MileagePlus

Frequent flier programs were introduced in 1979 by Texas International Airlines.{{cite web |url=http://thetravelinsider.info/airlinemismanagement/airlinederegulation2.htm|title=A History of US Airline Deregulation Part 4 : 1979–2010 : The Effects of Deregulation – Lower Fares, More Travel, Frequent Flier Programs |author=David M Rowell |date=August 13, 2010 |publisher=The Travel Insider|access-date=September 21, 2010}} Two years later, American Airlines launched their AAdvantage program,{{cite web|author=American Airlines |title=American Airlines AAdvantage Program Details |url=https://www.aa.com/aa/i18nForward.do?p=/AAdvantage/programDetails/main.jsp&anchorEvent=false |access-date=28 May 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090303121352/http://www.aa.com/aa/i18nForward.do?p=%2FAAdvantage%2FprogramDetails%2Fmain.jsp&anchorEvent=false |archive-date=3 March 2009 }} and United's Mileage Plus was launched one week later.{{cite web|title=United MileagePlus|url=http://www.webflyer.com/programs/ratings_and_reviews/program.php?key=UA01|publisher=WebFlyer|access-date=29 April 2012}} On June 29, 2011, United officially changed the name of the program from Mileage Plus to MileagePlus.{{cite web|title=Mileage Plus: Loyalty program for the new United in 2012|url=http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/united-mileageplus-consolidated/1231435-mileage-plus-loyalty-program-new-united-2012-a.html|publisher=FlyerTalk.com|access-date=29 April 2012}}

On July 9, 2011, Tom Stuker became the first member of the MileagePlus program to reach ten million flown miles on United.{{cite web|url=http://www.nbcchicago.com/traffic/transit/125274904.html|title=United Passenger Logs 10 Million Miles|work=NBC Chicago}} He earned this distinction flying from Los Angeles to Chicago on flight 942. Jeff Smisek, then president and CEO of United, was on hand to congratulate him.{{cite news|title=Thomas Stuker, United Frequent Flier, Logs 10 Millionth Mile On Airline|url=http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/07/11/thomas-stuker-united-freq_n_894761.html|publisher=Huffington Post|access-date=29 April 2012|first=Kate|last=Auletta|date=11 July 2011}} For reaching the ten million mile number, he was given the only United Titanium Card and his name was placed on the side of a United Boeing 747-400.{{cite web|url=http://www.airlinereporter.com/2011/07/united-airlines-frequent-flyer-hits-10-million-miles/|title=United Airlines Frequent Flyer Hits 10 Million Miles|work=AirlineReporter}} Stuker has since passed the 20 million mile threshold and remains the world's most frequent flyer.{{Cite web|url=https://hub.united.com/united-20-million-miles-stuker-2626075400.html|title=20 Million Miles and Counting|date=2019-01-15|website=United Hub|language=en|access-date=2019-01-20}}

Several controversial changes were introduced to the program in 2012, following the integration of the Continental OnePass program into MileagePlus. This included the reduction in bonus miles for Premier Gold and Premier Platinum members, as well as the inability of Premier Silver members to reserve Economy Plus seats until 24 hours prior to departure.{{cite web|title=The New United MileagePlus Takes Off|url=http://www.insideflyer.com/articles/article.php?key=7305|publisher=Insideflyer.com|access-date=April 4, 2012|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111021220332/http://www.insideflyer.com/articles/article.php?key=7305|archive-date=2011-10-21}} Changes have also occurred to the upgrade process, where upgrades are being sold at check-in for prices as low as $69, even when elites are still being processed on the upgrade waitlist.{{cite web|title=United Airlines|url=http://www.yelp.com/biz/united-airlines-newark|publisher=Yelp:Real People, Real Reviews|access-date=April 4, 2012}} Million Mile Flyer George Lagen filed, in late May 2012, a class action against United for taking away or demoting "lifetime" benefits promised to pre-merger Million Mile Flyers.{{cite web|title=George Lagen v. United Continental Holdings, Inc. and United Airlines, Inc.|url=http://www.topclassactions.com/lawsuit-settlements/lawsuit-news/1940-united-airlines-qmillion-milerq-class-action-lawsuit|publisher=Top Class Actions|access-date=June 1, 2012}} A federal judge eventually dismissed the class-action lawsuit on the basis that the contract which regulated "Million Mile Flyer" customers was the same as for all MileagePlus members, which essentially gave the airline the right to unilaterally reduce or discontinue benefits anytime it wanted to.{{cite web|title=Judge Bags United Airlines 'Million Miler' Class Action Lawsuit|url=http://topclassactions.com/lawsuit-settlements/lawsuit-news/15019-judge-bags-united-airlines-million-miler-class-action-lawsuit/|publisher=Top Class Actions|access-date=July 25, 2015}}

