United MileagePlus
MileagePlus members earn and redeem miles with United, Star Alliance airlines, other airline partners, and selected travel and financial partners.
An airline loyalty program with a General Member level and four annual Premier tiers earned through Premier qualifying flights and points.
The owner, currency, and rules of entry. Administrative essentials, mercifully without the brochure.
- Parent organization
- United Airlines
- Program currency
- MileagePlus miles
- Program status
- Active
- Primary market
- United States
- Enrollment eligibility
- Individual membership; each person may maintain one account.
- Enrollment cost
- No enrollment fee is published.
- Official program links
- Award booking ↗Homepage ↗Program terms ↗
- Last updated
- Aug 7, 2026
The tier name is the easy part. Here is the bill for reaching it—and what the program owes you in return.
How to qualify
General Member
Base tier
Enroll in the program
membership term
Counts: Enrollment
Premier Silver
PQF + PQP
15 PQF + 5,000 PQP
2026 calendar year for 2027 status
Counts: At least four United or United Express flights · Eligible flight activity · Eligible flight and partner activity
Does not count: Activity United excludes from Premier qualification
Or · PQP only
6,000 PQP
2026 calendar year for 2027 status
Counts: At least four United or United Express flights · Eligible flight and partner activity
Does not count: Activity United excludes from Premier qualification
Premier Gold
PQF + PQP
30 PQF + 10,000 PQP
2026 calendar year for 2027 status
Counts: At least four United or United Express flights · Eligible flight activity · Eligible flight and partner activity
Does not count: Activity United excludes from Premier qualification
Or · PQP only
12,000 PQP
2026 calendar year for 2027 status
Counts: At least four United or United Express flights · Eligible flight and partner activity
Does not count: Activity United excludes from Premier qualification
Premier Platinum
PQF + PQP
45 PQF + 15,000 PQP
2026 calendar year for 2027 status
Counts: At least four United or United Express flights · Eligible flight activity · Eligible flight and partner activity
Does not count: Activity United excludes from Premier qualification
Or · PQP only
18,000 PQP
2026 calendar year for 2027 status
Counts: At least four United or United Express flights · Eligible flight and partner activity
Does not count: Activity United excludes from Premier qualification
Premier 1K
PQF + PQP
60 PQF + 22,000 PQP
2026 calendar year for 2027 status
Counts: At least four United or United Express flights · Eligible flight activity · Eligible flight and partner activity
Does not count: Activity United excludes from Premier qualification
Or · PQP only
28,000 PQP
2026 calendar year for 2027 status
Counts: At least four United or United Express flights · Eligible flight and partner activity
Does not count: Activity United excludes from Premier qualification
What each tier gets
Premier Silver
Checked baggage
One complimentary checked bag in Economy.
Economy Plus
ConditionalEconomy Plus access at check-in for the member and one companion.
Subject to availability
Priority boarding
Group 2 boarding.
Complimentary Premier Upgrades
ConditionalEligible for day-of-departure complimentary upgrades.
Eligible flights and fares · Subject to availability
Premier flight earning
ConditionalEarn 8 miles per eligible USD on standard United fares.
Tickets issued on or after April 2, 2026
Premier Gold
Checked baggage
Two complimentary checked bags.
Economy Plus
ConditionalEconomy Plus access at booking for the member and one companion.
Subject to availability
Priority boarding
Group 1 boarding.
Complimentary Premier Upgrades
ConditionalEligible for complimentary upgrades beginning 48 hours before departure.
Eligible flights and fares · Subject to availability
Premier flight earning
ConditionalEarn 9 miles per eligible USD on standard United fares.
Tickets issued on or after April 2, 2026
Star Alliance Gold
ConditionalStar Alliance Gold benefits include eligible alliance lounge access.
Same-day eligible itinerary · Participating lounge rules apply
Premier Platinum
Checked baggage
Three complimentary checked bags.
Economy Plus
ConditionalEconomy Plus access at booking for the member and up to eight companions.
Subject to availability
Priority boarding
Group 1 boarding.
Complimentary Premier Upgrades
ConditionalEligible for complimentary upgrades beginning 72 hours before departure.
Eligible flights and fares · Subject to availability
Premier flight earning
ConditionalEarn 10 miles per eligible USD on standard United fares.
Tickets issued on or after April 2, 2026
PlusPoints
Receive 40 PlusPoints after reaching Premier Platinum.
Premier 1K
Checked baggage
Three complimentary checked bags.
Economy Plus
ConditionalEconomy Plus access at booking for the member and up to eight companions.
Subject to availability
Priority pre-boarding
Board during priority pre-boarding.
