United Makes Major Changes to Miles Earning Rates

United Airlines is overhauling how travelers earn miles in its loyalty program, MileagePlus, starting April 2, 2026.

One of the most notable changes is that customers who purchase a basic economy fare — the cheapest fare — will no longer earn miles on their flights unless they have United elite status or a United co-branded credit card. American Airlines and Delta Air Lines also no longer allow travelers on basic economy fares to earn miles.

Currently, general MileagePlus members earn 5 miles per dollar spent on eligible United tickets. Beginning April 2, that drops to 3 miles per dollar. Elite members will also see lower base earning rates — unless they also hold a United credit card.

Here’s how earn rates on eligible United flights will look after April 2 compared to the old earnings rate:

“The updates – including changing basic economy earnings – reflect how we think about structuring MileagePlus in a way that invests more in members who engage most with the program,” a United spokesperson wrote to NerdWallet in an email.

There are also some important caveats to these higher earning rates for United cardholders.

The higher cardmember earning rates are also limited to the primary cardholders. Authorized users do not earn miles on United flights at the cardmember rate.

People traveling on the same reservation also do not get grouped into elevated earning rates, even if the person who made the purchase is a United cardholder.

Each traveler earns miles based on their own Premier status and whether they are a primary United cardmember. Spouses, children aged 18 or older or other travel companions on the same reservation will earn miles based solely on their own status and whether they personally hold a qualifying United card.

There is a bright spot for families with kids under the age of 18. Parents can link their child’s MileagePlus account to share their cardholder earn rate and discount on award flights (more on that below).

All United cardholders will also earn additional miles on top of these earn rates by paying for the ticket with their United credit card. The amount of additional earnings varies by card, with cards that have higher annual fees earning at a higher rate.

Here’s how basic economy earning will work come April 2:

This makes United the latest U.S. airline to restrict mileage earning on basic economy fares. Both Delta Air Lines and American Airlines also made this change in the past four years. JetBlue, Southwest and Alaska Airlines still allows members to earn rewards on their cheapest fares, though at a reduced rate.

In addition to boosting earning rates for cardholders, United is introducing an award flight discount exclusively for credit cardholders. Currently, United credit cardholders receive a discount on some flights, but starting April 2, all award flights will be 10% off for cardholders without status and 15% or more for Premier elite status members.

This automatic discount is another incentive for frequent United travelers to get a United credit card, similar to the way Delta gives its eligible cardholders a 15% discount on award flights.

United’s changes signals a clear shift toward prioritizing airline-branded credit card holders.