If you are searching for a travel rewards program that can help you see more of the world for less, United Airlines MileagePlus is a strong option to consider. This loyalty program offers flexible ways to earn and redeem miles, making it a valuable choice for both frequent travelers and occasional flyers.

MileagePlus miles can be earned through United Airlines flights, everyday credit card spending, and a wide range of travel and shopping partners. These miles never expire as long as your account remains active, giving you the freedom to plan trips on your own schedule.

Although United does not follow a traditional award chart, careful travelers can still unlock great deals, from quick domestic getaways to first-class international adventures.

In this guide, you will learn how the MileagePlus program works, the best ways to earn miles, and the smartest ways to use them for maximum value. You will also discover practical tips and strategies to help you stretch your miles even further and make every trip more rewarding.

By the end, you will have the tools to get the most out of your MileagePlus membership and turn your travel goals into reality.

Let’s dive in.

United Airlines MileagePlus Airline Partners

One of the biggest advantages of the United Airlines MileagePlus program is its extensive network of airline partners. With these partnerships, members can earn and redeem MileagePlus miles on flights operated by a wide range of airlines, providing access to hundreds of destinations worldwide.

Star Alliance Partners

As a founding member of the Star Alliance, United Airlines allows MileagePlus members to earn and redeem miles on all 25+ Star Alliance airlines. This network covers over 1,200 destinations in more than 190 countries, making it one of the largest global airline alliances.

Here are the current Star Alliance members:

• Aegean Airlines (Greece)
• Air Canada (Canada)
• Air China (China)
• Air India (India)
• Air New Zealand (New Zealand)
• All Nippon Airways – ANA (Japan)
• Asiana Airlines (South Korea)
• Austrian Airlines (Austria)
• Avianca (Colombia)
• Brussels Airlines (Belgium)
• Copa Airlines (Panama)
• Croatia Airlines (Croatia)
• EgyptAir (Egypt)
• Ethiopian Airlines (Ethiopia)
• EVA Air (Taiwan)
• ITA Airways (Italy) – joining in 2026
• LOT Polish Airlines (Poland)
• Lufthansa (Germany)
• Shenzhen Airlines (China)
• Singapore Airlines (Singapore)
• South African Airways (South Africa)
• Swiss International Air Lines (Switzerland)
• TAP Air Portugal (Portugal)
• Thai Airways (Thailand)
• Turkish Airlines (Turkey)
• United Airlines (United States)

Flying with these airlines allows members to earn MileagePlus miles and progress toward elite status with the United Airlines MileagePlus program. Members can also redeem miles for award flights across the entire Star Alliance network, including premium cabins and low-cost redemption sweet spots.

Note: Star Alliance also partners with Deutsche Bahn, the national railway of Germany, allowing members to book rail segments within Europe as part of an award ticket. This partnership makes it easier to connect between flights and high-speed trains for seamless travel across the country.

Non-Alliance Airline Partners

In addition to its Star Alliance network, United Airlines MileagePlus also has partnerships with several non-alliance airlines. These extra partnerships give members even more ways to redeem miles, opening the door to unique destinations around the world that United may not serve directly.

Notable non-alliance partners include:

• Aer Lingus (Ireland)
• Azul Brazilian Airlines (Brazil)
• Cape Air (United States)
• Edelweiss Air (Switzerland)
• Emirates (United Arab Emirates)
• flydubai (United Arab Emirates)
• Hawaiian Airlines (United States)
• JSX (United States)
• Virgin Australia (Australia)

With these partnerships, MileagePlus members can use miles to book flights on both major international carriers and smaller regional airlines. This adds more flexibility when building itineraries and helps travelers reach destinations that may otherwise be difficult to access with United alone.

Keep in mind that award space, mileage pricing, and booking rules can vary by partner. Some flights may need to be booked over the phone, and fees or surcharges can apply depending on the airline.

By combining the power of the Star Alliance network with these non-alliance partners, MileagePlus members have a wide range of options to make the most of their miles and create seamless travel experiences.

United Airlines MileagePlus Member Benefits

The United Airlines MileagePlus program offers valuable perks for travelers of all levels.

Members can earn miles through United Airlines flights, credit card spending, hotel stays, car rentals, and many everyday purchases with program partners.

For those who travel frequently, earning elite status brings even more benefits, such as complimentary upgrades, priority services, and extra rewards that make each trip smoother and more comfortable.

