Nov 15, 2015, 11:28 pm
Last edit by: WineCountryUA
Million Miler Program
With United's change to PQPs and PQFs, UA no longer provides information on flight / "BIS" mile
United no longer shows the BIS mileage. For now, the app is showing segment miles during booking -- but united.com is not.
Presently using UA's timetable to research the flight, the flight miles are provided
Alternatively, you can use third-party tools like, gcmap to get a number. It may differ from UA's number by a few miles
Building a UA city pair BIS table
And finally, you can trust UA to track your miles (There have been very, very few instances of issues and less recently)
Post-merge, COPA flights also accumulated UA lifetime miles, that ceased in July 2015 when COPA left MileagePlus.
What if I use miles to purchase the trip? Does that earn Lifetime Miles?
MileagePlus Million Mile (and Beyond) Flyer Benefits [2014 forward]
Million Miler companion benefit
Building a UA city pair BIS table
Archive: [url=https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/united-airlines-mileageplus/2150272-how-lifetime-miles-calculated-mileageplus-archive.html]How are "lifetime miles" calculated for MileagePlus? {Archive}
Related thread: Lifetime status by airline -- attempted summary
Mileage accrual for Million Miler qualification is based on the flight distance of United- and United Express-operated flights.
United no longer shows the BIS mileage.
Presently using UA's timetable to research the flight, the flight miles are provided
Alternatively, you can use third-party tools like, gcmap to get a number. It may differ from UA's number by a few miles
Building a UA city pair BIS table
And finally, you can trust UA to track your miles (There have been very, very few instances of issues and less recently)
- For elites, there is 500 lifetime mile minimum for UA/UX flights. (still true in 2020 and PQP/PQF era)
- There is no elite bonus or class of service bonus.
- BIS miles
= PQMs for 100% fares - Bus operated land connections booked as UA flight numbers earn lifetime miles
- No partner flights earn UA lifetime miles.
- Flight number / codeshare / ticket stock does not matter -- as long as it is a United-operated flight that is being credited to UA MP program.
- No credit card activity earns UA lifetime miles
- Only paid flights (including BULK / most consolidator tickets), no credit for award flights
- There is no method for purchasing lifetime miles
Basic Economy segments are non-mileage earning and do not earn lifetime milesIn the second iteration of BE (2018Q4),LT mileage earning appears to have been restored (100%50%of BIS)- Lapchild tickets are non-mileage earning including lifetime miles
Post-merge, COPA flights also accumulated UA lifetime miles, that ceased in July 2015 when COPA left MileagePlus.
What if I use miles to purchase the trip? Does that earn Lifetime Miles?
Depends
If you are using just UA miles and only paying cash for the taxes, as an award trip, it does not qualify for Lifetime miles
However
If you are using points from a credit card to purchase a ticket on their site, then the trip qualifies
If you are booking an economy ticket but using miles to upgrade, then the trip qualifies
If you are using the Money+Miles payment option, then the trip qualifies (regardless of the amount paid by miles)
If you are purchasing with a Chase creditcard and then using miles as a statement credit, then the trip qualifies
What about purchasing with "Money+Miles"?If you are using just UA miles and only paying cash for the taxes, as an award trip, it does not qualify for Lifetime miles
However
If you are using points from a credit card to purchase a ticket on their site, then the trip qualifies
If you are booking an economy ticket but using miles to upgrade, then the trip qualifies
If you are using the Money+Miles payment option, then the trip qualifies (regardless of the amount paid by miles)
If you are purchasing with a Chase creditcard and then using miles as a statement credit, then the trip qualifies
100% Lifetime Miles earning
see What is the "Book with Money and Miles" option ?
Related Threadssee What is the "Book with Money and Miles" option ?
MileagePlus Million Mile (and Beyond) Flyer Benefits [2014 forward]
Million Miler companion benefit
Building a UA city pair BIS table
Archive: [url=https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/united-airlines-mileageplus/2150272-how-lifetime-miles-calculated-mileageplus-archive.html]How are "lifetime miles" calculated for MileagePlus? {Archive}
Related thread: Lifetime status by airline -- attempted summary
How are "lifetime miles" calculated for MileagePlus?
May 18, 2023, 12:35 am
#241
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Los Angeles, California
Programs: United, American, Delta, Hyatt, Hilton, Hertz, Marriott
Posts: 14,802
Jun 1, 2023, 7:22 am
#243
Join Date: Dec 2022
Programs: UA1K
Posts: 464
Jun 1, 2023, 7:26 am
#244
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2010
Programs: DL, OZ, AC, AS, AA, BA, Hilton, Hyatt, Marriott, IHG
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Jun 19, 2023, 2:47 pm
#246
Join Date: Feb 2018
Programs: UA Mileage Plus, AA AAdvantage, SWA
Posts: 8
I thought this was the case but I just called the Premier desk (I'm Platinum and I think they route calls based on your status) and I was told that codeshares count for MM status, as long as it's a UA flight number. I specifically asked about a flight to FRA. I never paid close attention to this in the past but I'm closing in on a mil now.
