United Airlines rewards come through two separate programs that work together

United offers rewards through its MileagePlus credit cards and its MileagePlus frequent flyer program. The credit cards earn miles on purchases and come with perks like checked bag fees waived and priority boarding. The frequent flyer program lets you redeem miles for flights, seat upgrades, and other travel benefits — and your status tier (Silver, Gold, Platinum, and so on) unlocks additional perks like lounge access and complimentary upgrades.

You do not need a credit card to join MileagePlus or earn status. You can earn miles by flying United, booking through United's website, or using partner airlines and hotels. But the credit card is the fastest way to reach higher status tiers and accumulate miles between trips.

Key Takeaways

  • United credit cards earn miles on every purchase and waive your first checked bag on United flights, saving $35 to $70 per round trip.
  • Status tiers in MileagePlus are earned by flying a certain number of miles or segments per year, or by spending a set amount on a United credit card.
  • Higher status tiers unlock benefits like priority boarding, complimentary upgrades, and access to United Club lounges, which vary by tier.
  • Miles can be redeemed for flights, seat upgrades, or transferred to hotel and car rental partners, though award availability changes by route and date.
  • United credit cards charge annual fees ranging from $0 to $650, and the rewards rate varies by card and purchase category.

How United credit cards earn miles and what they cost

United offers several credit cards through Chase, each with a different annual fee and earning structure. The entry-level card typically has no annual fee and earns 1 mile per dollar spent on most purchases. Mid-tier cards charge $99 to $150 annually and earn 2 miles per dollar on United purchases and dining, plus 1 mile per dollar on everything else. The premium card charges $650 per year and earns 4 miles per dollar on United flights and 2 miles per dollar on dining and travel.

All United credit cards waive your first checked bag on United flights, which saves $35 on domestic trips and $70 on international ones. They also give you priority boarding, which means you board before general passengers and can place a carry-on in the overhead bin. New cardholders receive a sign-up bonus of 50,000 to 120,000 miles, depending on the card, after meeting a minimum spending requirement (usually $3,000 to $5,000 in the first three months).

The annual fee is charged every year you hold the card, even if you do not fly. Some cardholders offset this by redeeming the annual $100 United travel credit that comes with higher-tier cards, or by earning enough miles to justify the cost.

MileagePlus status tiers and what each one includes

MileagePlus has five status tiers: Silver, Gold, Platinum, Platinum Pro, and 1K. You earn status by flying a certain number of miles or segments on United in a calendar year, or by spending a set amount on a United credit card. For example, Silver requires 25,000 miles flown or $25,000 spent on the card in a year. Platinum Pro requires 75,000 miles or $75,000 in card spending. 1K, the highest tier, requires 120,000 miles or $120,000 in card spending.

Each tier unlocks additional perks. Silver members get priority boarding and a free checked bag. Gold adds a second free checked bag and complimentary upgrades on select flights. Platinum adds access to United Club lounges (up to 10 visits per year) and priority customer service. Platinum Pro and 1K members get unlimited lounge access and higher upgrade priority. The exact benefits change periodically, so check United's website for the current list.

Status is earned January through December each year and expires at the end of the following year. If you fly enough to earn status one year but not the next, you lose the tier and its benefits.

How to redeem miles for flights and upgrades

Miles can be redeemed for flights through United's website or by calling reservations. Award flights require a certain number of miles depending on the route and how far in advance you book. A domestic flight might cost 12,500 to 50,000 miles one-way, while international flights typically cost 30,000 to 150,000 miles one-way. Prices vary based on demand — popular routes during peak travel times cost more miles than off-peak flights.

You can also use miles to upgrade from economy to premium cabin seats. The cost depends on the flight and cabin, but typically ranges from 5,000 to 50,000 miles. Some upgrades are free for high-status members, while others require a combination of miles and cash.

Miles can also be transferred to hotel chains and car rental companies that partner with United, though the transfer rate and redemption value vary by partner. Some people find better value transferring to partners than redeeming for flights, depending on what they are booking.

Award flight availability and how to find it

Award flights are subject to availability, which means not every flight has seats available for miles redemption on any given day. Availability is typically highest on less popular routes, during off-peak travel times, and when you book far in advance (60 to 90 days out). Peak travel periods like summer, holidays, and weekends often have limited award availability.

You can search for award availability on United's website by selecting "Book with miles" instead of "Book with money." The search shows you which flights have award seats available and how many miles each costs. If a flight shows no availability, you can check again later — United releases additional award inventory periodically, and availability can change day to day.

Some routes and flights never release award seats, or release very few. If you cannot find availability on your preferred flight, you may need to adjust your travel dates, choose a different route, or redeem for a cash ticket instead.

United Club lounges and other perks for high-status members

United Club is the airline's lounge network, available to Platinum status members and above. Lounges are located in major United hubs and offer free food, beverages, Wi-Fi, and comfortable seating. Platinum members get 10 lounge visits per year; Platinum Pro and 1K members get unlimited access. You can also purchase day passes if you do not have status, typically for $59 to $69.

High-status members also receive priority customer service (a dedicated phone line), priority baggage handling, and complimentary upgrades on flights where seats are available. The upgrade priority is based on your status tier — 1K members are upgraded before Platinum Pro members, who are upgraded before Platinum members, and so on. Upgrades are not may provide and depend on how many premium seats are available.

Some premium cards also include a United Club pass as a cardholder benefit, allowing one free visit per year or a certain number of visits annually. Check your card's benefits guide to see what is included.

How miles expire and what happens to your account

MileagePlus miles do not expire as long as you have account activity at least once every 24 months. Activity includes flying on United, earning miles through a credit card purchase, or transferring miles to a partner. If your account is inactive for 24 months, your miles will be forfeited and your account may be closed.

If your miles are forfeited, you can request reinstatement by contacting MileagePlus customer service, though this typically requires a fee (usually $50 to $100) and is not may provide. The easiest way to keep your account active is to use your United credit card for at least one purchase every two years, which counts as account activity.

Status does not carry over year to year if you do not re-earn it. If you earn Platinum status one year but do not fly enough or spend enough on your card the next year to maintain it, you drop back to Silver or lose status entirely.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to have a United credit card to earn miles?

No. You can earn miles by flying United, booking through United's website, or using partner airlines and hotels. The credit card is the fastest way to earn miles and reach status, but it is not required to participate in MileagePlus.

Can I use my miles on other airlines?

United miles can be redeemed for flights on United and its partner airlines (including Air Canada, Lufthansa, and others in the Star Alliance network). You can also transfer miles to hotel and car rental partners, but you cannot use United miles on non-partner airlines like Southwest or American.

What happens to my status if I stop flying?

Status expires at the end of the year following the year you earned it. If you do not re-earn status through flying or credit card spending, you lose the tier and its benefits. You can maintain status by spending on a United credit card even if you do not fly.

How long does it take to get miles after I make a purchase?

Miles from credit card purchases typically post within one to three billing cycles. Miles from flights usually post within a few days of your flight. You can check your account balance on United's website or app to see when miles have been added.

Can I buy miles directly from United?

Yes, United allows you to purchase miles directly through its website, though the cost is typically high (around 1 cent per mile or more). Most people find better value earning miles through credit card sign-up bonuses or flying.