United Status Match Challenge

[FxTrader]

Could not find this offer discussed before:
United Airlines - Offer

Just got Status matched from QF Plat to UA Plat.
Took less than 24 hours.
Then got free upgrades to Economy Plus seating on 12 sectors and full UA Plat benefits including Gold * Alliance Status.
Plus booked a SYD / NYC / SYD that will do the PQMs to achieve the Plat Challenge goal in the Challenge time frame.

Nice one UA.

 

[samh004]

Not bad, but I read in the future you'll have to spend USD$7500 with United to keep that status in addition to flying the miles...

 

[FxTrader]

Not bad, but I read in the future you'll have to spend USD$7500 with United to keep that status in addition to flying the miles...

Have not read that.
Got a link?
But anyway now have UA Plat and *Alliance Gold status until Jan 31 2015, for a trip I was already booking to do.

 

[samh004]

Have not read that.
Got a link?
But anyway now have UA Plat and *Alliance Gold status until Jan 31 2015, for a trip I was already booking to do.

Came across it the other day while looking for something else.

United Airlines Adds Spending Requirement for Elite Flier Status - WSJ.com

Mileage Plus 2014 - Program Updates

From that, looks like you got a great deal, but wouldn't be too good after 2015 unless you're spending (excluding fees and taxes) the right amount a year!

 

[FxTrader]

Came across it the other day while looking for something else.

United Airlines Adds Spending Requirement for Elite Flier Status - WSJ.com

Mileage Plus 2014 - Program Updates

From that, looks like you got a great deal, but wouldn't be too good after 2015 unless you're spending (excluding fees and taxes) the right amount a year!

Thanks.
Don't see that as a problem.
To get the Plat re-qualify PQM, that is a reasonable level.

When we get back, will do a trip report on:

SYD/LAX
LAX/LAS
LAS/NYC
NYC/TUL
TUL/YQU
YQU/HNL
HNL/SFO
SFO/SYD

 

[samh004]

Thanks.
Don't see that as a problem.
To get the Plat re-qualify PQM, that is a reasonable level.

When we get back, will do a trip report on:

SYD/LAX
LAX/LAS
LAS/NYC
NYC/TUL
TUL/YQU
YQU/HNL
HNL/SFO
SFO/SYD

So long as the taxes aren't too high in the future

 

[RooFlyer]

Thanks for the reminder! Application done.

I'm currently in top tier of Air Canada's Aeroplan program, but have found that its a shocker. Meant to go over to UA for *A ages ago, and this makes it easy!

Recently booked a return flight to Alaska, in UA First via an Air Canada redemption - a UA Plat card might grease the wheels even more.

 

[FxTrader]

Thanks for the reminder! Application done.

I'm currently in top tier of Air Canada's Aeroplan program, but have found that its a shocker. Meant to go over to UA for *A ages ago, and this makes it easy!

Recently booked a return flight to Alaska, in UA First via an Air Canada redemption - a UA Plat card might grease the wheels even more.

Seems to be a good way to get *Alliance Gold for nothing.
That is if you already need to do the PQM in the next 90 days.

 

[RooFlyer]

Just got my UA status match at Platinum approved - 10 hours.

 

[FxTrader]

Just got my UA status match at Platinum approved - 10 hours.

Enjoy the Benefits.

As far as I can find and assuming you have Gold Status, this program is the lowest cost and fastest way to obtain *Alliance Gold.

 

[RooFlyer]

Enjoy the Benefits.

As far as I can find and assuming you have Gold Status, this program is the lowest cost and fastest way to obtain *Alliance Gold.

Thanks . UA gave me platinum, to match my QFF level.

Actually, I already have *A Gold, being SE100K in Air Canada's Aeroplan program - but have found it to be pretty ordinary, so am abandoning ship!

But I think Aegean actually has the lowest *A Gold hurdle, don't they ? Something like 20K miles?

 

[FxTrader]

Thanks . UA gave me platinum, to match my QFF level.

Actually, I already have *A Gold, being SE100K in Air Canada's Aeroplan program - but have found it to be pretty ordinary, so am abandoning ship!

But I think Aegean actually has the lowest *A Gold hurdle, don't they ? Something like 20K miles?

My point was the cash cost.
From what I paid for the booked flights and the PQM earn, the $ cost / 12,500 PQM required to achieve UA GOLD / *Alliance GOLD seems low.

 

[Storyteller]

Not bad, but I read in the future you'll have to spend USD$7500 with United to keep that status in addition to flying the miles...

Maybe only applies to those with a US address?

 

[jozdemir]

Maybe only applies to those with a US address?

Correct, only for US citizens - so I assume those with a US address in their UA account. UA mention this in their FAQ about the changes:

"

1. The Premier qualifying dollar (PQD) requirement only applies to members whose primary MileagePlus account address is in the 50 United States or the District of Columbia. Those who use military or diplomatic addresses (APO, DPO or FPO) are exempt from the PQD requirement."

So all is well for us Aussies!

On a side note I got a status match from AA EXP to 1K even though I only asked for a Platinum challenge...so I had to do a 35k challenge.

Ended up having to book MEL-SYD-LAX-EWR-DEN-HNL-EWR-SYD-MEL to finish it off (I already had 6500 PQM) then on the way home my UA flight from LAX to SYD was delayed and I asked to be rebooked on QF because there wasn't much information coming out.

UA were very obliging but when I rung and asked for the ORC they said no worries but they never did the credit. However, they did accept that I'd done 28k PQM and stuck me in at platinum which I didn't mind as I was worried I'd end up down at Silver...

Just a bit of info in case anyone was worried they wouldn't meet the challenge requirements

 

[paultiffen]

Say you had some upcoming award flights (almost definitely exempt from PQM), could you status match and then input your United number to get access to other Star Alliance lounges (in Europe) or do they generally request the actual physical card? Also has anyone tried this with VA Plat?

 

[Tannin]

FYI United has extended the status match challenge to 31 August 2013 (it was last reported as expiring 30 June 2013).

Remember with this status match challenge that you can only do it once every 5 years, regardless of outcome, so if you expect to increase status with another airline you may wish to hold off until the right time.

 

[xtoss]

I have one flight, in November, is it worth matching at the end of August for 1 x 3 hour flight just to get some benefits? Considering I doubt I would try to match with United again in the next 5 years, the rest of trip is already booked with Virgin/delta

 

[paultiffen]

Is the lounge there any good? We are actually pretty lucky for that in aus

 

[Vaughnus]

I was recently Status Matched to Gold, what's the process at the airport? Do I need to provide proof or will I be fine as long as it's on my booking?

 

[FxTrader]

I was recently Status Matched to Gold, what's the process at the airport? Do I need to provide proof or will I be fine as long as it's on my booking?

Should show on your BP.
However can't hurt to do a screen shot of your status page, print it out and carry with you.
Just be be sure, to be sure.