United Gives MileagePlus Credit Cardholders More Miles, Exclusive Flight Discounts

United Airlines is giving travelers three new reasons to hold and use a United MileagePlus® credit or debit card: the ability to earn up to twice as many miles as non-cardholders, at least 10% off United award tickets and access to special inventory of its lowest-priced award seats.

Earn More Miles
- Primary United MileagePlus cardholders earn up to 2x more miles than non-cardholders.
- Example:
- MileagePlus® 1K® members with a United Club℠ card earn 17 miles per dollar on eligible flights.
- General members using a United℠ Explorer card earn 9 miles per dollar (vs. 3 for non-cardholders).
- Non-cardholders now earn fewer miles overall, and Basic Economy tickets only earn miles if purchased with a United card.

Award Flight Discounts
- 10% off all United award tickets for cardholders.
- 15% off for MileagePlus Premier® cardholders.
- Example:
- Economy award at 15,000 miles → 13,500 miles for cardholders.
- Polaris® Business Class at 200,000 miles → 170,000 miles for Premier cardholders.

Expanded Saver Award Access
- Cardholders gain access to exclusive Saver Award inventory in United Polaris® Business Class.
- Seats now priced as low as:
- 72,000 miles (10% less) for general cardholders.
- 68,000 miles (15% less) for Premier cardholders.
- Destinations include London, Hawaii, Cancun, Tokyo, and more.

Eligible Cards
- United℠ Explorer Card
- United Quest℠ Card
- United Club℠ Card
- United℠ Business Card
- United Club℠ Business Card
- United Gateway℠ Card
- MileagePlus® Debit Rewards Card

United also plans to expand its card offerings to Brazil, Canada, and the U.K. later this year.

Why It Matters
This move positions United’s MileagePlus program as one of the most rewarding airline loyalty programs, combining higher mileage accrual with consistent discounts and expanded access to premium award seats. It’s a clear push to make holding a United card almost essential for frequent flyers.