United Airlines is revamping how travelers earn and redeem miles, with changes that hinge on just one factor: whether you hold a co-branded credit card.
The Chicago-based carrier announced that members of its MileagePlus loyalty program who carry a United credit card will earn miles faster and gain access to more favorable award pricing. Those without a card, however, will see reduced earning rates, effectively widening the gap between occasional fliers and card-carrying members.
United’s move reflects a broader shift in airline loyalty, with rewards increasingly tied not just to how often you fly but also to how deeply you engage with an airline’s financial ecosystem. For travelers who book with United only a few times a year, that means earning miles more slowly and needing more of them to book an award ticket. That is, unless you’re willing to add a credit card to your wallet.
Here’s a closer look at the changes.
How earning United miles will change
It’s been a decade since United shifted from distance-based earning to revenue-based rewards, tying mileage accrual to how much a passenger spends rather than how far they fly. Now, starting with tickets purchased on April 2, that’s going to be segmented even further.
Overall, the new changes are a mixed bag. First, passengers without a United credit card will see their earning rates drop by as much as 40 percent. For instance, a non-status MileagePlus member previously earned five miles per dollar spent; beginning April 2, that rate falls to three miles per dollar. By contrast, that same non-status member with a United credit card will earn six miles per dollar.
The result is a wider earnings gap between cardholders and non-cardholders, with the latter accumulating miles more slowly for the same ticket purchase.
Breakdown of changes based on elite status and credit card
MileagePlus member (non-elite)
Previous earning: 5 miles per dollar
New earning: 3 miles per dollar
New earning with co-brand credit card: 6 miles per dollar
Premier Silver elite
Previous earning: 7 miles per dollar
New earning: 5 miles per dollar
New earning with co-brand credit card: 8 miles per dollar
Premier Gold elite
Previous earning: 8 miles per dollar
New earning: 6 miles per dollar
New earning (with co-brand credit card): 9 miles per dollar
Premier Platinum elite
Previous earning: 9 miles per dollar
New earning: 7 miles per dollar
New earning (with co-brand credit card): 10 miles per dollar
Premier 1K elite
Previous earning: 11 miles per dollar
New earning: 9 miles per dollar
New earning (with co-brand credit card): 12 miles per dollar
In addition, starting on April 2, customers who book United’s basic economy fares will no longer earn miles, unless they have elite status or hold one of the airline’s co-branded credit cards. The move brings United in line with competitors such as American Airlines and Delta Air Lines, which have also restricted basic economy passengers from earning miles—although United’s policy is somewhat more flexible, given the elite and credit card exceptions.
For United frequent fliers who already carry a co-branded card, the updates could unlock faster earning and more accessible award space. For occasional travelers, however, extracting value from MileagePlus may now require a deeper financial commitment than simply booking a ticket.
https://www.afar.com/authors/chris-dong How redeeming United miles will change Under the new structure, United co-branded credit card members will get at least 10 percent off every United award flight they book. Members who hold both Premier elite status and a co-branded credit card will save at least 15 percent. Cardholders will see those savings clearly labeled on United’s app and website when making a booking. The airline also says it will make additional award seats available in United Polaris business class exclusively for credit card members.
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