United reveals reduced elite status requirements for 2020

Yesterday, United announced that they would be automatically extending existing Premier elite status holders through January 31, 2022, following Delta's lead just hours earlier.  United also stated that they would be reducing Premier elite qualification requirements for 2020, and the new thresholds have now been released.

Premier qualifying requirements for both flights and points (PQP) have been cut by 50%.  A minimum of 4 flight segments on United or United Express is still required to be eligible for Premier elite status.  In addition, United announced the following positive changes:

We're also doubling PQP for the United Explorer cards and quadrupling PQP for the United Club cards.

• At the same time that we're decreasing the published program's PQP requirements, via a promotion from May 1 through December 31, 2020, we're doubling (for United Explorer cards) or quadrupling (for United Club cards) the maximum number of PQP that Cardmembers can earn by using their card during 2020. More details to come.

As we look for additional ways to provide flexibility during these uncertain times, we are also making the following changes. All electronic travel certificates now have 24 months to be used.

• If your travel plans have been disrupted, and you have an electronic travel certificate from us for the value of your ticket, you now have two years from the date it was issued to book a new flight, as well as up to an additional 11 months to travel. This includes all currently valid and all new electronic travel certificates issued on or after April 1, 2020.

We're extending all annual membership and subscription benefits by six months.

• We want to make sure your benefits are still there when you're ready to start flying again. That's why we're extending United Club℠ memberships purchased directly from United and purchased subscriptions for Economy Plus®, United Wi‑Fi℠ and checked bags by six months. You will see this reflected in your MileagePlus account soon.

We have removed some redeposit fees for the rest of the year.

• We are currently waiving all award redeposit fees for travel through end of May 2020.   • We are now also waiving all redeposit fees for award ticket cancellations made more than 30 days before departure for the remainder of 2020.

The changes come as no surprise as they all essentially copied what Delta announced yesterday.  However, Delta did not reduce Medallion elite status requirements, so it's good to see United take the lead on this similarly to what some hotel groups like IHG have done.  However, based on the fact that overall passenger traffic across the board has fallen by over 93% this past month and is currently showing no signs of recovery whatsoever, I would presume that qualifying for Premier status would be difficult for anyone for 2020.  Fortunately, existing Premier elite members who qualified last year will retain their status through January 2022.

Bottom line

It's great to see the carriers falling in line when it comes to extending elite status, subscriptions, travel certificates, and more.  American Airlines, Alaska Airlines, and Southwest have yet to jump on the bandwagon, but I fully expect them to follow suit soon.

From all of us at Flying for Fitness, please stay healthy during this trying time.  We hope you enjoyed this post.  Please consider visiting one of our sponsors by clicking on the advertisements.  Our sponsors pay us for customer visits and help us to keep the lights on.  Thanks!