Premier Status Requirements And Benefits

The United Airlines MileagePlus program features four Premier elite status tiers: Premier Silver, Premier Gold, Premier Platinum, and Premier 1K. Each tier offers increasing benefits, including bonus miles, upgrade opportunities, and priority airport services.

Here is a breakdown of each tier:

Premier Silver

Premier Silver is the entry-level elite tier that gives travelers a taste of upgrades and priority services with just a moderate amount of flying.

Qualification:

• 5,000 Premier Qualifying Points (PQPs) and 12 Premier Qualifying Flights (PQFs), or
• 8,000 PQPs without flight count

Benefits:

• Earn 7 miles per dollar spent on United Airlines flights
• Complimentary upgrades on select domestic and short-haul international flights (subject to availability)
• Priority check-in, boarding, and baggage handling
• 1 free checked bag
• Star Alliance Silver status for recognition on partner airlines

Premier Gold

Premier Gold offers even more comfort and convenience, with better upgrade chances and added perks for those who travel more frequently.

Qualification:

• 10,000 PQPs and 24 PQFs, or
• 15,000 PQPs without flight count

Benefits:

• Earn 8 miles per dollar spent on United Airlines flights
• Higher priority for complimentary upgrades
• 2 free checked bags
• Access to Star Alliance lounges on international itineraries
• Star Alliance Gold status for premium services worldwide

Premier Platinum

Premier Platinum is designed for serious travelers who want higher upgrade priority, extra baggage allowance, and valuable upgrade rewards.

Qualification:

• 15,000 PQPs and 36 PQFs, or
• 24,000 PQPs without flight count

Benefits:

• Earn 9 miles per dollar spent on United Airlines flights
• Enhanced upgrade priority
• 3 free checked bags
• Access to Star Alliance Gold benefits, including priority services and lounge access
• Choice benefits like PlusPoints for upgrades on domestic and international flights

Premier 1K

Premier 1K is the top published tier, built for the most loyal United flyers who want the highest priority for upgrades, personalized service, and maximum rewards.

Qualification:

• 18,000 PQPs and 54 PQFs, or
• 36,000 PQPs without flight count

Benefits:

• Earn 11 miles per dollar spent on United Airlines flights
• Top priority for complimentary upgrades
• 3 free checked bags
• Access to Star Alliance Gold services
• More PlusPoints to use for upgrades, including premium cabins on long-haul flights
• Dedicated phone line for personalized support

United Global Services

Global Services is the highest level of recognition within MileagePlus.

This is an invitation-only status offered to the most valuable United Airlines customers based on factors like total annual spending and premium cabin travel.

United does not share exact qualification criteria, but Global Services members receive top-level service, including early boarding, extra upgrade opportunities, and personal assistance at select airports.

United Airlines Lifetime Status Qualifications

United Airlines offers lifetime elite status through its Million Miler program, which rewards travelers based on the total number of miles flown on United-operated flights. These are actual miles flown and do not include bonus miles or flights with partner airlines.

Here are the qualification levels:

• 1 Million Miles: Lifetime Premier Gold status
• 2 Million Miles: Lifetime Premier Platinum status
• 3 Million Miles: Lifetime Premier 1K status
• 4 Million Miles: Lifetime Premier 1K status

Once you earn a Million Miler tier, you will keep that status every year without needing to requalify. You also have the option to choose one companion who will receive the same lifetime status as you.

How To Qualify For United Airlines MileagePlus Premier Elite Status

United Premier elite status is earned through a combination of Premier Qualifying Points (PQPs) and Premier Qualifying Flights (PQFs). These two measures reward both spending and flight activity, giving travelers multiple ways to reach elite status each year.

Earning Premier Qualifying Points (PQPs) And Premier Qualifying Flights (PQFs)

You can earn PQPs and PQFs in the following ways:

United Airlines and Partner Airline Flights

• Earn PQPs based on the base fare and carrier-imposed surcharges of United-marketed flights and select partner flights.
• Earn 1 PQF for each flight segment flown on United Airlines or eligible partners.

United Airlines Co-Branded Credit Cards

• The New United Quest℠ Card and The New United Club℠ Card allow cardholders to earn up to 15,000 PQPs each calendar year through eligible spending.
• PQPs earned through credit card spending can help bridge the gap to higher status without needing extra flights.

Other Travel Purchases

• PQPs can also be earned on certain United Vacations packages and seat purchases like Economy Plus upgrades, adding more opportunities to grow your balance.

