United Mileage Plus

Unlock Your Travels: An In-Depth Guide to United MileagePlus

Introduction: The Allure of MileagePlus

For the modern traveler, loyalty programs are more than just a way to collect points; they are gateways to enhanced experiences and achievable aspirations. Among the most prominent players in this arena is United MileagePlus®, often described as a “ticket to the world” promising “more places, more miles and more adventures”.¹ At its heart, MileagePlus is designed to reward loyalty, offering members the ability to earn miles not just through flying, but through a wide array of everyday activities.¹

The core appeal lies in its flexibility. Members can accumulate miles and then redeem them to cover parts or even the entirety of their travel costs, including flights on United and its international partners, seat upgrades for a more comfortable journey, and various travel extras like checked baggage fees or inflight Wi-Fi.¹ The program acknowledges the desire for more travel, playfully suggesting, “Now all you need is more vacation days”.¹ Beyond standard membership, MileagePlus features Premier® status tiers, offering dedicated benefits like complimentary upgrades and enhanced seating access, elevating the travel experience for frequent flyers.¹ This guide delves into the intricacies of the MileagePlus program, using information sourced directly from United Airlines, to provide a comprehensive understanding of how to maximize its potential.

Joining the Club: Getting Started with MileagePlus

Embarking on the MileagePlus journey is straightforward and accessible.

How to Sign Up: Your Free Ticket In

The first piece of good news for aspiring members is that joining MileagePlus is entirely free.⁴ Prospective members can enroll through the United website (united.com), often via a dedicated joining page like united.com/joinmileageplus.⁵ Once enrolled, members receive a unique MileagePlus number, which is essential for accessing program benefits, earning miles, and managing their account online or via the United app.⁶

Setting Up Your Account: The Essentials

When signing up, providing accurate personal information is crucial not only for account management but also for ensuring compliance with travel regulations and smooth processing during travel. United requires standard details such_as name, date of birth, and gender.⁴ Importantly, the name entered must exactly match the name on the member’s government-issued identification, such as a passport or driver’s license.⁴ Similarly, the date of birth and gender selected must align with these official documents. United offers non-binary gender options, specifically Unspecified (X) and Undisclosed (U), to accommodate members, provided these match their government ID.⁴

This strict adherence to matching identification is directly linked to Transportation Security Administration (TSA) requirements.⁴ Accurate profile information ensures that reservations align with security protocols, facilitating check-in and security screening. Furthermore, it guarantees that earned miles and any applicable Premier benefits are correctly credited to the member’s account during their travels.⁴ Discrepancies, particularly in name, could potentially lead to issues with receiving mileage credit for trips, underscoring the need for precision during enrollment and keeping profile information updated.⁴

Members also provide contact information, including a primary email address, which United uses for communications regarding the account or reservations, and optionally a phone number as a backup contact method.⁴ Regarding security, United utilizes Secure Socket Layer (SSL) encryption to protect sensitive data like stored credit card information.⁴ Members are responsible for maintaining the confidentiality of their account credentials.⁸ Should a member forget their MileagePlus number or password, recovery options are available using the registered email address.⁴

Earning Your Wings (and Miles!): How to Accumulate MileagePlus Miles

Accumulating MileagePlus miles opens the door to award travel and other benefits. The program offers diverse avenues for earning, catering to various member activities.

A Key Benefit: Miles Don’t Expire!

A significant advantage of the MileagePlus program is the longevity of earned miles. Unlike some loyalty programs where miles expire after a period of inactivity, MileagePlus miles earned by members do not expire, providing long-term value and flexibility for members to save towards their goals.⁹ This policy allows members to accumulate miles over time without the pressure of imminent expiration.

A. Flying United & United Express: The Primary Path

The most traditional way to earn miles is by flying. For tickets issued by United (identifiable by a ticket number starting with “016”), the earning structure is straightforward and tied to spending.⁹

Earning Based on Fare: Members earn 5 base MileagePlus miles for every U.S. dollar spent on the base fare and any carrier-imposed surcharges.⁹ It’s important to note that government-imposed taxes and fees associated with the ticket do not earn miles.⁹ There is a cap on earnings per ticket: members can earn a maximum of 75,000 miles on a single ticket.⁹ This fare-based system directly rewards members for higher spending on United flights.
Premier Member Bonus Miles: Achieving MileagePlus Premier status significantly accelerates mileage earning on flights. Premier members receive bonus miles on top of the base miles, with the bonus increasing at higher status tiers ³:

Premier Silver: Earn an additional 2 miles per dollar (Total: 7 miles per dollar)
Premier Gold: Earn an additional 3 miles per dollar (Total: 8 miles per dollar)
Premier Platinum: Earn an additional 4 miles per dollar (Total: 9 miles per dollar)
Premier 1K®: Earn an additional 6 miles per dollar (Total: 11 miles per dollar)

This tiered bonus structure makes Premier status particularly valuable for frequent United flyers, more than doubling the base earning rate at the highest tier.

