United MileagePlus Program: How to Earn, Redeem & Maximize Miles

Did you know United MileagePlus boasts over 100 million members worldwide? It’s one of the largest airline loyalty programs, serving an airline that operates 4,500 daily flights to more than 300 cities across five continents.

As United Airlines frequent flyer program, MileagePlus offers you tremendous value. Your miles are worth approximately 1.2 cents each, and best of all, they never expire as long as your account remains open and in good standing.

Whether you’re a casual traveler or frequent flyer, the program provides multiple ways to earn miles. You can accumulate rewards by flying United or its Star Alliance partners, using select credit cards, shopping, dining, and more.

The program features four elite tiers, with qualification based on a mix of qualifying points and flights. Additionally, recent updates include dynamic award pricing and the ability to pool miles among up to five members.

Master United MileagePlus to unlock exceptional travel value through strategic earning and redemption across one of the world’s largest airline loyalty programs.

• United Miles never expire – United miles remain valid indefinitely as long as your account stays open, eliminating pressure to use them quickly
• Earn United Miles through multiple channels – Accumulate miles via flights, credit cards (up to 4x), dining programs, shopping portals, and the MileagePlus X app
• Focus on premium cabin redemptions – Target business/first class international flights where miles deliver 1.5+ cents value versus 1.2 cents average
• Leverage credit card benefits – United cards offer substantial welcome bonuses (up to 90,000 miles) plus PQP earning toward elite status
• Pool miles with family – Combine up to five members’ miles into one account to reach award goals faster through United’s new pooling feature
• Avoid low-value redemptions – Skip merchandise, gift cards, and domestic economy awards that deliver under 1 cent per mile value

United MileagePlus program’s strength lies in its Star Alliance network access, no-expiration policy, and diverse earning opportunities. Elite status qualification through PQP and PQF combinations provides valuable perks like free bags, upgrades, and priority boarding that significantly enhance your travel experience.

In this comprehensive guide, you’ll discover everything about United MileagePlus – from earning and redeeming miles to maximizing elite status benefits and selecting the right credit cards for your travel goals.

What is United MileagePlus and how does it work?

United MileagePlus stands as one of the largest loyalty programs in the world with over 100 million members. This frequent flyer program enables you to earn miles through various activities and redeem them for flights, upgrades, and other benefits.

Lets Summarize with ChatGPT | Perplexity | Claude | Google AI Mode | Grok or call now (833) 844-1239 to book your next flight with expert guidance.

Overview of the United Airlines loyalty program

United MileagePlus serves as your ticket to exploring the world. The program allows you to collect miles and use them for checked bag fees, inflight snacks, and award flights. Miles can be earned through:

• Flying on United and United Express flights
• Traveling with Star Alliance and other partner airlines
• Using United-branded credit cards
• Shopping at partner retailers and dining at restaurants
• Using the MileagePlus X app and online shopping portal

When flying with United, the miles you earn depend on three factors: your MileagePlus status, the type of ticket purchased, and the operating airline. Furthermore, Premier members receive bonus miles on every flight based on purchased fare and status level.

Miles earned from United and United Express flights typically appear in your account within 48 hours after completing your travel. However, certain tickets may not earn miles, including those purchased in violation of United’s Contract of Carriage.

How United MileagePlus compares to other frequent flyer programs

United MileagePlus offers distinct advantages that set it apart from competitors. Notably, United has the most award destinations among U.S. global airlines, including Star Alliance partner flights. The program also boasts:

1. The most award space in economy class
2. Miles that never expire
3. The most ways to earn and use miles

In comparison to other major U.S. airline programs, United MileagePlus has strengths and weaknesses:

Program Feature	United MileagePlus	Delta SkyMiles	American AAdvantage	Southwest Rapid Rewards	Alaska Mileage Plan
Miles Expiration	Never expire	Never expire	24 months inactivity	Never expire	Never expire
Award Chart	Dynamic pricing	Dynamic pricing	Published chart	Fixed-value	Published chart
Elite Status Tiers	4 levels	4 levels	4 levels	3 levels	5 levels
Alliance Network	Star Alliance	SkyTeam	Oneworld	None	Oneworld

According to NerdWallet’s 2025 analysis, United Airlines ranked sixth out of eight airlines overall, with its MileagePlus program placing fifth among airline rewards programs. While the program ranked last in rewards rate, it tied for third in elite status benefits.