United Airlines MileagePlus Premier Status Qualification Levels

To qualify for elite status, members must meet one of these thresholds in a calendar year:

• Premier Silver: 5,000 PQPs and 12 PQFs, or 8,000 PQPs
• Premier Gold: 10,000 PQPs and 24 PQFs, or 15,000 PQPs
• Premier Platinum: 15,000 PQPs and 36 PQFs, or 24,000 PQPs
• Premier 1K: 18,000 PQPs and 54 PQFs, or 36,000 PQPs

Fast-Track To Elite Status With Credit Cards

Premium United co-branded credit cards make it easier to qualify for Premier status. By earning PQPs through everyday spending, cardholders can reduce the number of flights or total dollars needed to reach a higher tier. 

This is especially helpful for travelers who spend more on the ground than in the air but still want elite perks.

Requalifying And Maintaining Premier Status

Premier status must be earned each calendar year through qualifying activity.

If you do not meet the PQP and PQF requirements again, your status will drop to the next lower tier at the start of the following year. Recent increases in qualification thresholds have made Premier status more challenging to maintain.

However, for frequent United flyers, the benefits like complimentary upgrades, priority services, and extra mileage earnings can make it a valuable investment in smoother and more comfortable travel.

How To Earn United Airlines MileagePlus Miles

Earning United Airlines MileagePlus miles is the foundation of unlocking free flights, upgrades, and valuable travel perks.

While flying with United is one of the most reliable ways to build your miles, there are many other opportunities to grow your balance, including credit card spending, hotel stays, car rentals, and everyday purchases with MileagePlus partners.

By combining these methods, you can accelerate your earnings and get closer to your next award trip.

Earn Miles By Flying

Flying with United Airlines, Star Alliance partners, and select non-alliance partner airlines is one of the fastest ways to earn MileagePlus miles. 

The number of miles you earn depends on:

• Ticket Price: United Airlines MileagePlus members earn miles based on the base fare and carrier-imposed surcharges of United-marketed flights (excluding taxes and fees).
• Elite Status Bonus: Premier members earn bonus miles on United flights, with higher tiers earning larger bonuses.
• Partner Airline Flights: Flights operated by Star Alliance and non-alliance partners earn miles based on flight distance and fare class.

United Airlines Flights

When flying with United, miles are earned based on how much you spend on your ticket, not the distance traveled.

The base earning rate increases if you hold elite status in the United Airlines MileagePlus program:

• General Members: Earn 5 miles per dollar spent
• Premier Silver: Earn 7 miles per dollar spent (40% bonus)
• Premier Gold: Earn 8 miles per dollar spent (60% bonus)
• Premier Platinum: Earn 9 miles per dollar spent (80% bonus)
• Premier 1K: Earn 11 miles per dollar spent (120% bonus)

Example: If a Premier Gold member buys a $500 United ticket (excluding taxes and fees), they will earn: $500 × 8 miles = 4,000 United Airlines MileagePlus miles

Star Alliance And Partner Airline Flights

United Airlines MileagePlus members can also earn miles when flying with Star Alliance airlines and select non-alliance United partners. For these flights, miles are earned based on the flight distance and the fare class of your ticket, rather than the price you paid.

United has over 35 partner airlines, including well-known carriers like Lufthansa, Air Canada, and Turkish Airlines. Non-alliance partners like Aer Lingus and Hawaiian Airlines also offer earning opportunities.

Your miles earned depend on:

• The airline you fly
• The total distance of the flight
• The fare class you book

Premium cabins, like Business Class and First Class, typically earn more miles than Basic Economy tickets.

How To Check Your MileagePlus Earning Rate

Because earnings vary by airline and fare class, it is important to review the United partner earning charts before you book. By choosing flights and fare classes that offer higher mileage earning rates, you can get closer to your next award trip even faster.

You can find the most up-to-date partner earning charts directly on the United Airlines website.

Earn Miles With United MileagePlus Co-Branded Credit Cards

Using a United Airlines MileagePlus co-branded credit card is one of the easiest and fastest ways to earn miles on your everyday spending. United offers a variety of credit cards through Chase, with options for both personal and business accounts.

These cards not only help you grow your miles balance quickly but also come with valuable travel perks like free checked bags, priority boarding, and even United Club lounge access on select cards.

United Airlines MileagePlus Credit Cards

Each United credit card offers its own mix of benefits, so choosing the right one depends on how often you travel with United and what types of rewards matter most to you.

