United launches new status match offer for 2025
United Airlines' annual status match offer is back. The requirements are a little higher this year, but they’re still much easier to achieve than United’s standard criteria — making this an excellent opportunity to pursue Premier status.
If you hold elite status with another airline, here’s how to turn that into United Premier status in 2025 — and why you may want to (or not).
Related: What exactly is elite status in travel — and how can I get it?
United’s status match offer for 2025
Here are some airline loyalty programs eligible for United’s status match and which Premier level they match to.
| Loyalty program | Tier to match to Premier Silver | Tier to match to Premier Gold | Tier to match to 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 | Medallion Silver | Medallion Gold | Medallion Platinum |
JetBlue TrueBlue | Mosaic 1 | Mosaic 2 or 3 | Mosaic 4 |
Qantas Frequent Flyer | Silver | Gold | Platinum or Platinum One |
Southwest Airlines Rapid Rewards | A-List | A-List Preferred | N/A |
According to United’s website, this is only a partial list. You may be eligible to apply if you hold another status.
To apply for a match, you must submit this form with your MileagePlus account number and email address, as well as a digital copy of your 2025 membership card for the frequent flyer program you are matching from.
If approved, you must take one “activating flight” operated by United or United Express within 90 days of approval to receive temporary elite status.
If you have flown on a United or United Express flight in the past 30 days from the day you registered for a status match, this may qualify as your activating flight. The flight must have already been posted to your MileagePlus account and have a date on or after Jan. 1, 2025. You must make this request at the time of your application for a previous flight to be considered.
If you do not complete an activating flight within 90 days of approval, you’ll become ineligible for the status match challenge. Further, you won’t be eligible to submit for another United status match in 2025. Be sure to time your application so that you’ll be able to complete the activating flight requirement.
After you take your activating flight, your United status will be upgraded to Premier Silver, Premier Gold or Premier Platinum within five to seven business days. You will hold this status for 120 days.
To extend your shiny new Premier status for the rest of the 2025 program year, you must meet the following Premier qualifying flight and Premier qualifying point requirements within the 120-day qualification period.
| Status tier | Requirements to extend |
|---|---|
Premier Silver | Fly 5 PQFs and earn 1,700 PQPs on flights operated by United or United Express |
Premier Gold | Fly 10 PQFs and earn 3,400 PQPs on flights operated by United or United Express |
Premier Platinum | Fly 15 PQFs and earn 5,000 PQPs on flights operated by United or United Express |
For this challenge, PQPs must be earned on United-operated flights. PQPs earned through other methods, such as credit card spending and partner flights, do not qualify.
How long will your status last? According to the United status match terms and conditions, “Earned 2025 Premier status is valid through January 2026. The MileagePlus status is valid through January 2027 for customers who earn Premier status through this offer on or after July 1, 2025.” So, to maximize the length of your United status, you may want to wait until July to request a match.
If you cannot complete the status match requirements within the challenge period, your matched MileagePlus Premier status will expire.
Note that you can’t elevate your status by meeting the above criteria; you can only extend the status to which you initially matched. You must meet United’s standard thresholds for Premier status to move to a higher tier.
For example, say you entered this status match with Southwest Rapid Rewards A-List status, which would match you to United Premier Silver. Even if you meet the Premier Gold criteria above (fly 10 PQFs and earn 3,400 PQPs) in the challenge period, you'll remain Premier Silver for the remainder of the 2025 program year. However, you can move to Gold by meeting United’s published Premier Gold criteria.
Related: Last-minute strategies for earning United Premier elite status
Who is eligible for a United status match?
There are a couple of reasons a traveler may not qualify for United’s 2025 status match program:
- You are ineligible if you have participated in the MileagePlus status match program or received a Premier status exception in the last five years.
- You are also ineligible if you hold elite status because of a trial or temporary elite status in the other airline program.
Is United Premier status worth it?
United Premier status offers valuable perks, like free checked bags, bonus miles earned on flights, upgrades to Economy Plus and even lounge access on select flights at the higher tiers. If you plan to fly United in 2025, these perks could make a status match worthwhile, even if you don't plan to extend your status past the 120-day challenge period.
However, you can snag some of these perks without Premier status if you have the right card in your wallet. For instance, the United℠ Explorer Card (see rates and fees) and United℠ Business Card (see rates and fees) offer a free checked bag for the primary cardholder and one traveling companion. Meanwhile, the United Club℠ Card (see rates and fees) provides United Club lounge access. Depending on which benefits are most important to you, you may be better off applying for a United credit card than pursuing a status match.
If you hold status with another airline, there are a few reasons you may consider switching to United Premier status. For instance, you may not be satisfied with the airline’s service or the elite perks you’re getting. Or maybe you’ve moved to a location where your current airline has a smaller presence.
If you’re thinking of changing loyalty, this 2025 status match challenge could be the perfect opportunity. It allows you to test-drive United Premier status for a short period and extend your status quickly.
However, remember that United typically lets you participate in a status match only once every five years. It may not be worth applying if you don’t think you’ll fly United enough this year to extend your status or take full advantage of its perks.
Related: Why this Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan change may sway me to leave American's AAdvantage program
Bottom line
United’s 2025 status match is an excellent opportunity for travelers considering changing loyalty to MileagePlus Premier.
However, if United isn’t the best airline for you, plenty more status matches and challenges are available. And don’t forget to keep track of when your airline elite status expires to avoid missing out on valuable perks or future status matches.
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Rewards
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro offer
Annual Fee
Recommended Credit
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.
Rewards Rate
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro Offer
You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.Annual Fee
$325Recommended Credit
Credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.Excellent to Good
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.