United Airlines Revamps Loyalty Program, Steers Flyers Toward United-Branded Payment Cards

General rewards members who don’t have an eligible United-branded card will no longer receive any miles when booking a basic economy ticket.

A United Airlines jet takes off from Los Angeles International Airport. John Fredricks/The Epoch Times

United Airlines on Feb. 19 rolled out a new rewards program that could significantly impact millions of travelers who have relied on the carrier’s loyalty program to book free flights.

United said primary loyalty customers who use the carrier’s United MileagePlus credit or debit cards to book flights with United Airlines or JetBlue will now earn up to twice as many loyalty miles per dollar spent as travelers who book flights using a different form of payment. Cardholders will also earn up to 10 percent off United award tickets and get access to a reserved inventory of its lowest-priced award seats.

Previously, customers who booked with United basic economy fares earned five award miles for every dollar spent, excluding taxes, regardless of their payment method. Under the new system, the highest loyalty member customers—Premium 1K—who book flights using a UnitedClub card can earn 17 total miles per dollar.

However, general rewards members who don’t have an eligible United-branded card will no longer receive any miles when booking a basic economy ticket, the airline said. The new system kicks in on April 2.

“The most rewarding way to fly United is as a MileagePlus member, and the best way to get the most value from the MileagePlus program is to have one of our credit or debit cards,” said Andrew Nocella, chief commercial officer for United Airlines.

“MileagePlus is designed to reward loyalty to United, and our best customers deserve the best benefits in the industry. MileagePlus members can now earn more miles faster with a United card.”

Under the new tiered system, United’s general MileagePlus members will earn three miles per dollar spent on eligible flights—down from the previous five miles per dollar—and six miles per dollar if they pay using an eligible credit or debit card. Flyers in more prestigious membership tiers, such as silver, gold, and platinum, receive more miles when booking with a United card.

Premium rewards members who are also United cardholders will receive at least a 15 percent discount on flights booked using their rewards miles, the airline said. United Polaris business-class seats are also discounted by 15 percent for cardholders with premier status.

United offers four personal credit cards through JPMorgan Chase Bank, along with two business-class credit cards and a United-branded debit card. Annual credit card fees run from $0 on the United Gateway card to $695 on the United Club business card, with certain terms and conditions.

United’s move follows that of Delta Airlines, which announced in December 2021 that SkyMiles members would no longer earn airline miles when booking basic economy tickets. American Airlines in December 2025 retired its rewards miles for passengers who book basic economy flights.

United Airlines said it’s in the process of updating its website and app so United cardholders can easily see the discounted fare structures.