UA status match - benefits during trial period

[bPeteb]

UA matched my QF gold status on the weekend. It'll last for 90 days for me to complete the status challenge. Now have an electronic gold card in the UA app on my phone. Flying NZ to South America in three weeks. Should we have access to the NZ or SQ lounge in BNE and NZ lounge in AKL? Do I just flash the image of the card at check-in?

Not that we need it because other flights on our trip are 20kg (and 15!) but hypothetically would we also be eligible for Star Alliance gold luggage limits? We're coming home J so we're covered there. Maybe we'll do lots of shopping in Lima and BA to get close to the crazy allowance we have coming home. Any hints for the latter mrs.dr.ron? We're hopeless shoppers, much to the derision of our friends both gay and straight, so those hints might might come to nothing

cheers
pete

 

[casanovawa]

How much did you have to pay for the status challenge?

 

[bPeteb]

zip and approved in about 30 minutes. Return flight to the US on UA in Y will qualify you for full gold and J will give you platinum. We were hoping that our Y and J NZ flights would be included but we've found out that they must be UA flights.

 

[casanovawa]

Hmmm, ok, seems most US status challengeso ften come with a cash payment requirement as well...

Probably go for the Turkish one myself...

 

[Mattg]

Unfortunately, your status benefits are only valid when flying United during the initial 3 month period of a status match challenge. So, you won't receive any benefit when flying NZ on the outbound.

Of course, once the challenge (for which only UA flights count) is completed, then you'll get the full benefits.

(Sorry to be the bearer of bad news...)

 

[bPeteb]

We'll cope

 

[Jurahn]

VA Gold doesn't make the grade apparently - I applied for the status match today and was only given Silver

 

[dandandandan]

Unfortunately, your status benefits are only valid when flying United during the initial 3 month period of a status match challenge. So, you won't receive any benefit when flying NZ on the outbound.

Of course, once the challenge (for which only UA flights count) is completed, then you'll get the full benefits.

(Sorry to be the bearer of bad news...)

Hey Mattg, where did you get this info in regards to benefits only counting to UA flights within the 90 days? I just showed my UA app to the SQ lounge attendant at MEL International and that was sufficient as it stated SA Gold. I did note that the BP doesn't recognize the status so it may prove a problem with less lenient lounge attendants...

P.S I have SA Gold due to the UA Status Challenge also.

 

[Mattg]

Hey Mattg, where did you get this info in regards to benefits only counting to UA flights within the 90 days? I just showed my UA app to the SQ lounge attendant at MEL International and that was sufficient as it stated SA Gold. I did note that the BP doesn't recognize the status so it may prove a problem with less lenient lounge attendants...

P.S I have SA Gold due to the UA Status Challenge also.

This was directly from the United website:

https://www.united.com/web/en-US/ap...ons/registrationDetails.aspx?promoCode=TB8230

• A Premier membership card will be not issued for the 90-day Offer Period. You may enjoy Premier benefits on United- or United Express-operated flights by providing your account number when making reservations or at check-in. During the 90-day Offer Period, you may not have access to all reciprocal Premier benefits with United's partner airlines, including access to Star Alliance lounges.

As has been noted in this thread, it appears this is not always enforced in reality.

 

[Kefci2000]

Just flew LH from HKG-FRA-LHR after applying for status challenge.

Super surprised to get access to SIA lounge in HK, and AC lounge in FRA (LH lounge was a fair way).

Also able to get the whole family through the fast track channel just by showing *G on boarding pass when T2 arrivals hall was packed.
Through in less than 10 mins.

 

[ozjuice]

I took up the United Status challenge and had *Gold awarded which was cool, except that I had some changes and can't complete the US flight i wanted to extend the membership. Anyway, bonus was that I have just been awarded Marriott Gold because of it. My Marriott gold had just dropped to silver last month and it has got to be one of the most valued hotel status I have had. always get great upgrades and benefits. also with the merger it's now even better. Win Win!

 

[liamsal]

Seems like a great offer - I'm considering making a trip over to the US on United just to hit the required PQM's. Star Alliance status would be great for AC lounge access as VA are taking their time with reciprocal frequent flyer benefits.

There's a decent article over on AusBT if anyone is interested: Star Alliance Gold status match for Qantas, Virgin Australia

 

[Shikakui]

I got the benefits during my trail period.

 

[Notyourbag]

How long did it take to come though? VA Platinum here - I applied 9/5 And flying syd-lax-ewr 19/5

 

[ozjuice]

took just over a week for mine.

 

[jch]

My VA Platinum was matched as United Premier Platinum. I got all the Platinum benefits with United for my economy ticket Sydney Chicago Portland return.

Was upgraded SYD-LAX at the gate and all my domestic flights expect one. Think I would have traded all the upgrades for the overnight SFO-SYD leg home though which was rough!

I'm sure this is well known on this forum but you don't automatically get access to the United Club unless you are on a segment that connects internationally (however you will with any other star alliance gold card). This only affected me once and I ended up just paying the entry fee, as United had been pretty good to me with the upgrades.

 

[justinbrett]

Does anyone know if a UA status match (from QF WP) would allow me to access Copa Lounges during the trial period?

I'm assuming Copa isn't that high tech and showing a digital card would do the trick.

 

[Mattg]

Does anyone know if a UA status match (from QF WP) would allow me to access Copa Lounges during the trial period?

I'm assuming Copa isn't that high tech and showing a digital card would do the trick.

I've not tried this but don't see why not. I've never had an issue accessing any lounge (have flown with 10 United partner airlines so far) with my digital card. Even so, it will probably say "UA*G" on your boarding pass.

FWIW United doesn't send out physical membership cards any more anyway, even to people with full UA status.

 

[jch]

I've not tried this but don't see why not. I've never had an issue accessing any lounge (have flown with 10 United partner airlines so far) with my digital card. Even so, it will probably say "UA*G" on your boarding pass.

FWIW United doesn't send out physical membership cards any more anyway, even to people with full UA status.

I also heard this when I was doing the status match, but then a shiny Premier Platinum card arrived in the mail in Perth last year once I had completed the challenge.

 

[Notyourbag]

I did the status match and my physical card arrived in the mail 3 weeks after I successfully hit the required miles.

I retained Platinum for the next 12 months but when I contacted United on Facebook to see if I'd get a physical card they said "I've reached back out to our MileagePlus team and confirmed that physical cards are not being sent out this year, but you will still be receiving a physical kit by mail. Inside your kit, you should find your Premier luggage tag as well as a complimentary lanyard, but they could not confirm if drink passes were included. If your account has already been updated to reflect your status, you should be able to find your digital card by logging in to the mobile app and selecting the person icon on the top right hand side."