The program offers four elite status levels: Premier Silver, Gold, Platinum, and 1K. These tiers provide increasing benefits like bonus miles, free checked bags, priority boarding, and complimentary upgrades on most United-operated flights.

Do United miles expire?

United miles do not expire as long as your MileagePlus account remains open and in good standing. This policy changed in August 2019, eliminating the previous 18-month inactivity expiration rule.

However, your miles may still be forfeited under certain circumstances:

• Violating program rules or United’s Contract of Carriage
• Engaging in prohibited conduct
• Violations of applicable laws or regulations
• Member-requested account closure
• Death of the member
• Failure to respond to repeated communication attempts

This no-expiration policy gives you greater flexibility compared to programs like American AAdvantage, where miles expire after 24 months of inactivity. Consequently, you no longer need to worry about maintaining account activity through flights, shopping portal earnings, or rental car bookings.

United reserves the right to change program rules, benefits, or mileage levels at any time. Therefore, while your miles won’t expire naturally, it’s still advisable to use them regularly to protect against potential program devaluations.

How to earn United miles

_{Image Source: 10xTravel}

Earning United miles requires smart strategy and knowing the various avenues available. With multiple earning methods at your disposal, you can quickly build your mileage balance for award travel, upgrades, and other benefits.

Flying with United and Star Alliance partners

When purchasing eligible tickets and flying with United Airlines, you’ll earn 5 miles per dollar spent on the base fare, up to 75,000 miles per ticket. Premier members receive additional bonus miles based on status level:

• Premier Silver: 7 miles per dollar (40% bonus)
• Premier Gold: 8 miles per dollar (60% bonus)
• Premier Platinum: 9 miles per dollar (80% bonus)
• Premier 1K: 11 miles per dollar (120% bonus)

For Star Alliance partner flights, miles are typically awarded based on flight distance and fare class rather than ticket cost. Simply add your MileagePlus number to your reservation to ensure credit for your travel.

Using United MileagePlus credit cards

United credit cards offer substantial welcome bonuses and ongoing earning opportunities. Consider these options:

• United Explorer Card: Earn 60,000 bonus miles after spending $3,000 in three months. Earn 2 miles per dollar on United purchases, restaurants, and hotels.
• United Quest Card: Earn 70,000 bonus miles and 1,000 PQP after spending $4,000 in three months. Earn 3 miles per dollar on United purchases and 2 miles on restaurants, streaming, and travel.
• United Club Card: Earn 90,000 bonus miles after spending $5,000 in three months. This premium card includes United Club membership.

Business versions of these cards exist with similar benefits but tailored for small business owners.

United Shopping, dining, and hotel partners

The MileagePlus Dining program lets you earn up to 5 miles per dollar at over 20,000 participating restaurants nationwide. Your earning rate depends on your membership level:

• Basic members: 1 mile per $2 spent
• Select members: 3 miles per dollar spent
• VIP members: 5 miles per dollar spent

For hotel stays, earn 1-3 miles per dollar at major chains including Marriott Bonvoy and IHG. Car rentals with Avis and Budget earn 500 miles per rental.

Essentially, everyday activities like paying rent through Bilt, using Lyft (up to 4 miles per dollar), and shopping with retailers like Therabody (up to 6 miles per dollar) all present additional earning opportunities.

United MileagePlus X app and online shopping portal

The MileagePlus X app transforms everyday purchases into travel rewards. Here’s how it works:

1. Purchase eGift cards from over 270 merchants directly in the app
2. Earn 0.5-10 miles per dollar spent on these purchases
3. United credit card holders receive an additional 25% bonus on all eGift card miles

For even greater earnings, stack rewards by using the MileagePlus Shopping portal with over 1,100 participating retailers. For example, you could earn 5 miles per dollar through MileagePlus X for Adidas purchases plus 3 miles per dollar from the shopping portal, totaling 8 miles per dollar.

Double-dipping gets better when you pay with a card that earns category bonuses for that merchant type.

Buying United miles: when it makes sense

Purchasing miles directly from United typically costs more than their redemption value of approximately 1.2 cents per mile. However, buying miles can make sense in specific situations:

• When you need to top up your account for a valuable award redemption
• During special promotional sales with discounted rates
• When the cost of purchased miles is less than the cash fare for your desired flight

For a better value, consider collecting a sign-up bonus from a United co-branded credit card instead. Additionally, remember that Chase Ultimate Rewards points transfer to United at a 1:1 ratio, providing another avenue for building your balance.

