what is United Airlines MileagePlus Login

United Airlines MileagePlus Login

United MileagePlus is still one of the most easy-to-use frequent-flyer programs, despite recent changes. United has made changes to the process of earning Premier elite status in recent years and raised award prices to many locations. The program's core value has not been lost.

This guide will explain how to earn United MileagePlus points, how to redeem them and how to get the best out of MileagePlus Premier elite status.

Why join United MileagePlus

MileagePlus members can earn frequent flyer miles on United and over three dozen other partner airlines. It's worth creating a free account even if United isn’t your favourite airline.

This link will allow you to create your United MileagePlus login. Once you have entered your details, you will be given a United frequent flyer code. Add your United account number to make it easy to keep track of this number.

Destinations and MileagePlus Partner Airlines

United Airlines is the largest U.S. airline with service to 78 destinations. Chicago (ORD), Newark, EWR, Houston (IAH), Washington D.C.(IAD), Denver [DEN], San Francisco (SFO), Los Angeles (LAX) are all hub airports.

MileagePlus's extensive coverage of international routes is perhaps its best feature. Star Alliance is United's founding member. This is the largest airline alliance, with 26 members.

Independent Partners

MileagePlus partners not only with Star Alliance members, but also with 12 independent airlines. You have more options for reaching destinations further off the beaten track with United miles.

It is easier to arrange partners by geography, as there are so many. United MileagePlus has a stronger reputation in Europe and Africa than other programs. However, you can still find a partner anywhere in the world.

How to earn United Miles

Flying was the only way to earn United MileagePlus points many years ago. There are many ways to earn miles without flying. We'll cover the most important strategies--including earning with a United credit card, transferring points from Chase Ultimate Rewards, and making purchases with United's shopping, dining, and travel partners.

With a United Credit Card, you can earn MileagePlus Miles

One of the best ways to accumulate significant MileagePlus points is to sign up for a Chase United card. United Airlines and Chase bank have partnered to provide a complete line of co-branded cards that can be used for personal or business purposes.

Many cards come with a generous signup bonus, which can help you quickly accumulate enough miles to take off on your next trip. The average offer for new cardmembers is between 30,000 and 100,000 points, depending on which card you have and whether you are eligible for a limited-time offer.

We'll be discussing them in the next section. There are many other rewards cards that offer better returns than the United cards for everyday spending. Even if you fly with United only a few times per calendar year, these cobranded credit cards offer great perks that will make it easier to get ahead once the annual fee is paid.

These are the United Cards that currently accept new applications:

The United(sm), Explorer Card has the most popularity and is arguably the best value. These are the benefits:

• United Airlines: First checked bag free
• Two United Club annual passes
• Priority Boarding
• Refunds up to $100 for Global Entry and TSA Precheck fees
• United flight award availability available
• United elites can upgrade their award tickets

In our United Explorer Card Review, we have covered the card's benefits.

The United Quest(sm), Card is the latest addition to United's stable of co-brand cards. It offers unique benefits such as a $125 credit per year on United purchases, and two 5,000-mile anniversary flight credits each year. The United Quest Card is the ideal choice if you want to enjoy elite-level United benefits but without paying the high price of the United Club (sm) Infinite Card.

While the United Club(sm), Infinite Card has a higher cost, it offers elite perks for frequent travellers. This includes United Club membership as long as you have the card. You can find the full list of benefits in our United Club Incite card review.

The United(sm), Business Card offers many benefits that are similar to the United Explorer Card. A $100 United travel credit can be earned by small business owners if they make at least seven purchases of $100 each year. You can also earn 5,000 bonus miles per year if you have a United personal credit card. This United Business Card Review is available.

Transfer Flexible Rewards to United

United is also one the Chase Ultimate Reward transfer partners. In increments of 1,000 miles, Ultimate Rewards points can be converted to United miles in a 1:1 ratio.

For the long-term benefits, and a generous sign-up bonus, United co-brand cards can be worth it. You'll earn more miles if you use a card that offers Chase Ultimate Rewards for everyday spending. Ultimate Rewards cards earn 1.5X points for all purchases and two to three points per dollar for popular categories such as dining and travel.

You can increase your earning power by using a combination Ultimate Rewards cards. You can also top up your MileagePlus account whenever you need to, since Chase points transfer directly into United. You can transfer your points to another Chase transfer partner if they are a better match for your trip.

