United Airlines Makes Major MileagePlus Changes: Lower Earnings Without a Card, Bigger Perks With One
United Airlines has announced several significant changes to its MileagePlus program that will impact how many miles you earn, how much award flights cost, and who gets access to premium award space. While the airline frames these updates as enhancements, the underlying message is clear: United increasingly wants flyers to hold a United credit card.
These changes take effect April 2, 2026, and they could meaningfully alter the value proposition for both casual and frequent United flyers.
Mileage Earning Rates Are Being Reduced for Non-Cardholders
Starting 04/02/26, United will revise how MileagePlus members earn miles on paid United flights. Earnings will still be based on elite status, but non–United cardholders will earn fewer miles per dollar than before.
In practical terms:
- Flyers without a United credit card will earn 2 fewer miles per dollar compared to current earning rates
- Flyers with a United credit card will earn 1 additional mile per dollar on United flights
This effectively widens the gap between cardholders and non-cardholders and makes elite status alone less valuable than it used to be.
United Chase Cardholders Earn Even More Miles
In addition to the revised MileagePlus earning rates, United cardholders continue to earn credit card bonus miles when paying for United airfare with their card. These card earnings stack on top of the MileagePlus miles earned from flying.
Here’s how many miles per dollar each card earns on United purchases:
- United Club℠ Card – Earn 4 miles per dollar
- United Quest℠ Card – Earn 3 miles per dollar
- United℠ Explorer Card – Earn 2 miles per dollar
- United Gateway℠ Card – Earn 2 miles per dollar
- United℠ Business Card – Earn 2 miles per dollar
- United Club℠ Business Card – Earn 2 miles per dollar
For frequent United flyers, the combined earning potential from flying plus card spend becomes hard to ignore.
New Award Flight Discounts for United Cardholders
United is also rolling out automatic award flight discounts, a perk that further tilts the program toward cardholders.
Beginning April 2, 2026:
- United cardholders will receive at least 10% off United award flights
- Premier elite members will receive at least 15% off United award flights
This move closely mirrors Delta’s 15% award discount for its co-branded cardholders and signals an industry-wide push to lock loyalty programs behind credit cards.
Expanded Access to United Polaris Saver Awards
Another noteworthy change is expanded access to premium cabin award space.
United will now allow all United credit cardholders, regardless of elite status, to book Saver Awards in United Polaris® Business Class.
Previously, this access was limited to Premier Platinum and Premier 1K members. This update dramatically improves the value of even entry-level United credit cards for travelers aiming to redeem miles for long-haul business class flights.
If you do not possess a United Airlines credit card, you can apply here.
Share cardholder benefits with your kids:
United cardholders can share both the increased earnings for flying, and the discount off United award flights, with up to 8 of their kids under 18.
You’ll be able to link their accounts starting 4/2 for those benefits. Benefits will end when they turn 18.
Final Thoughts
United’s latest MileagePlus changes make one thing very clear: holding a United credit card is quickly becoming essential, not optional.
- Non-cardholders earn fewer miles than before
- Cardholders earn more miles, receive award discounts, and gain better award availability
- Premium redemptions are now easier to access with any United card
If you frequently fly United and don’t yet have one of their co-branded credit cards, these changes may push the math firmly in favor of getting one. As always, comparing all available United credit cards side by side is the best way to determine which option fits your travel and spending habits.