Personal Cards

• The New United℠ Explorer Card
• The New United Quest℠ Card
• The New United Gateway℠ Card
• The New United Club℠ Card

Business Cards

• The New United℠ Business Card

Transfer Points To United Airlines MileagePlus

One of the fastest ways to earn United Airlines MileagePlus miles is by transferring points from major credit card rewards programs. Since MileagePlus is a transfer partner of two flexible points programs, this method allows you to top up your balance quickly.

The Best Transferable Points Credit Cards

There are two major flexible point currencies which transfer 1:1 to United AIrlines MileagePlus: Chase Ultimate Rewards and Bilt Rewards.

Here are some of the best credit card options:

Personal

• Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
• Chase Sapphire Reserve®
• Chase Freedom Unlimited®
• Chase Freedom Flex®
• Bilt Mastercard®

Business

• Chase Sapphire Reserve for Business℠
• Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card
• Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card
• Ink Business Cash® Credit Card

MileagePlus Shopping

MileagePlus Shopping is an easy way for members to earn extra United miles on everyday purchases from hundreds of popular online stores. 

Instead of shopping directly on the website of a specific retailer, you can start your purchase through the MileagePlus Shopping portal and earn bonus miles for every dollar you spend. With just a few extra clicks, you can turn regular spending on clothing, electronics, home goods, and more into valuable miles that help you get closer to your next award trip.

MileagePlus Shopping often features seasonal promotions and limited-time bonus offers, giving you even more opportunities to boost your balance.

MileagePlus Dining

MileagePlus Dining is a simple way to earn bonus United miles while enjoying meals at participating restaurants, bars, and cafes across the country.

All you need to do is link a credit or debit card to your MileagePlus Dining account. After that, you will automatically earn miles every time you pay with your linked card at an eligible location.

Whether you are grabbing coffee, meeting friends for dinner, or ordering takeout, MileagePlus Dining helps you turn everyday dining into extra miles for your next trip. Plus, new members can often earn a bonus after completing their first qualifying purchase within a set time period.

United MileagePlus Travel Portal

The United Airlines Travel Portal is an online booking platform where MileagePlus members can earn and redeem miles on travel beyond flights. 

Through the portal, you can book hotels, rental cars, and vacation packages while earning bonus miles on your purchases. You also have the option to use your miles to pay for these bookings, giving you extra flexibility when planning a trip.

Although redeeming miles through the United Travel Portal usually provides less value compared to booking flights, it can still be a helpful way to use miles for complete travel experiences, especially if you are looking to cover hotel stays or car rentals with your rewards.

Purchase Miles

MileagePlus members have the option to purchase miles directly through United to boost their account balance and complete an award redemption. You can buy miles on the United website when logged into your MileagePlus account or during the booking process if you need extra miles to book a flight.

Purchasing miles is usually not the best value because United typically sells them at a higher price than the value you would get from redeeming them. However, buying miles can be a helpful option if you are just a few thousand miles short of an award ticket and want to secure your reservation.

Note: United Airlines occasionally offers bonus promotions on purchased miles, which can make buying miles a more attractive strategy.

United Airlines MileagePlus Miles Pooling

United Airlines recently introduced MileagePlus Miles Pooling, which makes it easier for friends and family to combine their miles into one shared account.

This feature allows multiple members to contribute their individual miles toward a common balance, making it much easier to reach the total miles needed for award flights, upgrades, or other redemptions.

How To Redeem United Airlines MileagePlus Miles

MileagePlus miles can be redeemed for a wide variety of travel rewards, but the best value often comes from booking award flights and flight upgrades. 

United Airlines uses dynamic pricing, so the number of miles required for a flight can vary based on demand, route, and travel dates. With the right strategies, you can stretch your miles further and unlock premium travel experiences across the globe.

Award Flights

One of the most popular ways to redeem MileagePlus miles is for award flights. These allow you to book seats without paying the full cash price, and you can use miles to fly with United Airlines, Star Alliance members, and several non-alliance partners.

Some of the most valuable MileagePlus redemptions are often found in three categories:

• Domestic Award Flights (within the United States, including Hawaii and Alaska)
• International Award Flights (such as flights from the United States to Europe, Asia, or Australia)
• United Airlines Excursionist Perk

United Airlines MileagePlus Award Flights

Booking award flights on United-operated flights is one of the best ways to use MileagePlus miles. 

Since pricing is dynamic, award rates change based on demand, route, and season, so flexibility can help you find the best deals.

Key details about United award flights:

• One-way and round-trip redemptions are available in Economy, Economy Plus, United Premium Plus, and United Polaris Business Class.
• Taxes and fees apply, but United does not add fuel surcharges on its own flights, keeping costs lower.
• United credit card holders have access to expanded award availability, making it easier to find flights using miles.

