United Airlines has announced sweeping changes to its MileagePlus program that will significantly impact how members earn and redeem miles starting April 2. The most notable shift centers on credit card ownership. Elite members without a United credit card will see their earning rates on paid flights reduced by 2 miles per dollar, while cardholders will earn 1 additional mile per dollar compared to current rates. That creates a 3-mile-per-dollar gap between cardholders and non-cardholders across all elite tiers.

Elite TierCurrent RateNew (Non-Cardholder)New (Cardholder)
Member5 miles per dollar3 miles per dollar6 miles per dollar
Silver7 miles per dollar5 miles per dollar8 miles per dollar
Gold8 miles per dollar6 miles per dollar9 miles per dollar
Platinum9 miles per dollar7 miles per dollar10 miles per dollar
Premier 1K11 miles per dollar9 miles per dollar12 miles per dollar

United is also tightening the screws on Basic Economy. Non-cardholders will earn zero miles on Basic Economy tickets, while cardholders and elites will earn reduced rates. On the redemption side, United cardholders will receive at least a 10% discount on award tickets, with elite cardholders getting 15% off. Additionally, more Polaris business-class saver award space will be reserved for cardholders and elites, reducing availability for those without a co-branded card. In effect, meaningful participation in MileagePlus—both earning and redeeming—will increasingly require holding a United credit card.

Woman holding boarding pass and rolling carry-on bag at airport check-in counter

Our Take

United is making a clear statement: if you want to maximize MileagePlus, you need one of its co-branded credit cards. From a points and miles strategy perspective, this materially changes the math. A 3-mile-per-dollar earning gap on paid flights is substantial, especially for members without top-tier status. If you fly United even a few times per year, holding the right United credit card could dramatically accelerate your mileage earning. Add in a 10% to 15% award discount, and the long-term value compounds quickly—particularly for travelers redeeming for premium cabins like Polaris.

That said, this shift reinforces a broader trend among U.S. airlines: loyalty programs are increasingly built around credit card economics rather than flying alone. Our view is that if you are committed to United, use this to your advantage—pair a United card with strategic spending and stack those miles. If you are not, it may be time to diversify into transferable points currencies that give you flexibility across multiple airlines. The key is simple: align your credit card portfolio with the airline you actually fly, or risk earning and redeeming at a structural disadvantage.