United recently increased the welcome offers on some of their credit cards, but there’s an interesting additional element for some people. That’s because targeted MileagePlus members are receiving emails or physical mailers that include a fast track to Silver status as part of the welcome offer.
In the screenshot above of a physical mailer, it mentions unlocking Premier Silver status. I initially thought that meant you’d automatically get Silver status as part of the welcome offer, but that doesn’t seem to be the case.
With a similar offer I saw that was received via email, it lists the welcome offer as follows:
Earn 70,000 bonus miles and Premier Silver status after you spend $3,000 on purchases in the first 3 months your account is open and complete four flight segments on United or United Express in 2026.
Plus earn 10,000 more bonus miles after you add an authorized user to your account in the first 3 months.
Now, it doesn’t feel like they’ve done a good job with how they’ve worded that because it makes it sound like the 70,000 bonus miles are also contingent on completing four flight segments with United, but that’s not the case. Instead, that flight requirement only relates to earning Silver status and Rob has confirmed in the comments that it’s valid on flights you’ve taken in 2026, even if they occurred before applying for the card.
That makes the welcome offer a little less enticing seeing as the status isn’t automatic upon completing the minimum spend requirement. However, you do get all of 2026 to fly four segments (rather than four one-ways or four round trips) which isn’t too onerous if you’re someone who’d actually get some use out of United Silver status in the first place.
What I’m not sure about is if award flights count for qualifying segments. I suspect not, but if you’re targeted for this offer it’s worth checking the small print. Rob has confirmed in the comments that the status is valid through January 31, 2028, so if you complete the flight requirement ASAP, you’ll have almost two full years of Silver status.
Speaking of being targeted, you can check if you’re eligible at this link. You’ll be prompted to log in to your MileagePlus account (if you’re not already logged in) and then you’ll see the offer you’re available for. Not everyone will see the offer giving a fast track to Silver, so verify if it’s on your account before applying if that’s an important part of the welcome offer component for you. It’s also worth taking a screenshot just in case there are any issues further down the line with the status not being awarded after taking qualifying flights.
h/t Stone & Ian
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Points are awarded after $3,000 in purchases in the first three months. No flying required.
Sliver status will be awarded after flying four segments any time in 2026 including prior to the offer. Status is good until January 31, 2028.
Fantastic, thanks for confirming that – I’ll add that to the post.