It is possible to transfer Marriott Bonvoy Points to United MileagePlus. Although none of the Marriott credit card offer the same earning potential as Ultimate Rewards, it is great to have an alternative option in case you are unable to earn enough miles to purchase an award ticket.

United Flights Miles

Your elite status and the amount you paid for your ticket determine how many miles you will earn on a United-operated flight. United's revenue-based system was relatively new. Although revenue-based earning programs are quite common in the U.S. it is not like many international frequent-flyer programmes that award miles based upon distance.

MileagePlus members receive a base rate 5X United miles per dollar of airfare, exempting taxes and fees. You'll get a higher multiplier if you have United elite status. These are the current earnings rates:

For shorter itineraries, the revenue-based earning system works in your favour. It is not very lucrative if you fly long, cheap United flights.

MileagePlus Partner Airlines: Earn Miles

MileagePlus calculates the distance of flights operated by partner airlines using a traditional, distance-based method. Your ticket number is the best way to determine if you will earn miles under partner rules. The partner earning rates will apply if your ticket number starts with a number other than "016". (Some partner flights start with "016" on the United ticket number. You will need to use this revenue-based chart.

Partner flights generally receive 25% to 200% of the flown miles as redeemable award points, depending on your class of service. To find out the earning rates for each partner, you will need to visit the United Partners page. Here's an example: The Lufthansa partner accrual table.

As you can see first-class tickets have the highest multiplier (200%), while deepest discount-economy ticket earns the lowest (25%). Lufthansa’s chart shows that award tickets are the most common fare class that doesn't earn miles. You might be surprised to learn that not all tickets paid for by MileagePlus partners earn miles.

You'll be able to redeem even more miles if you are United elite. Simply multiply the base mileage earnings with the elite-status bonus (above right) and add this to the total.

MileagePlus offers a range of earning rates, so if you are not happy with them, credit your flight to another frequent flyer program. Each program has its own earning rules, so it is possible to earn more miles by joining another program.

MileagePlus Travel Partners

United miles can be earned on flights, but you also have the option to build your MileagePlus balance by renting a car and using other transportation partners. Hertz is United's preferred car rental company. They often offer promotions that allow you to earn more than 2,000 MileagePlus points per rental. Hertz offers a bonus for United credit card holders and Premier members. Dollar and Thrifty are also car rental partners and offer 50 mile per day earning rates.

United Cruises is another way to earn. The specific cruise you choose, the cabin you book, and your United card status will determine how many miles you earn. General members can earn a maximum of 25.000 United miles per cruise while United credit card holders may earn as high as 45,000 miles per trip.

You can also earn United Miles on Amtrak travel. You can earn 250 or 325 miles depending on which class of flight you take when you connect an inbound United flight to Newark Liberty airport. You can also earn 500 to 750 award miles when you credit Acela business or first-class trips between New York Penn Station, Washington D.C., or any one of the three Boston stations. Acela accrual doesn't require connecting tickets with United flights.

United Airlines Shopping Portal

You can earn miles online by shopping at United Airlines. While most retailers offer a rate of 0.5 to 5 miles for every dollar, you might find some promotions or specialty retailers that offer rates up to 20 miles per $1.

You may be eligible for an additional bonus from United Shopping Portal if you meet a certain spending goal. Spend $150 and earn 500 bonus miles. These deals are often seen around holidays. To compare your options, check out our post shopping portal bonus.

How can I log miles with United?

Claim United Miles for Past Flights on the Airline

To submit your request, you will need to log into your MileagePlus account. You only need your ticket number (which begins with 016 for United tickets). United might request a copy or receipt of your boarding passes and receipt. Enter your ticket number, and click "Submit".

Last Thoughts

United MileagePlus is still one of our favourite frequent-flyer programs. United miles can be easily earned by using a Chase United card, or any of the Ultimate Rewards cards to make everyday purchases. You can increase your MileagePlus balance by shopping at United and dining with them.

MileagePlus provides global coverage via its network of over three dozen airline partners when it comes to redeeming. You will find great value if you are willing to spend some time learning about the program.

MileagePlus Premier elite status is a great way to reward loyal members who fly frequently. You don't have to be an elite member to reap the benefits of this program. Chase co-brand credit card holders have many benefits that can make your airport experience and travel experience feel like you are in elite status without the need to fly as much.