United Airlines Loyalty Program

Are you one of those who travel a lot and constantly book air tickets? If so, you should book your flight with United Airlines. This airline has a program specifically designed for frequent travelers known as the United Airlines Loyalty program. With this program, a passenger is eligible to use miles for their travel and avail other benefits. 

Wondering what miles are? And, how can it be used for traveling? What other benefits does it provide, and, most importantly, how can one redeem those miles for travel? If all these questions are on your mind and you are struggling to find answers, you don’t need to go anywhere. Here we will share detailed information regarding the United Airlines MileagePlus Loyalty Program. 

What Is United Airlines MileagePlus Loyalty Program?

Founded in 1931, one of the world’s largest airlines offers its frequent flyers the option to opt for the MileagePlus program. This program is also known as a loyalty program or frequent flyer program. 

Under this program, the airline offers its loyal customers the opportunity to earn miles as reward points. These points can be used for their next trips, either to book a ticket or to get elite services. However, to access elite services, one must earn Premier Status. 

Key Aspects of the United MileagePlus loyalty program:

• Under the airline loyalty program, a passenger can earn miles based on the ticket price. 
• Earning miles has nothing to do with the distance to the destination. 
• Miles can be earned on United flights and on partner airlines' bookings.
• Loyalty program members can use their miles to book domestic and international flights.
• Miles can’t be earned automatically just by simply buying a flight ticket; passengers need to sign up for the United loyalty program. 
• Apart from traveling, earned miles can be used for other purposes, such as dining and shopping. However, it is required to shop with the airline’s partner retailers. 
• Unlike travel credit, the earned miles can not be expired.
• MileagePlus members can use their earned miles to pay for their baggage fees, onboard refreshments, and to get upgrade benefits.
• Any passenger with MileagePlus Premier status can use their membership to receive free upgrades and access to Economy Plus. 
• United Airlines loyalty program partners allow members to earn rewards.

The above-mentioned are the key aspects of the United MileagePlus loyalty program. In addition to these, program members can use their miles to cover all or part of their next booked flight. Apart from it, they can upgrade their seat as well. 

Note: Any passenger who wants to cancel their United flight ticket booked with miles must review the United Airlines cancellation policy.

Is There Any New Update On United Airlines Loyalty Program?

Whether you are a new or existing member, it is essential to keep up with United Airlines loyalty program news. The airline often updates its policies or programs to offer passengers more benefits. 

Here are the new updates in the airline’s loyalty program:

• MileagePlus members will earn miles at the new rates for tickets purchased on or after 2nd April 2026.
• The miles will be given on the eligible United flights and fares. 
• Miles will be given to those members whose flight is managed or operated by United or United Express. 
• As per the latest update, miles-earning rates will be based on Premier Status. Means it is crucial to have a status on your United Cardmember to earn more miles. 
• Having a United Cardmember is necessary to earn miles at an increased rate. 

Let’s understand the difference in earning miles based on a United card or a non-card membership:

The Effect Of The United Airlines Loyalty Program's New Update On Basic Economy Fares

Whenever the airline updates its policies or programs, it mainly affects basic economy fares. This time as well, the United Airline loyalty program leaves an impact on it. 

As per the latest update, Non-cardholder members who purchased basic economy tickets issued on or after 2 April 2026 will earn no miles. Whereas, if they are a United Cardmember or Premier member, they will earn miles but at a lower rate. 

For a better understanding, let’s learn through the chart mentioned below:

What Are United Loyalty Program Benefits?

The United Loyalty program benefits are mainly for those members who hold United cards. This means it becomes more important to have a card membership to avail the benefits. 

Here are the major benefits offered by the airline through MileagePlus card membership:

• Eligible United card membership holders will get at least 10% off tickets purchased with earned miles issued on and after 2nd April 2026.
• Primer status cardholders will get at least 15% off, free access to Economy Plus, early check-in/security, and complimentary snacks, etc.
• Premier 1K members will get the lounge access on international itineraries.
• United Club members or United Club Infinite cardholders will have access to the general domestic lounge.
• Other than that, miles can be redeemed for United Club memberships, seat upgrades, or in-flight Wi-Fi. 
• United cardholders will get access to “Saver Award” seats.

How To Sign Up For The United Airlines Loyalty Program?

Now, if you are wondering about the United Airlines loyalty program sign up process, below are the steps. But before that, it is important to note that while signing up for the MileagePlus program is free, to avail the additional benefits, you are required to hold a card membership. 

Here are the steps to sign up for it:

• Go to the main site of United Airlines.
• Look for the sign-in or log-in option on the top right side of the homepage.
• If you already have the membership, you need to enter your email or MileagePlus number to access the account.
• Enter the required information and hit the continue button.
• If you don’t have the account, click on the “Create a MileagePlus account” option.
• Here, you need to mention your contact information and personal information.
• Once the details are entered, you need to hit the “Continue” tab.
• After signing up, you will see offers for the “United Gateway Card”.
• Choosing this United card gives you significant benefits.

The steps above are easy to sign up for or log in to the United Airlines MileagePlus loyalty program. In addition, during sign-up, members can immediately create a “Pool” for up to 5 family members, including children. Additionally, it is required to enter the same personal information as mentioned on the government-issued IDs. 

Entering incorrect personal information can prevent account sign-up, much like having an unmatched name on a flight ticket. To know more about it, review United Airlines name change policy. 

Note: Pooled miles can be specifically used for award flights on United or United Express. And they must be waited 24 hours before use. 

How To Contact United Airlines MileagePlus Service Center?

Whether you are joining the membership for the first time or are keen to know more about the latest update in the United Airline loyalty program, it is best to directly get in touch with the airline through their MileagePlus Service Center. Here, a member can request information about missing mile credit, update account information, or speak with customer service at 800-421-4655.

However, if you are a Premier member, you need to contact the Premier Priority Desk to resolve any queries related to your account and reservations. The contact information is mentioned on the backside of the virtual membership card. 

What Are United Airlines Loyalty Program Levels?

United Airlines offers great benefits to MileagePlus members who hold Premier status. The benefits a member receives depend heavily on their status level. Let’s learn how to achieve the United Airlines loyalty program levels:

• Premier Status is usually obtained by taking at least 4 flights managed or operated by United or United Express flights.
• To get a higher level of Premier status, a passenger must earn sufficient Premier qualifying flights (PQF) and Premier qualifying points (PQP) within a year. For instance, next year's Premier status requires earning PQF and PQP this year. 

Here is the breakdown of the 2026 Premier Status level requirements:

Conclusion

United Airlines encourages its loyal passengers to join the MileagePlus loyalty program to avail great benefits on their next booking. Additionally, using United cards will help you get more benefits than a standard membership. As the new update makes the program card-centric. If you have any questions regarding the loyalty program and its update, you can contact the airline directly.