Specialty & Other Fare Types: While most standard tickets earn based on fare, certain types of tickets, such as unpublished, bulk, group, tour, or opaque fares, earn miles based on the flight distance flown and the purchased fare class, rather than the ticket price.⁹ Earning rates for these specialty fares vary by fare class.⁹ Additionally, when booking flights using the Money + Miles payment option, members earn miles only on the cash portion paid towards the base fare, excluding taxes and fees.⁷
Logistics: To ensure miles are properly credited, members must add their MileagePlus number to their flight reservation before travel, making sure it appears on their boarding pass.⁹ Miles earned from United and United Express flights typically post to the member’s account within 48 hours after the travel is completed.⁹ If miles do not appear within this timeframe, members can submit a request for missing mileage credit through United’s channels.⁹

B. Flying Partner Airlines: Expanding Your Reach

MileagePlus extends earning opportunities beyond United’s own network through its airline partnerships.

Star Alliance Partners: United is a founding member of Star Alliance, the world’s largest airline alliance.¹¹ This partnership allows MileagePlus members to earn miles when flying on any of the 25 other member airlines.⁹ These partners include major carriers like Air Canada, Lufthansa, Singapore Airlines, ANA, Turkish Airlines, and many others, providing extensive global coverage.¹¹ However, the earning mechanism for flights ticketed by a partner airline differs from United’s fare-based system. On these partner-issued tickets, miles are typically earned based on the flight distance and the specific fare class purchased.⁹ Because earning rates and eligible fare classes vary significantly between partners, members are advised to consult the specific partner airline pages on united.com for detailed information and any exclusions before booking.⁹ There can sometimes be differences between the fare class shown on the ticket and the one used by the operating partner to calculate mileage accrual, adding a layer of complexity compared to flying United.¹²
Other Airline Partners: Beyond the Star Alliance network, United collaborates with other airlines. However, the provided official documentation primarily details earning specifics for Star Alliance partners when discussing mileage accrual based on partner flights.⁹ While other partnerships exist for redemption or specific routes (like the Marriott partnership mentioning reciprocal benefits ¹³), detailed earning structures for non-Star Alliance partners comparable to those for United or Star Alliance flights are not elaborated upon in the reviewed materials. Members seeking to earn miles on non-Star Alliance partner flights should verify eligibility and earning rules directly on united.com or with the partner airline.

The ability to earn miles across such a wide network of airlines is a major strength, but it requires members to be more diligent in understanding the specific rules for partner flights, particularly regarding fare classes and distance calculations, to accurately predict their mileage earnings.

C. Beyond the Flight: Everyday Earning Opportunities

A defining feature of MileagePlus is its extensive network of non-airline partners, transforming it from a simple frequent flyer program into a broad-based rewards program integrated into daily life. Members can earn miles through various activities:

Shopping:

MileagePlus Shopping: This online portal allows members to earn miles by shopping online at over 1,100 popular stores. Special offers, including bonus miles for joining and meeting initial spending thresholds, are often available. A browser extension helps members remember to activate offers.¹
MileagePlus X App: This mobile app facilitates earning miles on purchases made at numerous retailers (like TJ Maxx, Starbucks, Walmart) and through eGift Card purchases.¹
Specific Retailers: Partnerships exist with specific retailers, such as FTD, offering a set number of miles per dollar spent on flowers and gifts.¹⁴
Dining:

MileagePlus Dining: By linking a credit card and dining at over 30,000 participating restaurants, members can earn up to 5 miles per dollar spent, whether dining in, ordering takeout, or getting delivery. Introductory bonuses are frequently offered.¹⁴
Thanks Again: This program allows earning miles for parking, shopping, and dining at over 100 airports and thousands of local businesses nationwide.¹⁴
Travel Partners:

Hotels: Miles can be earned through various hotel partners. Options include booking via the United Hotels platform, using Rocketmiles (which offers potentially high mileage bonuses per night), or booking directly with partner chains.¹ Major participating hotel groups listed include Marriott Bonvoy (with a special preferred partnership offering reciprocal elite benefits for Premier Gold members and higher), Wyndham Hotels & Resorts, IHG Hotels & Resorts, Hyatt Hotels & Resorts, Choice Hotels International, Best Western, and Shangri-La Hotels & Resorts.¹³ Vacation rentals booked through Vrbo also earn miles.¹⁶
Car Rentals: Partnerships with Avis and Budget offer MileagePlus members the opportunity to earn a fixed number of miles per rental (ranging from 500 miles for general members to 1,250 miles for top-tier Premier members and cardholders) and receive discounts of up to 35% on base rates.¹ Premier members and cardholders may also receive complimentary elite status with Avis.¹⁷ The car-sharing platform Turo also allows members to earn miles, with a higher rate for the first rental.¹⁴
Cruises: Booking cruises through the United Cruises portal allows members to earn miles, potentially up to 45,000 per cruise, depending on the stateroom and cost.²
Vacations: United Vacations provides a platform to book travel packages (flights, hotels, cars, activities) potentially earning miles.¹⁷
Household & Other: The program extends into various household and service categories. Examples include earning miles with Gopuff delivery service, using the Timeshifter jet lag app, closing or refinancing a home loan with Rocket Mortgage, choosing NRG or Reliant as energy providers (in select areas), taking surveys via Opinion Miles Club, subscribing to Emergency Assistance Plus or ID Resolve identity protection, purchasing Norton LifeLock security, donating to the National Foundation for Cancer Research, and using IT&E telecom services or Mobil fuel in Guam and Saipan.¹

This vast ecosystem of partners demonstrates a strategic effort by United to engage members beyond air travel, providing continuous earning opportunities and making the program relevant even for those who fly less frequently.

