A Major Shift in United Airlines' MileagePlus Program

A Major Shift in United Airlines' MileagePlus Program

April 2nd marks a significant turning point for United Airlines' MileagePlus program. This is the date when substantial changes to the mileage accumulation policy officially take effect, impacting frequent flyers with United. These changes were announced back in February and are now prompting many customers to rethink their travel strategies.

Key Changes to the Program

The MileagePlus program will see considerable adjustments. Firstly, the airline will reward loyal members who hold a co-branded credit card with United with more miles. Conversely, those without a card will earn fewer miles, even if they have a long history of mileage accumulation. This means that if you don’t possess a card, it will be quite challenging to accumulate miles effectively.

Additionally, the maximum number of miles that credit card users can earn when booking United flights will also increase. On the flip side, those flying on basic economy tickets will see a reduction in their accumulated miles, particularly if they lack a credit card or membership status.

New Mileage Accumulation Rates

As of April 2nd, United has adjusted the earning rates for MileagePlus members for each flight. Here’s a comparison of the rates before and after the changes:

• MileagePlus Members: 5 miles per dollar spent -> 3 miles per dollar spent (new) -> 6 miles per dollar spent (for cardholders)
• Premier Silver: 7 miles per dollar spent -> 5 miles per dollar spent (new) -> 8 miles per dollar spent (for cardholders)
• Premier Gold: 8 miles per dollar spent -> 6 miles per dollar spent (new) -> 9 miles per dollar spent (for cardholders)
• Premier Platinum: 9 miles per dollar spent -> 7 miles per dollar spent (new) -> 10 miles per dollar spent (for cardholders)
• Premier 1K: 11 miles per dollar spent -> 9 miles per dollar spent (new) -> 12 miles per dollar spent (for cardholders)

Increased Earning Rates for Cardholders

United has also enhanced the mileage earning potential for some cardholders when booking flights with their co-branded credit cards. Specifically:

• United Explorer Card: 3 miles per dollar spent (up from 2 miles)
• United Quest Card: 4 miles per dollar spent (up from 3 miles)
• United Club Card: 5 miles per dollar spent (up from 4 miles)

Special Discounts for Cardholders

For those who hold a United credit card, they will now receive the best rates when redeeming miles. Cardholders will enjoy at least a 10% discount on United flights booked with miles. If the cardholder has Premier status, this discount increases to at least 15%. These offers apply to tickets issued from April 2nd onward.

Family Benefits

For families traveling with young children, United has implemented a positive change. Starting April 2nd, children of cardholders can now accumulate miles at the same rate as their parents. This means children will benefit from discounted ticket prices in reward programs if linked to their parents' accounts.

Changes to Basic Economy Tickets

The mileage accumulation policy for basic economy tickets has also been updated. Starting today, those without a card or status will not earn any miles. Furthermore, other passengers will also earn fewer miles when flying with these low-cost tickets.

Conclusion

This change reflects a broader trend in the airline industry, as companies seek to encourage loyal customers to utilize their credit cards. While this is a positive sign for cardholders, it serves as a warning for those not participating in the airline’s credit program.