Since my family usually flies with United, I spent quite a bit of time learning about its loyalty program, United MileagePlus, so that I can help get the most bang for our buck. Here is a brief overview of what it is about.

What is it?

United MileagePlus (or simply MileagePlus or MP) is the loyalty program of United Airlines. It was introduced in 1981 and has been the surviving program of United after the merger with Continental Airline. MileagePlus is free to join and only requires basic information at enrollment.

The three main currencies within MileagePlus are miles, Premier Qualifying Flights (PQF) and Premier Qualifying Points (PQP). MileagePlus miles do not expire. It’s a nice policy as members don’t need to take unnecessary actions to maintain benefits. PQFs and PQPs, on the other hand, are only valid for the current calendar year.

Miles

There are multiple ways for members to earn MileagePlus miles. The most efficient method is to fly with United. Miles are accrued on the base fare (excluding taxes and fees) and ticket types. The higher the fare, the more miles are accrued. Even the most restrictive type, Basic Economy, earns passengers miles.

The second method is via United credit cards. United cardholders earn miles on United and daily purchases, with rewards earn rates varying from one card to another. New cardholders receive a sizeable haul of miles after qualifying purchases.

Additionally, MileagePLus members can earn miles via United’s partners. For instance, United members who connect their account with Lyft can earn up to 4 miles per dollar on rides. Similarly, bookings with Vrbo have a 3x earn rate.

United also has United Dining, which awards more miles when members dine at select restaurants. Participating in surveys by United also earns responders miles, although the earned miles are limited.

PQF and PQP

As the name suggests, PQF can only be earned by flying with United. Basic Economy fare earns no PQF. Trips with stops called out specifically on the itinerary yield the same number of PQFs as the number of legs. When we flew from Hong Kong to Omaha, our leg from Saigon to Los Angeles counted as 1 PQF, even though we stopped at Hong Kong airport.

PQP as a currency is earned the same way as miles. The more someone flies and spends with United, the more PQPs they earn. Because the co-brand credit cards are such a lucrative business for airlines, United pushes for more cardholders by allowing PQPs to be earned with card spending. Earn rates and cap vary from one card to another with premium cards having more favorable earn rates and a higher cap.

Reaching a Premier status offers a Mileage Plus member a boost of PQP at the beginning of each status year every February 1st. This is what United offers for 2025

Qualified Quest and United Club cardholders also receive 1,000 and 1,500 PQPs respectively every year. To be qualified, cardholders must have their card open by 12/31 the year before and at the time of fulfillment.

Tiers

Miles do not directly help members reach a higher status. Only PQF and PQP can, as follows:

Tier	How to qualify
Premier Silver	15 PQF and 5,000 PQP or 6,000 PQP
Premier Gold	30 PQF and 10,000 PQP or 12,000 PQP
Premier Platinum	45 PQF and 15,000 PQP or 18,000 PQP
Premier 1K	60 PQF and 22,000 PQP or 28,000 PQP

Premier Silver does offer some privileges, but Premier Gold is really where the most benefits begin. As United is a part of Star Alliance, Premier Gold is equivalent to Star Alliance Gold, which allows status holders to access the network airlines’ lounges on Star Allince tickets. The exact list of benefits is long and can change over time. Please refer to this page for more details.

There is also a tier above 1K and it’s called Global Services (GS). Interested customers cannot apply for GS as it’s on an invitation-only basis. United Airline, at its discretion, invites the most loyal and best revenue-generating members to the program. In some cases, existing GS members can nominate another person. Some can get it through a corporate relationship with the airline. Because this is the most exclusive and highest tier, GS members can expect priority over other passengers and other perks such as dedicated support team, more PlusPoints, VIP treatment, just to name a few.

Lifetime Miles

Not everyone can maintain an elite status year over year. Life situations change. Flying patterns change. Nonetheless, there are plenty of fliers out there who consistently and loyally fly with one chosen airline. Hence, the concept of Lifetime Miler duly recognizes such people. With United, if a person accumulates one million miles flown, not award miles, but the actual physical miles flown, he or she will attain Premier Gold for life with no other requirement needed. Million Milers can also elect another companion to share the same status. Details are here.

PlusPoints

It’s another currency of the loyalty program exclusive to Premier Platinum and 1k customers. Upon qualification, Premier Platinum and 1k members will receive 40 and 280 PlusPoints respectively. After reaching 1k and having more than 22,000 PQPs, members can earn 20 PlusPoints for every 3,000 PQPs; which requires a lot of flying and spending. Because PlusPoints are given based on status, they expire when the corresponding status expires; which motivates members to keep spending. Those with PlusPoints can use the points to request upgrades or exchange for benefits such as cash, TravelBank credit, PQF or PQP. United shares a neat table with all the exchange ratios here.

You can see a pattern here. Brands typically have two types of currencies. One is used to determine status while the other can be redeemed for benefits. United just takes it up a notch with a couple of more metrics; which can result in confusion. But that’s the whole point. Brands have a dizzying web of rules, terms and conditions buried in the fine print. Researching for answers can take time, but that is required if you want to extract the most benefits. To play the game, you need to understand the game’s rules. Use AI chatbots, blogs or sites such as Reddit for help. They have been very useful to me and many others so far.