Award fee waivers
As a 1K member, you can book, change or cancel an award ticket at any time without paying a fee. Visit our award fees page for more information.
Check up to 3 standard bags for free
1K® members are allowed three standard-sized checked bags, weighing up to 70 lbs. each, without baggage charges. If more than three bags are checked or if any bag is oversized or overweight, then excess, oversized and/or overweight baggage fees may apply. Up to eight companions, traveling under the same reservation as the 1K member, are allowed two standard-sized checked bags, weighing up to 50 lbs. each without baggage fees.
Visit our Baggage section for more information about baggage policies and applicable fees.
Minimum flight mileage accrual
Elite members earn a minimum of 500 award miles and 500 elite status miles on flights on United, United Express and Continental flights that are less than 500 miles.
As a 1K® member, you're entitled to an enhanced level of service and a number of exclusive rewards, including:
100% 1K mileage bonuses
As a 1K member your rewards include the highest automatic Mileage Plus bonus offered - a 100% redeemable bonus on your paid miles, based on flights origin and destination on United, United Express and US Airways flight. This bonus is valid on Transatlantic Lufthansa flights between U.S. and Europe, and on any ANA operated flight.
This award mileage bonus is in addition to the credit you receive for the paid miles you fly, based on the origin and destination for each of your flight segments.
Premier Access and Star Alliance Gold benefits
1K members also receive benefits when flying on any Star Alliance® member airline. When you fly on United or Continental, these benefits will soon be called Premier Access. When you fly on other Star Alliance member airlines, they’re called Star Alliance Gold benefits. They include:
Star Alliance lounges
As a 1K member, you and a guest can access more than 900 Star Alliance lounges worldwide. To gain access to these lounges, show your same-day international ticket on a Star Alliance carrier departing from that airport, as well as your 1K card, which has a Star Alliance Gold logo. Look for the "Star Alliance Gold" sign outside eligible lounges.
Elite Status Miles (EQM)
Flight miles earned on most paid, published fares on Star Alliance airlines count toward elite status qualification. Plus, when you fly on United or United Express, Continental, US Airways, Air Canada and Lufthansa on a paid ticket in First Class (F A), Business Class (J* C D Z) and Unrestricted Economy (Y B), you can earn a 50% elite status miles / elite status segments bonus. So it's easier than ever to retain your 1K status.
* J is not eligible on US Airways
Million Miles and Beyond Rewards
For details on these exclusive rewards
Exclusive Benefits of 1K membership
1K status also entitles you to the following exclusive benefits:
Exclusive Saver Award inventory
As a 1K, you have access to an exclusive inventory of United Economy® Saver Award seats reserved solely for your redemption (subject to capacity control). The 1K Saver Award availability is reserved from the current Saver Award inventory allocations.
Mileage Plus credit card savings and bonus miles
You are invited to apply for the Mileage Plus Signature Visa®, the card that lets you earn one Mileage Plus mile for every U.S. dollar in purchases you make on your card.
Discounts on United Club memberships
You are invited to enroll in United's exclusive United Club and enjoy the amenities of our private clubrooms in major airports around the world. As a 1K member, you'll receive a discount off the annual membership dues.
Important notes about your 1K membership
Unless otherwise stated, the terms and conditions set forth in the Mileage Plus Program Rules are applicable to the elite program, including rules for mileage accrual, award redemption and conditions affecting the use of certificates, such as stopovers, open jaws and area of travel.
Qualification Period
Qualification is required each year, based on EQM or EQS elite status miles or elite status segments earned between January 1 and December 31. The benefits for 2011- 1K status presented here are for members who qualified in the 2010 calendar year or during 2011.
Learn about qualification for status in 2012.
Program benefits and qualifications are subject to change from year to year.
All Mileage Plus miles earned on United Airlines, United Express and Star Alliance partner flights are based on origin and destination of paid flights. Award miles and bonus award miles do not count toward earning elite status.
Contact us
If you would like additional information about your Mileage Plus account, email, call or write to us at:
United Mileage Plus Service Center
P. O. Box 6122
Rapid City, SD 57709-6122
U.S.A.