For a long time, United MileagePlus has had the most generous lifetime elite status program. Well, the airline will be making a major change to this program, which I’m sure many people will be unhappy about.
Some United million miler companions getting status downgrade
With United MileagePlus’ lifetime elite status program:
- One million milers receive lifetime Premier Gold status
- Two million milers receive lifetime Premier Platinum status
- Three million milers receive lifetime Premier 1K status
- Four million milers receive lifetime Global Services status
It gets even better than that. With the program, million milers can nominate a companion to have the same status that they have. Since million miler members receive Premier Gold status at a minimum, that means they can also give a companion Premier Gold status on an ongoing basis.
However, if a member has million miler status and earns more than Premier Gold status, then their companion gets that status as well. This means that if one qualifies for Global Services and is a million miler, then a companion also receives Global Services status.
Thanks to a new update, this will be changing. Starting in 2027, one million miler companions will receive Premier Gold status, regardless of what elite tier the million miler member actually earns on an ongoing basis. Meanwhile two million miler companions and above will continue to receive the same status as the primary member.
My take on these lifetime elite status changes
It goes without saying that this change will be massively disappointing for many members. I know many million miler companions have enjoyed Premier Platinum, Premier 1K, or Global Services status, thanks to their companion earning that tier.
I suspect this change is being made simply because of how swelled elite ranks are getting, and the ever increasing number of million miler members. So United views this as an easy way to cut some elite members. Personally, I think the company’s companion status benefit makes a lot of sense:
- It incentivizes million milers to qualify on an ongoing basis for a tier higher than what they receive through their lifetime status
- It gives companions an incentive to fly United, when they might not have otherwise been as loyal to the airline
I think many people will be disappointed to see United essentially changing the way the million miler program works after members have already qualified for this achievement. I guess United would argue that companions are still receiving the same status as the primary member, and a “courtesy” benefit is simply being eliminated.
It’s a good reminder that it’s not worth going too far out of your way to earn lifetime status, since perks can change at any time. Yes, even for something that you think you’ve earned for a “lifetime.”
Bottom line
As of 2027, United MileagePlus is making major changes to its lifetime elite status program. Starting then, the companions of one million miler members will only receive Premier Gold status, regardless of what elite tier the million miler qualifies for on an ongoing basis. Meanwhile the companions of two million miler members and above will continue to enjoy any higher tier status that’s earned.
What do you make of United downgrading the million miler companion benefit?