United MileagePlus: Booking Smart with United Points

United Airlines’ MileagePlus program is a flexible and rewarding option for travelers looking to fly for less—or even for free. As a member of Star Alliance, United lets you redeem miles on over 25 partner airlines, giving you global access with a single loyalty program.

In this guide, we’ll walk you through how to earn MileagePlus miles, how to use them for maximum value, and key tips to stretch every mile further.

What Is United MileagePlus?

MileagePlus is United Airlines’ frequent flyer program. You earn miles when flying with United or partner airlines, and also from everyday spending, including credit cards, shopping, and dining.

Unlike some programs, MileagePlus miles do not expire, and United has eliminated award change and cancellation fees for most bookings, making it easier than ever to use your miles with confidence.

How to Earn United MileagePlus Miles

1. Fly United or Star Alliance Partners

You earn miles based on the ticket price (for United flights) and the fare class and distance (for partner airlines).

• United flights: Earn 5 miles per $1 spent on base fare and surcharges (higher tiers earn more)
• Star Alliance partners (like Lufthansa, ANA, Air Canada): Miles earned vary by airline and fare class

2. United Credit Cards

United has several co-branded credit cards issued by Chase. These are some of the best ways to accumulate miles quickly:

• United Explorer Card
• United Quest Card
• United Club Infinite Card

Benefits include:

• Large welcome bonuses (up to 80,000 miles)
• 2x miles on United purchases, dining, and hotels
• Free checked bags, priority boarding, and more

3. Transfer Points from Chase Ultimate Rewards

Chase points transfer 1:1 to United MileagePlus. This is a great way to top off your miles or unlock premium cabin redemptions.

4. Shopping and Dining

• MileagePlus Shopping portal: Earn miles by shopping at popular online retailers
• MileagePlus Dining program: Earn extra miles when you dine out at participating restaurants

5. Hotel and Car Rental Partners

Earn miles through:

• Hotel stays (IHG, Marriott, Hyatt)
• Car rentals (Hertz, Avis, Budget)
• Cruise bookings via United Cruises

How to Redeem United MileagePlus Miles

1. Flights

You can book flights with United or any of its 25+ Star Alliance partners, such as ANA, SWISS, Turkish Airlines, or Air New Zealand.

United uses a dynamic pricing model for award flights, so mileage rates may vary. However, partner awards follow a relatively stable award chart.

Sample One-Way Award Rates:

• North America to Europe (Economy): ~30,000–45,000 miles
• North America to Asia (Business): ~70,000–90,000 miles
• Intra-US flights: As low as 5,000–10,000 miles

Booking is easy via the United.com site, which includes a flexible date search and partner availability.

2. Upgrades

Use miles to upgrade from economy to business class on eligible United flights. This often requires a co-pay in addition to miles.

3. Other Redemptions

You can also use miles for:

• Hotel stays
• Car rentals
• Airport experiences and United Club passes
• Gift cards and merchandise (generally poor value)

For best value, always prioritize flight redemptions, especially international routes.

MileagePlus Premier Status

Frequent flyers can earn Premier status based on PQPs (Premier Qualifying Points) and PQFs (Premier Qualifying Flights):

Status tiers:

• Premier Silver
• Premier Gold
• Premier Platinum
• Premier 1K

Benefits include:

• Complimentary upgrades
• Extra baggage allowance
• Priority check-in and boarding
• Bonus miles on flights

Tips to Maximize Your United Miles

1. Book Partner Awards: Use miles for flights on partners like ANA or Lufthansa for high-end experiences.
2. Avoid Close-In Booking Fees: United no longer charges close-in fees, but award pricing may be higher last-minute. Book early.
3. Use the Award Calendar: United’s calendar tool helps you find the lowest mileage dates easily.
4. Transfer Chase Points: Leverage Chase Ultimate Rewards from cards like the Chase Sapphire Preferred or Reserve.
5. Watch for Saver Award Space: Saver-level awards offer the best value and more availability on partner flights.

Pros and Cons of MileagePlus

Pros:

• No award cancellation or change fees
• Large partner network
• Points don’t expire
• Easy to earn via Chase transfers

Cons:

• Dynamic pricing makes planning harder
• Taxes/fees can be higher on some partners
• Limited award space during peak travel

Final Thoughts

United’s MileagePlus program is a versatile option for travelers who value flexibility, a large global network, and no expiration on points. When used wisely—especially for international or partner redemptions—MileagePlus miles can unlock incredible value.

Whether you’re planning a domestic getaway or a luxury flight overseas, MileagePlus has the tools to make it happen without breaking your budget.

Start earning today, and make your next trip a MileagePlus success.