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United MileagePlus is one of the most widely used airline loyalty programs in the U.S., built around broad partner access, and miles that never expire. United Status is earned through a combination of Premier Qualifying Points (PQP), which are mostly based on how much you spend, and Premier Qualifying Flights (PQF), which track how many United or partner flights you take.
If you already hold Premier status, United will also give you a small head start in 2026. Early in the year, qualifying members receive a starter deposit of PQP that counts toward requalifying. Starting in 2026, Premier 1K members can earn additional PlusPoints not just from flying, but also from spending on eligible United credit cards. These PlusPoints can be used to request upgrades, including on long-haul Polaris flights, and there is no limit to how many can be earned this way.
United’s 2026 Status Match Challenge is officially now live, offering a rare path to top-tier Premier 1K status for elites switching from other major carriers. Complete the flight and spending requirements by the June 30 deadline to lock in premium benefits—including PlusPoints and domestic upgrades—valid through January 2028.
A targeted “Months of Miles” promotion for United Explorer Card holders launched in Q1 2026, signaling continued emphasis on co-branded card engagement rather than broad public bonuses. On the partnership side, the ITA Airways frequent flyer integration that began in late 2025 is now live, expanding earning and redemption options within the broader network. Operationally, United has also trimmed its international footprint for 2026, adjusting service to Stockholm and Dakar.
Here is everything you need to know about the United MileagePlus program.
The Basics
United offers four main tiers of elite status, ranging from Silver to 1K. To qualify for any level, you must fly at least 4 segments on United-operated flights and meet the following thresholds between January 1 and December 31, 2026.
2026 Qualification Requirements
You can reach status in one of two ways: either a combination of flights (PQF) and spending (PQP) or a higher amount of spending (PQP) alone.2
| Status Tier | Option 1: PQF + PQP | Option 2: PQP Only |
| Premier Silver | 15 PQF + 5,000 PQP | 6,000 PQP |
| Premier Gold | 30 PQF + 10,000 PQP | 12,000 PQP |
| Premier Platinum | 45 PQF + 15,000 PQP | 18,000 PQP |
| Premier 1K | 60 PQF + 22,000 PQP | 28,000 PQP |
Ways to Speed Up Your Progress
- Credit Card Spend: Most United Chase credit cards earn 1 PQP for every $20 spent (or $15 on the Club cards). Starting in 2026, PQP earned from cards also counts toward earning extra PlusPoints once you reach 1K status.
- Award Flights: You earn 1 PQP for every 100 miles redeemed for flights on United or United Express, and these flights also count as PQF.
- Partner Flights: Flying on Star Alliance partners (like Lufthansa or ANA) earns PQP based on a percentage of the distance flown and fare class, which can sometimes be more lucrative than the dollar-based system on cheaper long-haul tickets.
Earning
Earning miles with United MileagePlus is relatively simple. United gives you multiple ways to build a balance, both when you fly and through everyday spending. For most travelers, a mix of flying, credit cards, and partners does the job.
Earning While Flying
United-Operated Flights
On United flights, miles are earned based on how much you pay, not how far you fly. The base fare and carrier-imposed surcharges count, while taxes do not. Your elite status determines the multiplier:
- General members earn 5 miles per dollar
- Premier Silver earns 7 miles per dollar
- Premier Gold earns 8 miles per dollar
- Premier Platinum earns 9 miles per dollar
- Premier 1K earns 11 miles per dollar
This system favors higher fares and premium cabins. A short, expensive flight can earn more miles than a long, discounted one.
Partner Airlines
United is part of Star Alliance, which means you can earn MileagePlus miles on more than 25 airlines, including Lufthansa, ANA, Air Canada, and Singapore Airlines.
When you fly a partner airline, miles are usually calculated as a percentage of the distance flown, based on your fare class. Some discounted economy tickets earn less, while premium cabins and flexible fares earn more. United publishes detailed partner earning charts here:
https://www.united.com/en/us/fly/mileageplus/partners/airline-partners.html
Earning on the Ground
Credit Cards
United co-branded credit cards issued by Chase are one of the fastest ways to earn miles without flying.
- Welcome bonuses often range from 50,000 to 100,000 miles after meeting spending requirements
- Everyday spending typically earns between 1x and 4x miles, depending on the category
- Most cards earn 1 Premier Qualifying Point (PQP) for every $20 spent, helping with elite status
Details on current United cards and benefits are available here:
https://www.united.com/en/us/fly/mileageplus/earn-miles/cards.html
Transfer Partners
United also works with a small number of transferable points programs. You can move points into MileagePlus at a 1:1 ratio from:
- Chase Ultimate Rewards, if you hold cards like Sapphire Preferred, Sapphire Reserve, or Ink Preferred
- Bilt Rewards, which allows points earned on rent to transfer directly to United
Transfers are typically instant, making them useful for last-minute award bookings.
Everyday Partners
United offers several ways to earn miles through normal spending:
- MileagePlus Shopping: Earn miles for online purchases at hundreds of retailers by
- MileagePlus Dining: Link a credit card and earn miles automatically at participating restaurants:
- Hotels and car rentals: Earn miles with partners like Marriott, Hilton, IHG, Avis, and Budget through United’s partner pages:
- MileagePlus X app: You can buy digital gift cards for brands like Starbucks or Amazon and earn bonus miles instantly:
These options are best used as supplements. Most travelers earn the bulk of their miles from flying and credit cards.
