Want to explore more destinations and unlock more adventures? By unlocking United airlines MileagePlus, you can make it happen. This feature of United Airlines allows passengers to expand their travel world. However, they can access MileagePlus facility only after joining the airline MileagePlus program. Further, you can use those points to book part of your itinerary. So, you should understand when and how you can redeem miles on United Airlines. Therefore, the blog below will help you know everything you should know about earning and redeeming miles on United. So, go through it carefully.

What is United Airlines MileagePlus Program?

United Airlines MileagePlus is a frequent flyer program that allows passengers to earn miles every single time when they purchase certain types of flight tickets. They should buy using MileagePlus Shopping portal and more. Further, they can redeem them on booking flights(including award tickets) and pay for other ancillary services.

How Do I Join MileagePlus on United Airlines?

It is very easy to join a MileagePlus program on United. The airline provides this facility for free. Further, the miles you earn do not have expiry dates. Therefore, check out the steps below if you want to create a mileageplus account.

Method 1: Visit United Airlines website.

  • Click on United MileagePlus option.
  • Scroll down to “Join Now” button.
  • Go to “Tell us about yourself” section.
  • Fill in the contact information.
  • Similarly, fill the personal information as requested.
  • Click on “Continue” button
  • Enter your residence address on the next page.
  • Further, generate a password for your account.
  • Click on “Continue” button and
  • You have successfully joined the United Airlines loyalty program.

Ways to Earn MileagePlus Miles on United

Want to understand how to earn United MileagePlus miles? You are at the right place. Here, you will find various ways to earn miles on United. To learn about them, check out the information below:

Flight Booking

United Airlines allows passengers to earn miles on qualifying flight tickets. The number of miles depends on factors like:

  • MileagePlus status,
  • Date of travel,
  • Ticket type,
  • Ticketing airline and
  • Operating airline.

Also, earn Premier Qualifying Points on some flights.

  • All United and United Express operated flights earn 5 miles for every dollar.
  • Star Alliance and partner airlines for MileagePlus earn miles at the same rate.
  • Premier members can earn bonus miles on each flight. It is completely based on their fare type and status level on travel date.
  • To earn the miles, you have to add your MileagePlus number to your reservation.
  • Accordingly, the airline will credit the mile within 48 hours of completing a tour.

Travel Partners

You can also earn United Airlines Mileage Plus miles by purchasing services from airline travel partners. For a better understanding, check out the information below:

  • Earn miles on flight tickets booked with Star Alliance and other partner airlines.
  • Similarly, book car rentals with Avis and, cruise with a transportation partner, and earn miles.
  • Earn miles on purchasing service from partner hotels.

Miles through Shopping

  • United Airlines offers miles on spending at demanding shops and restaurants.
  • Hold a United MileagePlus credit card and earn miles on every dollar spent.
  • Share your miles with other Mileage Plus members and earn additional miles.

Note: United Airlines can make changes to its rules for MileagePlus program. Therefore, check that in advance from its website.

How to Redeem United Airlines MileagePlus Miles?

MileagePlus members can redeem United Airlines miles in various ways, including flight tickets, entertainment, gift cards, and much more. Some more ways to redeem the miles include the following:

Travel

  • United provides flight services to 1000+ destinations. Therefore, use miles to purchase award tickets on United and Star Alliance partner airlines.
  • You can also purchase hotel and resort rooms globally with United Hotels using miles points.
  • Similarly, United Airlines miles can be redeemed on car rentals with Avis.
  • Reserve cruise using miles on United.

Other Ways to Redeem United MileagePlus Miles

  • You can use United miles to upgrade to premium cabins.
  • Pay for seat selection on subsequent travel on United or United Express flights. Reserve Basic economy, preferred seating, or get an additional room with Economy Plus.
  • Use miles to pay for baggage 24 hours prior to flight.
  • Redeem United miles for TSA PreCheck, including application and renewal charges.
  • To buy a United Club membership
  • Pay using miles at various eating points at Newark Airport(EWR) and Intercontinental Airport Houston(IAH).
  • To purchase an Inflight dining experience including snacks, meals, and beverages on next United flight.
  • Redeem United MileagePlus miles to pay for inflight wi-fi services on subsequent flights.

Shopping

You can also redeem miles on shopping

  • Apple products,
  • purchase eGift cards, etc., on United.
  • Buy merchandise products, including electronics, household, jewelry, etc.