How to redeem United miles effectively

Maximizing the value of your United MileagePlus miles requires strategic redemption choices. Recent devaluations have made it crucial to understand which options deliver genuine value and which should be avoided.

Booking United award flights

United eliminated fixed award charts in favor of dynamic pricing, making redemption values fluctuate based on demand, route, and timing. Flexibility with travel dates often yields significant savings. If your schedule permits, use the 30-day calendar view to identify the lowest-priced awards.

For instance, adjusting your travel dates by just a day or two could reduce your premium economy award ticket from 108,300 miles to just 45,000 miles. Moreover, Premier members and United credit cardholders gain access to exclusive award availability that other members cannot see.

When searching for award flights:

1. Log into your MileagePlus account
2. Select “Book with miles” before searching
3. Use the 7-day or 30-day calendar to compare prices
4. Filter by cabin class and saver availability for best values

Using United miles for upgrades

MileagePlus Upgrade Awards allow you to move to premium cabins on paid tickets. Upgrade costs vary based on your original fare class, route, and destination. Upgrades require both miles and possibly a co-pay, though Premier members have co-pays waived.

Most fare classes are eligible for upgrades except basic economy, deeply discounted promotional fares, and award tickets. Premium cabin upgrades offer particular value on long-haul international routes.

Premier qualifying points (PQP) are earned on both the cash portion of any co-pay and on miles redeemed at a rate of 1 PQP per 100 miles. Importantly, award miles earned are based on your original fare class, not the upgraded cabin.

United Money + Miles option explained

United’s Money + Miles option lets you combine cash and miles toward ticket purchases when you don’t have enough miles for a full award. This option is available to all members with miles in their account.

General members receive approximately 0.75 cents per mile in value, whereas Premier members and United credit cardholders get 1 cent per mile. Although below the average redemption value of 1.97 cents per mile that AwardWallet users typically achieve, this option does allow you to:

• Earn Premier qualifying points on the cash portion
• Earn 1 PQP per 100 miles redeemed
• Earn redeemable miles on the cash portion of your fare

Unlike traditional award tickets, Money + Miles bookings follow the same fare rules as cash tickets, making them less flexible for changes and cancellations.

Bad redemptions to avoid

Several redemption options consistently deliver poor value for your United miles:

• Gift cards and Amazon purchases (1 cent per mile or less)
• In-flight WiFi passes (under 0.7 cents per mile)
• Cash back options
• Merchandise through shopping partners
• Transferring miles with unfavorable ratios

Focus instead on flight redemptions, particularly for premium cabins on long-haul routes where your miles can deliver significantly higher value.

How many miles for a United flight?

Mile requirements vary widely depending on destination, class, and demand. Here’s a sampling of typical one-way economy requirements:

Route	Minimum Miles Required
Las Vegas to Los Angeles	5,900+
New York to San Juan	10,900+
Atlanta to Orlando	15,000+
New York to Mexico City	20,000+
New York to Hawaii	25,000+
New York to Paris	32,800+

United has made several negative program changes, including eliminating the valuable Excursionist Perk (effective August 2023) and increasing close-in booking costs, with many awards that previously cost 15,000 miles now requiring 20,000 miles. Particularly, domestic awards booked within two weeks of travel now cost 33% more miles.

Given these devaluations, consider using other Star Alliance programs like Air Canada Aeroplan or Avianca LifeMiles to book United flights, often at lower mile costs.

Understanding United elite status tiers

_{Image Source: NerdWallet}

United MileagePlus elite status unlocks a world of perks that transform your travel experience. The program’s four-tier structure rewards frequent travelers with increasingly valuable benefits as you climb the ranks from Silver to the coveted 1K level.

United Premier Silver, Gold, Platinum, and 1K explained

United offers four distinct Premier status tiers, each with specific qualification requirements. For 2026 status, you must meet either a combination of Premier qualifying flights (PQF) and Premier qualifying points (PQP) or a higher PQP-only threshold:

Status Level	PQF + PQP Requirement	PQP-Only Requirement
Premier Silver	15 PQF + 5,000 PQP	6,000 PQP
Premier Gold	30 PQF + 10,000 PQP	12,000 PQP
Premier Platinum	45 PQF + 15,000 PQP	18,000 PQP
Premier 1K	60 PQF + 22,000 PQP	28,000 PQP

Regardless of approach, you must fly at least four paid segments on United or United Express within the qualification period. Furthermore, qualifying for status by December 31, 2025, means your benefits remain valid through January 31, 2027.

