On Thursday, United Airlines unveiled updated guidelines for its MileagePlus loyalty program, and the takeaway for travelers is that if you do not possess a United-affiliated credit card, achieving the higher levels of the program will be significantly more challenging.
Although the airline is maintaining the official qualification benchmarks for 2026, it is introducing hurdles for those without a co-branded card. Commencing April 2, individuals without a card will experience a reduction in their mileage earning rates—potentially earning up to 60% fewer miles compared to their cardholder peers on the same flight.
For standard MileagePlus members who do not hold a card, the earning rate will decrease to 3 miles accrued for every $1 spent on United flights (reduced from 5 miles). Below are the adjustments for the remaining tiers for non-cardholders:
- Premier Silver: Now 5 miles per $1, down from 7 miles per $1
- Premier Gold: Now 6 miles per $1, down from 8 miles per $1
- Premier Platinum: Now 7 miles per $1, down from 9 miles per $1
- Premier 1K: Now 9 miles per $1, down from 11 miles per $1
Additionally, United is eliminating mileage accrual on Basic Economy fares for general members who lack a card, making it exceedingly difficult for budget-minded travelers to accumulate the necessary progress for status or meaningful redemptions.
It’s important to highlight that United is not the first among the Big 3 U.S. airlines to promote becoming a branded cardholder. Delta has already been providing cardholders with a 15% discount on all award redemptions, which slightly surpasses United’s new base discount of 10% for its general cardholders. Delta also suspended miles and status accrual on Basic Economy (referred to as “Main Cabin”) back in 2021.
Advantages for Cardholders
Despite the unfavorable developments for non-cardholders, those wielding United’s co-branded credit cards will discover an easier path to earning. As of April 2, possessing an eligible United card will “unlock” a superior base earning rate. For instance, a general member with a card will receive 6 miles for every $1 spent—twice the rate of a member without a card.
Listed below are the new base earning rates for cardholders (prior to any payment bonuses):
- General Member: 6 miles per $1
- Premier Silver: 8 miles per $1
- Premier Gold: 9 miles per $1
- Premier Platinum: 10 miles per $1
- Premier 1K: 12 miles per $1
When utilizing a United card to pay for a flight, those figures increase significantly:
- United Explorer Card: Adds an additional 3 miles per $1 (for example, a 1K could earn a total of 15 miles).
- United Quest Card: Adds an additional 4 miles per $1 (for instance, a 1K could receive 16 miles total).
- United Club Card: Adds an additional 5 miles per $1 (for example, a 1K could earn 17 miles total).
In addition to earning miles more swiftly, United is providing cardholders with special “always-on” discounts ranging from 10% to 15% off each award ticket booked. Perhaps most critically for those pursuing status, cardholders now have increased access to Saver Award inventory in Polaris Business Class—a benefit that was previously exclusive to the top-tier Platinum and 1K elites.
Fonte: Travel Market Report
