This refers to all the frequent flyers out there! You must have heard the saying, “The early bird catches the worm.” Well, this is completely applicable when we talk about the airline status match. If you have been flying with other airlines and want to switch to United without losing all these hard-earned statuses and perks, we have some great news for you. United Airlines is running its status match program again in 2025, and this blog is here to break it down for you in simple terms.
Basically, the United Airlines Status Match program is the airline’s way of saying, “Hey! We have seen you’ve been loyal to other airlines, but we’d love you to fly with us instead.” They are all set to match whatever status you have with your current airline, so that you do not have to start all over from the bottom. Amazing, isn’t it?
But hurry up; this offer is valid only up to June 30, 2025!
Who Can Apply For the United Status Match 2025?
United has already rolled out the red carpet for the status match program, but not everyone and their travel companion can hop on board with this offer. Firstly, you need to already have an elite status with the concerned airlines. United is not handing out MileagePlus status to anyone like candy on Halloween. You will have to prove to the airline that you’re a loyal customer, which can only be determined by checking your frequent flyer status. Think of it like showing your “flying resume.”
The United Airlines matching status with some of the big players in the US market, such as the following:
| Frequent flyer program | Level | Level | Level | Level |
| Delta Air Lines Medallion® level | Silver | Gold | Platinum | Diamond Delta360 |
| Southwest Airlines Rapid Rewards | A-List | A-List Preferred | N/A | N/A |
| JetBlue Airways TrueBlue | Mosaic | Mosaic 2 or Mosaic 3 | Mosaic 4 | N/A |
| Alaska Airlines MVP elite status | MVP | MVP Gold | MVP Gold 75K | N/A |
| British Airways | Bronze | Silver | Gold | N/A |
| Qantas (QF) | Silver | Gold | Platinum, Platinum One | N/A |
| Level matched to MileagePlus | Premier Silver | Premier Gold | Premier Platinum | Premier 1K |
How to Apply for United’s Status Match Program?
Alright, so you have the perfect status with another airline and are ready to make the jump to United. Here’s how you can participate in the United Status Match Challenge!
- Start off by visiting United’s official homepage. Just Google “United Airlines status match 2025,” and the site should pop right up.
- Make sure to keep the current membership card, statements, and other details close at hand. While applying for the challenge, United would want proof that you are not just pulling their leg about your status with another airline.
- Now, through the website, you will be asked to redirect to another page where you will have to fill out the MileagePlus Premier Status Match Challenge form. You would need details like your MileagePlus number (if you don’t have one, you’ll need to sign up), your name, contact info, and evidence of your current elite status.
- Once the form is submitted, cross your fingers and just wait! United usually takes somewhere around 7 to 14 business days to go through applications and get back to the applicants.
Just keep in mind that applying for matching the status to United Airlines status levels is as easy as pie. However, you have to make sure all the information is well-organized before hitting that submit button. Nothing worse than getting denied because you forgot to attach proof of your elite status.
What Status Will United Match You to?
Now we are getting to the meat and potatoes of the whole thing. What status will United Airlines give you? Well, this depends on what you’ve got with your current airlines.
- In case you have the entry-level status (like Delta Silver, British Airways Bronze, etc.), United will typically match you to Premier Silver.
- If you are a mid-tier elite, such as Delta Gold and British Airways Silver, you will usually get matched to Premier Gold.
- Top-tier elites, such as Delta Platinum/Diamond, might get matched to Premier Platinum or even Premier 1K if they are lucky.
But here’s the catch: United will not provide you with these statuses for free and forever. You usually get just a “trial period” where you have to prove yourself. It’s similar to when you start dating someone new; there’s a trial period before things get serious!
The United Status Match Challenge Period!
So, you just got the notification of being approved for the status match. Congratulations! But this isn’t the time to celebrate just yet. United typically gives you a 90-day “challenge period” where you have to earn a certain number of Premier Qualifying Points (PQPs). Plus, you will have to meet at least a minimum number of United or United Express flights to keep your status for the rest of the year.
For instance, if you are matched to Premier Silver, you will have to fly 5 PQF and earn 1,700 PQP on flights managed by United or United Express. This criterion must be met within the challenge period. Keep in mind that the exact requirements can vary from year to year, so make sure to check the fine print with the airline when you apply.
Think of it as United saying, “Show us the money!” The airline just wants to see how much you have got and how much you can spend on its services before they commit to giving you all those sweet perks for the long term. To be honest, it is fair enough, right?