How to earn United PQP and PQF

PQFs are simply flight segments—each takeoff and landing counts as one PQF. Basic economy tickets don’t earn PQFs, yet they count toward the minimum four-segment requirement.

Meanwhile, you can accumulate PQPs through multiple channels:

• Flights booked through United: 1 PQP per dollar spent on base fare and carrier-imposed surcharges
• Preferred partner airlines: 1 PQP per 5 award miles earned, up to 750 PQP in economy/premium economy or 1,500 PQP in business/first class
• MileagePlus partners: 1 PQP per 6 award miles earned, with lower maximums
• Economy Plus and preferred seating: 1 PQP per dollar spent
• Credit card spending: Typically 1 PQP per $15-$20 spent, depending on the card

Benefits of each United elite tier

Premier Silver benefits include Group 2 boarding, free Economy Plus at check-in for you and one companion, one free checked bag, and 7x miles on flights.

Premier Gold adds Group 1 boarding, free Economy Plus at booking, two free checked bags, Star Alliance Gold status, and 8x miles earned per flight.

Premier Platinum enhances your experience with three free checked bags, Economy Plus access for up to eight companions, 9x miles on flights, and 40 PlusPoints upon qualification.

Premier 1K delivers the ultimate perks package with priority pre-boarding, 11x miles on flights, 280 PlusPoints, and a free drink and snack in Economy.

How to get Premier status on United

Beyond flying, several strategies can help you reach Premier status faster:

1. Focus on partner airline bookings where possible, as these often earn more PQPs per dollar spent
2. Utilize United credit cards that offer PQP earning potential
3. Book Economy Plus seating to earn additional PQPs
4. Take advantage of the PQP head start program—existing elite members receive bonus PQPs ranging from 300 for Silver to 1,400 for 1K

United PlusPoints upgrade guide

PlusPoints represent United’s flexible upgrade currency awarded to Premier Platinum (40 points) and Premier 1K (additional 280 points) members. These points can be redeemed for:

• Cabin upgrades on United and select partner airlines
• TravelBank cash
• Bonus miles
• Additional PQP and PQF
• Gifting Premier status

Domestic upgrades require 20 PlusPoints, while international upgrades range from 20-80 points depending on your original fare class and desired cabin. Premier 1K members earn an additional 20 PlusPoints for every 3,000 PQP earned beyond 22,000.

United credit cards and their benefits

_{Image Source: United Airlines}

Chase offers multiple United credit cards tailored to different travel needs, from occasional flyers to premium travelers seeking lounge access and enhanced perks.

Best United MileagePlus credit cards

Chase’s lineup includes six United-branded cards with varying annual fees and benefits. The United Gateway Card ($0 annual fee) serves as an entry-level option with no checked bag perks. The United Explorer Card ($0 first year, then $150) offers more comprehensive benefits for moderate travelers. The premium United Club Card ($695) provides full United Club membership worth at least $750 annually.

Beyond these, Chase offers the United Quest Card ($350) plus two business options—the United Business Card and United Club Business Card—designed specifically for business owners.

United Welcome bonuses and earning rates

Currently, welcome offers range from 30,000 miles (Gateway) to 90,000 miles (Club) after meeting specific spending thresholds. The Quest Card even includes 1,000 Premier qualifying points with its 70,000-mile bonus.

Earning rates vary by card:

• United Explorer Card: 2x miles on United purchases, dining, and hotel stays
• United Quest Card: 3x miles on United purchases; 2x on dining, select streaming, and travel
• United Club Card: 4x miles on United purchases; 2x on travel and dining

How United credit card spending helps earn status

United now makes PQP earning easier through credit card spending. Cardmembers earn 25 PQP for every $500 in qualifying purchases. Additionally, the annual PQP caps have increased—United Club Infinite cardholders can earn up to 10,000 PQP annually, up from 8,000 previously.

Furthermore, United removed the 15,000 PQP annual cap across multiple eligible cards, allowing significant status progress through spending.

