United’s MileagePlus Changes Favoring Credit Cardholders Are Now Live

United Airlines has implemented sweeping changes to its MileagePlus program. Now, the airline is rewarding credit and debit cardholders with perks such as more miles and access to Saver Awards, while effectively penalizing noncardholders.

Here’s what you need to know.

United Makes It More Rewarding To Have a Co-Branded Card

If you fly with United Airlines often, it’s now very beneficial to have a United MileagePlus credit or debit card, as holders now earn up to twice as many miles as noncardholders.

Beginning today, April 2, 2026, MileagePlus credit or debit cardholders earn up to twice as many miles per dollar on United flights as noncardholders, and will earn more miles when they use their United card to buy their ticket.

Here’s a look at the total miles earned per dollar on eligible United flights:

* United credit cards earn 2x to 4x miles on United purchases, depending on the card.

Additionally, United cardholders also get at least 10% off every United flight award ticket they book. That means if you found an award ticket from Newark (EWR) to Chicago (ORD) for, say, 8,700 miles, cardholders would pay just 7,830 miles.

That’s not all: cardholders will also get access to a “special inventory” of United’s lowest-priced award seats. That means MileagePlus members with a United credit or debit card have access to Saver Award inventory in United Polaris, a perk previously available only to Platinum and 1K members.

According to United, cardholders with Premier status can find Saver Award seats as low as 68,000 miles, while nonelites can find seats for as few as 72,000 miles.

Is It a Good Thing?

MileagePlus members with a United MileagePlus credit or debit card will earn up to 2x more miles for United flights as noncardholders — but there’s a catch.

It’ll become exponentially harder for noncardholders or nonelite members to earn miles. That’s because mileage earning will be reduced for customers without a United card by 2x per dollar. 

United says outright that MileagePlus members without a United card will earn fewer miles on United flights than members with one. Additionally, nonelite members will need a United card to earn miles when traveling on a basic economy ticket. Put another way, if you’re flying basic economy without a United co-branded card, you will not earn any miles for your flight.

“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. MileagePlus is designed to reward loyalty to United, and our best customers deserve the best benefits in the industry,” said Andrew Nocella, United’s chief commercial officer.

Final Thoughts

United has made some big changes to its MileagePlus program. While cardholders will earn more miles and perks, the airline is devaluing the program for noncardholders. United couldn’t have been clearer in its message to customers: sign up for a United credit or debit card or receive fewer MileagePlus perks.