Table: Key MileagePlus Earning Partners (Non-Airline)

Partner Category	Key Partners Examples	Earning Rate/Offer Summary	Associated Snippets
Shopping	MileagePlus Shopping	Earn miles at 1,100+ online stores; joining bonus	¹
Shopping	MileagePlus X App	Earn miles on retail purchases & eGift Cards (e.g., TJ Maxx, Starbucks)	¹
Shopping	FTD	15 miles per dollar spent	¹⁴
Dining	MileagePlus Dining	Up to 5 miles per dollar at 30,000+ restaurants; joining bonus	¹⁴
Dining	Thanks Again	Earn miles at airports & local businesses; enrollment bonus	¹⁴
Hotels	United Hotels / Rocketmiles	Earn miles per booking; potentially high rates via Rocketmiles (up to 10,000/night)	¹
Hotels	Marriott, Wyndham, IHG, Hyatt etc.	Earn miles per stay (rates vary); Marriott Bonvoy preferred partnership	¹³
Hotels	Vrbo	Earn miles on vacation rentals	¹⁶
Car Rentals	Avis / Budget	500-1,250 miles per rental (based on status/card); up to 35% discount	¹
Car Rentals	Turo	5 miles per dollar on first rental, 1 mile per dollar thereafter	¹⁴
Cruises	United Cruises	Earn up to 45,000 miles per booking	²
Household/Other	Rocket Mortgage	25,000 miles for closing/refinancing	¹⁴
Household/Other	NRG / Reliant	Bonus miles for enrollment + miles per dollar on energy bills (select areas)	¹⁴
Household/Other	Opinion Miles Club	Earn miles for completing surveys; joining bonus	¹⁴

D. Accelerate Your Earnings: United Co-Branded Credit Cards

United’s portfolio of co-branded credit cards, issued by Chase, represents one of the most powerful tools for accelerating MileagePlus mile accumulation and accessing valuable travel benefits.¹⁸ These cards allow members to earn miles on everyday purchases, often with bonus categories aligned with travel and common spending.

Card Comparison: United offers several personal credit cards catering to different needs and spending levels.¹⁸ Key options include:

United Gateway℠ Card: Often features no annual fee, making it an accessible entry point. It typically offers a welcome bonus (e.g., 30,000 miles as a debut offer) and earns 2x miles on United purchases, gas stations, and local transit/commuting. Benefits include a 25% statement credit on certain inflight purchases and potentially limited checked bag perks.¹⁸
United℠ Explorer Card: A popular mid-tier option, often with the first year’s annual fee waived ($150 thereafter in the example). It typically offers a larger welcome bonus (e.g., 80,000 miles debut offer) and earns 2x miles on United purchases, dining, and hotel stays. Key perks include a free first checked bag for the primary cardmember and one companion on the same reservation, two United Club one-time passes annually, priority boarding, and potential travel credits or award flight discounts.¹⁸
United Quest℠ Card: A premium card with a higher annual fee ($350 in the example) but richer benefits. It often comes with a substantial welcome bonus including miles and Premier Qualifying Points (PQP) (e.g., 90,000 miles + 500 PQP debut offer). Earning rates are elevated: 3x miles on United purchases and 2x miles on all other travel, dining, and select streaming services. Significant perks include annual United travel credits (e.g., $200), annual award flight discounts, free first and second checked bags for the cardmember and a companion, priority boarding, and a significant PQP earning potential from card spending.¹⁸
United Club℠ Infinite Card: The top-tier personal card with the highest annual fee ($695 in the example) and premium benefits. It usually boasts the largest welcome bonus (e.g., 95,000 miles debut offer). Mile earning is strong: 4x miles on United purchases and 2x miles on all other travel and dining. The standout benefit is a full United Club membership, providing lounge access. Other perks include Premier Access travel services, free first and second checked bags for the cardmember and a companion, potential award flight discounts, and the highest PQP earning potential from card spending.¹⁸

It is crucial for prospective cardmembers to review the current offers and detailed terms directly with Chase or United, as welcome bonuses (“debut offers”) and specific benefits can change.¹⁸

Earning PQP via Card Spend: A critical feature, particularly of the premium cards (Quest and Club Infinite), is the ability to earn Premier Qualifying Points (PQP) through card spending.¹² This provides a pathway to achieving MileagePlus Premier status that complements flying. Spending on eligible cards contributes PQP towards status qualification, subject to annual caps that vary by card (e.g., up to 1,000 PQP for Explorer, 9,000 PQP for Quest, 15,000 PQP for Club Infinite based on recent updates).¹² Recent program changes have aimed to make earning PQP via cards faster and apply these earned PQP towards all status levels, including the PQP-only requirement for Premier 1K.¹⁹ The removal of an overall PQP earning cap across multiple cards further enhances this benefit for members holding more than one eligible United card.¹⁹ This strong link between card spending and elite status qualification highlights the strategic importance of these credit cards within the MileagePlus ecosystem.
Business Cards: United also offers co-branded business credit cards designed for business owners, providing similar opportunities to earn miles and travel benefits on business expenses.¹⁸

Table: Comparison of United Personal Credit Cards (Based on Provided Examples)

