United Airlines is speeding up the path for MileagePlus Premium members to maintain their status this year with bonus options for those who have travel plans in the near future and those for who do not.
Members can opt for a "Welcome Back" bonus, in which they get bonus qualifying points for their first three trips between April 29 and July 27, equal to up to a quarter of the points to require to maintain their current status next year. Members who will not travel before July 27 can instead opt for a deposit of 10 percent of the points required to maintain their current status. They also can choose a third option to earn double miles, up to 10,000 total, on purchases made through the MileagePlus X shopping app.
Members must make their choice via United's website or the MileagePlus X app by May 13, or they automatically will be enrolled in the "Welcome Back" option.
The bonus qualifying points are in addition to the bonus points, equal to 25 percent of what members need to maintain status, that United added at the beginning of this year. The carrier also has reduced requirements to achieve status this year.