Nov 16, 15, 12:28 am
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[
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[
How are "lifetime miles" calculated for MileagePlus?
May 29, 22, 4:46 pm
#541
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: USA
Programs: UA Platinum
Posts: 13,166
Originally Posted by akhibhag
thank you for the clarification. I will hit 1MM next week, with literally 100 miles to spare using the 500 mi min BIS. So just wanted to be sure.
May 29, 22, 4:55 pm
#542
Moderator: United Airlines; FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: SFO
Programs: UA Plat 1.85MM, Hyatt Discoverist, Marriott Plat/LT Gold, Hilton Silver, IHG Plat
Posts: 61,966
Originally Posted by CApreppie
...I believe one of the crew usually congratulate you on the flight you cross 1MM. .....
May 29, 22, 5:15 pm
#543
Join Date: May 2018
Location: Latin America and USA
Programs: UA 1K, AA Gold, Marriott Gold
Posts: 317
Originally Posted by WineCountryUA
What is the reported lifetime miles in the account?
The thread's wiki states
No sure of the source of that statement
You were able to associate a MP account with the LapChild ticket? This suggests you can not
There may be a difference between international and domestic.
The thread's wiki states
No sure of the source of that statement
You were able to associate a MP account with the LapChild ticket? This suggests you can not
There may be a difference between international and domestic.
When I booked the ticket I was able to input her MP number. Also, I have her as a saved traveler in my account, and I have her MP number included in there.
That said, it's possible that it disappeared somewhere along the way.
May 30, 22, 3:30 am
#544
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2002
Location: Saipan, MP 96950 USA (Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands = the CNMI)
Programs: UA Silver, Hilton Silver. Life: UA .56 MM, United & Admirals Clubs, Marriott Platinum
Posts: 12,904
When I was a UA Reservations Sales Representative (RSR) way back in 1985-87, a lap child cost 10% of an adult fare and was listed in the passenger name record (PNR) as "PLUS INF" (plus infant) after the first name of another passenger.
So there was no way for the baby to accrue miles unless in his or her own seat under his or her own name.
Even if lap children are now listed by name for Transportation Security Administration (TSA) purposes, I don't know whether UA has enabled lifetime mileage accrual on such extraordinarily discounted fares.
I highly suspect not.
So there was no way for the baby to accrue miles unless in his or her own seat under his or her own name.
Even if lap children are now listed by name for Transportation Security Administration (TSA) purposes, I don't know whether UA has enabled lifetime mileage accrual on such extraordinarily discounted fares.
I highly suspect not.
May 30, 22, 4:20 am
#545
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2003
Programs: UA*Lifetime GS, SQ*PPS, Hyatt* Lifetime Globalist
Posts: 11,710
Originally Posted by SPN Lifer
When I was a UA Reservations Sales Representative (RSR) way back in 1985-87, a lap child cost 10% of an adult fare and was listed in the passenger name record (PNR) as "PLUS INF" (plus infant) after the first name of another passenger.
So there was no way for the baby to accrue miles unless in his or her own seat under his or her own name.
Even if lap children are now listed by name for Transportation Security Administration (TSA) purposes, I don't know whether UA has enabled lifetime mileage accrual on such extraordinarily discounted fares.
I highly suspect not.
So there was no way for the baby to accrue miles unless in his or her own seat under his or her own name.
Even if lap children are now listed by name for Transportation Security Administration (TSA) purposes, I don't know whether UA has enabled lifetime mileage accrual on such extraordinarily discounted fares.
I highly suspect not.
Jun 8, 22, 6:53 pm
#546
Join Date: Sep 2015
Location: Singapore
Posts: 47
MileagePlus lifetime miles
The way I earn lifetime miles with United is a bit intransparent. In particular, I have two questions:
1. Is there anywhere I can see how many lifetime miles I earned for a specific flight?
2. Is it true that I won't earn lifetime miles on Star Alliance flights, only on United or United-Express operated flights?
1. Is there anywhere I can see how many lifetime miles I earned for a specific flight?
2. Is it true that I won't earn lifetime miles on Star Alliance flights, only on United or United-Express operated flights?
Jun 8, 22, 6:59 pm
#547
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: GVA (Greater Vancouver Area)
Programs: DREAD Gold; UA 1.032MM; Bonvoy Au-197; PCC Elite+; CWC Au-197; CCC Elite; WoH Dis
Posts: 51,301
Originally Posted by stefang
1. Is there anywhere I can see how many lifetime miles I earned for a specific flight?
2. Is it true that I won't earn lifetime miles on Star Alliance flights, only on United or United-Express operated flights?
2. Is it true that I won't earn lifetime miles on Star Alliance flights, only on United or United-Express operated flights?
- It's based on distance, with a 500-mile minimum for Premier members. You can use Great Circle Mapper to determine flight distance.
- Yes, it's true.
Jun 8, 22, 7:20 pm
#548
Join Date: Aug 2017
Programs: Alaska 75K, Delta Silver, UA 1K, Hilton Diamond, Hyatt Discoverist, Marriott Titanium + LT Gold
Posts: 7,052
Originally Posted by stefang
The way I earn lifetime miles with United is a bit intransparent. In particular, I have two questions:
1. Is there anywhere I can see how many lifetime miles I earned for a specific flight?
2. Is it true that I won't earn lifetime miles on Star Alliance flights, only on United or United-Express operated flights?
