United Airlines has one of the oldest frequent flyer programs among U.S. carriers. Its Mileage Plus program was founded in May 1981, a week after American Airlines unveiled its AAdvantage program. It is now one of the top frequently flyer programs in the nation, with Global Traveler readers voting it the hest program six years running.
Members of United's loyalty program can earn miles a number of ways, including flying United or one of their partner airlines in Star Alliance. Mileage Plus members also earn miles by making online purchases through United's Shopping Mall, staying in partner hotels or renting cars from partners. United's frequent flyer program also offers a Mileage Plus Visa card with members earning miles for every dollar they charge.
United's loyalty program offers rewards for the really frequent flyers, depending on their Elite status. Members who fly at least 25,000 qualifying miles in a year qualify for Premier status; if they fly at least 50,000 qualifying miles in a calendar year, members are bumped up to Premier Executive status. It takes 100,000 elite qualifying miles to become a 1K member. There's also a special level for flyers that accumulate 1 million or more miles in their lifetime qualify for even more special rewards. |
| Details | |
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| URL: United Airlines Mileage Plus Homepage |
| Customer Service contact number: US: 1-800-421-4655; DE: 069-50070387; UK: 0845-8444-777 |
| Number of members in millions (2010): 56 |
| Validity: 18 Months from transaction; 12 Months after enrollment |
| Miles/Points transferable to other members?: Yes, but fees apply and there is a limit of 60,000 miles per calendar year |
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| Membership Levels | |
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| Level | Benefits | Activity needed |
| Premier | - Elite members at the Premier level will automatically earn a 25% mileage bonus every time they fly a paid United, United Express, US Airways or Continental flight. This bonus is also valid on transatlantic Lufthansa flights between the U.S. and Europe.
- Star Alliance Silver benefits: Priority reservations waitlist, Priority standby at the airport.
- Complimentary Access to United Economy Plus for Premier members.
- Exempt from baggage fees for the first two bags.
- Complimentary unlimited domestic upgrades. | When you fly 25,000 paid miles or 30 paid segments on United or one of the Airlines in the StarAlliance Network in a calendar year, you attain Premier status in the United Mileage Plus program. | | |
| Premier Executive | - As a Premier Executive member, you will automatically earn a 100% mileage bonus every time you fly a paid United, United Express, US Airways, or Continental flights. This bonus is also valid on transatlantic Lufthansa flights between the U.S. and Europe.
- Star Alliance Gold benefits: Priority baggage allowance, Priority boarding and Priority airport check-in
- Access to Star Alliance lounges.
| When you fly 50,000 paid miles or 60 paid segments on United in a calendar year, you attain Premier Executive status in the United Mileage Plus program. Your qualifying, paid flight miles earned on Star Alliance member flights also count toward elite status. | | |
| 1K | - As a 1K, you have access to an exclusive inventory of United Economy Saver Award seats reserved solely for your redemption (subject to capacity control).
- six Systemwide Upgrades for achieving the 1K status. | When you fly 100,000 paid miles or 100 paid segments on United in a calendar year, you receive the 1K status. | | |
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| News | |
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11.11.2011: Earn double status and award miles on round-trip itineraries for nonstop flights between Chicago OHare (ORD) airport and Los Angeles (LAX) or San Francisco (SFO) or Orange County (SNA). (Valid until: 12.31.2011)