The Juicy Perks You Will Get with United Status
Time to discuss what you’re really here for—the goodies! United Airlines Status Match comes with pretty sweet perks that can make your travel experience a whole lot better.
| Premier Silver Perks | Premier Gold Perks |
| Complimentary economy plus seats at check-in.One free checked bag (saves you about $30-$60 per round trip!).Priority check-in and boarding.7x miles on base fare (instead of the standard 5x). | Complimentary Economy Plus seats at booking.Two free checked bags.Priority security lanes at select airports.8x miles on base fare.Lounge access when traveling internationally. |
| Premier Platinum Perks | Premier 1K Perks |
| Everything from Gold, plus:Higher upgrade priorityThree free checked bags9x miles on base fareFee waivers for same-day flight changes | The cream of the crop! Everything from Platinum, plus:PlusPoints for upgrades on long-haul flights.Complimentary clear membership11x miles on base fare.Dedicated customer service line. |
It’s clear! Who would not want to skip those long, exhausting check-in lines and get free checked bags? These perks add up to your whole flying experience. It’s like finding money in your pocket that you didn’t even know was there.
Tips and Tricks for a Successful United Status Level Match
Alright, we are going to give you some insider tips to make sure your status match goes off without a hitch.
Time It Right
Try to apply for the status match at the beginning of the year so you get the benefits for longer. If you apply in December, you might only get the status for a few weeks before having to re-qualify.
Have a Travel Plan
Before participating, make sure you have enough upcoming trips planned with the carrier to meet the United status match challenge. There is no point in getting the status if you cannot keep it.
Check for Promotions
Sometimes, you will come across special promotions supported by United, where they waive the challenge requirements or offer more generous matches. Therefore, keep your eyes peeled.
Be Honest
Do not try to fabricate your current status. United Airlines checks everything while processing the applications, and getting caught in a lie means you will probably never get approved for a status match again.
Have Patience
The approval period is quite lengthy and usually takes time, especially during busy periods. So, there’s absolutely no need for freaking out if you don’t hear back right away. In case it’s been over two weeks and you haven’t heard anything, taking a polite follow-up email or call won’t hurt anyone.
And there’s Always Fine Print!
Before all these details make you too excited, there are a few things to keep in mind:
- United only allows one status match every five years per customer. So, in case you did a status match in 2020, you might not be eligible again until 2025.
- Keep this locked in mind—status matches are not guaranteed. United can deny your application for any reason, and they don’t even have to tell you why.
- The United Airlines status levels that you are matched with usually expire at the end of the calendar year. Unless you earn enough PQPs and segments to re-qualify under United’s standard program requirements.
- Some of the very top-tier benefits might be limited even with a successful match. For instance, United might match you to Premier 1K but not give you the full allotment of PlusPoints.
It’s a bit of a bummer to think about all these limitations, especially after going through all the perks. But nothing in life is perfect! Even with these restrictions, the United status match challenge can still save you a ton of money and make your travel experience way more comfortable.
Is United Status Match Worth It?
So, after all this information, you might have started to wonder if going through the hassle of a United Status match is actually worth it. To be honest, the answer completely depends on your travel habits!
In case you are planning to fly with United in 2025, then absolutely YES! The perks of elite status can help you save hundreds or even thousands of dollars in bag fees, give you access to more comfortable seats, and generally make travel less of a headache.
On the flip side, if you are planning to take only one or two flights with United this year, then maybe not. The challenge requirement might be tough to meet, and you won’t get much value from the perks anyway.
It’s almost similar to buying a gym membership. If you are going to go regularly, it’s totally worth it. If you’re only gonna go once a month, maybe not so much! We hope this clears up a lot of your confusion about the program.
Wrapping Up!
So, there you have it! The complete lowdown on United Airlines Status Match Challenge. Overall, it is a fantastic opportunity to switch your loyalty without losing all those perks you have worked hard to accumulate.
Remember, if you have a status with another airline and you are thinking about making the switch to United, there’s no time like the present! As they say, “He who hesitates is lost,” and in the world of airline status, that couldn’t be more true.
Find Out More:
Of course! United Airlines offers status match opportunities and allows frequent flyers of other airlines’ loyalty programs to participate.
Yes. Since United and Avianca are partners, you can book an Avianca flight on united.com.
Passengers enrolled in Delta Air Lines Medallion® level, Southwest Airlines Rapid Rewards, JetBlue Airways TrueBlue, Alaska Airlines MVP elite status, British Airways, and Qantas (QF) will be able to match their status with United.
Once you are approved for a United status match and you pass the challenge period, the status will last you for a calendar year.
You can earn premier qualifying points on United Airlines by spending on your expenses through the airline’s co-branded credit cards.