Following the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, MileagePlus made it easier for customers to attain status by lowering requirements and giving bonuses to existing status members.{{Cite web |last=Mackenzie |first=Scott |date=2020-04-06 |title=United Extends Elite Status, Lowers 2020 Requirements by Half |url=https://www.travelcodex.com/united-extends-elite-status-lowers-2020-requirements-by-half/ |access-date=2024-02-23 |website=Travel Codex |language=en-US}} But over time, this resulted in diluted status privileges and as of 2024 the MileagePlus requirements are now back to pre-Covid numbers.{{Cite web |date=2023-11-16 |title=United's Frequent Flier Program Is Changing—Here's Who Stands to Gain |url=https://www.afar.com/magazine/united-is-changing-its-mileageplus-frequent-flier-program |access-date=2024-02-23 |website=AFAR Media |language=en}}

In addition to United, all 28 members of the Star Alliance as well as a number of other airlines participate in the MileagePlus program to a certain degree. MileagePlus miles can then be both earned and redeemed on United flights, as well as on any partner airline. However, certain booking classes on partner airlines are excluded from mileage accrual.{{cite web|title=Sudden Big Changes to Mileage Plus airline partner mileage accrual|url=http://boardingarea.com/blogs/unroadwarrior/2011/10/03/sudden-big-changes-to-mileage-plus-airline-partner-mileage-accrual/|publisher=Boarding Area|access-date=29 April 2012}}

The airline partners of MileagePlus are:{{cite web|title=Airline Partners and Global Alliances|url=http://www.united.com/CMS/en-US/marketing/custcomm/promotions/Pages/AirlinePartners.aspx|publisher=United Airlines|access-date=29 April 2012}}

File:Boeing 747-830, Lufthansa AN2119979.jpg First Class, bookable using MileagePlus award miles]]

MileagePlus miles (redeemable miles) can be redeemed for travel on any combination of United and United Express carriers, as well as Star Alliance partners and other airline partners.{{cite web|title=MileagePlus air travel and upgrade awards|url=http://www.united.com/web/en-US/content/mileageplus/awards/travel/default.aspx|publisher=United Airlines|access-date=29 April 2012}} MileagePlus offers Saver and Everyday awards, at different tiers of pricing with different capacity control mechanisms.{{cite web|title=MileagePlus air awards|url=http://www.united.com/web/en-US/content/mileageplus/awards/travel/types.aspx|publisher=United Airlines|access-date= 29 April 2012}} Saver awards are capacity-controlled awards available for travel on all partner airlines.

The release of saver award seats is dictated by the operating airline, who will make the award inventory available to all its partners, including United MileagePlus.{{cite web|last=Leff|first=Gary|title=StarNet: United's Weapon of Mass Award Destruction|url=http://boardingarea.com/blogs/viewfromthewing/2007/12/10/starnet-uniteds-weapon-of-mass-award-destruction/|publisher=Boarding Area|access-date=29 April 2012}} On flights operated by United Airlines, additional saver award inventory is offered to Premier members and United credit card holders, in addition to that offered to general members.{{cite web|last=Klint|first=Matthew|url=http://upgrd.com/matthew/one-upside-to-the-united-merger-elite-only-saver-awards-in-business-and-first-class.html|title=One upside to the United merger elite|publisher=Upgrd.com|access-date=29 April 2012}}

Everyday awards are only available for travel on United and United Express, and have greater availability than Saver Awards.{{cite web|title=Award Saver vs. Standard Award|url=http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/united-mileage-plus-pre-merger/925279-award-saver-vs-standard-award.html|publisher=FlyerTalk.com|access-date=29 April 2012}} "Everyday" awards may cost two to three times as much as the equivalent "Saver" awards.{{cite web|last=Schlappig|first=Benjamin|title=Could it be? United LOWERS the prices of many awards|url=http://boardingarea.com/blogs/onemileatatime/2011/03/16/could-it-be-united-lowers-the-prices-of-many-awards/|publisher=Boarding Area|access-date=29 April 2012}}

As of August 2019, MileagePlus award miles no longer expire. Before that, there had to be activity in the last 1.5 years.{{cite web|title=United Airlines Announces MileagePlus Miles Never Expire|url=https://hub.united.com/united--mileageplus-miles-never-expire-2640082775.html|publisher=The Consumerist|access-date=4 December 2019}}

MileagePlus awards are on a one-way basis and do not require round-trip travel.

