Guide to United Airlines & MileagePlus

This guide provides an overview of flying, saving, and earning miles with United Airlines, including a summary of their frequent flyer program, MileagePlus. You’ll learn all about the airline, the deals they offer, and how to get the most out of each flight.

Either read everything sequentially or use the Table of Contents (above) to jump to the section that’s most relevant to you.   

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About United Airlines

United Airlines is a leading passenger and cargo airline operating more than 4,900 flights a day to more than 360 airports. It serves destinations across five continents from US hubs in Newark, Chicago, Denver, Houston, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Washington, DC, and the US island of Guam.

MileagePlus Frequent Flyer Program

MileagePlus is the name of United Airlines’ frequent flyer program.   It is consistently voted one of the best frequent flyer programs primarily because of the ability to redeem miles easier than many of the other US-based carriers.

You can join the MileagePlus program, by signing up on their website.

You can also earn United frequent flyer miles  by spending with United partners

• Hotel Partners
• Rental Car and Ground Transportation Partners
• Retail, Dining & Specialty Partners
• Cruises and Vacation Partners
• Financial Partners

United Airlines Alliance Membership – Star Alliance

United Airlines is a member of the Star Alliance.   Star Alliance is a global airline alliance with 27 member airlines working together to offer seamless travel on an extensive global network. From top hubs around the world, Star Alliance members provide flights to over 1,300 destinations in 192 countries.

United MileagePlus Credit Cards

The quickest way to earn United Frequent Flyer Miles, especially if you are not a road warrior, is through credit card spending and sign-up bonuses.  With United, you can earn miles through a variety of credit cards – either with a co-branded United MileagePlus card or with one that offers transfer options to United such as Chase Ultimate Rewards or Marriott.  Here are the best credit cards for earning United Frequent Flyer Miles.

United Co-Branded Credit Cards

United Airlines Co-Branded Credit Cards are available as both a personal and business cards through Chase and allow you to earn United MileagePlus Miles on every purchase you make.

1. United MileagePlus Explorer Card
2. United TravelBank Card
3. United MileagePlus Explorer Business Card

Credit Cards that transfer to United MileagePlus

Marriott Co-Branded Credit Cards are also an option to transfer to United. They transfer at a 3:1 ratio, plus there is a 5,000-mile bonus when you transfer 60,000 points. You can instantaneously transfer from your Marriott account, then over to United.

1. Marriott Rewards Premier Credit Card
2. Marriott Rewards Premier BUSINESS Card
3. Ritz Carlton Rewards Visa

Chase Credit Cards that transfer to United MileagePlus

Transfer points to United through Chase.   Chase Ultimate Rewards Points can also be transferred to United at a rate of 1:1.   The following cards earn Chase Ultimate Rewards Points:

1. Chase Sapphire Preferred Credit Card
2. Chase Sapphire Reserve Card
3. Chase Freedom Unlimited Credit Card
4. Chase Freedom Credit Card
5. Chase Ink Plus Business Credit Card

United Airlines Seating and Cabin Classes

United has a variety of flight service offers including Basic Economy, Economy, Economy Plus, Business, First, and their highest level of service – Polaris.

United Airlines Basic Economy

To compete with the low-price air carriers, United recently introduced Basic Economy fares.  Basic Economy fares provide most of the same inflight services and amenities that are available with standard Economy class— such as food and beverages, United Wi-FiSM, and inflight entertainment — but with some important restrictions that you’ll want to be sure to review carefully before booking:

• Your seat will be automatically assigned prior to boarding, and you won’t be able to change your seat once it’s been assigned
• If you are traveling in a group, including families, will not be able to sit together.
• You’re not allowed a full-sized carry-on bag unless you’re a MileagePlus Premier member or companion traveling on the same reservation. Everyone else who brings a full-sized carry-on bag to the gate will be required to check their bag and pay the applicable checked bag fee plus a $25 gate handling charge.
• Ticket changes are not allowed with Basic Economy, including advance and same-day changes.
• You will be in the last boarding group unless you’re a MileagePlus Premier member or companion traveling on the same reservation

United Economy Class

United’s economy-class seating is fairly standard for domestic carriers.   Wifi and in-flight entertainment are available as well as complimentary beverages (non-alcoholic) and snacks.

United Economy Plus

Economy Plus seats have up to five inches of extra legroom and are located near the front of the United Economy cabin. Economy Plus seating is available on all United flights and most United Express flights. Customers who have selected Basic Economy will not, however, be able to purchase Economy Plus seating.

United First/Business Class

United recently redesigned their domestic business class seat with two-tone leather, a six-way adjustable headrest, and storage spaces for your laptop and water bottle.  There is also an A/C plug to stay fully charged, wifi, and United private screening in-flight entertainment.  Domestic first and business class are essentially the same thing.

United Polaris Business Class

United’s highest class of service is called Polaris Business Class.   This new class of service is focused on giving international business travelers a much better class of service.  The food and wine are a significant upgrade as well as a redesigned lie-flat seat with luxury bedding.  The Polaris class of service is currently offered on United’s Boeing 777 fleet of aircraft.

United Contact and Customer Service

United Airlines, Inc.
233 S. Wacker Drive
Chicago, IL 60606
United States

1-800-UNITED-1 (1-800-864-8331)

Visa and Passport Requirements

Before you book your flight make sure you are up to speed with the latest information regarding visa and passport requirements.   Here is a link to United’s Travel Document Guidelines.

If you have to renew or obtain a new passport, make sure you follow the passport application rules, including how to obtain a proper passport photo.  Sometimes it’s the little things that can cause a big headache if you don’t follow to rules.