United Airlines on Thursday will loosen some rules related to its corporate status match program, including lengthening the period during which travelers can maintain their matched status.
Among the changes to United's program, which offers matched status to employees of United corporate customers from more than 40 frequent-flyer programs, employees who meet requirements now will maintain their status for 22 months rather than 12 months, according to the carrier. Additionally, United reduced the reapplication period—the time employees must wait since they last received a MileagePlus status match—to three years from five years.
United's program also now allows travelers to earn a lower level of status if they are unable to meet travel and spending requirements within the 180-day trial period. For example, if a traveler receives a matched gold status but travels with United during that trial period only enough to meet silver status requirements, that traveler still will earn silver status with MileagePlus. Travelers still are unable to earn a higher level than their matched status, however.
Platinum and Premier 1K-level members also will be able to earn regional and global premier upgrades when they meet usage requirements.