5 Ways to Milk Your Top-Tier United Status Before It Disappears

I know many people are in the same boat as me for 2015 – going from upper elite levels with United down to lowly Silver… or ::gasp::, nothing at all. I don’t feel so bad about the plunge though because the new PQD-spending requirement and mileage-earning devaluation that’s about to kick in in March make earning and maintaining status less valuable with the airline.

Before I say goodbye to my beloved 1K status, I decided to do what I can with it. Maybe you can follow suit.

1.) Request a Global Entry compensation payment code

I already have Global Entry from a few years back, and I was able to get my $100 application fee covered using my American Express Business Platinum card. But as a Platinum or 1K with United, you’re also able to get the application fee waived. Until February 1, you can request a unique Global Entry compensation payment code to use on your own application or someone else’s.

2.) Get Hertz President’s Circle Status

Just by linking your MileagePlus account with Hertz here, you can received complimentary Hertz President’s Circle status if you’re 1K or Platinum. Gold and Silver members will receive Hertz Five Star status. While I usually don’t have much loyalty to car rental companies (since I book the lowest available), this is a great “just in case” perk. A list of benefits can be found here.

3.) Status Match to Gold in airberlin’s TopBonus

If you have status with another airline that’s not in the one world alliance (Such as United; however, Etihad is exempt), you can get status with airberlin. The best perk about gold status with airberlin is that you can access oneworld lounges when flying one world airlines (example: using Admirals clubs when flying American). This is an amazing perk for me, especially since my Citi AAdvantage Executive card is due for its annual fee next month ($450!), and that’s how I currently have Admiral’s club access. I won’t feel so guilty letting go of the card now that I can access Admirals clubs with airberlin once my request gets approved.

Here’s how to ask for a match:

• Register for airberlin’s TopBonus program.
• Email service@topbonus.de & include proof of status/recent activity.
• In the email, mention that you’d like a status match because you are considering making the switch.

4.) Match to Alaska Airlines MVP Gold 75K

Back in October, Lucky detailed all of the awesome benefits of Alaska Airlines status and gives instructions on how to match your current top-tier status to MVP Gold 75K. Being on the East Coast, Alaska Airlines is a program that may not be as “valuable” to someone like me compared to someone on the west coast, but this is one of those “just in case” scenarios for me.

I’ve written in the past that I was impressed that Alaska Airlines had a pretty generous same-day flight change policy even for non-elites, but as a MVP Gold 75K, you can do confirmed same-day flight changes at no cost and you can cancel full revenue tickets up until departure for no cost – both pretty valuable benefits. You also get a high-upgrade priority (clears as soon as 120 hours out).

To request a status match, you’ll have to send an email to elite.flyer@alaskaair.com. A match requested now would be valid through December 31, 2015.

Do know that this is a once in a lifetime match per account. Since I probably won’t be top-tier with any airline anymore after this year, my theory is to get the match now while I can rather than “wait for the perfect moment” (because who knows – it could get pulled at anytime).

Here’s the response back I received when I sent my email:

Thank you for your interest in our award winning Mileage Plan. To submit your
request for a Tier Match, send a copy of both sides of your current elite card,
an e-Statement showing current status and your drivers license. If your
original email did not include all of these documents, please resubmit with all
three attached. Allow 2-4 weeks for processing once we have received your
documents. When your Tier Match is complete, you’ll receive a welcome email and
can check your status at alaskaair.com/myaccount.
Please note that Tier Matches can only be extended once during the life of your
account and the status is valid through 12/31/2015.
We look forward to welcoming you into our program and flying with you for many
years to come!
Also note, we only offer a Tier Match for: AeroMexico, Air Canada, American,
Delta, Frontier, Hawaiian, Jet Blue, Southwest, United, US Airways, and Virgin
America

5.) Status Match to Turkish Airlines for Star Alliance Gold (lounge access).

Oldie, but goodie. Don’t forget that if you haven’t done so yet, be sure to submit a match request to Turkish Airlines Miles&Smiles Gold so that you can at least maintain Star Alliance gold and have access to United Club and other Star Alliance lounges when you travel. Here’s a detailed post about how to request a match.

Anything else I could add to the list? Please feel free to share your experiences of how you’re taking advantage of these last few weeks of having elite status.