Jun 19, 2023, 3:29 pm
#247
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Austin, TX
Posts: 21,413
I thought this was the case but I just called the Premier desk (I'm Platinum and I think they route calls based on your status) and I was told that codeshares count for MM status, as long as it's a UA flight number. I specifically asked about a flight to FRA. I never paid close attention to this in the past but I'm closing in on a mil now.
Jun 19, 2023, 3:38 pm
#248
Moderator: United Airlines
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: SFO
Programs: UA Plat 1.995MM, Hyatt Discoverist, Marriott Plat/LT Gold, Hilton Silver, IHG Plat
Posts: 66,857
UA on the website states
Lifetime miles are earned based on the flight distance* of eligible United- and United Express®-operated flight.
mileage accrual for Million Miler qualification is based on the flight distance of United- and United Express-operated flights.
FT wiki of this thread says the same thing
You have a chance a MP CS agent might know the correct answer, but a reservation agent -- nope
Jul 30, 2023, 11:39 am
#249
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: ORD
Programs: UA GS, Marriott Lifetime Plat
Posts: 53
Million miler accrual question
Hey there -
my understanding is that only BIS (butt-in-seat) miles count towards million miler status. I don't see a way to figure out how many of those miles are associated with a ticket. Just booked an ORD-LAX RT fare, and its showing 4708 award miles, but no indication of actual miles flown. Is there any way to find this out via the site or app?
my understanding is that only BIS (butt-in-seat) miles count towards million miler status. I don't see a way to figure out how many of those miles are associated with a ticket. Just booked an ORD-LAX RT fare, and its showing 4708 award miles, but no indication of actual miles flown. Is there any way to find this out via the site or app?
Jul 30, 2023, 11:43 am
#250
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: Honolulu Harbor
Programs: UA 1K
Posts: 15,025
Hey there -
my understanding is that only BIS (butt-in-seat) miles count towards million miler status. I don't see a way to figure out how many of those miles are associated with a ticket. Just booked an ORD-LAX RT fare, and it’s showing 4708 award miles, but no indication of actual miles flown. Is there any way to find this out via the site or app?
my understanding is that only BIS (butt-in-seat) miles count towards million miler status. I don't see a way to figure out how many of those miles are associated with a ticket. Just booked an ORD-LAX RT fare, and it’s showing 4708 award miles, but no indication of actual miles flown. Is there any way to find this out via the site or app?
Sep 18, 2023, 1:42 pm
#251
Join Date: Sep 2016
Location: Milwaukee, WI
Programs: UA 1K 1MM, IHG Spire Ambassador, MR Gold, HH Diamond, Hertz PC
Posts: 76
Million Mile Calculations
After more than 25 years I will hit the million mile mark later this year. The engineer in me is trying to work out just which of my scheduled flights will get me there, but I am short a few data points for the calculations. I am not sure if anyone can provide the information but I thought it was worth asking (and if anyone will know it will be this group)
2 questions:
1) Is there a minimum number of miles per segment? (I have a few short distance connections - currently planning as actual but would change things if a minimum exists)
2) Is there a better / more accurate source for estimated mileage than airmilescalculator to use for estimating BIS miles?
Thanks in advance for any help
2 questions:
1) Is there a minimum number of miles per segment? (I have a few short distance connections - currently planning as actual but would change things if a minimum exists)
2) Is there a better / more accurate source for estimated mileage than airmilescalculator to use for estimating BIS miles?
Thanks in advance for any help
Sep 18, 2023, 1:45 pm
#252
Join Date: Dec 2022
Programs: UA1K
Posts: 464
After more than 25 years I will hit the million mile mark later this year. The engineer in me is trying to work out just which of my scheduled flights will get me there, but I am short a few data points for the calculations. I am not sure if anyone can provide the information but I thought it was worth asking (and if anyone will know it will be this group)
2 questions:
1) Is there a minimum number of miles per segment? (I have a few short distance connections - currently planning as actual but would change things if a minimum exists)
2) Is there a better / more accurate source for estimated mileage than airmilescalculator to use for estimating BIS miles?
Thanks in advance for any help
2 questions:
1) Is there a minimum number of miles per segment? (I have a few short distance connections - currently planning as actual but would change things if a minimum exists)
2) Is there a better / more accurate source for estimated mileage than airmilescalculator to use for estimating BIS miles?
Thanks in advance for any help
i use air miles calculator and have never had issues with it besides rarely being off +/- 1 mile
Sep 18, 2023, 1:51 pm
#253
Join Date: May 2012
Location: ORF, RIC
Programs: UA LT 1K, 3 MM; Marriott Titanium; IHG Platinum
Posts: 6,958
Hope that this thread will be helpful for you.
Building a UA city pair BIS table
Building a UA city pair BIS table
Sep 18, 2023, 2:30 pm
#255
Moderator: United Airlines
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: SFO
Programs: UA Plat 1.995MM, Hyatt Discoverist, Marriott Plat/LT Gold, Hilton Silver, IHG Plat
Posts: 66,857
Hope that this thread will be helpful for you.
Building a UA city pair BIS table
Building a UA city pair BIS table