyalist and GS, has been forced to take CX with flight cancellations. He was pleasantly surprised by the service levels and seat quality. (And I told him the food is not as good as it was 2-3 years ago). I will be interested to see what he does when UA stats flying again.
Feb 23, 2020, 6:03 pm
#42
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: LAX/TPE
Programs: United 1K, JAL Sapphire, SPG Lifetime Platinum, National Executive Elite, Hertz PC, Avis PC
Posts: 42,950
It's a little easier for CX, and even SQ, to do it given they have one hub in an affected area. Compare United, where only a small portion of flights (although perhaps a bigger portion of revenue) are to/from affected locations. It would be pretty hard to draw lines between, say, a 1K who generated 90% of their last year's spend going to China/HKG and one that generated 70% (or 50% etc.). Vs. CX presumably almost all their elites are generating almost all spend to/from HKG.
Feb 23, 2020, 6:07 pm
#43
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: NYC, LON
Programs: *
Posts: 2,926
With stuff going on in Korea and Italy the affected locations are increasing by the week so it may not remain a small portion of flights...at some point it may be necessary to incentivise people to fly more
Feb 23, 2020, 6:21 pm
#44
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: SEA
Programs: AS (MVP Gold 75K) UA MP (1MM)
Posts: 268
UA might do something for people who have their home addresses in the affected areas, but I doubt it'll be extended to people who are based in the USA if any extension is given at all.
UA is competing with the other two major carriers for USA-to-Asia routes for USA-based flyers; in Asia UA is competing with a lot of other carriers for the originating passengers.
UA is competing with the other two major carriers for USA-to-Asia routes for USA-based flyers; in Asia UA is competing with a lot of other carriers for the originating passengers.
Feb 23, 2020, 6:35 pm
#45
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: JAX
Programs: UA Plat MM, AA Gold MM, Marriott LTT, Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 3,775
I will not be doing 2 trips to China this year in C which gets me about 2/3 of the way to $18K needed for 1K, I usually have more than 54 segments. I will most likely be falling back on my 1MM Gold status.