United MileagePlus program

United Airlines miles offers customers a way to redeem their loyalty for such perks as flights, gift cards and hotel stays. Like many rewards programs, the strongest value of award miles comes in the form of flight redemptions. And a partnership with Star Alliance airlines means you can put your points toward a wide variety of destinations.

How much are United miles worth?

Based on our March 2019 valuation, United miles are worth between 1 cent and 1.4 cents each, depending on what you’re redeeming them on.

Do United miles expire?

Yes. Generally, miles expire if you don’t use or earn them through MileagePlus or a United partner within 18 months.

An exception is the United MileagePlus Club Card. Miles earned through your card don’t expire, and there’s no cap on how many you can earn.

How do I earn United miles?

You can earn miles with MileagePlus in two main ways:

• Fly with United Airlines or Star Alliance partners as a MileagePlus member.
• Use a United cobranded credit card for purchases.

If you’re looking for a way to kick off your United miles collection, check out the United MileagePlus® Club card from Chase. You’ll earn 50,000 bonus miles after you spend $3,000 on purchases in the first three months after opening your account. This is on top of free entry to United Club membership — up to a $550 value each year.

Our pick for a United credit card

United℠ Explorer Card

• $0 first-year intro annual fee, then $95.
• Signup bonus: 40,000 miles after you make $2,000 in purchases within the first 3 months of account opening.
• 2x miles on United purchases, hotel stays and restaurant purchases.
• Credit every four years for your Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fee.
• 25% back as statement credit on United inflight purchases. Plus, priority boarding and your first checked bag free on United-operated flights.
• 2 United Club one-time passes each card anniversary.

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Compare United credit cards

United cobranded credit cards offer a direct way to earn additional miles on top of your MileagePlus membership. With the right timing, you can earn a strong mileage signup bonus, making these cards ideal if United is your airline of choice.

{"niche":"USCCF"}

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Name	Product	Welcome offer	Rewards	Annual fee	Filter values
United℠ Explorer Card		40,000 miles after spending $2,000 in the first 3 months	2x miles at restaurants, hotels and United and 1x miles on all other purchases	$0 intro annual fee for the first year ($95 thereafter)		40,000 bonus miles after you spend $2,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.	Go to site View details	Compare	loading Fetching your data...
United MileagePlus® Club card		50,000 miles after spending $3,000 in the first 3 months	2x miles on United and 1.5x miles on all other purchases	$450		50,000 bonus miles after you spend $3,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.	View details	Compare	loading Fetching your data...
United℠ TravelBank Card		$150 after spending $1,000 in the first 3 months	2% back on United and 1.5% on all other purchases	$0		Earn $150 after spending $1,000 in the first 3 months.	View details	Compare	loading Fetching your data...
United MileagePlus® Club Business Card		50,000 after you spend $3,000 on purchases in the first 3 months your account is open	2x miles on United and 1.5x miles on all other purchases	$450		Enjoy access to all United Club locations and participating Star Alliance™ affiliated lounges worldwide.	View details	Compare	loading Fetching your data...
United℠ Explorer Business Card		50,000 miles after spending $5,000 in the first 3 months plus 50,000 after spending $25,000 total in the first 6 months	2x miles at restaurants, gas stations and office supply stores, 2x miles on United and 1x miles on all other purchases	$95		50,000 bonus miles after you spend $5,000 on purchases in the first 3 months your account is open.	View details	Compare	loading Fetching your data...

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Other cards that can earn United miles

If you don’t mind passing on bonuses specific to United Airlines, you can earn points on other credit cards that allow for rewards transfers to MileagePlus — sometimes at stronger rates than you’ll find with a cobranded card.

