United MileagePlus is the default mileage program for most US-based Star Alliance flyers. It's no longer cheap on its own metal — United moved away from a published chart years ago — but it remains the most flexible path into the broader Star Alliance network for US members.
Earning MileagePlus miles
United uses revenue-based earning: you earn 5-11 miles per US dollar spent on United-marketed flights based on status. Premier Qualifying Points (the currency for status) are earned similarly. In addition:
- Chase co-branded United cards — several tiers from the no-fee Gateway to the $525 Club Infinite. Each earns bonus miles on United spend and specific categories.
- Chase Ultimate Rewards 1:1 transfers — UR cards feed United via direct transfer.
- Shopping portal + dining program — meaningful cumulative earning for regular participants.
- Alliance partner flights — United-operated metal as well as Star Alliance partner flights credited to MileagePlus.
Redemption structure
MileagePlus uses dynamic award pricing on United-operated flights (no published chart; pricing varies with demand) and roughly fixed pricing on Star Alliance partner awards (using older published partner award chart categories).
This is where MileagePlus's value actually lives. Partner awards remain among the best Star Alliance value for US flyers:
- North America to Europe in partner business class — 60,000 miles one-way on most routes.
- North America to Asia in partner business class — 70,000-88,000 miles one-way.
- North America to Asia in partner first class — 110,000-140,000 miles one-way.
- Lufthansa First Class — a signature Star Alliance redemption, accessible via MileagePlus.
The Excursionist Perk
United's signature feature: on any round-trip award ticket, you can add a free one-way flight segment within a single region (North America, Europe, etc.) at no additional mile cost. Useful for stitching together complex itineraries — book Seattle → London → Paris round-trip and then add a free London → Amsterdam segment as the "Excursionist."
Elite status tiers
| Tier | Qualification (PQP) | Key benefits |
|---|---|---|
| Premier Silver | 5,000 PQP + 12 PQF | Priority check-in, 500-mile upgrade certs, 7x earning |
| Premier Gold | 10,000 PQP + 24 PQF | Priority security, free checked bags, 8x earning, Star Gold benefits |
| Premier Platinum | 15,000 PQP + 36 PQF | United Club passes, 9x earning, CPU priority |
| Premier 1K | 24,000 PQP + 54 PQF | Global Services eligibility, 11x earning, 6 PlusPoints |
PQP (Premier Qualifying Points) are dollar-based; PQF (Premier Qualifying Flights) is a minimum flight count. Credit card spend can contribute PQPs on some card products. Premier 1K is the published top tier; Global Services is invitation-only above 1K.
The Chase card ecosystem
| Card | Annual fee | Signature benefit |
|---|---|---|
| United Gateway | $0 | No fee earning |
| United Explorer | $95 | 2 United Club passes, free checked bag |
| United Quest | $250 | $125 travel credit, 2 award flight credits/yr |
| United Club Infinite | $525 | Full United Club membership, Premier boost |
Where MileagePlus wins
- Flexible Star Alliance access — 26 alliance members plus broader partner network.
- Chase UR 1:1 transfers — universal access for UR ecosystem members.
- Excursionist Perk — adds a free segment to round-trip awards.
- Extensive US domestic network — United's own footprint is strong for US-based flyers.
Where MileagePlus disappoints
- Dynamic pricing on United metal — points value on own-metal awards can be poor.
- No published partner chart. — partner pricing is knowable but not officially published.
- Fewer sweet spots than Aeroplan for comparable Star Alliance redemptions.
- Revenue-based earning — the program heavily rewards paid travel volume over award travel.
Who should pick MileagePlus
- US flyers whose travel is United-hub-heavy (Chicago, Denver, Houston, Newark, San Francisco, Washington DC).
- Chase UR ecosystem members who value a Star Alliance access option.
- Travelers who'll use the Excursionist Perk to stitch complex itineraries.
- Frequent flyers targeting Premier 1K or Global Services.
Who should look elsewhere
- Points-value optimizers — Aeroplan is cheaper on comparable redemptions.
- Non-US travelers — Aeroplan or ANA make more sense.
- Low-volume flyers — the revenue-based structure rewards high spend more than occasional travel.
FAQ
Is the Excursionist Perk really free?
Yes — no additional mile cost. The segment must be within a single region, originate/terminate at a city you're already visiting on the award, and meet routing rules. It effectively gives you a third flight on a round-trip booking.
Should I credit my Star Alliance flights to United or Aeroplan?
Aeroplan tends to give better per-flight mile accrual on Star partners. United tends to give better Premier Qualifying credit for status chasing. Pick based on whether you're optimizing for award balance or status.
What are United PlusPoints?
Upgrade currency earned by Premier Platinum and 1K members. Each upgrade request costs 20-80 PlusPoints depending on cabin and route. Premier 1K members receive 280 PlusPoints at qualification.
Does Chase UR to United transfer ever get bonuses?
Very rarely. Chase has occasionally run small transfer bonuses but they're uncommon compared to Amex MR → Aeroplan or ANA bonuses.
Do MileagePlus miles expire?
United miles do not expire with any qualifying account activity (flight, award booking, partner earn, etc.) within 18 months.
Last verified April 2026.