United's big MileagePlus program changes are here: What to know
The big day has arrived for United Airlines' MileagePlus program.
April 2 will go down on this year's calendar as perhaps the most significant day of 2026 for frequent United flyers. Specifically, it's the day that sweeping changes to the carrier's MileagePlus program officially take effect.
These are the changes the airline first announced back in February and involve a big shake-up to how many miles you'll earn as a United customer going forward. They include:
- Awarding more miles on flights to loyalty members who also carry a cobranded United credit card
- Awarding fewer miles to members who don't — even if they have elite status
- Upping the number of miles most credit card holders can earn when they use their United card to pay for a United flight
- Slashing the miles basic economy flyers can earn, especially if they don't have status or a United card
- Offering deep, automatic award discounts to cardholders redeeming their miles
As I wrote in February, these changes represent one of the most aggressive moves any U.S. airline has made to lean into its credit card portfolio by rewarding customers who carry a card and effectively penalizing those who don't.
There was a ton to digest when United announced these changes earlier this year, and there's plenty to digest now.
Here's a quick rundown of the changes taking effect this month.
Changes to United mileage earning on flights
As of April 2, United has changed how many miles its MileagePlus members earn on flights.
If you don't carry a United credit card, this is generally bad news. If you do, it's good news.
Here's a look at the number of MileagePlus miles you'll earn on flights.
| Elite status tier | Previous earning rate | New earning rate, effective April 2 | New earning rate for most cardholders |
|---|---|---|---|
MileagePlus member | 5 miles per dollar spent | 3 miles per dollar spent | 6 miles per dollar spent |
Premier Silver | 7 miles per dollar spent | 5 miles per dollar spent | 8 miles per dollar spent |
Premier Gold | 8 miles per dollar spent | 6 miles per dollar spent | 9 miles per dollar spent |
Premier Platinum | 9 miles per dollar spent | 7 miles per dollar spent | 10 miles per dollar spent |
Premier 1K | 11 miles per dollar spent | 9 miles per dollar spent | 12 miles per dollar spent |
One important note: Members who carry the United Gateway℠ Card or the United MileagePlus® Debit Rewards card will not automatically get the cardholder earnings rate. Those cardholders will unlock the higher earning rate after spending $10,000 on purchases with the card in a calendar year.
The information for the United MileagePlus Debit Rewards card has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
Card earning rate changes
United has also upped the number of miles certain cardholders can earn when paying for their flight (or any other eligible United Airlines purchase) with a cobranded credit card.
In other words, these are the miles you now earn when paying for the flight with your card:
- United℠ Explorer Card: 3 miles per dollar spent on eligible United purchases (up from 2 miles per dollar)
- United Quest℠ Card: 4 miles per dollar spent on eligible United purchases (up from 3 miles per dollar)
- United Club℠ Card: 5 miles per dollar spent on eligible United purchases (up from 4 miles per dollar)
The earnings rate remains unchanged for members who carry the United Gateway Card or one of the airline's business credit cards.
Better redemption rates for cardholders
United cardholders also now get the best deals on MileagePlus redemptions going forward.
- Cardholders receive at least 10% off United flights booked with miles.
- Cardholders who also have Premier elite status get at least 15% off United flights booked with miles.
These discounts apply to tickets issued on or after April 2.
We should note that United had already started offering up the best award space to its Premier elite members and cardholders, as TPG staffers found during a recent award search blitz completed before the changes took effect.
Now, the discounts for the airline's VIPs will be even more obvious (and automatic).
Important note for families
For United cardholders who often fly with kids, there's an additional perk available as of April 2: The airline now allows children of cardholders to earn miles at the same "cardmember rate" enjoyed by their parent. They'll also get the same discounted award pricing.
Simply link your child's MileagePlus number to your account to take advantage of this benefit.
Basic economy takes a hit
United's April changes also include a shift in its mileage policy for its cheapest basic economy tickets.
Going forward, if you don't have status or a card and you book a basic economy fare, you'll earn no miles.
Other flyers will earn fewer miles on these no-frills fares.
Here's how things now shake out.
| Elite status tier | Current earning rate | New earning rate | New earning rate for cardholders |
|---|---|---|---|
MileagePlus member | 5 miles per dollar spent | None | 3 miles per dollar spent |
Premier Silver | 7 miles per dollar spent | 2 miles per dollar spent | 5 miles per dollar spent |
Premier Gold | 8 miles per dollar spent | 3 miles per dollar spent | 6 miles per dollar spent |
Premier Platinum | 9 miles per dollar spent | 4 miles per dollar spent | 7 miles per dollar spent |
Premier 1K | 11 miles per dollar spent | 6 miles per dollar spent | 9 miles per dollar spent |
This basic economy shake-up comes amid a wave of changes for airlines' discounted tickets — particularly on the loyalty front.
American Airlines recently stopped allowing its American Airlines AAdvantage members to earn miles or elite credit on basic bookings — even those with status or a card.
Delta Air Lines has had a similar policy in place for years.
When it comes to Premier status accrual, United passengers who purchase a basic economy ticket will continue to earn Premier qualifying points but not Premier qualifying flights.
Related reading:
- United Premier status: What it is and how to earn it
- Maximize your airfare: The best credit cards for booking flights
- The best credit cards to reach elite status
- United Airlines to introduce economy seats that turn into 'couches' in 2027
- United unveils 3 luxe new planes, 'Coastliner' with Polaris for cross-country routes