10.21.2011: Earn triple award miles on eligible stays at any Radisson hotel worldwide from October 15, 2011 through December 15, 2011. (Valid until: 12.15.2011)
All News Articles
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| Earn Miles with these partners | Type | Remarks / Ratio |
|---|
| Adria Airways | Airline | 1 Miles per flown Mile (minimum 500 Miles) |
| Air Canada | Airline | 1 Miles per flown Mile |
| Air China | Airline | 1 Miles per flown Mile (minimum 500 Miles) |
| Air New Zealand | Airline | 1 Miles per flown Mile |
| Alamo | Car rental | 500 Miles per rental
Fifty miles per day on all qualifying paid rentals of 1 to 4 days. |
| All Nippon Airways ANA | Airline | 1 Miles per flown Mile |
| aloft Hotels | Hotel | 2 Miles per spend 1 US$ |
| AmeriSuites | Hotel | 300 Miles per stay |
| Anantara Hotels & Resorts | Hotel | 500 Miles per stay |
| Ascent Collecion | Hotel | 250 Miles per stay |
| Asiana Airlines | Airline | 1 Miles per flown Mile (minimum 500 Miles) |
| Austrian Airlines | Airline | 1 Miles per flown Mile |
| Avis | Car rental | 50 Miles per day
Earn 500 miles for qualifying rentals of five or more days |
| Baymont Inns and Suites | Hotel | 2 Miles per spend 1 US$ |
| Blue1 | Airline | 1 Miles per flown Mile |
| British Midland bmi | Airline | 1 Miles per flown Mile |
| Budget Car and Truck Rental | Car rental | 50 Miles per day
Earn 500 miles for qualifying rentals of five or more days |
| Cambria Suites | Hotel | 250 Miles per stay |
| Candlewood Suites | Hotel | 1 Miles per spend 1 US$ |
| Cham Palaces & Hotels | Hotel | 500 Miles per stay |
| Clarion | Hotel | 250 Miles per stay |
| Comfort Inn | Hotel | 250 Miles per stay |
| Conrad International Hotels | Hotel | 500 Miles per stay |
| Continental Airlines | Airline | 1 Miles per flown Mile |
| Country Inns & Suites | Hotel | 250 Miles per stay |
| Courtyard by Marriott | Hotel | 1 Miles per spend 1 US$ |
| Croatia Airlines | Airline | 1 Miles per flown Mile (minimum 500 Miles) |
| Crowne Plaza Hotels & Resorts | Hotel | 2 Miles per spend 1 US$ |
| Days Inn | Hotel | 2 Miles per spend 1 US$ |
| Dollar Rent a Car | Car rental | 50 Miles per day
500 miles for 4 days + rentals |
| Dusit Hotels & Resorts | Hotel | 500 Miles per stay |
| Eaton Hotels | Hotel | 500 Miles per day
1,500 miles per stay max |
| Econo Lodge | Hotel | 250 Miles per stay |
| Egyptair | Airline | 1 Miles per flown Mile |
| Element Hotel | Hotel | 2 Miles per spend 1 US$ |
| Embassy Suites Hotels | Hotel | 500 Miles per stay |
| Fairfield Inn by Marriott | Hotel | 1 Miles per spend 1 US$ |
| Fairmont Hotels & Resorts | Hotel | 500 Miles per stay |
| Four Points by Sheraton | Hotel | 2 Miles per spend 1 US$ |
| Global Hotel Alliance | Hotel | 500 Miles per stay |
| Hampton Inn | Hotel | 100 Miles per stay |
| Hawthorn Suites | Hotel | 500 Miles per stay |
| Hertz Car Rental | Car rental | 50 Miles per day
Earn 500 miles for qualifying rentals of five or more days |
| Hilton Garden Inn | Hotel | 500 Miles per stay |
| Hilton Grand Vacations Club | Hotel | 500 Miles per stay |
| Hilton Hotels | Hotel | 500 Miles per stay |
| Holiday Inn Express | Hotel | 2 Miles per spend 1 US$ |
| Holiday Inn Hotels & Resorts | Hotel | 2 Miles per spend 1 US$ |
| Homewood Suites by Hilton | Hotel | 100 Miles per stay |
| Hotel Indigo | Hotel | 2 Miles per spend 1 US$ |
| Howard Johnson | Hotel | 2 Miles per spend 1 US$ |
| Hyatt Hotels & Resorts | Hotel | 500 Miles per stay |
| Hyatt Place | Hotel | 500 Miles per stay |
| Inter-Continental Hotels & Ressorts | Hotel | 500 Miles per stay |
| JW Marriott | Hotel | 2 Miles per spend 1 US$ |
| Kempinski Hotels & Resorts | Hotel | 500 Miles per stay |
| Knights Inn | Hotel | 2 Miles per spend 1 USD |
| Landis Hotels & Resorts | Hotel | 500 Miles per stay |
| Langham Hotels International | Hotel | 500 Miles per stay
Up to 1,500 miles per stay |
| Langham Place | Hotel | 500 Miles per day
