United MileagePlus

United Airlines has indeed made it by serving passengers with top- notch travel amenities to make their travel more comfortable. Not just services, but the airlines even offer eminent travel deals and loyalty programs. To make everything more relaxed, the airlines introduced the United Airlines MileagePlus loyalty program. 

Notably, MileagePlus can help them earn Miles and status with United Airlines, regardless if they fly often or once in a while. So, do you want to know more about this loyalty program to make your journey more beneficial? If yes, then you should read this comprehension to understand everything nicely. Here it goes!

United Airlines MileagePlus: An Overview

Before moving ahead, it is pretty essential to explore the MileagePlus. You need to understand that this is a frequent flyer program offered by United Airlines to passengers. For your every paid flight with United Airlines, its Airways partners, or Star-Alliance partners, you get the benefit of earning MileagePlus Miles. Additionally, there are undoubtedly other ways as well to earn the Miles, just as using the United credit card, dining, shopping, Chase Ultimate rewards transfers, and much more. You can redeem the Miles for free tickets in first class, Economy seats, or Business class right away after you have gathered enough of them. The Miles can be redeemed for upgrading the flight, too. 

What is United MileagePlus Miles Worth?

The miles are precious for the passengers and their value would be 1.2 cents apiece. To find the correct value of the reward miles, you must compare the cash prices and reward redemption for the economy tour routes for the different destinations and dates. Then, the cash ticket charges would be divided with the reward ticket cost, giving you a “Cent/ Mile.” 

You can consider the minimal base value for the United Air Miles, which is collected from the different economy routes. You need to ensure redeeming the awards offering 1.2 cents value or more. 

To determine the exact cost of your miles for the specific flights, you should divide the cash value of the reservation cost by the total number of Miles per flight. For instance, if the ticket charges are between $200 or 21 000 miles+ $14 in taxes, then it should be as follows:

($200 – $14) / 21 000 =  0.00881 Cents per mile

Know the Ways to Earn United MileagePlus Miles

Now, you must consider the top ways to grab the United MileagePlus Miles. But you know what? For everything you fly with United Air, you earn Miles, even when you shop, dine out, or pay using United credit cards. You can redeem them for all your award flights, which are immensely worth it. Yet, here are some of the ways to gather MileagePlus Miles: 

Earn While You Fly

The total Miles collected solely depends on your ticket fare and the status level within the MileagePlus program. You need to understand that every status that goes beyond the basic membership would help you earn a mile bonus. Here is a quick break on the same: 

Status LevelMiles Earned (per $1 spent)Status Bonus (compared with basic)
MileagePlus member (Basic)5 miles 
Premier Silver7 miles 40% 
Premier Gold8 miles 60% 
Premier Platinum9 miles 80% 
Premier 1K11 miles 120%

However, if you buy the ticket (starting with 016) from United Airlines, then you get the Miles according to the fare cost. On the other hand, if your ticket reservation is done through the Airline partner, then this would be a calculation between the price, ticket class, and flight distance. 

Use the Credit Card and Earn Miles

United Airlines provides co-branded credit cards through Chase. However, the bonus range doffer for the cards. Here is a quick overview of the United Air credit cards and their Miles benefits:

Card NameMiles earned 
United Explorer Card 2 miles on United shopping, meals, and hotels
1 mile on all other purchases
United Business Card2 miles on United shopping, and Cafes
1 mile on other purchases
United Gateway Card2 miles on United shopping
1.25 miles on  food and travel services
1 mile on all additional purchases
United Club Infinite Card4 miles on United shopping
2 miles on food and travel facilities
1 mile on all other purchases

Use the MileagePlus Credit Card and Earn Miles

  • You can earn MileagePlus Miles at the major hotels and earn about 1 Miles or 2 Miles for every single dollar spent, and for others, you can expect a flat number of miles per stay. 
  • Every time you use a MileagePlus Dining card at any partaken club, cafe, or bar, you get 5 miles for each dollar. 
  • Furthermore, you pay using the credit card at MileagePlus Shopping stores and get Miles for each dollar spent. 

Use Miles and Shop

Above all, you have an option to buy the United Miles through the official United MileagePlus website. However, this is not considered ethical because you will have to pay more than 1.2 cents for every mile you buy. 

Some Top Ways to Redeem the MileagePlus Miles

Apart from earning the Miles, it is essential for you to know how and where you should smartly spend them. Since they are one of the valuable redemption options for you, here are the top ways to spend the Miles:

Flight Redemption 

The best way to redeem your United MileagePlus is to use them for booking te flights with the Airlines and their partners. You can freely use the Miles or a combination of cash and Miles to pay for your upcoming flight tickets. This is indeed easy to do, as you need to log into your account and look for the flights you are willing to pay for. 

Other Travel Redemption 

You can use the miles to get additional benefits with your accommodation stay, vacation homes, hotels, car rental services, cruises, and more. Being a MileagePlus member would allow you to access exclusive deals and discounts. 

To Avail of Travel Benefits

Miles can help you obtain hassle-free and convenient travel facilities because you can access the 

United Club membership, high-speed Wi-Fi in-flight subscription,  TSA PreCheck credit, or meals at select Cafes.

Use for Upgrades

Besides all this, the passengers have another option for using their Miles effectively, and that is to upgrade their seats to a premium one. This would be the best choice because you get a return exceeding 1.2 cents per mile. 

Final Words

Hence, the United MileagePlus program is an excellent flyer program for all travelers who often fly with United flights. Likely, if you want to attain elite status immediately, then MileagePlus would be the best for you. But the MileagePlus membership is worth it for the travelers who live in the regions where United Airlines serves. If you are someone who does not fly with the United and its partners on a regular basis, then you might miss out on availing the benefits to the fullest of the membership. 

Commonly Asked Questions

What can I expect with the United MileagePlus?

With United MileagePlus, you can earn a mile bonus on United Air flights, free checked luggage, free-of-cost Economy Plus seats for travel companions, free snacks with beverages to top elites in the economy, and much more.

Are there any levels of the United MileagePlus?

Yes, the MileagePlus program offered by United Airlines has a basic membership and a premier membership. Premier is divided into the primary levels, namely Premier Silver, Premier Gold, Premier Platinum, and Premier 1K.

What is the worth of 50000 Miles?

On average, the 50,000 United Miles are worth $560. Hence, you can get an excellent value deal with United Airlines during your flight with multiple redemption options.

I want to create a United MileagePlus account. Do I need to pay for that?

Of course not! United Airlines allows passengers to sign up for the program without any cost. The basic membership grants you a frequent flyer number and an account to collect points.

Can the United MileagePlus members access the lounges?

Yes, the United MileagePlus members are allowed to access the United Air lounges. Additionally, the Star Alliance Gold members and United Polaris business-class customers can also avail of this privilege.

What are the budget allowances for the MileagePlus members?

United Airlines sticks to free checked bags on United flights for certain reservation classes and loyalty programs. The United MileagePlus members with Premier status can check about one bag without any charges, and the total number of free luggage will depend on the travel tier.

I am a MileagePlus member. Can I get priority boarding?

Yes, you can get priority boarding, but only for the United and United Express-operated flights, while the codeshare partner-managed flights are not eligible for priority boarding.