United Just Changed How You Earn Miles—Here’s Who Wins and Loses

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United will change MileagePlus earnings on April 2, giving cardholders more miles and non-cardholders fewer. The carrier made the change to reward loyal customers and push more travelers to sign up for its credit and debit cards. Keep reading to learn what the exact changes area.

Accruing MileagePlus miles with United Airlines just got easier for some and harder for others. Starting April 2, MileagePlus members with a United credit, debit, or Chase co-branded credit card will earn more miles than before, while MileagePlus members who don't have a United or co-branded card will earn fewer miles. 

Previously, a MileagePlus member without status or a United credit card, would earn five miles per dollar spent. Now they only earn three miles for every dollar spent. Meanwhile, under the changes, a general United MileagePlus member who buys a ticket using the United Explorer card will earn nine miles per dollar spent. That's three times more miles for people who book flights with their United credit card. 

The difference gets even more dramatic when you consider the number of miles high-tier MileagePlus members and high-tier credit card holders earn. For example, MileagePlus 1K members can earn 17 miles per dollar spent with their United Club card.

In addition, United cardholders get access to exclusive Saver Award fares and get at least 10 percent off every United flight award ticket they book. Only MileagePlus members earn miles when traveling on a Basic Economy ticket.

"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 in a Feb. 19 release . "MileagePlus members can now earn more miles faster with a United card – and every one of those miles will go further with our always-on award ticket discounts and expanded access to Saver Award fares."

With the change, United says they now offer "some of the richest rewards among airline or travel credit card programs" for loyal United travelers who used their United card. Their goal with the change is to encourage travelers to sign up for (and use) a United credit or debit card.

To see how many miles you can earn on future flights based on your MileagePlus status and credit card type, visit united.com/mpnews . The change goes into effect starting with United tickets purchased on April 2.

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