5 things I'm most excited about from United's status extension announcement
This weekend, hours after Delta’s Sunday morning announcement that current Medallion status would be valid through 2021, United confirmed its own status extension, along with additional COVID-19 policy adjustments, in an email from MileagePlus program head Luc Bondar.
In short, it's all good news, but there are a number of developments I wanted to highlight specifically, since many TPG readers continue to reach out with questions.
1. You'll keep your current tier through 2021
This is, of course, the most significant development, and something elites have been eager to see since their travel plans began being impacted earlier this year. Anyone holding status in a published tier, from Silver through Premier 1K, will have their current status extended through Jan. 31, 2022 — giving elites an entire extra year.
United's biggest spenders, members of the carrier's invite-only Global Services tier, have not yet received word of an extension, though I imagine the airline will ultimately do whatever it can to keep those customers happy, too.
2. Reduced requirements for new status
For some travelers, this next adjustment will have an even bigger impact. If you are still able to travel a reasonable amount in 2020, it'll be far easier than expected to reach a new tier. In line with what I had anticipated, United has cut all requirements by at least 50%. For example, rather than traveling on 54 flights and spending $18,000 with the airline to earn Premier 1K this year, frequent flyers will reach that tier after $9,000, plus 26 flights.
It could even be worthwhile for current Premier 1K members to earn status again, depending on how much they've already flown — I'm about $3,000 (and 10 flights) shy right now, and if I'm able to fly enough later this year, reaching 1K again would mean earning an additional 320 PlusPoints, valid through Jan. 31, 2022. Worst case, I'll still have 1K status from the extension, and PlusPoints expiring next July.
3. More opportunities to redeem PlusPoints
About those PlusPoints — last year, United rolled out its new upgrade currency, which elites can use to book economy or Premium Plus and confirm an upgrade in a higher cabin. Now, as part of this announcement, the airline is extending expiration by six months; PlusPoints due to expire on Jan. 31, 2021 will be valid through Jul. 31, instead.
Additionally, as Bondar explained, "Last year we introduced Skip Waitlist as a benefit to 1K members, giving you more opportunities to confirm an upgrade request at the time of booking. This benefit will now be available for the rest of 2020 in a significantly expanded selection of long-haul international regions and will have expanded availability in 2021 as well."
That sounds great, on the surface, but from my previous test, Skip Waitlist requires an astronomical 140 PlusPoints per person each way, to move from economy to business class. Additionally, once confirmed, customers who voluntarily change their flight won't receive a PlusPoints refund. Given the anticipated decline in business and leisure travel, it'll likely be far easier to clear upgrades than before, so travelers may not even need to use this option.
For example, I'm seeing plenty of standard upgrade availability on a number of flights where I never would have imagined being able to clear an upgrade in advance before. Take Auckland (AKL) to San Francisco (SFO): elites booking during New Zealand's peak January travel period can pay $561 for an economy seat and confirm an upgrade to Polaris business class for just 40 PlusPoints right now.
I was actually expecting United to go a bit further, and extend the expiration of PlusPoints to match its status extension — through Jan. 31, 2022. For now, points expire at the end of July, but I imagine that date could be pushed out if customers end up unable to travel for an extended period of time.
4. Travel certificates now valid for 24 months
If a U.S. airline cancels a flight, the carrier is obligated to issue a refund to the original form of payment, if that's what a customer requests. Still, several airlines around the world, including United, have insisted on issuing travel vouchers, instead of a refund. If United didn't operate your flight, and you didn't cancel voluntarily, you should still be able to push for a refund. But if you're stuck with a travel voucher, there's some good news on that front, too.
As Bondar explained, "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."
So, any customers with a valid voucher now have an additional 12 months to book travel. And, since vouchers can be redeemed for travel scheduled after the expiration date, customers now have almost three years to travel on a voucher issued today.
For example, if you cancel travel and receive an electronic travel certificate today, April 6, 2020, you can redeem that certificate by April 6, 2022, for any United or United Express flights available to book at that time — most likely for travel as late as early March 2023. Of course, travelers would still prefer to have cash. But if a full refund isn't an option, at least this adjustment gives you significantly more flexibility.
5. Status will be easier to earn in 2021
Bondar added his note with a promise for next year, saying: "Finally, we'll be making it easier to earn status in 2021 for the 2022 program year. We recognize that getting back to travel will occur at a different pace for different members. Keep an eye out for changes we will make to help you earn status in 2021 for 2022, as we'll share details later this year."
It's not yet clear how qualification requirements will change — I think that'll depend entirely on how the situation shakes out this year — but I wouldn't be surprised to see the 2020 criteria carry over to next year as well, for a 50% reduction across the board.
Bottom line
Hopefully, these adjustments will help ease some key concerns among MileagePlus members. Ideally, United would have allowed 2020 credits to roll over to 2021, as Delta is offering its Medallion members, though that could be an option later, especially if we're unable to safely travel later this year. I'm thankful for an automatic extension of my Premier 1K status, though, and I hope United extends the same courtesy to its valuable Global Services members very soon.
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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
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- 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.
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- $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.
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- Annual Fee is $325.
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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. |
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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.