United’s elite status rules don’t change much for 2024, really the only meaningful change is that credit card spend counts more towards status (but not as much as at American or Delta).
I wonder if the decision to go light on changes came after watching the massive backlash against Delta that caused that airline to scale back culling of elite ranks in 2024 because:
- United had published an end date for its old offer of December 31, 2023.
- Then, after Delta first announced draconian changes to elite status qualification and lounge access, requests for this match went up dramatically.
United Polaris Business Class
Back in June I let on that United would be changing their status match offer. This was before they put an end date on the old one.
United has brought back its status match challenge (HT: Loyalty Lobby), and just as they kept the same requirements for earning status the traditional way, they’ve kept requirements for the match the same too.
- It’s available for elites of most airlines. They list several, but not all of the airlines they match to. They do not (generally) match against other Star Alliance airlines, like Air Canada or Lufthansa.
- After submitting your current status, United will give you 120 days of status with them. Then you must fly a designated number of flights and spend the specified amount to keep status. If you start the match before July 1, status lasts through January 2025. If you start July 1 onwards, status lasts through January 2026.
- You can choose the start date of your challenge, which is important so that you have the most United flying included in your 120 day window.
While status with competitiors is listed, and how that status maps on to United’s levels, they leave off top tier status with American, Delta and Alaska – because in my experience they will actually match up to 1K, they just don’t publish this. Note that United status challenges aren’t ‘once in a lifetime’. Instead you can match once every 5 years.
United Polaris Business Class
If you’re considering submitting for a United Airlines MileagePlus status match bear in mind that they may reach out to the program you send them to match against to verify what you’ve told them is true (not all programs respond).
Yes last year they matched me from AAEXP to United 1k and I flew a number of flights in Asia which ended me up in Star Gold which is still great for my forthcoming travel to NZ given it’s access to lounges …
Exactly what UA needs..more elites!
Sunday:
UA 700 IAD – SFO – 131 people on the upgrade list
UA 2081 IAD – SFO – 103 people on the upgrade list
UA 1951 IAD – SFO – 127 people on the upgrade list
UA 1366 IAD – DEN 104 people on the upgrade list
UA 2074 IAD – DEN 61 on the upgrade list
Many flights routinely have 30 – 50 people on the upgrade list.
Luc Bondar VP Mileage Plus said the loyalty program he admired most was Marriott Bonvoy. I would say he’s right on track. Good for the company. Bad for the customers.
@David those are all hub-to-hub flights, which means that there are commuting employees at the bottom of the upgrade list as well.
@ David — I don’t even look at the upgrade list anymore. If you want to fly in first, buy first. Airlines are not obligated to give away upgrades and why should they? When reviewing an elite program’s benefits, “unlimited complimentary” upgrades should be disregarded. Confirmable upgrades, free bags, bonus miles, better award space, early boarding, dedicated phone numbers, fee wiavers, free advance seat assignments, lounge access, ego stroking, etc are the ACTUAL benefits of elite staus.
Does the pqp earned from credit card spend count towards the status match challenge or must it all be earned through flying ?
@John — Flying only.
What does Frontier 50k match to? Looks like United is matching Frontier now, and I have 50k from the recent Frontier match to Marriott Titanium. Already have United Silver from Titanium, so want United Gold or higher.
Interesting that Mosaic 1 maps to Gold on DL but Silver on UA
Beware that United has a very good memory of “once in a lifetime” restrictions on status matches. Ask me how I know. They may allow it more than “once in a lifetime” but it many be MANY years before you are allowed to match again for many people (YMMV) so use caution with this one.
Do you in fact not have access to Star Alliance lounges during the 120 days?
“During the 120-day offer period, you may not have access to all reciprocal Premier benefits with United’s partners, including access to Star Alliance lounges.”
@ DaninMCI — T&C #1 states “Offer is not valid for members who have participated in the MileagePlus® Status Match program or received a Premier Status Exception within the last 5 years.” There is no LIFETIME restriction.
@Gene
“If you want to fly in first, buy first. Airlines are not obligated to give away upgrades and why should they?” Yeah – you’re stating the obvious.
Re your second point, I agree. But that concept hasn’t made it’s way to their marketing department yet.
The article says that United doesn’t *generally* match with other Star Alliance members. Any idea on the exceptions?
Would be really interested to try AC to UA!
Thanks!
United is forgetting people who have been loyal for years and letting people that are loyal to other airlines walk right in.
Anyway to match Hilton diamond to United Gold?
@ Benny — Seriously? Every airline offers status matches. It is part of doing business.
@ Benny — Plus, these are FAR from cheap to achieve. I matched to 1K last year, and it was quite expensive to complete the challenge since all flights had to be on UA (no shortcuts using partner flights and/or credit card spend) and since it was during June 2023 when the EWR month-long meltdown occurred.
Now, I am a happy GS. Buh, bye premium ATL airline!
hmmmm…..did my comment get deleted?
@Gene: No upgrade benefits? Then why should I focus my travel on one carrier?
If I am going to have to buy a first class seat, loyalty doesn’t matter. I buy on which carrier is the most convenient.
Great strategy for rewarding loyalty.
You must work for the airline . . .
@1KBrad — Perhaps the most valuable elite benenfit is CONFIRMABLE upgrades. Free upgrades, not so much.
Become million miler and you’re elite for life! Been retired 11 yrs and appreciating every bit of our UAL benefits- best ever!
@ Elsa Buck — Yes, best MM program! 🙂
I’ve sent them a photo of all the info they need ( GOLD) on American but it won’t “ take” and I keep getting rejected. Any advice?
I’ve had no luck getting United’s automated system to accept my Delta Platinum Medallion credentials bc it doesn’t show an expiration date. I’ve tried every form I can possibly find and they all get rejected. It’s impossible to get a human to intervene. Has anyone else had any success getting matched from Delta?
Infuriating that no one has any advice on how this is not working