MileagePlus
Your gateway to global Star Alliance travel
At a Glance
United MileagePlus is the loyalty program of United Airlines, serving millions of members with access to the Star Alliance network of 26 member airlines. As North America's largest Star Alliance carrier, United provides seamless earning and redemption opportunities across partners including Lufthansa, ANA, Singapore Airlines, and Air Canada. The program uses a revenue-based earning model for United flights while offering fixed-rate awards on partner airlines. United operates extensive domestic and international networks with major hubs in Chicago, San Francisco, Houston, Denver, Newark, and Washington Dulles. MileagePlus members earn Premier Qualifying Points (PQP) and Premier Qualifying Flights (PQF) toward elite status, with benefits including complimentary upgrades, bonus earnings, and fee waivers. The program is recognized for excellent award availability, particularly in premium cabins on long-haul international routes. United partners with Chase for co-branded credit cards offering elevated earning rates, free checked bags, and priority boarding. Premium cards grant club lounge access and expanded award availability, making them valuable for frequent United flyers.
Sweet Spots — Best Redemptions
| Route / Property | Points | Book With | Cabin/Type | Value / Region |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Intra-Europe on Star Alliance | 8,000 | — | economy | europe |
| US to Hawaii in Economy | 17,200 | — | economy | united_states |
| US to South America in Economy | 20,000 | — | economy | south_america |
| US to Europe in Economy | 26,700 | — | economy | europe |
| US to Southeast Asia in Economy | 39,200 | — | economy | asia |
| US to South America in Business | 60,500 | — | business | south_america |
| US to Europe in Business | 80,000 | — | business | europe |
| US to Africa in Business (Partner) | 88,000 | — | business | africa |
| Short-Haul US Domestic Economy | 5,000 | — | economy | united_states |
| US to Mexico in Economy | 10,000 | — | economy | central_america |
| US Transcontinental Business/First | 30,000 | — | business | united_states |
| US to Asia in Polaris Business | 100,000 | — | business | asia |
Transfer Partners
Earn via 2 bank points programs
| Source Program | Ratio | Transfer Time | Source Value |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1:1 | 7-10 days | 1.8 cpp | |
| 1:1 | 1-2 days | 2 cpp |
Cards That Earn MileagePlus (6)
United Business Card
Chase
United Club Card
Chase
United Club℠ Business Card
Chase
United Explorer Card
Chase
United Gateway Card
Chase
United Quest Card
Chase
MileagePlus Dining · by United (Rewards Network)
Earn up to 5x MileagePlus miles when you dine out
Join MileagePlus Dining, link a credit card and pay as usual at participating restaurants. New members earn 0.5x, up to 5x at the VIP tier, on top of what the card earns.
Program Ratings
Recent Changes & News
Starting February 2026, all Premier members are eligible for complimentary upgrades on award tickets, not just revenue tickets.
United announced PlusPoints upgrade costs will become demand-based starting February 2027, moving away from fixed costs per segment.
United removed all change and cancellation fees for MileagePlus award tickets, making speculative bookings risk-free.
MileagePlus now allows up to 5 members to pool miles in a shared account, though pooled miles can only be used on United flights, not partners.
FAQs
Do MileagePlus members get free bags?
You don’t get free bags just by being a MileagePlus member. You need United status or a credit card that includes free checked bags. Five of the six United cards offer at least one free bag, and all status tiers include the same perk. Premium cabin tickets also include at least two free bags.
How many MileagePlus miles do you need for a free flight?
You can find short-haul domestic flights for as low as 6300 miles one-way in the off-peak season. Since United uses dynamic pricing, award costs vary widely based on when you fly. Flights from the U.S. to Europe can occasionally be found for as little as 26,000 miles one-way.
Is a United Club subscription worth it?
A United Club membership costs $750, or 94,000 miles, so value depends on how often you fly United. Some United cards include passes, and the [United Club Business](https://pointsnav.com/credit-cards/united-club-card-business) card offers full membership. United Premier Gold members and higher also receive United Club access when traveling internationally.
How to earn United miles quickly?
The fastest way to earn United miles is to open a co-branded United credit card and meet the welcome offer requirement. The [United Club](https://pointsnav.com/credit-cards/united-club-infinite-card) and [United Club Business](https://pointsnav.com/credit-cards/united-club-card-business) cards both offer 80,000-mile bonuses, and we've seen offers reach 100,000. Other United cards offer bonuses up to 60,000 miles.
Do United miles expire?
No, United MileagePlus miles no longer expire. Your miles will remain in your account indefinitely, regardless of account activity. This is a major advantage over some competing programs.
Can you pool United miles with family members?
Yes, MileagePlus offers mileage pooling where up to five members can combine their miles into a shared pool. The pool leader must be at least 18 years old. However, pooled miles can only be used for award flights on United, not on partner airlines. Once contributed, miles cannot be withdrawn after 24 hours.