Complimentary Premier Upgrades
ConditionalEligible for complimentary upgrades beginning 96 hours before departure.
Eligible flights and fares · Subject to availability
Premier flight earning
ConditionalEarn 12 miles per eligible USD on standard United fares.
Tickets issued on or after April 2, 2026
PlusPoints
Receive 280 PlusPoints after reaching Premier 1K.
Economy food and drink
ConditionalReceive one complimentary drink and snack in Economy.
Eligible United-operated flights
The headline rate is only half the story. What counts—and what quietly does not—is where the arithmetic gets interesting.
How earning works
Standard United fares
6 MileagePlus miles per 1 USD
What counts: Eligible base fare and carrier-imposed surcharges
Does not count: Government taxes · Award-ticket fees
Cap: 75,000 miles per ticket per ticket
Posts: Usually about 48 hours after completed travel
Basic Economy and base-option fares
3 MileagePlus miles per 1 USD
What counts: Eligible base fare and carrier-imposed surcharges
Does not count: Government taxes · Award-ticket fees
Cap: 75,000 miles per ticket per ticket
Posts: Usually about 48 hours after completed travel
Elite earning bonuses
Premier Silver
Standard United fares
8 MileagePlus miles per 1 USD
What counts: Eligible base fare and carrier-imposed surcharges
Does not count: Government taxes · Award-ticket fees
Cap: 75,000 miles per ticket per ticket
Posts: Usually about 48 hours after completed travel
Premier Gold
Standard United fares
9 MileagePlus miles per 1 USD
What counts: Eligible base fare and carrier-imposed surcharges
Does not count: Government taxes · Award-ticket fees
Cap: 75,000 miles per ticket per ticket
Posts: Usually about 48 hours after completed travel
Premier Platinum
Standard United fares
10 MileagePlus miles per 1 USD
What counts: Eligible base fare and carrier-imposed surcharges
Does not count: Government taxes · Award-ticket fees
Cap: 75,000 miles per ticket per ticket
Posts: Usually about 48 hours after completed travel
Premier 1K
Standard United fares
12 MileagePlus miles per 1 USD
What counts: Eligible base fare and carrier-imposed surcharges
Does not count: Government taxes · Award-ticket fees
Cap: 75,000 miles per ticket per ticket
Posts: Usually about 48 hours after completed travel
Flight and partner earning
United Airlines
Specialty-ticket flight distance and booking class
25% to 150% of flight distance, depending on booking class.
Fare classes: J · C · D · Z · P · Y · B · M · O · A · R · E · U · H · Q · V · W · S · T · L · K · G
What counts: Eligible specialty tickets
Does not count: Booking classes United excludes from mileage credit
MileagePlus airline partners
Flight distance and partner fare class
Rate varies by the ticketing airline, operating airline, and fare class.
Fare classes: Partner-specific eligible booking classes
What counts: Eligible Star Alliance and MileagePlus partner flights
Does not count: Partner fare classes excluded by United
Pricing rules matter more than the word “free,” which is doing heroic work in most loyalty brochures.
Ways to redeem
United and partner flight awards
Dynamic mileage pricing by itinerary and available award inventory
United does not publish one fixed award chart for these awards.
Search: United website · United app · Phone for selected partner awards
Online: Partial
Phone: Available · Some partner-carrier awards require phone booking and may carry a service fee.
Cash and points: Money + Miles is available on eligible United itineraries.
United Hotels
Displayed miles or miles-plus-money price for the selected stay
Search: United Hotels
Online: Available
Phone: Limited · Assistance availability depends on the redemption channel.
Cash and points: Miles + money is available on eligible stays.
Rental cars
Displayed miles or miles-plus-money price for the selected rental
Search: MileagePlus car awards
Online: Available
Phone: Limited · Assistance availability depends on the redemption channel.
Cash and points: Miles + money is available on eligible rentals.
Cruise awards
Mileage requirement varies by sailing and stateroom
Search: MileagePlus Cruise Awards website · MileagePlus Cruise Awards phone service
Online: Available
Phone: Available · Cruise awards may be booked online or through the published Cruise Awards phone line.
Cash and points: Miles + money is available on eligible cruises.
United Club membership
Current membership mileage price displayed by United
Search: United Club membership channel
Online: Available
Phone: Limited · Assistance availability depends on the redemption channel.
Inflight Wi-Fi
Current mileage price displayed for the eligible Wi-Fi purchase
Search: Eligible United inflight Wi-Fi purchase
Online: Available
Phone: Limited · Assistance availability depends on the redemption channel.