1,500 miles per stay max |
| Le Meridien Hotels and Resorts | Hotel | 2 Miles per spend 1 US$ |
| LOT Polish Airlines | Airline | 1 Miles per flown Mile (minimum 500 Miles) |
| Lufthansa | Airline | 1 Miles per flown Mile |
| Mainstay Suites | Hotel | 250 Miles per stay |
| Marco Polo Hotel Group | Hotel | 500 Miles per stay |
| Marriott Hotels | Hotel | 2 Miles per spend 1 US$ |
| Marriott Vacation Club | Hotel | 2 Miles per spend 1 US$ |
| Microtel Inns & Suites | Hotel | 2 Miles per spend 1 US$ |
| National Car Rental | Car rental | 50 Miles per day
Earn 500 miles for qualifying rentals of five or more days |
| New Otani Hotels | Hotel | 500 Miles per stay |
| Omni Hotel | Hotel | 500 Miles per stay |
| Pan Pacific Hotels and Resorts | Hotel | 500 Miles per stay |
| Park Hyatt Hotels | Hotel | 500 Miles per stay |
| Park Inn | Hotel | 250 Miles per stay |
| Park Plaza International | Hotel | 500 Miles per stay |
| Parkroyal Hotels & Resorts | Hotel | 500 Miles per stay |
| Preferred Hotels & Resorts Worldwide | Hotel | 500 Miles per stay |
| Qatar Airways | Airline | 1 Miles per flown Mile |
| Quality Inn and Suites | Hotel | 250 Miles per stay |
| Radisson Hotels & Resorts | Hotel | 500 Miles per stay |
| Raffles International Hotel & Resorts | Hotel | 500 Miles per stay |
| Ramada International Hotels & Resorts | Hotel | 2 Miles per spend 1 US$ |
| Regent International Hotels | Hotel | 500 Miles per stay |
| Renaissance Hotels, Resorts & Suites | Hotel | 2 Miles per spend 1 US$ |
| Residence Inn by Mariott | Hotel | 1 Miles per spend 1 US$ |
| Rodeway Inn | Hotel | 250 Miles per stay |
| SAS Scandinavian Airlines | Airline | 1 Miles per flown Mile |
| Shanghai Airlines | Airline | 1 Miles per flown Mile |
| Shangri-La Hotels & Resorts | Hotel | 500 Miles per stay |
| Sheraton Hotels & Resorts | Hotel | 2 Miles per spend 1 US$ |
| Singapore Airlines | Airline | 1 Miles per flown Mile |
| Sixt | Car rental | 500 Miles per rental |
| Sleep Inn | Hotel | 250 Miles per stay |
| SN Brussels Airlines (Sabena) | Airline | 1 Miles per flown Mile |
| South African Airways | Airline | 1 Miles per flown Mile (minimum 500 Miles) |
| Spanair | Airline | 1 Miles per flown Mile |
| Springhill Suites by Mariott | Hotel | 1 Miles per spend 1 US$ |
| St. Regis | Hotel | 2 Miles per spend 1 US$ |
| Starwood Hotels & Resorts | Hotel | 2 Miles per spend 1 US$ |
| Staybridge Suites by Holiday Inn | Hotel | 1 Miles per spend 1 US$ |
| Sterling Hotels | Hotel | 500 Miles per stay |
| Suburban Extended Stay Hotel | Hotel | 250 Miles per stay |
| Summerfield Suites | Hotel | 500 Miles per stay |
| Summit Hotels & Resorts | Hotel | 500 Miles per stay |
| Super 8 Motel | Hotel | 2 Miles per spend 1 US$ |
| Swiss | Airline | 1 Miles per flown Mile (minimum 500 Miles) |
| Swissotel | Hotel | 500 Miles per stay |
| TAM | Airline | 1 Miles per flown Mile |
| TAP Air Portugal | Airline | 1 Miles per flown Mile |
| Thai Airways | Airline | 1 Miles per flown Mile |
| The Doyle Collection | Hotel | 500 Miles per stay |
| The Leela Palaces | Hotel | 500 Miles per stay |
| The Luxury Collection | Hotel | 2 Miles per spend 1 US$ |
| The Waldorf-Astoria Collection | Hotel | 500 Miles per stay |
| Thrifty Car Rental | Car rental | 50 Miles per day
500 miles maximum |
| Towneplace Suites by Mariott | Hotel | 1 Miles per spend 1 US$ |
| Traders Hotels | Hotel | 500 Miles per stay |
| Travelodge | Hotel | 2 Miles per spend 1 US$ |
| Turkish Airlines | Airline | 1 Miles per flown Mile (minimum 500 Miles) |
| United Airlines | Airline | 1 Miles per flown Mile |
| United Express | Airline | 1 Miles per flown Mile |
| US Airways | Airline | 1 Miles per flown Mile |
| W Hotels | Hotel | 2 Miles per spend 1 US$ |
| Westin Hotels & Resorts | Hotel | 2 Miles per spend 1 US$ |
| Wingate Inns | Hotel | 2 Miles per spend 1 US$ |
| Worldhotels | Hotel | 500 Miles per stay |
| Wyndham Hotels & Resorts | Hotel | 500 Miles per stay |