{"niche":"USCCF"}

Sort by:

Name	Product	Welcome offer	Rewards	Annual fee	Filter values
Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card		60,000 points after spending $4,000 in the first 3 months	2x points on travel and dining and 1x points on all other purchases	$95		Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months.	Go to site View details	Compare	loading Fetching your data...
Chase Sapphire Reserve®		50,000 points after spending $4,000 in the first 3 months	3x points on dining and travel after earning your $300 travel credit and 1x points on all other purchases	$450		Earn 50,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months	Go to site View details	Compare	loading Fetching your data...
Chase Freedom Unlimited®		3% cash back on all purchases in first year up to $20,000 spent, then 1.5% cash back on all purchases	3% cash back on all purchases in first year up to $20,000 spent, then 1.5% cash back on all purchases	$0		Earn 3% cash back on all purchases in your first year up to $20,000 spent. After that earn unlimited 1.5% cash back on all purchases.	Go to site View details	Compare	loading Fetching your data...
Chase Freedom®		$150 cash back after spending $500 in the first 3 months	5% back in rotating categories up to $1,500 combined each activated quarter, then 1% after that and on all other purchases	$0		Earn $150 cash back after spending $500 in the first 3 months from account opening.	Go to site View details	Compare	loading Fetching your data...
Ink Business Preferred℠ Credit Card		100,000 points after spending $5,000 in the first 3 months	3x points on the first $150,000 on travel and select business categories annually, then 1x after and on all other purchases	$95		100,000 bonus points after you spend $5,000 on purchases in the first 3 months after account opening. That's $1,000 toward travel rewards when you redeem through Chase Ultimate Rewards®	Go to site View details	Compare	loading Fetching your data...
Ink Business Cash℠ Credit Card		$500 cash back after spending $3,000 in the first 3 months	5% at office supply stores, on Internet, cable and phone up to $25,000 combined annually (then 1%), 2% on gas and dining up to $25,000 combined annually then 1% after that and on all other purchases	$0		$500 bonus cash back after you spend $3,000 in the first 3 months.	Go to site View details	Compare	loading Fetching your data...

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United MileagePlus Frequent Flyer Program

Loyalty program elite levels

United allows you to reach Premier status in its rewards program through Premier qualifying miles (PQM) or Premier qualifying segments (PQS). If you live in the US, you must also meet minimum annual spending requirements tracked as Premier qualifying dollars (PQD).

You can progress through four levels of Premier status if you meet the requirements, with each level featuring upgraded or additional perks. Once you reach Premium status in a calendar year, you can hold on to that status until the end of the following year.

Data obtained March 2019. Values are subject to change and should be used only as a general guide.

Note that unlike some airline cards, United credit cards don’t provide an intro period on status levels or help you reach an elite level faster.

Benefits of Premier status

Premier members can take advantage of a host of benefits that can enhance your travel.

• Seating benefits

  Access to Economy Plus seating, preferred seating and companions.

• Flight upgrades

  Premier upgrades that depend on your flight and destination.

• Mileage bonuses

  Accelerated rates on your mile earnings depending on your premier level.

  Premier levelSilverGoldPlatinum1K

  Award miles (including Premier bonus award miles)	7 x fare	8 x fare	9 x fare	11 x fare

  Data obtained March 2019. Values are subject to change and should be used only as a general guide.

• Premier priority travel services

  Get priority check-in, security screenings, boarding privileges and baggage handling, along with lounge access when traveling internationally and access to many sold-out flights.

• Discounts and waivers

  Take a break from fees with complimentary checked baggage allowances, discounted same-day flight changes and savings on United Club membership rates.

• Award travel benefits

  Get access to standby, waitlisting, premium cabins and reduced fees with higher priority depending on your Premier level.

Bottom line

With a variety of ways to earn miles and a choice of flights through Star Alliance partners, United MileagePlus is a way to turn your loyalty to this airline into lucrative rewards.

If you’re looking for stronger rewards rates or prefer another airline, look into other loyalty travel programs.

How to redeem United miles

Frequently asked questions

• Is United MileagePlus free?

  Yes, it’s free to sign up for the MileagePlus program.

• Can I receive credit for trips taken before I had a MileagePlus account?

  As long as you traveled on United-operated flights, you can request credit for flights taken up to 30 days before your program enrollment date.

• Where can I find my mileage information?

  Sign in to your United MileagePlus account through United Airlines’s website. Click My Account to view and redeem your mileage.

Steven Dashiell

Steven Dashiell is a staff writer at finder.com. He wields nearly a decade of research and reporting experience to help you embrace and maximize your credit card life. Prior to working at Finder, Steve served as reporter and editor for several healthcare newsletters, offering best practices and guides to help caregivers best protect their patients' health. When not writing, he enjoys creating art, exploring nature and chasing his next big interest.