TSA PreCheck application fee
Current mileage price displayed by the MileagePlus security-fee channel
Search: MileagePlus TSA PreCheck redemption channel
Online: Available
Phone: Limited · Assistance availability depends on the redemption channel.
Eligible airport purchases
Current mileage price displayed at the participating purchase point
Search: Participating airport purchase channel
Online: Available
Phone: Limited · Assistance availability depends on the redemption channel.
MileagePlus Merchandise Awards
Product-specific miles or, where offered, miles-plus-money price
Search: MileagePlus Merchandise Awards
Online: Available
Phone: Limited · Assistance availability depends on the redemption channel.
Cash and points: Available on a limited number of products when displayed.
MileagePlus eGift Cards
Merchant and denomination-specific mileage price
Search: MileagePlus eGift Cards
Online: Available
Phone: Limited · Assistance availability depends on the redemption channel.
Magazine awards
Publication-specific mileage price
Search: MileagePlus Magazine Awards
Online: Available
Phone: Limited · Assistance availability depends on the redemption channel.
Flowers
Current mileage price displayed by the participating flower partner
Search: MileagePlus flower-award partner
Online: Available
Phone: Limited · Assistance availability depends on the redemption channel.
Broadway shows
Event and seat-specific mileage price
Search: MileagePlus Broadway partner
Online: Available
Phone: Limited · Assistance availability depends on the redemption channel.
MileagePlus Exclusives
Fixed-price or auction format displayed for the experience
Search: MileagePlus Exclusives
Online: Available
Phone: Limited · Assistance availability depends on the redemption channel.
Miles on a Mission and eligible charities
Member-selected mileage donation subject to campaign rules
Search: United donation and Miles on a Mission channels
Online: Available
Phone: Limited · Assistance availability depends on the redemption channel.
Rules and reversals
United and partner flight awards
Taxes and fees: Taxes, fees, and applicable surcharges are paid by the member.
Validity: Award tickets are valid for one year from original issue, with travel beginning within that year.
For someone else: Members may issue an award for another person on a non-commercial basis.
Changes: Changes remain subject to the current award and same-day change rules.
Cancellation: Unused awards may be cancelled and redeposited; no-shows carry a published redeposit fee.
Refund timing: Mileage redeposit timing depends on United processing.
United Hotels
Taxes and fees: Property terms, taxes, fees, changes, and cancellation rules shown for the booking apply.
Validity: The issued booking, membership, product, gift card, ticket, or donation terms control validity.
For someone else: Recipient eligibility depends on the selected redemption.
Changes: The provider and product rules shown before redemption control changes.
Cancellation: The provider and product rules shown before redemption control cancellation.
Refund timing: Mileage return, when permitted, follows the provider's processing rules.
Rental cars
Taxes and fees: Rental-company terms, taxes, fees, changes, and cancellation rules apply.
Validity: The issued booking, membership, product, gift card, ticket, or donation terms control validity.
For someone else: Recipient eligibility depends on the selected redemption.
Changes: The provider and product rules shown before redemption control changes.
Cancellation: The provider and product rules shown before redemption control cancellation.
Refund timing: Mileage return, when permitted, follows the provider's processing rules.
Cruise awards
Taxes and fees: Miles or miles plus money must cover cruise fares, taxes, and fees for each guest.
Validity: The issued booking, membership, product, gift card, ticket, or donation terms control validity.
For someone else: Recipient eligibility depends on the selected redemption.
Changes: The provider and product rules shown before redemption control changes.
Cancellation: The provider and product rules shown before redemption control cancellation.
Refund timing: Mileage return, when permitted, follows the provider's processing rules.
United Club membership
Taxes and fees: Membership eligibility and current United Club terms apply.
Validity: The issued booking, membership, product, gift card, ticket, or donation terms control validity.
For someone else: Recipient eligibility depends on the selected redemption.
Changes: The provider and product rules shown before redemption control changes.
Cancellation: The provider and product rules shown before redemption control cancellation.
Refund timing: Mileage return, when permitted, follows the provider's processing rules.
Inflight Wi-Fi
Taxes and fees: Aircraft, route, and connectivity availability apply.
Validity: The issued booking, membership, product, gift card, ticket, or donation terms control validity.
For someone else: Recipient eligibility depends on the selected redemption.
Changes: The provider and product rules shown before redemption control changes.
Cancellation: The provider and product rules shown before redemption control cancellation.
Refund timing: Mileage return, when permitted, follows the provider's processing rules.
TSA PreCheck application fee
Taxes and fees: TSA eligibility and application rules remain separate from MileagePlus redemption.
Validity: The issued booking, membership, product, gift card, ticket, or donation terms control validity.
For someone else: Recipient eligibility depends on the selected redemption.