File:UnitedRedCarpetBoarding.jpg red carpet boarding line at San Francisco, the predecessor of the Premier Access Line]]

While status levels were not originally part of the MileagePlus program, they were introduced in 1987 to reward customers who had achieved certain qualification thresholds within a given calendar year.{{cite web|title=High Flyers|url=http://www.insideflyer.com/articles/article.php?key=3466|publisher=InsideFlyer|access-date=29 April 2012|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111102015223/http://www.insideflyer.com/articles/article.php?key=3466|archive-date=2 November 2011}} All Premier members are eligible for Premier Access, which allows them to use exclusive check-in and security lines, as well as priority boarding and baggage retrieval.{{cite web|title=Premier Access|url=http://www.united.com/web/en-US/content/products/premieraccess/default.aspx|publisher=United Airlines|access-date=29 April 2012}}

Previously, members reached Premier status by earning the required number of Premier Qualifying Miles (PQM) or Premier Qualifying Segments (PQS). Starting in 2014, members living in United States had to meet a minimum annual spending level, tracked as Premier Qualifying Dollars (PQD), on United issued tickets in a calendar year to qualify for a tier.{{cite news|title=United adds spending threshold to elite-status qualifying|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/todayinthesky/2013/06/18/united-adds-spending-threshold-to-elite-status-qualifying/2433545/|publisher=USA Today|access-date=19 June 2013|first1=Ben|last1=Mutzabaugh|date=18 June 2013}}

Now, members must earn Premier Qualifying Points (PQPs) and/or Premier Qualifying Flights (PQFs). Status can be earned by accumulating PQPs and PQFs, or by attaining a higher PQP threshold.{{cite web |title=How to Qualify for MileagePlus Premier Status |url=https://www.united.com/ual/en/us/fly/mileageplus/premier/qualify.html}}

Premier Silver status is the lowest status level in the MileagePlus program. This level includes access to Star Alliance Silver status.

Premier Gold status is a mid-level status in the MileagePlus program. This is the lowest level status to include access to Star Alliance Gold status.

Premier Platinum status is an upper level status in the MileagePlus program.

Premier 1K status is the highest status of the MileagePlus Program. Status holders enjoy the highest upgrade priority and access to a dedicated phone line.

Global Services status is a level above Premier 1K. It is a secretive, by-invitation-only status level that provides discrete services to high value individuals that often spend tens of thousands of dollars flying on United per year. Members are often top corporate executives and celebrities. The program was introduced in 2003 and is shrouded in a fair amount of secrecy. Benefits include: Private airport check-in and security, access to private lounges, luxury vehicle tarmac transfer, and exclusive customer service team. United Chairman's Circle is also shrouded in secrecy and comes with Global Services status for the primary member and the member's spouse. Chairman's Circle status is conferred to one individual at companies with significant business partnerships with United.

Million Miler Program is a program offered to MileagePlus members who have demonstrated a long-term loyalty. The Million Miler Program balance is calculated based on the accrued elite qualifying miles prior to January 1, 2012, plus the actual flown miles on United and Copa Airlines after January 1, 2012.{{cite web|title=Million Miler Program|url=http://www.united.com/web/en-US/content/account/lifetime.aspx|access-date=18 June 2014}}

Members receive the following lifetime MileagePlus Premier status based on their Million Miler Program balance:

Members eligible for Million Miler status can also designate a companion (defined as their spouse, significant other, or another individual residing at the same address) to receive the same Premier status as themself.

Infinite Elite was a promotional program offered by Continental Airlines in the early 1990s that offered lifetime Platinum Elite status on Continental for flying a certain mileage amount for a number of continuous years.{{cite web|title=Very Important Flyers|url=http://www.insideflyer.com/articles/article.php?key=6455|publisher=InsideFlyer|access-date=29 April 2012|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111102020447/http://www.insideflyer.com/articles/article.php?key=6455|archive-date=2 November 2011}} With the integration of OnePass and MileagePlus, Infinite Elite members will be offered Premier 1K status, but will not receive Global Premier Upgrades.{{cite web|last=O'Leary|first=Scott|title=Merger Update: 2012 MileagePlus Program Details|url=http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/united-mileageplus-consolidated/1261722-merger-update-2012-mileageplus-program-details.html|publisher=FlyerTalk.com|access-date=29 April 2012}}

Complimentary Premier Upgrades are offered to all Premier members on flights within North America, Central America and the Caribbean, excluding Premium Service flights and certain flights to/from Hawaii.{{cite web|title=Upgrades Overview|url=http://www.united.com/web/en-US/content/mileageplus/awards/upgrade/default.aspx#regions|access-date=18 June 2014}} This is awarded to Premier members on a space-available basis, prioritized by status, then fare class.{{cite web|last=Leff|first=Gary|title=United's New Elite Unfriendly Upgrade Priority Already in Effect|url=http://boardingarea.com/blogs/viewfromthewing/2012/02/25/uniteds-new-elite-unfriendly-upgrade-priority-already-in-effect/|publisher=Boarding Area|access-date=30 April 2012}}

PlusPoints allow Premier Platinum, Premier 1K, and Global Services customers to upgrade paid tickets on any route serviced by United, United Express, and select partner airlines.{{cite web |title=PlusPoints |url=https://www.united.com/en/us/fly/mileageplus/awards/upgrades-types/pluspoints.html}} PlusPoint upgrades are considered instrument upgrades and will clear before Complimentary Premier Upgrades.

{{reflist|2|refs=https://thepointsguy.com/2017/06/man-flies-18-million-miles-united/}}

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Category:Frequent flyer programs

Category:United Airlines