Thanks to multiple earning methods. Miles are most commonly accrued through flights with United Airlines or its extensive Star Alliance partners like Lufthansa, ANA, and Air Canada. You can also accumulate miles through everyday spending with United’s co-branded credit cards, shopping online via the MileagePlus Shopping portal, booking hotels and rental cars, or participating in partner dining programs. Each mile typically holds a value of approximately 1.2 cents, but their value can increase substantially when redeemed for premium cabin international flights, where savvy travelers often achieve redemption rates exceeding 2 cents per mile.


United MileagePlus is one of the oldest frequent flyer programs, launched in 1981, and has evolved into one of the most user-friendly loyalty programs in the industry. Notably, United miles no longer expire, giving travelers flexibility in their earning and redemption timelines. The best value for using United miles usually comes from booking long-haul international flights, particularly in business or first class, due to the high cash cost and the excellent service quality these flights provide. Travelers typically find peak redemption value by booking well in advance or during off-peak periods—often between January and early May or September through November—when award availability improves.