CHICAGO, Jan. 17, 2005 – The new United Mileage Plus Elite Prepaid Travel Card is the only prepaid travel card that offers customers coveted elite status in the award-winning Mileage Plus® frequent flyer program.

Cardholders will be able to conveniently pay for their travel upfront and receive the benefits of elite membership -- before flying a single mile -- while also tracking travel and continuing to earn valuable miles.  To offer frequent flyers even more for their upfront loyalty, the Elite Prepaid Travel Card will also reward purchasers with a 5 percent discount on domestic United, United Express and Ted flights when that card is used for qualifying purchases on united.com.

"Those who understand the allure of elite status will be among the first in line for this card," said Randy Petersen, noted loyalty program expert and Editor, InsideFlyer magazine. "The prepaid travel card is a good idea that will enlarge United's appeal, especially among corporate and independent travelers as well as consultants.  Dethroning United's grip on the premium passenger just became harder."

“We are enabling customers to instantly obtain elite status in a frequent flyer program by making a single, simple purchase and before stepping foot on an airplane.  The 5 percent travel discount that comes with the United Mileage Plus Elite Prepaid Travel Card further enables frequent travelers to capitalize on their choice of airline and reap the benefits immediately," said Arnold Lewis, United’s vice president of Marketing Programs.

Three different levels of the United Mileage Plus Elite Prepaid Travel Cards are available for purchase: Premier^® level for $5,000 USD; Premier Executive^® level for $10,000 USD; and 1K® level for $20,000 USD.  Card sales are scheduled to begin Feb. 1, 2005 and cards expire on Feb. 28, 2006.  To learn more information about the complete terms and conditions of this offer and to purchase a card, visit united.com/prepaidtravel.  Elite Mileage Plus member benefits include mileage bonuses, access to Economy Plus®, preferred airport check-in and boarding and discounts on Red Carpet Club memberships.  Visit united.com/elite for details on other elite Mileage Plus benefits.  

United Mileage Plus Elite Prepaid Travel Card cardholders can book their travel on United, United Express, Ted, or on any Star Alliance carrier at united.com, United Reservations, or at United airport ticket offices. 

About United Mileage Plus

United Mileage Plus, with over 45 million enrolled members, has been voted the number one frequent flyer program by readers of Business Traveler for the past nine years (1996-2004) and by Travel Savvy magazine (2004).  Members earn miles by flying on United, Ted (sm), United Express or Star Alliance airlines, or by purchasing products or services through its comprehensive network of over 100 participating Mileage Plus partners at over 10,000 locations worldwide.  Mileage Plus also offers one of the most extensive selections of award travel destinations, including over 800 destinations in more than 135 countries.  For more information, a complete list of Mileage Plus partners, or to enroll, visit www.united.com.

About United

United Airlines (OTCBB: UALAQ.OB) is the world’s second largest airline, operating more than 3,500 flights a day on United, United Express and Ted to more than 200 U.S. domestic and international destinations from its hubs in Los Angeles, San Francisco, Denver, Chicago and Washington, D.C. With key global air rights in the Asia-Pacific region, Europe and Latin America, United is the largest international carrier based in the United States.* United is also a founding member of Star Alliance, which provides connections for our customers to more than 700 destinations in more than 130 countries worldwide. United’s nearly 62,000 employees reside in every U.S. state and in many countries around the world. News releases and other information about United can be found at the company’s Web site at united.com.

* Measured by revenue passenger miles as reported to the U.S. Department of Transportation for 12 months ending September 2004, the most recent comparison data available.

Prepaid Travel Card Terms and Conditions: 

1. By using the United Mileage Plus Elite Prepaid Travel Card, Cardholder agrees to the terms and conditions contained in the Cardholder Agreement. 

2. Cardholder prepaid travel credit is valid on United®, United Express®, Ted(SM), and Star Alliance.   All travel must be paid through United using United.com, United Reservations, or at a United airport ticketing office.  Qualifying purchases made through united.com will receive a five percent (5%) discount provided you are a registered user of united.com and have opted in for Mileage Plus email communications at the time of purchase.  Prices for tickets purchased through United Reservations or United's airport ticketing offices may be higher.  Partial payment for purchases may only be made at a United airport ticket office.

3. Purchase of an Elite Prepaid Travel Card entitles cardholder to a predetermined level of United Mileage Plus elite status.  Elite benefits will commence with your Card activation.  Cardholder elite status will expire on February 28, 2006.

4. Domestic travel includes travel within the 50 United States, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands or Canada

5. Please allow 5 to 7 business days for in-home delivery of Card.

6. Card is not transferable.

7. Cardholder's qualifying flights are eligible for Mileage Plus mileage accrual and any applicable bonuses including any class-of-service or elite status bonuses.

8. Miles accrued, awards issued and bonus offers are subject to the rules of the United Mileage Plus program.  Taxes and fees related to award travel are the responsibility of the passenger.  Please allow 6 to 8 weeks after completed qualifying activity for bonus miles to be posted to your Mileage Plus account. For complete details about the Mileage Plus program, visit united.com.  Offer subject to change without notice.  Other restrictions apply.

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