What to Know About United MileagePlus— Including How to Earn Status and Redeem Miles

The United Airlines MileagePlus frequent flier program gives more than 100 million members travel perks in exchange for loyalty to the world’s third-largest airline. By flying on United and partner airlines, spending on co-branded credit cards, and other earning methods, members can acquire elite status and redeemable miles.

United Airlines recently revamped the MileagePlus program, emphasizing the accrual of Premier Qualifying Points (PQPs) through activities like flying, using co-branded credit cards, and online shopping. This lets loyalists earn United elite status — Premier Silver, Premier Gold, Premier Platinum, and Premier 1K — and the associated perks without flying frequently. 

The airline’s miles can subsequently be redeemed for domestic and international flights on United and partner carriers across the Star Alliance and beyond.

“United has the largest network of quality international partners among U.S. airlines, giving members strong opportunities for mileage earning and redemption across the globe,” Gary Leff, travel expert from View from the Wing, tells Travel + Leisure. “With so many overlapping partners in Europe and Asia, there's a reasonable chance that one will have the award space you're looking for when planning travel abroad.”

How to Sign Up

To create a MileagePlus account, visit the enrollment page on the United Airlines website. You'll be prompted to complete a form with personal information, including your name, contact details, and date of birth, and then create a password for your account. You’ll then receive a confirmation email containing your MileagePlus account number — make sure you add this number to your flight reservations to earn miles.

How to Earn Miles

Flights

When you fly with United Airlines, you can earn miles on the base fare of your ticket, excluding taxes and fees. The number of miles earned varies depending on your MileagePlus elite status:

• No status: 5 miles per dollar spent
• Premier Silver: 7 miles per dollar spent
• Premier Gold: 8 miles per dollar spent
• Premier Platinum: 9 miles per dollar spent
• Premier 1K: 11 miles per dollar spent

Like many other loyalty programs, you can also earn miles on flights operated by Star Alliance partners, typically based on distance flown and fare class. Star Alliance is the largest airline alliance in the world with more than 25 carriers, making it easy to rack up substantial MileagePlus miles through airlines other than United.

Credit Cards

United Airlines offers a few different co-branded credit cards with various sign-up bonuses and incentives: the United Gateway℠ Card; the United℠ Explorer Card; the United Quest℠ Card; and the United℠ Business Card, each with sign-up bonuses ranging from 30,000 to 90,000 miles. These cards earn anywhere from two to four miles per dollar on United Airlines purchases, with some cards earning miles on everything from gas to dining to local transit.

Other Ways to Earn

• Transferring Points: You can transfer points from partner programs, like Chase Ultimate Rewards or Marriott Bonvoy, to your MileagePlus account at varying exchange rates.
• Shopping Portal: Utilize the MileagePlus shopping portal to earn additional miles when making purchases online.
• MileagePlus X: Connect your credit or debit cards to participate in the MileagePlus X program, which lets you earn miles while shopping online or in-person at certain stores.
• Dining Program: Participating restaurants offer opportunities to earn up to five miles per dollar through the MileagePlus Dining program.
• Travel Partners: Book car rentals and accommodations through MileagePlus travel partners to accrue extra miles.
• Mileage Purchases: Occasionally, United Airlines provides opportunities to purchase MileagePlus miles, often with bonus incentives.

Related: Everything You Need to Know About Earning and Redeeming Airline Miles

United Airlines Elite Tiers

United Airlines presents four elite status tiers with different benefits, ranging from bonus miles and complimentary seat selection to baggage allowances. Premier 1K members enjoy the most extensive privileges, including complimentary upgrades on award flights and access to United Club lounges when traveling internationally.