Card Name	Annual Fee (Example)	Welcome Offer (Example “Debut”)	Mileage Earning Rates (Key Categories)	Key Travel Perks (Examples)	Annual PQP Cap from Spend (Example)	Associated Snippets
United Gateway℠ Card	$0	30,000 miles	2x United, gas, local transit/commuting	25% back inflight drinks, 2 checked bags/year (terms apply)	N/A (Not listed for PQP earning)	¹⁸
United℠ Explorer Card	$0 intro, then $150	80,000 miles	2x United, dining, hotels	1 free checked bag, 2 Club passes/year, priority boarding, $100 credit, award discount	Up to 1,000 PQP	¹²
United Quest℠ Card	$350	90,000 miles + 500 PQP	3x United; 2x other travel, dining, select streaming	1st & 2nd free bags, priority boarding, $200 credit, 2x 10k award discounts	Up to 9,000 PQP	¹²
United Club℠ Infinite Card	$695	95,000 miles	4x United; 2x other travel, dining	United Club membership, 1st & 2nd free bags, Premier Access, award discounts	Up to 15,000 PQP	¹²

Note: Welcome offers, benefits, fees, and PQP earning rates/caps are subject to change. Verify current details on united.com.

E. Boosting Your Balance: Buying, Transferring & Multiplying Miles

For members needing additional miles quickly, MileagePlus offers several options, usually involving a cost:

Direct Purchase/Gifting: Members can buy miles directly from United to add to their own account or gift miles to another MileagePlus member.¹ The standard cost is typically around $35 USD per 1,000 miles, plus applicable taxes and fees, with a minimum purchase requirement.²⁰ Promotions offering bonus miles on purchases may occur.
Transferring Miles: Miles can be transferred from one MileagePlus account to another. This service incurs a fee, typically $7.50 USD per 500 miles transferred.¹ Members can also initiate a request to receive miles from another member’s account.²⁰
Subscription/Multiplier Options:

Miles Multiplier: This option allows eligible members to multiply the miles they earned across the program in the previous month, up to a certain factor (e.g., 10x). Offers are personalized and refresh monthly.²⁰ This is a paid way to boost recently earned miles.
Miles by the Month: This is a subscription service where members pay a recurring fee to receive a set number of miles deposited into their account each month, potentially offering savings compared to standard buy-miles rates.²⁰
Accelerators:

Award Accelerator®: Offered during the flight booking process, this allows members to purchase additional miles, often at a discounted rate compared to standard buy-miles prices, to help reach an award faster.²
Premier Accelerator℠: This option allows members to purchase Premier Qualifying Points (PQP) directly, providing a way to bridge a gap towards achieving or maintaining Premier status.²

These paid options provide flexibility for members who need miles or PQP quickly for a specific redemption or status goal, complementing the organic earning methods. They represent both a convenience for members willing to pay and a revenue stream for the airline.

Spending Your Spoils: How to Redeem MileagePlus Miles

The miles accumulated through various earning activities can be redeemed for a wide range of rewards, with travel being the central focus.

A. Flights: The Core Redemption

Using miles for flights remains the cornerstone of the MileagePlus program’s redemption value.¹

Award Travel: Members can redeem miles to book award flights on United, United Express, and partner airlines, including the extensive Star Alliance network.¹ With access to over 1,000 destinations worldwide, MileagePlus offers significant reach for award travel, touted as having the most award destinations of any U.S. airline frequent flyer program.¹ Booking award travel is typically done through the United website or app by selecting the option to pay with miles during the flight search.
Money + Miles: For situations where a member doesn’t have enough miles for a full award ticket or prefers to conserve miles, the Money + Miles option offers flexibility.¹ Available to all MileagePlus members logged into their accounts, this payment method allows combining miles with cash to purchase tickets on United, United Express, and select partner flights.⁷ It can be used for seats in any cabin, including Basic Economy on certain flights.⁷ The booking process involves searching for flights normally and then selecting the desired combination of money and miles at checkout.⁷ An important aspect is that flights booked with Money + Miles still contribute towards Premier status qualification; the cash portion of the base fare earns PQP, and critically, the miles redeemed also earn PQP at a rate of 1 PQP per 100 miles used (on United/United Express segments).⁷ The cash portion also earns redeemable miles.⁷
Cardmember Statement Credit: Holders of eligible United co-branded credit cards have an additional redemption option: using their earned miles for a statement credit against United flight purchases made with their card.²

B. Elevate Your Journey: Upgrades & Travel Extras

Beyond securing the flight itself, miles can be used to enhance the travel experience in numerous ways.²