Comparison table: United Explorer vs. Quest vs. Club

Feature	Explorer	Quest	Club
Annual Fee	$0 first year, then $150	$350	$695
Welcome Bonus	60,000 miles	70,000 miles + 1,000 PQP	90,000 miles
Free Checked Bags	First bag	First & second bags	First & second bags
United Club Access	Two one-time passes	None	Full membership
Annual Travel Credit	$100 (after spending $10,000)	$200	None

Maximizing your United MileagePlus value

Understanding what your United miles are truly worth helps make smarter redemption choices. This section explores maximizing your MileagePlus rewards through strategic planning.

How to calculate United miles value

Your United miles generally hover around 1.2 cents per mile in value. To determine exact worth, divide the cash price of a ticket by the miles required, then multiply by 100. For instance, a $300 flight costing 25,000 miles equals 1.2 cents per mile.

Value fluctuates based on redemption type:

• Domestic economy: Often below 1 cent
• Premium cabins: Typically 1.2-1.5 cents
• International business: Potentially exceeding 1.5 cents

Best ways to use United miles

Maximize value through these redemptions:

1. Premium cabin flights on United or Star Alliance partners
2. Multi-city itineraries using the Excursionist Perk
3. Short-haul domestic flights starting at just 5,000 miles one-way

Cheapest United MileagePlus award routes

Some routes consistently offer excellent value:

• ~7,000 miles: Short domestic flights like SFO to LAX
• ~25,000 miles: Medium-length domestic roundtrips
• ~35,000 miles: Roundtrip to Hawaii or Latin America

Tips for booking international flights with United miles

For international redemptions, focus on:

• Europe Economy: 30,000 miles one-way during off-peak times
• Asia Economy: 35,000 miles one-way to Tokyo or Beijing
• Africa Business: 80,000-85,000 miles one-way to Johannesburg

How to transfer United miles to family members

United recently launched miles pooling, becoming the first major U.S. airline offering this feature. Any five members can combine miles into one account. Importantly, there’s no minimum age requirement—even children can contribute.

Creating a pool requires a leader (18+ years old) who manages shared miles through United.com. Indeed, this helps families or friends reach award travel goals faster.

Conclusion

United MileagePlus stands as a powerhouse among airline loyalty programs with its vast network and flexible earning options. Therefore, your travel potential expands significantly through this program, especially since miles never expire while your account remains open.

Consider these top ways to maximize your MileagePlus membership: • Earn miles through flights, credit cards, dining, and shopping • Focus on premium cabin redemptions for best value • Pool miles with up to five family members • Avoid low-value redemptions like merchandise or gift cards

Elite status brings valuable perks that transform your travel experience. Additionally, United credit cards fast-track your progress through welcome bonuses and ongoing earning potential.

Comparison with other major U.S. airline mile programs:

Feature	United	Delta	American	Southwest
Miles Expiration	Never	Never	24 months	Never
Award Pricing	Dynamic	Dynamic	Chart-based	Fixed-value
Partners	Star Alliance	SkyTeam	Oneworld	Limited

Finally, remember that flexibility with dates and destinations yields the best redemption values. Consequently, strategic planning helps stretch your miles further, whether for domestic hops or dream international adventures.

Overall, United MileagePlus rewards your loyalty with tangible benefits. Start small, learn the program, and watch your travel possibilities grow with each mile earned.

United MileagePlus FAQ

Discover more United Airlines articles to save on flights

How to Change a Flight Date on United Airlines (2026 Guide)

Did you know United Airlines schedule change policy allows you to change your flight in just four simple steps?

United Airlines Fare Classes Guide for Domestic & International Flights

Understanding United Airlines fare class system can transform your booking strategy and significantly improve your travel experience. Here are the essential insights every traveler should know:

United Airlines Flight Change Policy: What It Costs & How to Change Your Ticket

Did you know United Airlines was the first major U.S. carrier to permanently eliminate change fees in 2020?

How Much Does It Cost to Upgrade to United Premium Plus on United Airlines? (2026 Guide)

Premium economy has transformed modern aviation. United Airlines joined this revolution in 2019 with Premium Plus, their answer to travelers seeking comfort without business class prices.

United Airlines Name Change Policy: What You Need to Know in 2026

Understanding United Airlines' name change policy requires familiarizing yourself with specific rules and procedures. The airline allows certain modifications to passenger names on tickets, although with notable restrictions and requirements.

Delta Premium Select vs United Premium Plus – The Ultimate Premium Economy Comparison