United MileagePlus Premier Status Match Challenge

[SYD]

Article from LL this morning:

United Airlines Extends MileagePlus Premier Status Match Challenge 2021

United Airlines has extended its Mileage Premier status match challenge through the end of 2021, with a caveat.

loyaltylobby.com

UA have this ongoing SM but you usually can only apply every 5 yrs. Quite handy if you are an infrequent *A traveller. The status upgrade is usually processed pretty quickly and you normally can get full *A Gold benefits (even though the Ts&Cs suggest otherwise).

Note: like most US based airlines, status PAX don‘t get lounge access on domestic only trips in the US (unless having a paid lounge membership).

Apparently, as a one off, anyone who applied in 2020 can re-apply again for 2021. Also, it’s for 120 days instead of 90 days.

While probably academic for most being able to retain status (up to 2023) by flying on UA metal, it otherwise could be useful for those of us with a stash of SQ points (ex-VA) or flying within NZ etc.

I‘m assuming the required PQS (think QF squiggles) exclude the 4x PQS already gifted to non-US residents.

 

[Revenge]

Hi everyone

I am in Canada for a bit and I applied for the United Status Challenge with my Qantas Gold membership. Even though Qantas wasn't listed as one of the partners, I gave it a bash and it was accepted.

Now to earn the necessary PQP and PQF to retain the United Gold status!

The status challenge clearly says that the flights must be operated by United so codeshare flights operated by partners do not count.

Valid on flights operated by United and United Express. Not valid on United-marketed codeshare flights operated by other carriers. Flights must be posted to the MileagePlus account in order to qualify. MileagePlus award travel does not qualify for this offer.

Anyone know if United flights with a UA flight number but ticketed by a partner (e.g. Air Canada) would count? I can't seem to find any info on this.

Thanks!

 

[SYD]

Hi everyone

I am in Canada for a bit and I applied for the United Status Challenge with my Qantas Gold membership. Even though Qantas wasn't listed as one of the partners, I gave it a bash and it was accepted.

Now to earn the necessary PQP and PQF to retain the United Gold status!

The status challenge clearly says that the flights must be operated by United so codeshare flights operated by partners do not count.



Anyone know if United flights with a UA flight number but ticketed by a partner (e.g. Air Canada) would count? I can't seem to find any info on this.

Thanks!

I assume you used an Oz address to qualify for the relaxed requal hurdles?

But that aside, if it’s UA marketed and operated you’d expect it to count.

 

[Mattg]

Hi everyone

I am in Canada for a bit and I applied for the United Status Challenge with my Qantas Gold membership. Even though Qantas wasn't listed as one of the partners, I gave it a bash and it was accepted.

Now to earn the necessary PQP and PQF to retain the United Gold status!

The status challenge clearly says that the flights must be operated by United so codeshare flights operated by partners do not count.



Anyone know if United flights with a UA flight number but ticketed by a partner (e.g. Air Canada) would count? I can't seem to find any info on this.

Thanks!

I think when I did this challenge, all of my flights were ticketed by United so didn't run into this issue. But I can't see anything in the T&Cs which says it has to be ticketed on UA stock and as far as I can tell, United only differentiates between UA/non-UA ticketed flights for the purposes of earning miles for flights on partner airlines. As long as marketed and operated by United/United Express, should be fine.

That said, is there any particular advantage to getting the flights ticketed by Air Canada? If the price is similar, I would try to get it on 016 stock just to be safe.

I assume you used an Oz address to qualify for the relaxed requal hurdles?

But that aside, if it’s UA marketed and operated you’d expect it to count.

Do the relaxed hurdles for people with an overseas address still apply? I understand that this year UA waived the 4 "UA" sector rule for overseas residents. But the minimum spend requirement (now measured in the form of PQPs) also applies to overseas residents now if I correctly recall?

 

[Revenge]

@SYD, @Mattg thanks for the insights! I'm completely new to United's program so this is helpful. There was nothing in the status challenge form asking what country I'm in, though my Mileage Plus account is registered to my Australian address. I didn't see anything in relation to reduced requirements, but they are asking me to do 2000 PQP and 6 PQF, which I think is standard for gold.

 

[Revenge]

Quick follow up question... Does anyone know if AC flights "Operated by Air Canada Express - Jazz" earn miles on United? On the United website they talk about Air Canada but don't say either way if their subsidiary operated flights count.
Thanks!

 

[Mattg]

Quick follow up question... Does anyone know if AC flights "Operated by Air Canada Express - Jazz" earn miles on United? On the United website they talk about Air Canada but don't say either way if their subsidiary operated flights count.
Thanks!

I just checked and I earned United miles for some Air Canada Express/Jazz flights I took a couple of years ago.

Those flights won't count towards a status challenge though.

 

[Revenge]

I just checked and I earned United miles for some Air Canada Express/Jazz flights I took a couple of years ago.

Those flights won't count towards a status challenge though.

Thanks Matt! That's really helpful. Yes understood about the status match but might as well earn some additional United miles in the meantime.

 

[AFF Editor]

The United MileagePlus status match challenge is back for 2022.