Cabin Upgrades: Moving to a premium cabin is a popular redemption. Members can use MileagePlus Upgrade Awards, which typically require miles plus a cash co-pay (co-pay amount varies by fare class and route, waived for highest fare classes like Y, B), to request upgrades to United Premium Plus®, United First®, or United Polaris® business class.² Premier Platinum and Premier 1K members can use their flexible PlusPoints for upgrades.¹ Upgrades can also sometimes be secured directly from the seat map using miles after booking.² Upgrade availability is limited and subject to capacity controls.²² Confirmation timing often depends on Premier status, with higher tiers getting confirmed earlier.²² Importantly, upgrades are generally not permitted on Basic Economy fares or award tickets.³
Seats: After booking a flight, miles can be used to select preferred seats (offering more favorable locations within the Economy cabin) or purchase Economy Plus seats, which provide extra legroom.²
Bags: For domestic flights, members can use miles to pre-pay for checked baggage up to 24 hours before departure or pay at check-in via united.com or the app.²
Inflight Comfort: Miles can purchase inflight Wi-Fi access (prices start at $8 or 800 miles for members), as well as snack boxes, meals, and beverages available for sale onboard United flights.¹
Airport Perks: Miles offer access to ground benefits as well. They can be used to purchase a United Club membership for lounge access or potentially for one-time passes.² Members can also redeem miles to cover the application or renewal fee for TSA PreCheck®.² At select airport dining locations in Newark (EWR) and Houston (IAH), miles can be used as payment.²

The availability of these ancillary redemptions demonstrates how MileagePlus integrates into various touchpoints of the travel journey, allowing members to use miles for comfort and convenience beyond the base ticket price.

C. More Ways to Use Miles: Beyond the Airport

MileagePlus extends redemption opportunities into non-flight travel and lifestyle categories:

Travel: Miles can be redeemed for hotel stays booked through the United Hotels platform, car rentals with partners Avis and Budget, and cruise vacations booked via United Cruises.²
Shopping:

Merchandise: The MileagePlus Merchandise Awards program allows members to use miles to shop for thousands of products, including electronics, household goods, and jewelry from various brands.² This option is generally available to members in the U.S. (excluding Hawaii and Alaska).²
Apple® Products: Miles can be specifically redeemed for Apple items like iPads, Apple Watches, and MacBooks.²
Gift Cards: Members can use miles to purchase electronic gift cards (eGift Cards) for a wide range of merchants, such as Walmart, Starbucks, and Nike.² This redemption is typically available for U.S.-based members.²

Experiences: Through MileagePlus Exclusives, members can use miles to bid on or instantly redeem unique experiences, such as VIP access to sporting events or special travel packages.² Miles can also be used to purchase tickets for Broadway shows.²
Newspapers: Miles can be redeemed for subscriptions to local newspapers.²
Donating Miles: Members can contribute miles to support various charities and causes partnered with United through designated donation platforms.² It’s noted that mileage donations are generally not tax-deductible.²⁵

While these non-travel redemptions provide flexibility and ensure miles have value even for infrequent flyers, members often find the best per-mile value when redeeming for flights and upgrades. However, the breadth of options caters to diverse member preferences.

Reaching New Heights: Understanding MileagePlus Premier Status

For members who fly frequently with United and its partners, achieving MileagePlus Premier status unlocks a significantly enhanced travel experience.

A. The Elite Tiers: Levels of Recognition

The program features four published elite tiers, each offering progressively valuable benefits ¹:

Premier Silver
Premier Gold
Premier Platinum
Premier 1K®

Attaining Premier status is positioned as taking the “travel experience to the next level” ¹, providing recognition and perks throughout the journey.

B. Qualifying for Status: The Path to Premier

Qualification for Premier status is based on activity within a calendar year, from January 1 to December 31.¹² Members need to meet specific thresholds for both flying activity and spending/earning metrics.

Dual Qualification Criteria: There are two primary ways to qualify for each Premier level ³:

Meet requirements for both Premier Qualifying Flights (PQF) and Premier Qualifying Points (PQP).
Meet a higher PQP-only requirement.

Qualification Thresholds: The specific PQF and PQP requirements vary by tier. Based on the structure for qualification in 2025 (for status through January 2027), the thresholds are ³:

Premier Silver: 15 PQF + 5,000 PQP OR 6,000 PQP
Premier Gold: 30 PQF + 10,000 PQP OR 12,000 PQP
Premier Platinum: 45 PQF + 15,000 PQP OR 18,000 PQP
Premier 1K: 60 PQF + 22,000 PQP OR 28,000 PQP

Minimum Flight Requirement: Critically, regardless of PQF or PQP accumulation, a member must fly at least 4 flight segments on United or United Express within the calendar year to be eligible for any level of Premier status.³ This ensures a baseline level of direct engagement with United flights.
How to Earn PQF & PQP: These are the building blocks for status:

PQF (Premier Qualifying Flights): Generally, one PQF is earned for each flight segment flown on United, United Express, and eligible partner airlines.¹² Basic Economy tickets may not earn PQF.
PQP (Premier Qualifying Points): PQP reflects spending and engagement more broadly and can be earned through multiple avenues:

Flying (Cash Tickets): On flights operated by United or United Express, members earn 1 PQP per U.S. dollar spent on the base fare and carrier-imposed surcharges.¹² On eligible partner airline flights, PQP earning is based on the redeemable miles earned, typically at a ratio like 1 PQP per 5 award miles (preferred partners) or 1 PQP per 6 award miles (other partners), subject to per-flight caps that vary by cabin.¹²
Flying (Award Tickets): A significant feature is that members now earn PQP even when flying on MileagePlus award tickets operated by United or United Express. PQP is earned at a rate of 1 PQP for every 100 miles redeemed for the flight.⁷
Upgrades & Seats: PQP is earned on the cash co-pay portion of MileagePlus Upgrade Awards.²² Effective January 1, 2023, PQP is also earned on the miles redeemed for MileagePlus Upgrade Awards (1 PQP per 100 miles).¹² Purchases of Economy Plus seats or subscriptions also earn PQP based on the amount spent (excluding taxes/fees).¹² For these seat/upgrade related earnings, the PQP is awarded to the member who travels, not necessarily the person who paid or redeemed miles.¹²
Credit Card Spend: As detailed previously, spending on eligible United co-branded credit cards (especially Quest and Club Infinite) earns PQP, providing a substantial non-flying path towards status qualification, subject to annual card-specific caps.¹²

