It didn’t take long for United to match American’s double elite qualifying mile promotion on all flights through Dec. 15, 2009. And not to be outdone, United is offering United Mileage Plus members the option to choose either double elite qualifying miles or double elite qualifying segments on qualifying United and United Express flights during the promotion. Registration is required by Dec. 15 and flights flown prior to registration are eligible to earn the bonus. You can only register for one offer, so if you register to earn both EQM and EQS, you will receive double EQMs.

Flight miles must be credited to United Mileage Plus to earn the bonus and the offer only applies to flights on United and United Express. You will only earn double elite-qualifying miles or segments, which are not redeemable for award flights. Visit http://insideflyerus.wpengine.com/link/?1800 to register.

Also, United Mileage Plus is giving away threshold bonuses to elite members who have registered for Elite Choice, based on your status and EQM/EQS balance as of Dec. 31, 2009. Premier members who have at least 35,000 EQM/40 EQS by year’s end can choose between a one-time United Red Carpet Club pass or 7,500 bonus miles. Premier Executive members who earn a minimum of 75,000 EQM/85 EQS by the end of the year can choose either two one-time Red Carpet Club passes or 15,000 bonus miles. Members with 1K status who earn 125,000 EQM/125 EQS or more can select from two systemwide upgrades, one year annual fee waiver ($375 value) on the member’s Mileage Plus Club Visa card that comes with Red Carpet Club access or 25,000 miles. The end-of-year award options are in addition to the regular Elite Choice program, which requires registration by Dec. 15, 2009. Visit http://insideflyerus.wpengine.com/link/?1831 for more information.

Bottom line: This is the second round of elite-qualifying bonuses for Mileage Plus this year and if you haven’t yet requalified for elite status, you will only have to fly half as many miles to reach your desired status with this promotion.