Changes: The provider and product rules shown before redemption control changes.
Cancellation: The provider and product rules shown before redemption control cancellation.
Refund timing: Mileage return, when permitted, follows the provider's processing rules.
Eligible airport purchases
Taxes and fees: Participating locations and transaction limits apply.
Validity: The issued booking, membership, product, gift card, ticket, or donation terms control validity.
For someone else: Recipient eligibility depends on the selected redemption.
Changes: The provider and product rules shown before redemption control changes.
Cancellation: The provider and product rules shown before redemption control cancellation.
Refund timing: Mileage return, when permitted, follows the provider's processing rules.
MileagePlus Merchandise Awards
Taxes and fees: Availability, shipping territory, and merchant terms apply.
Validity: The issued booking, membership, product, gift card, ticket, or donation terms control validity.
For someone else: Recipient eligibility depends on the selected redemption.
Changes: The provider and product rules shown before redemption control changes.
Cancellation: The provider and product rules shown before redemption control cancellation.
Refund timing: Mileage return, when permitted, follows the provider's processing rules.
MileagePlus eGift Cards
Taxes and fees: A published daily purchase limit and merchant-specific terms apply.
Validity: The issued booking, membership, product, gift card, ticket, or donation terms control validity.
For someone else: Recipient eligibility depends on the selected redemption.
Changes: The provider and product rules shown before redemption control changes.
Cancellation: The provider and product rules shown before redemption control cancellation.
Refund timing: Mileage return, when permitted, follows the provider's processing rules.
Magazine awards
Taxes and fees: Publication, delivery, renewal, and market terms apply.
Validity: The issued booking, membership, product, gift card, ticket, or donation terms control validity.
For someone else: Recipient eligibility depends on the selected redemption.
Changes: The provider and product rules shown before redemption control changes.
Cancellation: The provider and product rules shown before redemption control cancellation.
Refund timing: Mileage return, when permitted, follows the provider's processing rules.
Flowers
Taxes and fees: Delivery and partner terms apply.
Validity: The issued booking, membership, product, gift card, ticket, or donation terms control validity.
For someone else: Recipient eligibility depends on the selected redemption.
Changes: The provider and product rules shown before redemption control changes.
Cancellation: The provider and product rules shown before redemption control cancellation.
Refund timing: Mileage return, when permitted, follows the provider's processing rules.
Broadway shows
Taxes and fees: Event inventory and ticket terms apply.
Validity: The issued booking, membership, product, gift card, ticket, or donation terms control validity.
For someone else: Recipient eligibility depends on the selected redemption.
Changes: The provider and product rules shown before redemption control changes.
Cancellation: The provider and product rules shown before redemption control cancellation.
Refund timing: Mileage return, when permitted, follows the provider's processing rules.
MileagePlus Exclusives
Taxes and fees: Member eligibility, inventory, and experience terms apply.
Validity: The issued booking, membership, product, gift card, ticket, or donation terms control validity.
For someone else: Recipient eligibility depends on the selected redemption.
Changes: The provider and product rules shown before redemption control changes.
Cancellation: The provider and product rules shown before redemption control cancellation.
Refund timing: Mileage return, when permitted, follows the provider's processing rules.
Miles on a Mission and eligible charities
Taxes and fees: Campaign eligibility, minimums, and closing dates apply.
Validity: The issued booking, membership, product, gift card, ticket, or donation terms control validity.
For someone else: Recipient eligibility depends on the selected redemption.
Changes: The provider and product rules shown before redemption control changes.
Cancellation: The provider and product rules shown before redemption control cancellation.
Refund timing: Mileage return, when permitted, follows the provider's processing rules.
Flight award rules
Own-Airline Award Pricing
Own-airline award pricing: United-operated awards use the mileage price displayed for the itinerary and available inventory.
Applies to: United-operated awards
Partner Award Pricing
Partner award pricing: Partner awards use the mileage price United displays for the itinerary and available partner inventory.
Applies to: Partner-operated awards
Dynamic Award Pricing
Dynamic pricing: Mileage prices can vary by itinerary, travel date, and available award inventory.
Applies to: United and partner flight awards
Carrier-Imposed Surcharges
Taxes and surcharges: Members pay applicable taxes, fees, and carrier charges on award tickets.
Applies to: United and partner flight awards
Mixed-Cabin Rules
Mixed cabins: Different cabins may be combined within one round-trip award, with each segment shown in its booked cabin.
Applies to: Multi-segment awards
Award Waitlisting
Premium-cabin waitlisting: Waitlisting is permitted for eligible United premium-cabin awards until 24 hours before departure.
