United Airlines Status Match
I know people love themselves some status matches. Because of that I always try to put together some of the better ones for you all. Over the last few months I shared one for Virgin Atlantic and JetBlue, and now I have a United Airlines status match to share with all of you. I am sure this will be by far the most popular of those three options. Let's take a look at the details and who is eligible for this status match.
Details Of The United Airlines Status Match
Let's first go over some overview details of the United Airlines status match. It is available to new status applicants until June 30th, 2025 (unless they end it early). It has to have been at least 5 years since your last status match to be eligible. When performing the status match you get 120 days of status given to you, but you have the opportunity to extend it. That is because this is a status match and challenge wrapped up into one. That is how most of these work these days.
The United Airlines MileagePlus levels that are available to match to are as follows:
- Premier Silver
- Premier Gold
- Premier Platinum
It is sad to see Premier 1K not listed as an option. Although, there are whispers of people with top tier status with other airlines maybe being bumped up into the Premier 1K MileagePlus level. I would not count on it though.
Some Notable Terms Of The Offer
Here are some terms of the United status match offer that you should be aware of:
- Offer is not valid for members who have participated in the MileagePlus Status Match program or received a Premier status exception within the last 5 years.
- Members who hold elite status because of a trial or temporary elite status in the other airline program are not eligible for the MileagePlus Premier Status Match program.
- Premier membership materials will not be issued for the Challenge Period. You may enjoy Premier benefits on United- or United Express-operated flights by providing your account number when making reservations or at check-in. During the Challenge Period, you may not have access to all reciprocal Premier benefits with United's partner airlines, including access to Star AllianceTM lounges.
- Through this offer, you will not be able to qualify for a higher Premier status level than the one matched to in MileagePlus. For example, if you are matched to Premier Silver, you will not be able to earn Premier Gold status through this offer, even if you will fly more than the 5 PQF and earn more than 1700 PQP on flights operated by United or United Express during the Challenge Period. However, you will be able to qualify to a higher status level if you reach one of the published qualification thresholds for Premier status.
- Upon meeting the PQF and PQP requirements to qualify for Premier Platinum status through this offer, members will be awarded 20 PlusPoints, which will be credited to their account within 7-10 business days. PlusPoints will not otherwise be awarded based on matched status or status reached through the MileagePlus Premier Status Match challenge.
- If you are unable to complete both the PQF and PQP requirements within the Challenge Period, your matched MileagePlus Premier status will expire, and you may be returned to a lower earned Premier level, or general member status, at United's sole discretion.
- Qualifying PQF and PQP must be posted to your MileagePlus account.
The 5 years in between status matches is something to consider. If you don't have a lot of United flights upcoming, then maybe it is better to wait for another year to jump on this one.
Earned 2025 Premier status:
Members who earn Premier status through this offer will have their accounts updated in the system within 5-7 business days of completion and posting of the outlined PQF and PQP requirements for the status level matched to in MileagePlus. Earned 2025 Premier status is valid through January 2026. The MileagePlus status is valid through January 2027 for members who earn Premier status through this offer on or after July 1, 2025.
*For members who meet the PQP and PQF requirement of this offer on or after July 1, 2025, status is valid through January 2027, unless a higher Premier level is earned. Go to united.com/premier for more information on the MileagePlus Premier program.
Airlines Eligible For The Offer
Here is a breakdown of the airlines that are eligible for this United Airlines status match (from the offer landing page):
| Frequent Flyer Program | Level – Premier Silver | Level – Premier Gold | Level – Premier Platinum |
|---|---|---|---|
| Delta Air Lines Medallion® level | Silver | Gold | Platinum |
| American Airlines AAdvantage elite status | Gold | Platinum | Platinum Pro |
| Southwest Airlines Rapid Rewards | A-List | A-List Preferred | N/A |
| JetBlue Airways True Blue | Mosaic | Mosaic 2 or Mosaic 3 | Mosaic 4 |
| Alaska Airlines MVP elite status | MVP | MVP Gold | MVP Gold 75K |
| British Airways | Bronze | Silver | Gold |
| Qantas (QF) | Silver | Gold | Platinum, Platinum One |
If you have status above the levels listed in the chart then you can still use that to apply towards the Premier Platinum level with United MileagePlus. You may even get lucky and get tapped on the shoulder for Premier 1K, as mentioned above. This status will be good for 120 days once approved.