Premier Silver Status

Requirements:

• 5,000 Premier Qualifying Points (PQPs) or 12 Premier Qualifying Flights (PQFs) and 4,000 Premier Qualifying Points (PQPs)

Benefits:

• 7x miles earned on every flight
• Complimentary access to Economy Plus seating at check-in (when available)
• Complimentary upgrades on select flights
• One free checked bag, up to 70 pounds

Premier Gold Status

Requirements:

• 10,000 PQPS or 24 PQFs and 8,000 PQPs

Benefits:

• 8x miles earned on every flight
• Complimentary access to Economy Plus seating at booking (when available)
• Two free checked bags, up to 70 pounds
• Star Alliance Gold status

Premier Platinum Status

Requirements:

• 15,000 PQPs or 36 PQFs and 12,000 PQPs

Benefits:

• 40 PlusPoints, to be used for upgrades
• 9x miles earned on every flight
• Complimentary access to Economy Plus seating
• Three free checked bags, up to 70 pounds

Premier 1K Status

Requirements:

• 24,000 PQPs or 54 PQFs and 18,000 PQPs

Benefits:

• 280 PlusPoints, to be used for upgrades
• Pre-boarding
• One free drink and snack in economy 
• 11x miles earned on every flight

Related: How to Use Airline Elite Status for Seat Upgrades, Free Checked Bags, Priority Check-in, and So Much More

Redeeming Miles

Flights

United Airlines employs dynamic pricing for award flights. This means that the mileage cost can vary depending on demand, route, and travel date. While traditional award categories like "saver" and "standard" are no longer offered, United Airlines does maintain award charts with starting values, which can be helpful for travelers seeking seats at lower redemption levels.

“United also makes more seats available using points to members of their program who hold a United credit card,” Gilbert Ott, director of partnerships at Point.me, tells T+L. “This has been really successful at engendering loyalty and ensuring people who participate can usually get what they want, or close, with the program.”

Upgrades

All members can use their MileagePlus miles to request upgrades from economy to premium cabins on eligible flights. MileagePlus elite members, including Premier Silver, Premier Gold, Premier Platinum, and Premier 1K, can access complimentary flight upgrades within specific regions. Premier 1K members, in particular, enjoy the most extensive upgrade privileges, including complimentary upgrades on award flights. But, Leff warns, “Upgrades can be tough to come by, even for top-level elite fliers.” 

Other Ways to Redeem Miles

• United Hotels: You can book hotel stays through United Hotels using MileagePlus miles.
• Marriott Bonvoy: MileagePlus miles are transferable to the Marriott Bonvoy program at a 1:1 ratio.
• In-flight Wi-Fi: Want Wi-Fi during your flight? You can use your miles to pay for it.
• TSA PreCheck: One of the more unique MileagePlus redemptions is for the TSA PreCheck application fee — it costs 11,000 miles. (Note that some United Airlines co-branded credit cards offer credit for TSA PreCheck and/or Global Entry, too.)
• Go Shopping: United Airlines has an online store that allows you to pay in miles for various items like Bose headphones, Dyson hair styling tools, and Briggs & Riley suitcases.
• Charity Donations: You can donate your miles to various charities. The minimum donation is 1,000 miles.

Partner Airline Redemptions

Members can also redeem MileagePlus miles for flights with Star Alliance partners, including Lufthansa, Air Canada, Thai Airways, and Singapore Airlines.  United Airlines also has partnerships with various non-Star Alliance carriers like Aer Lingus, Hawaiian Airlines, and Copa Airlines. The availability of these redemptions depends on partner airlines' award inventory, so it's essential to check and plan your travel accordingly.

How to Get the Most Out of Your MileagePlus Miles

Earn elite status.

Focus on accumulating Premier Qualifying Points (PQPs) through flying with United Airlines, using co-branded credit cards, and engaging with MileagePlus partners. Higher elite status tiers, such as Premier Gold, Premier Platinum, and Premier 1K, have significant benefits like bonus miles, seat selection, and free checked bags.

Explore partner airlines and alliances.

Consider redeeming miles for flights with Star Alliance partners to access a vast network of airlines worldwide. Additionally, explore redemption options with non-Star Alliance partners to broaden your travel horizons.

Take advantage of unique perks.

United Airlines offers unique perks like the Excursionist Perk and TravelBank, which can help you save on travel expenses and stretch your miles further.