United Airlines Excursionist Perk

The United Excursionist Perk is one of the most valuable and unique benefits of the MileagePlus program. It allows you to add a free one-way flight within a single region during a round-trip award booking. 

For example, if you book a round-trip flight from New York City (EWR) to Paris (CDG) using miles, you can add a free one-way flight within Europe, such as Paris (CDG) to Rome (FCO), without using extra miles.

The Excursionist Perk is a great way to explore more destinations on the same trip, making your miles go even further. It works automatically when your itinerary qualifies, and it can be used on United flights and eligible Star Alliance partners.

Star Alliance And Partner Award Flights

United Airlines MileagePlus miles can also be redeemed for flights on Star Alliance members and non-alliance partner airlines, giving you access to over 35 global carriers.

These partner redemptions are a great way to book long-haul international flights and premium cabin experiences at competitive mileage rates.

How to book partner award flights:

• Most partner flights can be searched and booked directly on the United website.
• Business Class and First Class redemptions on partners like ANA and Lufthansa can provide excellent value, especially for long-haul travel.
• If a partner award flight does not appear online, you may need to call United customer service to check availability and book.

Upgrade With Miles

United Airlines MileagePlus miles can be used to upgrade eligible paid tickets, giving members the chance to enjoy premium cabins without needing enougfh miles for a full award ticket.

Using miles for upgrades is a great way to experience seats like United Premium Plus or United Polaris Business Class while adding comfort and extra service to your trip.

Eligible Upgrades

MileagePlus members can use miles to upgrade from:

• Economy to United Premium Plus (on select international and transcontinental routes)
• Economy or United Premium Plus to United Polaris Business Class (on long-haul international flights)
• Economy to domestic First Class (on U.S. flights with premium cabins)

Important Notes On Upgrades

• Upgrades with miles are subject to availability, and popular routes may have limited seats.
• Not all fare classes qualify for upgrades. Discounted Basic Economy fares and some deeply discounted tickets are not eligible.
• The number of miles required depends on the route, cabin, and demand at the time of booking.
• Upgrades can be requested while booking on the United website, through your reservation, or at the airport if space is available.
• Premier members may receive complimentary upgrades on many domestic flights, so using miles for upgrades is often more valuable on international or premium routes.
• Mileage earnings are based on the original ticket price and fare class, not the upgraded cabin.

Other Redemption Options

Beyond flights and upgrades, United Airlines MileagePlus offers several other ways to redeem your miles. 

While these options may not provide the highest value, they add flexibility to how you can use your rewards:

• United Club Memberships: Use miles to pay for an annual United Club membership, which gives you access to the United airport lounges with complimentary snacks, drinks, and a comfortable place to relax before your flight.
• Transfer Miles To Marriott Bonvoy: MileagePlus members can transfer miles to Marriott Bonvoy points to use for hotel stays. However, the transfer rate is not very favorable, so this option is best when you need just a few extra points for a specific booking.
• MileagePlus X App: Redeem miles for gift cards, retail products, entertainment tickets, and magazine subscriptions directly through the MileagePlus X app. This is a convenient way to spend miles on everyday purchases, but the value per mile is usually lower than booking flights.

These options are ideal if you have extra miles or want to cover non-flight costs, but they work best when used strategically for added convenience or small redemptions.

Final Thoughts

United Airlines MileagePlus is a rewarding loyalty program that gives travelers countless ways to earn and redeem miles for flights, upgrades, and valuable travel perks.

Although dynamic award pricing can make some redemptions unpredictable, there are still excellent opportunities to maximize your miles, especially with domestic flights, international Star Alliance partners, and special award sales.

For frequent United flyers, earning Premier status unlocks meaningful benefits like complimentary upgrades, priority services, and extra mileage bonuses that make every trip more comfortable.

At the same time, casual travelers can still get great value from the program by earning miles through United credit cards, MileagePlus Shopping, and the MileagePlus Dining rewards program.

When it is time to redeem, having flexibility with your travel dates and destinations can help you find the best deals. And with unique features like the Excursionist Perk, MileagePlus members can get even more out of their miles by adding extra destinations to their trips at no additional mileage cost.

With the right strategy and a little planning, United Airlines MileagePlus can help you travel farther, better, and for less. 

Start exploring award flights, keep an eye out for promotions, and make the most of every mile you earn. 

Your next great trip with United Airlines is waiting.

Kevin Zanes