This multi-faceted PQP earning structure, incorporating not just cash fares but also award travel, ancillary purchases, and credit card spending, indicates a strategic shift towards rewarding overall engagement and spending with the United ecosystem, rather than solely relying on flight frequency or distance flown. The mandatory 4 United/United Express segments ensure continued direct interaction with the airline.

Status Validity: Once earned, Premier status is valid for the remainder of the qualification year, the entire following calendar year, and through January 31 of the year after that.¹² For example, status earned anytime in 2025 is valid until January 31, 2027. United also recognizes long-term loyalty through its Million Miler program, granting lifetime Premier status at various levels upon reaching one million or more lifetime flight miles with United and United Express.¹²

C. Premier Perks: The Benefits of Elite Status

Achieving Premier status unlocks a suite of benefits designed to make travel more comfortable, efficient, and rewarding. Key benefits generally increase with each tier ³:

Bonus Mileage Earning: Premier members earn more redeemable miles on flights (7x for Silver, 8x for Gold, 9x for Platinum, 11x for 1K).³
Free Checked Baggage: Allowance increases with status: 1 bag (up to 70 lbs) for Silver, 2 bags for Gold, and 3 bags for Platinum and 1K on United/United Express flights in Economy.³
Complimentary Economy Plus Access: Enjoy extra legroom seats for free. Silver members (+1 companion) get access at check-in. Gold members (+1 companion), Platinum members (+8 companions), and 1K members (+8 companions) get access at the time of booking.¹ This benefit is not applicable to Basic Economy tickets.³
Priority Travel Services (Premier Access®): Includes priority check-in counters, security screening lanes (where available), and boarding groups (Group 2 for Silver, Group 1 for Gold/Platinum, pre-boarding for 1K).³ Priority baggage handling is also included for checked bags.³ Non-elites may be able to purchase Premier Access for specific flights.³
Complimentary Premier Upgrades (CPUs): Eligible members and one companion on the same reservation receive complimentary, space-available upgrades to the next cabin class on select United/United Express routes (primarily within North America). Confirmation timing depends on status, clearing closer to departure for lower tiers: Day of departure for Silver, 48 hours prior for Gold, 72 hours for Platinum, and 96 hours for 1K.³ CPUs are not available on Basic Economy fares.³
PlusPoints: Premier Platinum members receive 40 PlusPoints upon qualifying, and Premier 1K members receive 280 PlusPoints upon qualifying, plus additional PlusPoints for PQP earned beyond certain thresholds.¹ These are flexible credits used for upgrades (detailed below).
Star Alliance Status: Premier status translates to equivalent status within the Star Alliance network: Premier Silver grants Star Alliance Silver status, while Premier Gold, Platinum, and 1K grant Star Alliance Gold status.¹¹ Star Alliance Gold provides key benefits across the alliance, including priority check-in, boarding, baggage handling, and access to over 1,000 Star Alliance lounges worldwide when traveling internationally on member airlines.¹¹
Partner Benefits: Specific partnerships offer enhanced benefits. For example, Premier Gold members and higher receive complimentary Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite status.¹³ Premier members may also receive complimentary elite status with Avis car rental.³
Dedicated Service: Access to a dedicated Premier Priority Desk for faster assistance with account and reservation inquiries.¹

Table: MileagePlus Premier Status Benefits Summary (Examples)

Benefit	Premier Silver	Premier Gold	Premier Platinum	Premier 1K®	Associated Snippets
Mileage Bonus (on Fare)	7x	8x	9x	11x	³
Free Checked Bags	1 bag (70 lbs)	2 bags (70 lbs each)	3 bags (70 lbs each)	3 bags (70 lbs each)	³
Economy Plus Access	At Check-in (+1 comp)	At Booking (+1 comp)	At Booking (+8 comp)	At Booking (+8 comp)	¹
Boarding Group	Group 2	Group 1	Group 1	Pre-boarding	³
Complimentary Upgrades	Day of Departure	48 Hours Prior	72 Hours Prior	96 Hours Prior	³
PlusPoints Earned	—	—	40 upon qualifying	280 upon qualifying + incremental	¹
Star Alliance Status	Silver	Gold	Gold	Gold	¹¹
Marriott Bonvoy Status	—	Complimentary Gold Elite	Complimentary Gold Elite	Complimentary Gold Elite	¹³
Avis Status	Potential Benefit	Potential Benefit	Potential Benefit	Potential Benefit	³

Note: Benefits are subject to change and specific terms and conditions apply. Companions must generally be on the same reservation.

