United MileagePlus for Star Alliance Flyers
A program guide to United MileagePlus: earning, Premier status, saver awards and partner space, and where MileagePlus beats its own dynamic pricing.
United MileagePlus is the loyalty program for United Airlines and the natural home for many Star Alliance flyers in the US. Its own awards are dynamically priced, but its partner awards and a few unusual features can make United miles useful.
Program rules change. Check the official MileagePlus pages before you rely on any of the details here.
The program in one paragraph
MileagePlus lets you earn miles on United and Star Alliance flights, co-branded cards and partners, and spend them on United and partner flights. Elite status, called Premier, has four published tiers: Silver, Gold, Platinum and 1K. It suits flyers based at or near a United hub, and anyone who wants access to Star Alliance’s large network.
Earning miles
- On United flights, miles are earned based on the fare paid, with higher Premier tiers earning more per dollar.
- On Star Alliance partners, miles usually depend on distance and fare class.
- Other ways include co-branded cards, shopping and dining programs, and transfers from at least one bank points program.
Premier status
For 2026, Premier status is earned through Premier qualifying flights (PQF) and Premier qualifying points (PQP), with a PQP-only route for each tier:
| Tier | Flights and points | Points only |
|---|---|---|
| Silver | 15 PQF + 5,000 PQP | 6,000 PQP |
| Gold | 30 PQF + 10,000 PQP | 12,000 PQP |
| Platinum | 45 PQF + 15,000 PQP | 18,000 PQP |
| 1K | 60 PQF + 22,000 PQP | 28,000 PQP |
You also need at least four flights on United or United Express in the year. Some United co-branded cards add PQP from spending, up to an annual cap.
United has announced that from 2027, qualifying flights will no longer count and status will be based on PQP alone, with 1K rising to 32,000 PQP. Check the “What’s new with MileagePlus” page on united.com for the details.
United awards versus partner awards
- United-operated awards are dynamically priced: the number of miles changes with demand, often tracking the cash price.
- Partner awards on Star Alliance airlines are generally priced more predictably. United’s partner pricing can still change, but on some routes partner awards are better value than United’s own.
Use the search on United’s site, which shows both United and many partner flights.
Program features worth knowing
- Miles don’t expire. United ended mileage expiration in 2019.
- Multi-city awards can include a free one-way segment in some cases, a feature known as the Excursionist Perk. The rules are specific; read them before planning around it.
- Family pooling lets a group of members combine miles.
Who should make it their home program
- Flyers based at or near a United hub.
- Travellers who value Star Alliance’s international network, especially to Europe and Asia.
- Anyone with a United co-branded card and regular United flying.
If you’re deciding whether chasing Premier status is worthwhile, use the status value test.
Common questions
Do United miles expire? Not under United’s current terms. Check the official page in case that changes.
What is a United saver award? A lower-priced award category, usually with limited availability. Partner airlines generally make saver-level space available to United members.
Can I book Star Alliance partners with United miles? Yes, on most partners, through United’s website or by phone.
How do I earn United Premier status? Through qualifying flights and spending on United, with thresholds set each year. Check the official Premier page.
Program rules change often. Check MileagePlus’s official terms before you book.