What the United MileagePlus Credit Card does
The United MileagePlus Card is a co-branded credit card issued by Chase in partnership with United Airlines. When you use it to make purchases, you earn miles in United's frequent flyer program instead of cash back. Those miles can be redeemed for United flights, seat upgrades, and other travel rewards through the MileagePlus program.
United offers several versions of this card — a standard version, a premium version called the United MileagePlus Premier Card, and a business version. Each earns miles at different rates and comes with different annual fees and perks. The card you choose depends on how much you fly United, how much you spend annually, and whether the premium benefits justify the cost.
Unlike cash-back cards that give you a percentage of every purchase back as money, a miles card ties your rewards to airline pricing and availability. That means the real value of your miles fluctuates based on which flights you book and when you book them.
Key Takeaways
- United MileagePlus Cards earn miles on every purchase, with bonus miles for United flights and dining at partner restaurants.
- The standard card has no annual fee, while premium versions charge $450 or more per year and include perks like annual flight credits and seat upgrades.
- Miles can be redeemed for United flights, but the number of miles required varies widely based on route, season, and how far in advance you book.
- Sign-up bonuses typically offer 50,000 to 100,000 miles after you spend a certain amount in the first few months, which can cover one or more flights depending on the routes you fly.
- Your miles do not expire as long as you have MileagePlus account activity at least once every 24 months, such as earning or redeeming miles.
How miles are earned on purchases
The standard United MileagePlus Card earns 2 miles per dollar spent on United purchases (flights, seat upgrades, and in-flight purchases) and 1 mile per dollar on all other purchases. The Premier Card earns the same rates but adds a bonus: you earn 4 miles per dollar on dining at restaurants, including online orders through services like DoorDash and Uber Eats.
Both cards also offer a sign-up bonus. You earn a large number of miles — typically 50,000 to 100,000 — after you spend a set amount within the first three months. The exact bonus changes periodically, so the current offer will be shown when you view the card details.
Beyond regular purchases, you earn bonus miles when you book United flights directly with the card. You also earn miles on rental cars, hotels, and other travel purchases made through United's travel partners, though the rates vary by partner.
Annual fees and when they make sense
The standard United MileagePlus Card has no annual fee. This makes it a reasonable choice if you fly United occasionally but do not want to pay for premium benefits you will not use.
The United MileagePlus Premier Card charges $450 per year. To justify this cost, you need to use the card's perks. The card includes a $100 annual United flight credit (meaning you can use it toward any United flight purchase), which reduces the net fee to $350. It also grants you a free checked bag on United flights, priority boarding, and a 25% discount on United in-flight purchases. If you fly United multiple times per year, these benefits can add up to more than the annual fee.
There is also a business version of the card with its own fee structure and earning rates. Business cards typically have higher annual fees but are designed for people who put significant business expenses on the card.
How to redeem miles for flights
Miles are redeemed through the MileagePlus website or mobile app. You search for your desired flight, and the system shows you how many miles that flight costs. Unlike booking with cash, where the price is the same for everyone on the same flight, miles pricing varies. A flight might cost 25,000 miles one day and 35,000 miles another day, depending on demand and how many award seats are available.
United divides award flights into different categories based on distance. A short domestic flight might cost 12,500 to 25,000 miles, while a long international flight could cost 60,000 to 150,000 miles or more. Premium cabin seats (business or first class) cost significantly more miles than economy seats on the same flight.
You can also use miles to upgrade a paid ticket to a higher cabin, book hotel stays, rent cars, or purchase gift cards. The value you get from each mile varies depending on what you redeem it for, so it pays to compare the cost in miles against the cost in dollars before you book.
Sign-up bonuses and how they work
When you open a new United MileagePlus Card, you receive a sign-up bonus after meeting a spending requirement. This bonus is typically the fastest way to accumulate miles. A 75,000-mile bonus, for example, could cover a round-trip domestic flight or a significant portion of an international flight, depending on the route and when you book.
To earn the bonus, you must spend a certain amount — often $2,000 to $5,000 — within the first three months. This spending must be on the card itself; it does not include balance transfers or cash advances. Once you meet the threshold, the miles post to your MileagePlus account within one to two billing cycles.
Sign-up bonuses change periodically, so the current offer may be higher or lower than what was available when someone else opened their card. If you are considering the card, check the current offer before explore.
Miles expiration and account maintenance
United MileagePlus miles do not expire as long as your account remains active. Activity means earning or redeeming miles, or even just logging into your MileagePlus account. The requirement is at least one account activity every 24 months. If your account goes inactive for 24 months or longer, your miles may be forfeited.
Using the credit card itself counts as account activity, since you earn miles on purchases. This means that if you keep the card open and use it regularly, your miles will not expire. If you close the card or stop using it, you need to make sure you have some other way to keep your MileagePlus account active — such as booking a flight or redeeming miles — to protect your balance.
Comparing the standard and premier versions
| Feature | Standard Card | Premier Card |
|---|---|---|
| Annual Fee | $0 | $450 |
| Miles on United Flights | 2 miles per $1 | 2 miles per $1 |
| Miles on Other Purchases | 1 mile per $1 | 1 mile per $1 |
| Dining Bonus | None | 4 miles per $1 |
| Annual Flight Credit | None | $100 |
| Free Checked Bag | No | Yes, on United flights |
| Priority Boarding | No | Yes |
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use miles on airlines other than United?
No. MileagePlus miles can only be redeemed for United flights or United partner airlines within the Star Alliance network. You cannot transfer miles to other airline programs or use them on non-partner carriers. This limits your flexibility compared to some other travel rewards programs.
What happens to my miles if I close the card?
Closing the card does not automatically cancel your miles. Your MileagePlus account and miles balance remain as long as you keep the account active through earning or redeeming miles at least once every 24 months. However, you will stop earning miles on new purchases once the card is closed.
How do I know if the Premier Card is worth the $450 annual fee?
The $100 annual flight credit reduces the net fee to $350. If you fly United at least twice per year and use the free checked bag benefit, the card often pays for itself. The priority boarding and dining bonus also add value if you eat at partner restaurants regularly. Calculate your own usage to see if the benefits exceed the cost.
Can I earn miles faster by using the card for specific purchases?
Yes. The Premier Card earns 4 miles per dollar at restaurants, which is the highest earning rate available. The standard card earns 2 miles per dollar on United purchases. Putting dining and United flight purchases on the card accelerates mile accumulation compared to other spending.
What is the best way to use my miles to get the most value?
Miles are worth more when you redeem them for premium cabin seats or long-haul international flights, where the dollar value of the ticket is highest. Redeeming for short domestic flights in economy typically gives you less value per mile. Booking in advance also tends to offer better award availability and lower mile costs than last-minute bookings.