Redeeming
Redeeming your miles is where the value of the MileagePlus program truly shines. Because United uses a system without a fixed award chart for its own flights, the “cost” of a trip can vary wildly. Success in 2026 depends on knowing where to look for consistency.
Dynamic Pricing on United Metal
United uses dynamic pricing for flights it operates itself. The mileage cost is tied to demand, much like cash prices.
- Saver Awards: These are the lowest-priced seats (often coded as X for Economy or I for Business). They are limited in number but offer the best value.
- Everyday Awards: These are more expensive but offer more availability. If a seat is for sale with cash, you can usually buy it with miles, though the price may be high.
Partner Award Consistency
While United metal is dynamic, Star Alliance partner awards (like Lufthansa, ANA, or Singapore Airlines) often follow more predictable pricing bands. If you find “Saver” space on a partner, it is frequently the most strategic way to use a large stash of miles for long-haul international travel.
The Award Calendar
The most powerful tool for any member is the 30-day award calendar. When searching for a flight, always check the “Flexible dates” box. This allows you to see a full month of pricing at once, making it easy to spot “Saver” dates where the price might be 50% lower than the surrounding days.
Upgrading with Miles
You can use your miles to move into a higher cabin on United-operated flights.
- MileagePlus Upgrade Awards: These typically require a combination of miles and a cash co-pay, depending on your original fare class.
- Star Alliance Upgrades: You can also use United miles to upgrade on select partner airlines, though this usually requires booking a specific (often more expensive) fare class.
Other Ways to Use Miles
If you aren’t looking to fly, United offers several alternative redemption options, though these generally offer lower value per mile than flights:
- United Hotels & Cars: Use miles to book your entire ground itinerary.
- In-Flight Wi-Fi: Pay for your internet connection starting at roughly 800 miles.
- United Club Membership: Use miles to purchase an annual pass for lounge access.
Why United MileagePlus Is Unique
No Expiration on Miles
United eliminated mileage expiration across the program. MileagePlus miles remain valid indefinitely, even if the account stays inactive for years. This policy favors infrequent travelers who earn slowly or save miles for a single long-term goal.
No Fuel Surcharges
United does not pass on fuel surcharges for award tickets, including flights booked on partner airlines. This applies even to carriers that normally impose high surcharges on paid or award tickets such as Luftansa. Taxes charged are limited to actual government fees. On international premium-cabin awards, this can reduce out-of-pocket costs by several hundred dollars compared to other programs.
Earning Status on Award Flights
United allows elite-qualifying credit on flights booked with miles, which remains uncommon among major airlines. On United-operated award flights:
- 1 PQP is earned for every 100 miles redeemed.
- Each award segment counts as a PQF.
This makes award travel compatible with status requalification rather than working against it.
Search Tools and Booking Flexibility
United’s website and app provide full visibility into Star Alliance award space. Several usability advantages remain intact:
- Free changes and cancellations on award tickets.
- Instant mileage redeposits in most cases.
- A 30-day award calendar that highlights lower-mileage dates.
For travelers booking international awards or monitoring pricing after booking, these tools materially reduce friction.
Expanded Award Access for Cardholders
United unlocks additional saver-level award inventory for members who hold a qualifying United credit card or Premier status. These seats are not visible to non-cardholders and can significantly improve availability on popular routes. The benefit does not lower pricing, but it increases the chances of finding space when standard saver awards appear sold out.
Credit Cards and Transfer Access
Chase issues United co-branded credit cards. The current lineup emphasizes statement credits, travel protections, and United-specific perks rather than outsized mileage earning.
More strategically important are transferable points. Chase Ultimate Rewards transfer to MileagePlus at a 1:1 ratio. Transfers are instant. This enables last-minute bookings and flexible planning. Bilt Rewards also transfers 1:1, providing a rare non-Chase option for earning United miles.
No other major transferable currency partners directly with MileagePlus. This makes Chase points central to most MileagePlus strategies.
Sweet Spots
For travelers looking to maximize their MileagePlus miles, the best value is found by looking beyond United’s own flights. Because United uses dynamic pricing, partner airlines often offer more stable “sweet spots.”
- Short U.S. Flights: Routes under 700 miles often price as low as 5,000 – 6,000 miles.
- Intra-Japan (ANA): Flights within Japan on partner ANA start at just 7,000 miles.
- Hawaii (Hawaiian Airlines): Inter-island hops remain a bargain at 7,000 miles per segment.
Here are some of the international sweet spots.
- Africa via Ethiopian Airlines: Business Class to Africa is a top redemption at 88,000 miles. United does not add fuel surcharges, keeping out-of-pocket costs very low.
- Europe via Star Alliance: Partner awards to Europe (Lufthansa, SWISS) are stable at 80k–88k miles in Business Class.
- The ITA Airways Connection (New for 2026): With the ITA Airways integration fully live, members can now find fresh availability to Italian hubs like Rome and Milan using United miles.
Summary
United MileagePlus remains a “high-utility” program. While you won’t always find a predictable price, the ability to pool miles, the lack of fuel surcharges, and the free cancellation policy make it the most user-friendly program for travelers who value their time and peace of mind.