Applies to: Eligible United-operated premium-cabin awards
Conditions: If uncleared, airport standby rules may apply
Upgrade Awards
Upgrade awards: Miles may be used for eligible cabin upgrades when upgrade inventory is available.
Applies to: Eligible paid tickets
Conditions: Fare and route restrictions apply
The useful question is not whether a partnership exists. It is where you can earn, where you can transfer, and which footnote is waiting to spoil the headline.
Partner directory
Alliance
The global alliance this carrier belongs to.
- Star Alliance
Airline partnerships
Bilateral and other carrier partnerships outside the global alliance.
- Aer Lingus
- Air Dolomiti
- Airlink
- Azul
- Cape Air
- Discover Airlines
- Edelweiss
- Emirates
- Eurowings
- flydubai
- Hawaiian Airlines
- JetBlue
- JSX
- Olympic Air
- Virgin Australia
Credit cards
Card products directly associated with this loyalty program.
- United Awards Card
- United Business Card
- United Club Business Card
- United Club Card
- United Explorer Card
- United Gateway Card
- United Presidential Plus Business Card
- United Presidential Plus Card
- United Quest Card
- United Select Card
Hotels
Hotel loyalty programs with a governed relationship to this program.
- Marriott Bonvoy
Earn with partners
Everyday shopping, dining, offers, and eGift-card purchases
MileagePlus X
Merchant-specific miles per dollar or fixed-mile offer shown before purchase.
Currency: MileagePlus miles
Counts: Eligible purchases made through the MileagePlus X app
Does not count: Merchant-specific exclusions · Refunded or ineligible purchases
Use through: MileagePlus X app
Posts: Trackable in the app as miles post to the MileagePlus account
Online, browser-extension, and participating in-store shopping
MileagePlus Shopping
Merchant-specific miles per dollar or fixed-mile offer displayed by the portal.
Currency: MileagePlus miles
Counts: Eligible portal click-through purchases · Eligible linked in-store offers
Does not count: Taxes and shipping · Gift cards and other merchant-specific exclusions · Purchases that cannot be tracked
Use through: MileagePlus Shopping · MileagePlus Shopping browser extension
Dining with a registered payment card at participating restaurants
MileagePlus Dining
Membership-level rate; VIP members currently earn 5 miles per eligible USD.
Currency: MileagePlus miles
Counts: Eligible dine-in or takeout paid with a linked card
Does not count: Restaurant-specific days, visit limits, or monthly spending caps
Use through: MileagePlus Dining
Hotel stays booked through United Hotels
United Hotels
2 miles per eligible USD at almost one million properties.
Currency: MileagePlus miles
Counts: Eligible United Hotels bookings
Does not count: Government-imposed taxes and surcharges
Use through: United Hotels
Avis and Budget rentals booked with the published MileagePlus details
MileagePlus Travel
500 to 1,250 miles per qualifying rental, based on Premier or cardmember status.
Currency: MileagePlus miles
Counts: Qualifying Avis and Budget rentals
Does not count: Taxes, fees, and surcharges do not form part of the advertised discount
Use through: MileagePlus Travel · United car-rental booking channel
Cruises booked through United Cruises
United Cruises
2 miles per eligible USD for interior or oceanview; 4 for balcony or suite. Eligible cardmembers can earn 4 or 7 respectively.
Currency: MileagePlus miles
Counts: New qualifying bookings · One mileage earner per stateroom · MileagePlus number supplied before embarkation
Does not count: Port charges · Port expenses · Taxes · Travel protection
Use through: United Cruises website · United Cruises phone service
Posts: 6 to 8 weeks after the completed cruise
Spotify Premium Individual introductory partner offer
Spotify
Up to 1,000 miles after satisfying the published subscription conditions.
Currency: MileagePlus miles
Counts: New U.S. Spotify Premium Individual subscribers who opt in and remain paid for three consecutive months
Does not count: Existing subscribers · Plans other than Premium Individual
Use through: United Spotify partner page
Availability: United States
United MileagePlus credit-card purchases
United MileagePlus credit cards
Rates and categories vary by card product; eligible card miles can stack with separately published partner earnings.
Currency: MileagePlus miles
Counts: Eligible purchases on the specific United card
Does not count: Fees · Cash-like transactions · Other exclusions in the card agreement
Use through: United MileagePlus card account
Partner earning
Marriott Bonvoy
3 Marriott Bonvoy points convert to 1 MileagePlus mile, with 10,000 bonus miles for each 60,000 points converted.
Currency: MileagePlus miles
Counts: Eligible Marriott Bonvoy point conversions
Use through: Marriott Bonvoy conversion channel
Reversibility: Irreversible