Mileage Plus: United Airlines' Frequent Flier Program

What Is Mileage Plus?: Mileage Plus is the frequent flier program for United Airlines, Ted, and United Express. Members earn points based on the amount of miles flown on a given flight. Members can use these points to earn free flights or other awards with United Airlines or any of its business partners. The program has been rated the #1 frequent flier program eight years in a row by Business Traveler magazine.

Basic Way to a Free Flight: When a Mileage Plus member earns 25,000 miles, he or she is eligible for a free flight (economy class/Saver Award) anywhere in the continental United States. Flight rewards for business class, first class or outside the continental United States require more points. Points do not expire as long as members earn or redeem points within a 36-month period.

How Points Are Awarded: Members earn 100 percent of the actual miles they fly with a 500 mile minimum for any flight on United or its flight partners. Members earn bonus mileage for Business Class (25 percent) and First Class flights (50 percent). Also, members earn miles through United business partners that include hotels, rental cars, cruises, groceries, credit cards and other retail.

How Points Are Redeemed: Mileage Plus members can redeem their miles for free flights or flight upgrades on United and its airline partners. Members can also redeem their points for hotel stays, rental cars, newspaper subscriptions, or music CDs.