United Airlines is taking a page from the hotel credit card playbook, with a targeted card offer that effectively comes with elite status instead of just the standard elite-lite perks.
Here’s what the targeted mailer is pitching:
- 70,000 miles and Silver status after $3,000 spend within 3 months from account opening and four segments on United or United Express
- Plus 10,000 miles for adding an authorized user to the account in the first 3 months.
- The card has a $0 annual fee, then $150.
This isn’t instant status – it posts after you satisfy both the spending and the flight conditions (which you can meet with a single roundtrip that has a connection each way). Then the terms say status can take 6-8 weeks to process. But it’s good through January 31, 2028.
Instant Premier Silver Status with this new United Explorer Offer!!
by
u/Usgcaux in
unitedairlines
An credit card initial bonus that includes elite status is highly unusual! Normally the card just includes elite-lite benefits, and helps earn status. This card earns elite qualifying points from spend that’s capped.
Effectively awarding Silver after modest spend and four flight segments is closer to the hotel model offering basic status, rather than what we’ve seen from airlines.
If you’re targeted for this offer, fly United and don’t have status or a United card this stikes me as a no-brainer. And now that United’s done it, others will see, and perhaps try it too.
Now, the card itself provides the bag and boarding benefits. Silver adds:
- Economy Plus if available at check-in
- Priority check-in and earlire boarding
- Upgrade eligibility (but low frequency of success)
- Bonus points on paid travel
United Silver is basically economy plus if available at check-in and priority check-in. So the cost of including this as an incremental add-on is low. And the upside to the airline is:
- more high-margin Chase card accounts
- greater wallet share
- more behavioral lock-in for customers with status who want to keep it
Silver is the giveaway level. They give it to Marriott Titaniums who are a high value marketing target. Why has it taken so long to test giving it to cobrand cardmembers on a trial basis? I suppose we’re seeing this now because United’s CEO Scott Kirby has announced a mandate to double MileagePlus profits by 2030.
I suspect many who live in Chicago will be targeted for this exclusive Silver status…
I’ve been Gold / Platinum for years now (yea, always on the outside looking in for that 1K status), but this is the first year in a long time where I haven’t had any status. I do still have a Chase Explorer card so I still get Group 2, but I will sure miss the blue seats / upgrades to First on occasion.
I guess I’ll once again care about being a part of the gate lice to line up closer to the front of Group 2’s line so I have space in the overhead bin. Or I’ll just check my bag.
I really, really hate that airlines are basically credit card companies these days. On the bright side though, at least United isn’t WN, which Elliott just fleeced and left a few days ago after they made their quick buck.
@Peter – Thought the same thing!
Interesting. Strictly from a SUB perspective I actually personally prefer the deal that was out last year for the Quest where you got 100,000 miles and 3,000 PQP. 30K more miles while PQP largely gives you a big boost towards silver status anyway if you fly somewhat frequently on United. But for those that don’t fly too often, this lower AF Explorer card deal sounds nice too.
@Jaylo with another hit single!
Wow Silver can just imagine all the first class upgrades I would not be getting
@Dwondermeant
I am not too sure about UA silver, but for an infrequent flyer, a Delta silver is valuable for seat assignments, checked bag privileges etc. Of course, never expect an upgrade unless you’re flying to OKC on a Sunday evening, which I have.
I realize Silver isn’t much but I get it as a lifetime Marriott Titanium member (Lifetime Platinum on AA and DL from travel). Only fly UA a few times a year (partially for Amex Platinum airline credit use) but it is nice to not pay for regular seats, get a bag up to 70 lbs, get extra leg room at checkin and be in group 2 since, otherwise it would be worse. I have actually been upgraded a time or 2 which I know is a unicorn.
Also this doesn’t hurt any UA elite member since status is below them. Frankly I think this is a good move by UA and one other airlines may copy.
More surprised they didn’t try it with the higher annual fee cards first
Maybe this is the first initiative of the new MP team
I don’t necessarily agree with this “breaking precedent” – Delta does as much with their Platinum/Reserve card combos (you can get all the way to Gold/$10k MQDs just by holding their cards).