Experiences

Additionally, you can use miles on buying experiences that include

  • To buy International adventures
  • To watch Broadway shows across the U.S.

Buy, transfer, or donate miles

  • You can purchase, transfer, or donate miles to another mileageplus member.
  • Purchase additional miles at a reduced rate to reserve subsequent flight tickets.
  • Purchase additional PQP to help you get Premier status.
  • Donate miles points to people who need them.

Alternatively, contact United MileagePlus customer service at 1-800-421-4655 if you have any difficulty using the miles.

United MileagePlus Member- Key Benefits for Frequent Flyers

Frequent flyers get many United MileagePlus benefits that include the following:

  • It offers free complimentary checked bags to mileageplus members and to their companions.
  • Frequent flyers get priority boarding and complimentary seat selection.
  • Free upgrades are available on seat availability.
  • It allows improved seat availability to award ticket holders.
  • Frequent flyers with mileageplus membership can enjoy reduced and waived charges.
  • Access to lounge access while flying internationally.
  • Complimentary on way award ticket for available multi city tour.
  • United Airlines allows passengers to use miles on a pool basis with their family members.

Understanding United Airlines MileagePlus Tiers

United Airlines has different tiers that enhance a travel experience at every segment of the journey. Therefore, join MileagePlus program and begin earning miles. Further, check the premier status with United Airlines.

One can earn premier status by booking flights and gathering points. To get this status, you should complete minimum 4 United /United Express flight operated journeys. Also, earn Premier qualifying flights(PQF) and Premier qualifying points (PQP) for this status. Gain the points till the end of 2025 to use them in 2026. To get lifetime premier status, fly at least one million miles with United.

Below table will provide more clarity

Premier StatusPQF and PQPPQP onlyPremier Status Benefits
Premier Silver15 PQF and 5000 PQP6000 PQP7x miles on each flight
Premier Gold30 PQF and 10000 PQP12000 PQP8x miles on each flight
Premier Platinum45 PQF and 15000 PQP18000 PQP9x miles on each flight
Premier 1 K60 PQF and 22000 PQP28000 PQP11x miles on every flight

How to Combine Miles with Family Members on United?

United Airlines allows you to merge miles with your loved ones without paying a transfer fee. It helps them to reach their next destination immediately. Miles pooling creates one shared storage of miles to redeem on United and United Express flights.

What Includes in Miles Pooling?

Combining the miles helps you and your family members achieve travel goals together.

It reduces travel expenses and helps to earn the aimed miles immediately.
You have the key to fulfilling your travel dreams and letting your loved ones fulfill their dreams, too.

How Miles Pooling Works?

You must understand the way miles pooling works to drench its complete benefits:

  • Creating a miles pool is simple, and any passenger age equal to 18 years or above can grab its benefits.
  • The pool leader can send invitations to MileagePlus members to join the pool. The members can be family, friends, or both.
  • The eligible passenger can add maximum 5 members into the pool.
  • Each member can share their miles into the pool.
  • Only pool leader will manage the pool and allows members to use the miles.
  • A member can join a single pool at a time. If it exits a pool, the access to pool miles gets also removed.

Conclusion

United Airlines is making travel is an interesting process for its passengers. Therefore, it keeps on offering them improved facilities. So, United MileagePlus program is a result of that. It allows them to travel and earn miles that help them save on their journeys. So, the above blog is putting more light on process to earn and redeem MileagePlus miles. Still, you can call a United Airlines representative if you have any more questions.

Frequently Asked Questions(FAQ)


Does it cost anything to join United MileagePlus?

No. United Airlines does not charge anything to passengers to become its Mileage Plus member.

How much is 50,000 United MileagePlus miles worth?
Fifty thousand miles on United Airlines is equal to $450 as per bank rate. It may change based on way one chooses to redeem them
How many miles do you need on United for a free flight?
Usually, you can get a free flight with miles between 5000 and 20000 (round trip). It can be influenced by flight distance and time of year.
How do I add a MileagePlus number to my flight?
You can add it while booking a flight ticket or by connecting United MileagePlus customer service at 1-800-421-4655.
What if I missed entering my MileagePlus number?
You can ask United Airlines to credit your missing miles. The airline will credit it to your account in 48 hours.
How do I add a MileagePlus number to an existing reservation?
You can merge your MileagePlus number to your existing booking by visiting the traveler information page. Request for missing miles if you have already taken the flight.