How to earn
United miles.
United's April 2026 earn rates by status and card, what Basic Economy still earns, and the ways in that don't involve a flight.
Since April 2026, United pays by fare, status and whether you hold a United credit card: general members earn 3 miles per $1 without one and 6 with one, rising to 9 and 12 for Premier 1K. Basic Economy earns less, and nothing for general members without a card. Chase points transfer in at 1:1.
- Since 2 April 2026, United's rate depends on status and on holding a United card.
- General members earn 3 miles per $1, or 6 with a United card; Premier 1K earns 9 or 12.
- Basic Economy earns less — and nothing for a general member without a card.
- Chase points transfer in at 1:1; Marriott converts at 3:1 plus a bonus.
- Shopping, dining, car rental and Lyft earn miles too.
On this page
How many miles do United flights earn?
United pays miles on the fare, and since tickets issued on 2 April 2026 the rate depends on two things: your Premier status and whether you hold an eligible United credit card. A general member earns 3 miles per $1 without one and 6 with one; Premier 1K members earn 9 and 12. Basic Economy earns less at every level, and nothing at all for a general member without a United card.
| Status | No United card | With a United card |
|---|---|---|
| General member | 3 | 6 |
| Premier Silver | 5 | 8 |
| Premier Gold | 6 | 9 |
| Premier Platinum | 7 | 10 |
| Premier 1K | 9 | 12 |
| Status | No United card | With a United card |
|---|---|---|
| General member | 0 | 3 |
| Premier Silver | 2 | 5 |
| Premier Gold | 3 | 6 |
| Premier Platinum | 4 | 7 |
| Premier 1K | 6 | 9 |
Enter a fare and pick your status and card to see the miles it earns on a United flight (not Basic Economy).
$1,000 in United fares as a general member without a United card earns 3,000 miles — 3 miles per $1.
Which cards count for the higher rate?
The Explorer, Quest and Club cards unlock the cardmember rate as soon as you hold them; the Gateway card and the MileagePlus debit card unlock it once you spend $10,000 on the card in a calendar year. The rate applies to United-operated flights — and the same Basic Economy rule covers JetBlue's Blue Basic fares.
Which points transfer to United?
Chase Ultimate Rewards points transfer to United at 1:1, which makes Chase the main way to build United miles without flying. Marriott Bonvoy points convert at 3 to 1, with 10,000 bonus miles for every 60,000 Marriott points moved — rarely good value, but useful to finish a booking.
Every Chase partner and ratio is in Chase transfer partners.
How do you earn United miles without flying?
Away from the airport, United pays through its MileagePlus Shopping portal and dining program, Avis and Budget car rental, Lyft rides and a long list of retail and subscription partners.
United miles don't expire, so small amounts from these add up without a deadline.
Earning United miles — common questions
On tickets issued from 2 April 2026: 3 miles per $1 for a general member without a United card and 6 with one; 5 and 8 for Premier Silver, 6 and 9 for Gold, 7 and 10 for Platinum, and 9 and 12 for Premier 1K.
Less than other fares, and nothing for a general member without a United card. A general member with one earns 3 miles per $1; Premier members earn 2 to 6 without a card and 5 to 9 with one.
The Explorer, Quest and Club cards unlock it straight away. The Gateway card and the MileagePlus debit card unlock it after $10,000 of spending on the card in a calendar year.
Chase Ultimate Rewards, at 1:1. Marriott Bonvoy points also convert, at 3 to 1 plus 10,000 bonus miles for every 60,000 points.
Nanvero keeps your MileagePlus balance current automatically from the emails United already sends, with no password, alongside your Chase points and every other airline and hotel balance. It's free to track up to five programs.
Both rate grids come from two independent write-ups of United's April 2026 change, which agree row for row. Transfer ratios are dated below. Sign-up bonuses and card fees are left out on purpose.
Where these numbers come from: AwardWallet from 2 April 2026, miles per $1 without / with a United card: general 3/6, Silver 5/8, Gold 6/9, Platinum 7/10, 1K 9/12; Basic Economy general —/3, Silver 2/5, Gold 3/6, Platinum 4/7, 1K 6/9; Explorer, Quest and Club cards qualify, Gateway and Debit after $10,000 of spend in a year (19 February 2026); AwardFares the same two grids; general members without a United card earn “zero miles on Basic Economy and JetBlue Blue Basic fares” (19 February 2026); NerdWallet Chase Ultimate Rewards transfer to United at 1:1; miles also from Marriott transfers, shopping and dining programs, Avis and Budget car rental, Lyft and other partners (September 2026); Marriott “Transfer points at a 3:1 ratio. Get 10,000 bonus miles for every 60,000 points transferred.” (September 2026). Earn rates and partners change; check United's current terms before relying on a rate.
Avios calculator
The Avios calculator turns a year of card and everyday spending into the Avios it earns, values that total at the current typical rate, and shows how far it reaches on the reward chart. It needs no sign-up and no loyalty password, and answers in pounds, dollars and euros.
How to earn Avios
You earn Avios by flying and by spending. UK credit cards earn 1 to 1.5 Avios per £1 and Nectar converts at 400 to 250; in the US, Chase, American Express, Capital One, Bilt and Wells Fargo points transfer to Avios at 1:1. Hotels, car hire and other partners pay Avios too.
How to earn AAdvantage miles
American AAdvantage members earn 5 miles per $1 on American Airlines fares, rising to 7, 8, 9 and 11 with Gold, Platinum, Platinum Pro and Executive Platinum status; basic economy earns none. Partner-airline flights earn by distance and cabin, and Citi points transfer in at 1:1, Marriott points at 3:1.
Earn the miles.
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