D. PlusPoints: The Flexible Upgrade Currency

PlusPoints are a distinct benefit awarded exclusively to Premier Platinum and Premier 1K members, offering a flexible way to secure upgrades.¹

Core Function: Their primary purpose is to request upgrades to premium cabins (United Premium Plus, United First, United Polaris business class) on flights operated by United and select partner airlines.¹ The number of PlusPoints required varies based on the route, original fare class, and desired cabin.
Flexibility: A key feature is their flexibility. PlusPoints can be used to upgrade the member themselves or to upgrade other travelers, even if those travelers are not on the same reservation as the sponsoring Platinum or 1K member.²²
Earning: Premier Platinum members receive 40 PlusPoints upon qualification. Premier 1K members receive a more substantial bank of 280 PlusPoints upon qualification. Furthermore, 1K members can earn additional incremental PlusPoints (e.g., 20 PlusPoints for every 3,000 PQP earned beyond 22,000 PQP) as they continue to fly and spend throughout the year.³
Upcoming Enhancements (Mid-2025): United has announced a significant evolution for PlusPoints, planned for mid-2025.¹⁹ While retaining their use for upgrades, PlusPoints earned during the 2025 qualification year (with expiration dates of Jan 31, 2027 or later) will gain new redemption options.¹⁹ These new uses are expected to include:

Gifting Premier status to another MileagePlus member.
Redeeming for Premier Qualifying Points (PQP) or Premier Qualifying Flights (PQF) to help with status qualification.
Converting PlusPoints into TravelBank cash (usable for United flights).
Exchanging PlusPoints for bonus redeemable miles.¹⁹

This planned expansion transforms PlusPoints from solely an upgrade instrument into a more versatile rewards currency for United’s top-tier elite members. It reflects a strategy to provide greater choice and perceived value, potentially increasing the incentive to achieve and maintain Platinum and 1K status.

Your MileagePlus Network: Partners Explained

The value of MileagePlus is significantly amplified by its extensive network of airline and travel partners.

A. Star Alliance: Global Connections

United’s membership in Star Alliance provides MileagePlus members with seamless global reach and benefits.¹¹

The Network: Star Alliance comprises United and 25 other member airlines, covering nearly 160 countries and over 1,170 airports.¹¹ The partners include Aegean Airlines, Air Canada, Air China, Air India, Air New Zealand, ANA, Asiana Airlines, Austrian, Avianca, Brussels Airlines, Copa Airlines, Croatia Airlines, Egyptair, Ethiopian Airlines, EVA Airways, LOT Polish Airlines, Lufthansa, Scandinavian Airlines (SAS), Shenzhen Airlines, Singapore Airlines, South African Airways, SWISS, TAP Air Portugal, THAI, and Turkish Airlines.¹¹
Key Benefits:

Earn Miles: As discussed earlier, members can earn MileagePlus miles on eligible flights operated by Star Alliance partners, typically based on distance and fare class.⁹
Redeem Miles: Miles can be redeemed for award travel across the entire Star Alliance network.¹
Upgrades: MileagePlus miles can be used for Star Alliance Upgrade Awards on select partner flights.¹¹
Reciprocal Elite Benefits: MileagePlus Premier status provides equivalent Star Alliance Silver or Gold status, unlocking benefits like priority check-in, boarding, baggage handling, and airport standby across the alliance. Star Alliance Gold (achieved via MileagePlus Gold, Platinum, or 1K status) notably includes access to the vast network of over 1,000 Star Alliance lounges worldwide when traveling internationally with member airlines.¹¹

B. Other Travel Partners: Beyond the Alliance

In addition to Star Alliance, United collaborates with various other travel providers:

Hotels: MileagePlus members can earn miles at over 15,000 hotel properties worldwide.¹⁶ Key partnerships highlighted in official United materials include:

Booking Platforms: United Hotels (offering potential VIP Access benefits for Premier members at select properties) and Rocketmiles.¹
Major Chains: Marriott Bonvoy (featuring a preferred partnership with reciprocal benefits like complimentary Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite status for MileagePlus Premier Gold and higher members, and the ability to transfer points between programs), Wyndham Hotels & Resorts, IHG Hotels & Resorts, Hyatt Hotels & Resorts, Choice Hotels International, Best Western, and Shangri-La Hotels & Resorts.¹³
Vacation Rentals: Partnership with Vrbo allows earning miles on rental bookings.¹⁶

Car Rentals: Primary partnerships are with Avis and Budget, offering mileage earning, discounts, and potential elite status matching for Premier members and cardholders.¹ The car-sharing service Turo is also a partner for earning miles.¹⁴
Cruises: The United Cruises platform allows members to earn or redeem miles when booking voyages with various cruise lines.²
Vacations: United Vacations offers package deals combining flights, hotels, cars, and activities, potentially with mileage earning opportunities.¹⁷

While United may have relationships with other non-Star Alliance airlines for specific purposes (like codesharing or limited mileage earning/redemption), the reviewed united.com materials prominently feature the Star Alliance network for broad airline partnerships and focus on these specific hotel, car, cruise, and vacation partners. The emphasis on partners like Marriott, Avis/Budget, and the United-branded travel portals (Hotels, Cruises, Vacations) suggests these may be particularly strategic or commercially important relationships for the MileagePlus program. Members should always consult united.com for the most current list of all partners and their associated earning/redemption rules.

Program Essentials: Rules & Recent Updates

To navigate the MileagePlus program effectively, members should be aware of its governing rules and stay informed about ongoing changes.