As per previous years, if you complete a challenge by 30 June this year you'll get to keep your status until January 2023. But complete the challenge after 1 July 2022 and you'll keep status until January 2024.

They're also letting people who started but didn't complete a challenge in 2020 or 2021 reapply this year.

United's 2022 MileagePlus Status Match Challenge

United Airlines has launched a new MileagePlus Premier Status Match Challenge for 2022, offering 120 days of complimentary Star Alliance status and a

www.australianfrequentflyer.com.au

 

[SYD]

The United MileagePlus status match challenge is back for 2022.

As per previous years, if you complete a challenge by 30 June this year you'll get to keep your status until January 2023. But complete the challenge after 1 July 2022 and you'll keep status until January 2024.

They're also letting people who started but didn't complete a challenge in 2020 or 2021 reapply this year.

United's 2022 MileagePlus Status Match Challenge

United Airlines has launched a new MileagePlus Premier Status Match Challenge for 2022, offering 120 days of complimentary Star Alliance status and a

www.australianfrequentflyer.com.au

That should bookend nicely for anyone who took up the NZ Gold offer but who will drop back in May(?) if they didn’t qualify to retain NZ Gold and they’re still wanting a little more *A Gold in their virtual wallet.

 

[kangarooflyer88]

I just checked and I earned United miles for some Air Canada Express/Jazz flights I took a couple of years ago.

Those flights won't count towards a status challenge though.

Having flown quite a few Air Canada segments back in 2019 as a United Premier I can confirm that yes, Air Canada Express flights will earn you PQP and PQF just as a normal Air Canada mainline flight would earn. One thing to keep in mind is that PQPs are calculated differently on non-United operated and ticketed flights like Air Canada. Instead of it being based on how many dollars you spent on your fare, it's based on award milage (which itself is based on fare code) divided by a magic number where that magic number is 5 if it is a preferred Star Alliance partner like Air Canada, Lufthansa or Air New Zealand, or 6 for other partners.

If you can manage to get United Premier status, I'd say it's worth while, particularly if it's Gold or above. As a Gold or above you'll automatically get Marriott Gold status (which can be helpful for some stays), access to any economy seat which believe you me can be helpful on a long haul flight. Here's a tip in that regard, the over-wing emergency exit row on 777s are the best economy seats you can get since you can get in and out of the aisle from the window. Also, since UA normally sells these seats for hundreds of dollars on TPACs, the only people who end up booking those seats are elites.

-RooFlyer88

 

[larrymull]

I've just tried this status match and screenshot my Platinum QF card but got rejected as it wasn't in the correct format. What other methods could I use that shows the details they require?

 

[Revenge]

I've just tried this status match and screenshot my Platinum QF card but got rejected as it wasn't in the correct format. What other methods could I use that shows the details they require?

I think I used a screenshot of the membership card from the app, as per attached (I've redacted personal details for the purpose of this post). Did you submit a version that shows expiry date?

 

[SYD]

I've just tried this status match and screenshot my Platinum QF card but got rejected as it wasn't in the correct format. What other methods could I use that shows the details they require?

It probably wants a JPG (or PDF might work). Phone screenshots are usually PNG and get rejected. Hilton (and other programs have similar problems).

I do find that these things tend to work better from a PC/laptop rather than a phone/tablet.

 

[larrymull]

I do find that these things tend to work better from a PC/laptop rather than a phone/tablet.

Thanks, I've tried again with a jpg from the computer. Let's see how that works.

 

[Revenge]

Thanks, I've tried again with a jpg from the computer. Let's see how that works.

@larrymull did you get your status match in the end?

 

[larrymull]

Thanks, I've tried again with a jpg from the computer. Let's see how that works.

Not yet, but can’t see why I won’t be accepted considering I’m Platinum QF and I’ve already booked biz flights on United. Time will tell I guess.

 

[SYD]

Not yet, but can’t see why I won’t be accepted considering I’m Platinum QF and I’ve already booked biz flights on United. Time will tell I guess.

I would have thought you’d heard back by now. Pretty sure it normally only takes a couple of business days. Did you get an email ack of your application? Is so, it might be worthwhile replying to it or emailing UA.

 

[larrymull]

I would have thought you’d heard back by now. Pretty sure it normally only takes a couple of business days. Did you get an email ack of your application? Is so, it might be worthwhile replying to it or emailing UA.

Me too, but tried again and got this back:-

Your Premier Status Match request is complete!​

We have received your documentation and we'll be reviewing your request over the next 7-14 days.
If it is approved, your MileagePlus® account will be upgraded for 120 days to the equivalent status level you hold with your other frequent flyer program.

 

[SYD]

Me too, but tried again and got this back:-

Your Premier Status Match request is complete!​

We have received your documentation and we'll be reviewing your request over the next 7-14 days.
If it is approved, your MileagePlus® account will be upgraded for 120 days to the equivalent status level you hold with your other frequent flyer program.

Now that’s more like it!

I got SYD+1 to fire off a request a few years ago - we had some Copa flights I’d used points for and neither had status and I wanted keep my powder dry - anyway, A*G bestowed within a day or two from memory.