How To Keep Your United Airlines Status Match For Longer
Let's say you are ready to jump ship long term to United as your airline of choice. Can you keep your United Airlines status match for even longer than the 120 days? You betcha! You just need to earn Premier qualifying flights (PQF) AND Premier qualifying points (PQP) on flights operated by United or United Express within the challenge period.
| MileagePlus Premier status | PQF and PQP requirements |
|---|---|
| Premier Silver | Fly 5 PQF and earn 1,700 PQP on flights operated by United or United Express |
| Premier Gold | Fly 10 PQF and earn 3,400 PQP on flights operated by United or United Express |
| Premier Platinum | Fly 15 PQF and earn 5,000 PQP on flights operated by United or United Express |
An interesting tidbit about earning the United Airlines status match for longer from the terms of the offer that is worth pointing out again:
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.
That means that it is best to hold off on completing the challenge portion until after July 1st, 2025. That way you get it a full year longer. A quirky set up, but one you want to pay attention to. Here is another thing from the terms you will want to be aware of:
What Perks Can You Expect?
What kind of goodies should you expect if you take advantage of the United Airlines status match? Here are the perks for the three status levels eligible to be matched into:
Premier Silver
1 free checked bag in Economy- Free access to Economy Plus at check-in for you + 1 companion
- Group 2 boarding
- Eligible for free day of departure upgrades
- 7x miles earned on every flight
1 free checked bag in Economy
Free access to 
Group 2 boarding
Eligible for free day of departure upgrades
7x miles earned on every flightMileagePlus Premier Gold
- 2 free checked bags in Economy
- Free access to Economy Plus at booking for you + 1 companion
- Group 1 boarding
- Eligible for free upgrades 48 hours before flight
- 8x miles earned on every flight
Premier Platinum
- 3 free checked bags in Economy
- Free access to Economy Plus at booking for you + 8 companions
- Group 1 boarding
- Eligible for free upgrades 72 hours before flight
- 9x miles earned on every flight
- Earn 40 PlusPoints after reaching Premier Platinum status
Some nice perks that people will find useful if they have some upcoming flights on United. Be sure to time it all properly for when you have a flight upcoming to start it off. Also, make sure you complete the challenge after July 1st to keep the status longer (if you are pursuing the challenge portion).
How To Apply For The Status Match & Challenge
Now that we know all about the United Airlines status match & challenge, we should probably get to how it is done. The landing page with the offer details is here, and the landing page to fill out the application / form is here.
To be considered for Premier status through this offer, please complete this MileagePlus Premier Status Match Challenge form. We will send you an email to let you know if your request is approved.
Required information:
- MileagePlus account number (If you are not yet a member, join today.)
- Valid email address on your MileagePlus account.
- A digital copy of your 2025 membership card, including membership cards stored in the digital wallet on your phone or your airlines mobile app version, for the frequent flyer program you are matching from.
- The membership card must clearly identify your:
- full first and last name
- current elite status
- current elite status expiration date or validity period, which must be valid through the duration of the current calendar year.
- the frequent flyer number
- the frequent flyer program and/or airline name
Please allow 7-14 business days for a response. If approved, your account will be upgraded to the matched level in MileagePlus after completing an Activating Flight, which must be flown within 90-days after document approval.
Offer Landing Page
ToP Thoughts
If you have some upcoming flights with United Airlines then this status match could be very intriguing. Especially if you think you could earn the status long term via the challenge portion of the offer. Just make sure to finish the requirements after July 1st to hold the status longer. If you don't have many United flights upcoming, then I would hold off for another year. That is because you are only eligible once every 5 years.
Let me know if you plan to take advantage over in the ToP Facebook Group.
