United Airlines and Marriott are hooking up to offer reciprocal status, much like Delta and Starwood did earlier this year.

Here’s the most important change: Premier Gold, Premier Platinum, Premier 1K, and Global Services members will receive complimentary Marriott Rewards Gold Elite status. Marriott Rewards Platinum Elite and Platinum Premier Elite will receive complimentary MileagePlus Premier Silver status.

This is great news if you are a high-tier elite on Marriott and only fly United occasionally or if you are a high-tier elite on United and only stay at Marriott hotels occasionally. This isn’t such good news if you are a lower-tier member of either program, as the reciprocal benefits will inflate the numbers of low-tier elite members in both programs. United Silvers will see fewer upgrades clear. Marriott Gold Elites will likely be seen as more of a commodity.

Full details are available at: https://secure.unitedmileageplus.com/reg/MarriottStatusMatch.jsp

Does anyone have bets on when Hyatt and American will announce their partnership?