How to earn MileagePlus miles
Learn how to earn miles everywhere you go. Our miles never expire, so you'll keep what you earn as a MileagePlus® member until you're ready to redeem.
Flights
Every time you purchase eligible tickets and travel with us, you'll earn miles. The number of miles you can earn on a flight depends on your MileagePlus status on the date of travel, the type of ticket purchased, the ticketing airline and the operating airline. You may be able to earn Premier® qualifying points (PQP) for some of these flights. For more information, visit the how to qualify for Premier status page.
United and United Express flights
Tickets issued by United earn 5 miles per dollar on the base fare, up to 75,000 miles.* This includes all flights operated by United and United Express. Star Alliance™ and MileagePlus partner airline tickets issued by United also earn miles at this rate.**
Premier members will earn bonus miles on every flight. The amount depends on the purchased fare and status level on the date of travel.
To earn miles for your flight, add your MileagePlus number to your reservation and make sure it’s on your boarding pass at check-in.
The miles you earn for flights operated by United and United Express should be credited to your account 48 hours after your travel is completed. If they are not deposited into your account, you can request credit for the missing miles.
| MileagePlus status | Base miles earned1 | Premier bonus miles earned1 | Total miles earned on fare1 |
|---|---|---|---|
| General member | Base miles earned1 5 | Premier bonus miles earned1 - | Total miles earned on fare1 5 miles per dollar |
| Premier Silver | Base miles earned1
5 | Premier bonus miles earned1 2 | Total miles earned on fare1 7 miles per dollar |
| Premier Gold | Base miles earned1
5 | Premier bonus miles earned1 3 | Total miles earned on fare1 8 miles per dollar |
| Premier Platinum | Base miles earned1
5 | Premier bonus miles earned1 4 | Total miles earned on fare1 9 miles per dollar |
| Premier 1K® | Base miles earned1 5 | Premier bonus miles earned1 6 | Total miles earned on fare1 11 miles per dollar |
*Members can earn a maximum of 75,000 miles per ticket, excluding purchases or bonuses from applicable promotions.
** Tickets issued by United start with the numbers “016.”
Star Alliance
Tickets issued by Star Alliance partner airlines earn miles based on flight distance and fare class. Visit the airline partners and global alliances page for partner-specific information and exclusions.
Specialty tickets
Some United and United Express tickets earn miles based on flight distance2 and purchased fare class instead of price. This includes unpublished, bulk, group, tour and opaque tickets.
How to earn MileagePlus miles FAQ
Travel partners
Car rentals and cruises
Earn miles on car rentals with Avis® and Budget®, cruises and other transportation partners.
Hotels and vacation rentals
Stay with hotel and vacation rental partners like Marriott Bonvoy®, IHG® and Villas of Distinction to earn miles.
MileagePlus offers
Featured deals
Earn unlimited miles on everyday purchases
Choose the card that fits your travel style and enjoy rewards everywhere you go.
MileagePlus X app
Download the MileagePlus XSM app and earn miles for every dollar you spend on purchases at retailers like TJ Maxx, Starbucks and Walmart.
Earn miles for shopping
Earn miles for everyday activities
Earn miles at your favorite stores and restaurants.
Credit cards
Earn miles for every dollar you spend and other perks with our credit cards.
Buy or transfer miles
Get your next award flight quicker or share miles with another MileagePlus member.