United is kicking off 2023 with a MileagePlus status match and challenge offer for its competitors top frequent flyers. The promotion allows frequent flyers to request a match to an equivalent tier for 120 days with the opportunity to retain that status for the remainder of the status year by meeting certain qualification requirements.
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United MileagePlus status match for 2023
United Airlines is offering a MileagePlus status match and challenge to elite members of competing frequent flyer programs for the first half of 2023.
If you’re an elite member of a frequent flyer program that competes with United, it’s likely they’ll match your current airline elite status to either MileagePlus Premier Silver, Premier Gold, or Premier Platinum status levels. You’ll be able to keep the status for 120 days after the challenge with certain requirements to enjoy the matched status for the rest of the year.
| Competing frequent flyer program | Level matched to Premier Silver | Level matched to Premier Gold | Level matched to Premier Platinum |
|---|---|---|---|
| Delta SkyMiles | Silver | Gold | Platinum |
| American AAdvantage | Gold | Platinum | Platinum Pro |
| Southwest Rapid Rewards | A-List | A-List Preferred | N/A |
| JetBlue Airways True Blue | Mosaic | N/A | N/A |
| Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan | MVP | MVP Gold | MVP Gold 75K |
| British Airways Executive Club | Bronze | Silver | Gold |
| Virgin Atlantic Flying Club | Silver | Gold | N/A |
| Equivalent Star Alliance status | Silver | Gold | Gold |
United published the status matches available for 7 frequent flyer programs: Delta SkyMiles, AAdvantage, Southwest Rapid Rewards, JetBlue TrueBlue, Alaska Mileage Plan, British Airways Executive Club, and Virgin Flying Club.
United has not published an equivalence for other programs. United may match elite status from other airlines at its discretion so if you’re an elite from other frequent flyer program, it may be worth applying.
How to register for the MileagePlus Status Match
To apply to participate, log into your United account and fill out the MileagePlus status match challenge form. You’ll need the following information handy:
- MileagePlus account number (if you’re not already a member, you’ll need to join)
- Email address from your MileagePlus account
- Copy of most recent mileage summary or 2023 membership card for the frequent flyer program being matched. Your full name, current elite status, including your status expiration date or validity period, which should be valid through the duration of the current calendar year should all be clearly visible.
United will review your documented of status with your current airline and then grant you corresponding status for a specific period of time. They promise to process status match and challenge requests within 7-14 business days of receipt and will respond via email.
If your MileagePlus status match is successful, you’ll don’t lose elite status with your current airline. The United status would be in addition to your existing status.
Fine print of MileagePlus status match
The offer is valid for requests received between January 5, 2023, and June 30, 2023. If you’ve participated in a MileagePlus status match or got a premier status exception from United within the last five years, you’re not eligible for this promotion
The maximum status attainable as part of the promotion is Premier Platinum. Premier 1K is not available.
Keeping Matched MileagePlus Status
To retain the matched Premier status for the remainder of the 2023 program year, you’ll need to earn a certain number of Premier qualifying flights (PQF) and Premier qualifying points (PQP) on flights operated by United or United Express within the 120-day offer period.
The number of both PQF and PQP you must earn depends on the Premier status level you are matched to in MileagePlus.
| MileagePlus Premier status | PQF and PQP requirements |
|---|---|
| Premier Silver | Fly 4 PQF & earn 1,300 PQP on flights operated by United or United Express |
| Premier Gold | Fly 8 PQF & earn 2,600 PQP on flights operated by United or United Express |
| Premier Platinum | Fly 12 PQF & earn 4,000 PQP on flights operated by United or United Express |
Benefits of United elite status
MileagePlus Premier elite statuses offer a variety of perks and benefits to frequent United and Star Alliance flyers. The benefits include upgraded seats, priority boarding, free checked bags, and free lounge membership.
Elite members also earn frequent flyer miles faster and have access to more premium flight redemptions than members without status.
United status also maps to Star Alliance status levels granting privileges across the world’s largest airline alliance.
Note that each member can only participate in the MileagePlus status match and challenge once every 5 years. If you don’t fly United frequently, this offer might not be worth using up. On the other hand, if you’re switching your flying to United or its Star Alliance partners, this might be a great offer for you.
Bottom line
United Airlines is offering a MileagePlus status match and challenge to its competitors’ top frequent flyers during the first half of 2023. This promotion allows frequent flyers to request a matching status in the MileagePlus program which will be valid for 120 days and the opportunity to retain that status for the remainder of the year with certain qualifications. If you’re an elite member of a frequent flyer program that competes with United, it’s likely they’ll match your current airline elite status to either MileagePlus Premier Silver, Premier Gold, or Premier Platinum status levels.
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