Summary

  • United Airlines offers MileagePlus Premier Status Match Challenge valid for specific elite status levels.
  • Fast-track methods include flying on United and partner airlines, purchasing tickets, or using specific credit cards.
  • To apply, fill out a form with your MileagePlus account number, email, and recent mileage statement. Allow 7-14 days for response.

Airlines are trying to outdo their rivals in a variety of ways. Offering a status match is one such tactic. If you are someone with United Airlines’ Premier Gold status, the MileagePlus loyalty program allows you to be eligible for the SkyMiles Medallion Gold elite status offered by Delta Air Lines. All you need to do is submit your request for a status match, and depending upon your status, the airline will determine which elite status you will be eligible for in a match.

Related

How To Use The Delta Air Lines SkyMiles Status Match

Participants who are able to complete the extension challenge will keep their matched status through January 2026.

Let’s discuss some generalities of the MileagePlus Premier Status Match Challenge for frequent flyers with elite status on other major US airlines.

Eligibility and Duration of United Airlines MileagePlus Status Match

The 2024 MileagePlus® Premier® Status Match Challenge offered by United Airlines is valid for requests received between January 5, 2024, and December 20, 2024. If you meet the criteria laid out by the airline, your account will be upgraded to either of the following elite statuses:

  • Premier Silver
  • Premier Gold
  • Premier Platinum
United Airlines Boeing 737 MAX 8 taxiing at Chicago O'Hare International Airport ORD shutterstock_2347230081

Photo: MKPhoto12 | Shutterstock

The requirements for achieving each of these status vary:

  • Premier Silver: Fly 4 Premier Qualifying Flights (PQF) and earn 1,300 Premier Qualifying Points (PQP).
  • Premier Gold: Fly 8 PQF and earn 2,600 PQP.
  • Premier Platinum: Fly 12 PQF and earn 4,000 PQP.

PQF refers to the number of flight segments flown, while Premier Qualifying Points (PQP) refers to the number of qualifying points you earn. If you are flying on United or United Express, you get 1 PQP per $1. If you have a flight that is worth $500, you will have 500 PQPs.

Status Levels, Status Match with a Status Challenge, and Requirements

United Airlines also offers a Premier status match challenge. The airline offers an immediate complimentary elite status. You get to keep that status for a specific time as long as you complete Premier Qualifying Flights (PQF) and Premier Qualifying Points (PQP) on flights operated by United or United Express within the 120-day offer period.

United Airlines Boeing 737-924/ER taking off.

Photo: Ronen Fefer | Shutterstock

Fast-track methods to meet this challenge include:

  • Flying on United or partner airlines.
  • Purchasing tickets.
  • Using specific credit cards to accumulate PQP.

But how exactly do you apply to this?

In order to qualify for the MileagePlus Status Match program, the interested ones need to fill up a MileagePlus Premier Status Match Challenge form, where they’ll need to provide the following:

  • Their MileagePlus account number
  • A valid email address
  • A digital copy of a 2024 membership card or recent mileage statement from the frequent flyer program they’re watching.
United Airlines Boeing 767-322/ER N664UA taking off.

Photo: Lukas Wunderlich | Shutterstock

Once a user has submitted the application, they’re requested to allow 7-14 business days for a response and for the account to be upgraded.

Which airlines are participating in United’s Status Match program?

United MileagePlus matches a user’s current airline elite status to its Premier Silver, Premier Gold, or Premier Platinum status levels on the following seven airlines:

Corresponding United MileagePlus Status Premier Silver Premier Gold Premier Platinum
Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan MVP MVP Gold MVP Gold 75K
American Airlines AAdvantage Gold Platinum Platinum Pro
British Airways Executive Club Bronze Silver Gold
Delta Air Lines SkyMiles Silver Medallion Gold Medallion Platinum Medallion
JetBlue Airways TrueBlue Mosaic N/A N/A
Southwest Airlines Rapid Rewards A-List A-List Preferred N/A
Virgin Atlantic Flying Club Silver Gold N/A

A look at a few terms and conditions applied

One needs to adhere to the terms and conditions of the MileagePlus Status Match laid out by United Airlines. If the carrier finds that an individual is in violation of the MileagePlus program rule, the Status Match granted can be nullified. Also, without posting the qualifying PQF and PQP to the MileagePlus account, the status match cannot be applied for. 20 PlusPoints will be awarded to qualifying members if they reach the required PQF and PQP to qualify for Premier Platinum status.

United Airlines Boeing 777-300ER

Photo: Karolis Kavolelis | Shutterstock

The loyalty members of other airlines can participate in United’s status match program as long as they have not participated in a United status match within the last few years.

Exceptions for the following hold:

  • Those who requested a status match during the pandemic (in 2020 or 2021) failed to meet the requirements due to the travel restrictions imposed then.

The airline further stipulates that the inability to complete both the PQF and PQP requirements within the 120-day offer period will lead to an expiration of MileagePlus Premier status. Further, at the carrier’s sole discretion, there is also the possibility of being lowered to a previous Premier level or general member status.

How do you extend your Status Match?

United Airlines offers you a chance to extend the Status Match beyond the initial 120 days. In order for this, you will have to meet the following requirements:

  • Fly 10 PQF and earn 3,000 PQP for Premier Platinum.
  • Fly four PQF and earn 1,000 PQP for Premier Silver
  • Fly eight PQF and earn 2,000 PQP for Premier Gold

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All Million Miler achievers keep a top status with the airline for life.

The PQF and PQP are only valid if you take flights operated by United Airlines or United Express.

Many carriers such as Delta Air Lines offer a status match. Given that only loyal or frequent flyers of a carrier are going to get an elite status anyhow, do you think that people from one airline are going to latch on to the status match on other carriers? Let us know in the comments below.

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