1. Is there anywhere I can see how many lifetime miles I earned for a specific flight?
2. Is it true that I won't earn lifetime miles on Star Alliance flights, only on United or United-Express operated flights?
2. Only United and United Express flights. Also, award flights, even on United/United Express would not earn anything.
Jun 8, 22, 7:31 pm
#549
Moderator: United Airlines; FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: SFO
Programs: UA Plat 1.85MM, Hyatt Discoverist, Marriott Plat/LT Gold, Hilton Silver, IHG Plat
Posts: 61,966
Originally Posted by stefang
The way I earn lifetime miles with United is a bit intransparent....
It is the distance flown (with a 500 mile minimum for elites) on paid UA and United express operated flights. No other flights. This is a United Airline Lifetime measure.
You are correct, UA has recently stopped reporting the flight miles for each segment but there is a running total in your account. As other have mentioned gcmap is a reasonable proxy.
The wiki of this thread restates the same guidelines with further details
Last edited by WineCountryUA; Jun 8, 22 at 7:53 pm Reason: referencing wiki
Jul 15, 22, 6:37 am
#550
Join Date: Dec 2013
Location: West Lafayette, IN
Programs: UA Gold
Posts: 167
Does trip on miles count?
Hi all,
First, I apologize if this is the wrong place for this question. I was quite active on FT for a few years perhaps 10 years ago, but haven't kept up.
I'm very close to hitting 1M BIS miles for the million mile status, currently at 978,986. I have a trip to Denmark coming in October, and am getting ready to book it. I haven't checked the mileage for that trip, but think it should get me pretty close. Am I remembering correctly that segments on Star Alliance partner airlines don't count toward MM status?
Now on to my main question: if I use miles to pay for the flights, will the miles of those flights still count toward million mile status?
Thanks a million, for the help! (sorry, couldn't resist)
First, I apologize if this is the wrong place for this question. I was quite active on FT for a few years perhaps 10 years ago, but haven't kept up.
I'm very close to hitting 1M BIS miles for the million mile status, currently at 978,986. I have a trip to Denmark coming in October, and am getting ready to book it. I haven't checked the mileage for that trip, but think it should get me pretty close. Am I remembering correctly that segments on Star Alliance partner airlines don't count toward MM status?
Now on to my main question: if I use miles to pay for the flights, will the miles of those flights still count toward million mile status?
Thanks a million, for the help! (sorry, couldn't resist)
Jul 15, 22, 7:08 am
#551
Join Date: May 2012
Location: ORF, RIC
Programs: UA LT 1K, 3 MM; Marriott Titanium; IHG Platinum
Posts: 5,979
Originally Posted by theise
Hi all,
First, I apologize if this is the wrong place for this question. I was quite active on FT for a few years perhaps 10 years ago, but haven't kept up.
I'm very close to hitting 1M BIS miles for the million mile status, currently at 978,986. I have a trip to Denmark coming in October, and am getting ready to book it. I haven't checked the mileage for that trip, but think it should get me pretty close. Am I remembering correctly that segments on Star Alliance partner airlines don't count toward MM status?
Now on to my main question: if I use miles to pay for the flights, will the miles of those flights still count toward million mile status?
Thanks a million, for the help! (sorry, couldn't resist)
First, I apologize if this is the wrong place for this question. I was quite active on FT for a few years perhaps 10 years ago, but haven't kept up.
I'm very close to hitting 1M BIS miles for the million mile status, currently at 978,986. I have a trip to Denmark coming in October, and am getting ready to book it. I haven't checked the mileage for that trip, but think it should get me pretty close. Am I remembering correctly that segments on Star Alliance partner airlines don't count toward MM status?
Now on to my main question: if I use miles to pay for the flights, will the miles of those flights still count toward million mile status?
Thanks a million, for the help! (sorry, couldn't resist)
You are almost there. Just plan a memorable flight to achieve the milestone.
Jul 15, 22, 7:30 am
#553
Join Date: Dec 2013
Location: West Lafayette, IN
Programs: UA Gold
Posts: 167
Originally Posted by trm2
You can use miles and money, paying for part of the flight with miles, and the miles count.
still United and United express only.
still United and United express only.
Jul 15, 22, 8:16 am
#554
Join Date: May 2012
Location: ORF, RIC
Programs: UA LT 1K, 3 MM; Marriott Titanium; IHG Platinum
Posts: 5,979
Originally Posted by theise
Okay, that seems to be a bit different from what Kmxu posted. That poster said mileage tickets are excluded, but you're saying they're not?
Jul 15, 22, 8:33 am
#555
Join Date: Dec 2013
Location: West Lafayette, IN
Programs: UA Gold
Posts: 167
Originally Posted by Kmxu
I guess that @trm2 might refer to miles and copay upgrade to a business class ticket from a paid economy/premium economy ticket. United does allow one to purchase miles using cash when buying a mileage ticket and you have insufficient amount of miles. This is treated as a mileage ticket and therefore not be counted toward MM status. I am not aware of any other purchase of UA tickets paid partially with miles and cash.
Separately, can anyone point me to the proper thread (or FAQ) on upgrading international economy tickets with miles, please?
