Prior to my Delta Diamond status going away in January, I used the automated United online status matcher challenge link and was surprised that it instantly matched me into a Premier 1K challenge. I have several upcoming business flights to Tel Aviv and United is (was) the only US carrier going. They canceled my first two flights because of the unrest so I called the Mileage Plus desk and had them push out the start date of my challenge to start before my next trip in March (hopefully doesnt also get canceled).