A. Key Rules to Know: Navigating the Fine Print

The MileagePlus program operates under a detailed set of rules and regulations.⁸

United’s Discretion: A fundamental rule is that United Airlines reserves the right to change or terminate the MileagePlus program—including its rules, benefits, mileage levels, Premier qualification criteria, and partner relationships—at any time, in whole or in part, with or without prior notice.⁸ Accrued miles, awards, and Premier status do not constitute property of the member and are not transferable except as explicitly permitted by United (e.g., through the paid Transfer Miles program).⁸
Account Integrity: Membership is limited to individuals, with only one account permitted per person.⁸ Members are responsible for keeping their contact information current and safeguarding their account login credentials.⁴ Procedures exist for requesting name changes (which must align with government ID) and merging duplicate accounts.⁴
Mile Validity & Forfeiture: While miles earned do not expire due to account inactivity ⁹, they can be forfeited under certain conditions outlined in the program rules.⁸ These include violation of program rules, United’s Contract of Carriage, or fare rules; fraudulent activity or abuse of the program; member-requested account closure; the death of a member; or failure to respond to repeated communication attempts from United regarding account status.⁸
Fees: While joining is free, certain transactions may incur service charges. The rules mention that redepositing miles after canceling an award ticket is subject to a service charge.⁸ Changes or cancellations made to issued award tickets may also incur service charges.⁸ Transferring miles between accounts via the Transfer Miles program also involves fees.²⁰ Specific fee amounts are subject to change and should be verified on united.com or by contacting MileagePlus.
Prohibited Activities: The sale, barter, or unauthorized transfer of miles, certificates, PlusPoints, awards, or status is strictly prohibited.⁸ Engaging in such activities can result in account termination and forfeiture of all accumulated miles and benefits.⁸ Using any miles or benefits that were erroneously credited to an account is also considered a violation.⁸
Partner & Specific Program Terms: When engaging with MileagePlus partners (like MileagePlus Shopping, Dining, MileagePlus X) or specific program components (like United Club, donating miles, MileagePlus Exclusives), members are also subject to the separate terms and conditions of those specific partners or programs.¹⁵ For example, United Club has rules regarding guest access, conduct within lounges, and pets.²³
Credit Card Rules: Miles earned through United co-branded credit cards are also governed by the card issuer’s (Chase) rewards program agreement. This includes rules regarding how miles are earned, potential forfeiture of miles due to account misuse, delinquency, or closure under certain circumstances.²⁶

Understanding these core rules is essential for maintaining good standing within the program. While MileagePlus offers valuable benefits like non-expiring miles, United retains significant control over the program’s structure and rules, emphasizing the need for members to adhere to the terms and stay informed through official channels.

B. Staying Current: Recent & Upcoming Program Enhancements

The MileagePlus program is dynamic, with United periodically introducing updates and enhancements.¹ Key recent developments and upcoming changes highlighted in the official materials include:

PlusPoints Evolution: The planned expansion of PlusPoints redemption options beyond upgrades (gifting status, PQP/PQF, TravelBank cash, bonus miles) starting mid-2025 represents a significant enhancement for Premier Platinum and 1K members.¹⁹
Premier Qualification Updates: Adjustments to PQP and PQF thresholds for achieving Premier status occur periodically (e.g., the thresholds set for qualification in 2025).¹⁹ Enhancements to PQP earning via credit card spend have also been implemented, making it a more potent pathway to status.¹⁹
Premier Head Start: United has provided PQP deposits at the beginning of recent program years (e.g., early 2024 for 2025 status, early 2025 for 2026 status) to give existing Premier members a boost towards requalification.¹⁹

These examples illustrate United’s active management of the program, often focusing on the elite tiers and the interplay between flying, spending, and status qualification. Members are encouraged to regularly check the MileagePlus sections on united.com, particularly areas labeled “What’s New” or “Program Updates,” to stay abreast of the latest changes that might affect their earning or redemption strategies.¹

Conclusion: Maximize Your MileagePlus Journey

United MileagePlus stands out as a comprehensive and multifaceted loyalty program. Its strengths lie in the diverse ways members can earn miles – through flights on United and an extensive network of partners, everyday spending via co-branded credit cards, and engagement with numerous shopping, dining, and travel partners.¹ The program’s core value is further enhanced by the fact that earned miles do not expire, offering long-term flexibility.⁹

Redemption options are equally broad, centered around award flights and valuable upgrades, but extending to practical travel extras, hotel stays, car rentals, merchandise, and unique experiences.² For frequent travelers, the tiered Premier status system delivers tangible benefits that significantly improve the travel experience, from priority services and lounge access to complimentary upgrades and bonus mileage earning.³ The continuous evolution of the program, including enhancements like the expanded utility of PlusPoints and refined pathways to status involving credit card spend, demonstrates an ongoing effort to reward member engagement.¹⁹

Ultimately, maximizing the MileagePlus program hinges on understanding its structure, benefits, and rules. By leveraging the earning opportunities that align with their travel patterns and spending habits, strategically redeeming miles for high-value rewards, and aspiring to Premier status if their travel frequency warrants it, members can transform their relationship with United Airlines into a truly rewarding journey. Active participation and staying informed about program updates are key to unlocking the full potential of MileagePlus.

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