continental.com    |    united.com

Pointer

 
Shop for flightsSpecial deals Travel Options
Annual changes for the 2009 MileagePlus program
null

FAQs
Frequently Asked Questions


United announced its annual changes to the MileagePlus program. In 2009, there are three:

null

Upgrade awards
Effective January 12, 2010, we are generally reducing the miles required and collect a co-pay when miles are redeemed to upgrade a United Economy ticket. (Upgrade awards requested prior to the effective date for travel after the effective date will not be affected.)

The co-pay amount will depend on the origin and destination cities, as well as the type of ticket purchased. If you upgrade from a higher class of service, your co-pay will be lower or even non-existent.

The chart below shows a sampling of routes and co-pay amounts. View the complete upgrade award chart.
Upgrade from Economy to Business or First * Miles + co-pay
Within the continental U.S.
From C or D class
From Y or B class
From all other Economy classes
15,000 miles and no co-pay
5,000 miles and no co-pay
15,000 miles + $50
Continental U.S. to/from Hawaii
From C or D class
From Y or B class
From all other Economy classes
17,500 miles and no co-pay
7,500 miles and no co-pay
17,500 miles + $250 -$500
Continental U.S. to/from Europe
From C or D class
From Y or B class
From all other Economy classes
20,000 miles and no co-pay
10,000 miles and no co-pay
20,000 miles + $250 - $500
Continental U.S. to/from Japan / N. Asia
From C or D class
From Y or B class
From all other Economy classes
25,000 miles and no co-pay
12,500 miles and no co-pay
25,000 miles + $250 - $500
Continental U.S. to/from South America
From C or D class
From Y or B class
From all other Economy classes
25,000 miles and no co-pay
12,500 miles and no co-pay
25,000 miles + $250 - $500
Continental U.S. to/from Australia
From C or D class
From Y or B class
From all other Economy classes
30,000 miles and no co-pay
15,000 miles and no co-pay
30,000 miles + $250 - $500

*Upgrades are valid for one class of service. On three-class aircraft, you can upgrade from paid United Economy® to United Business®, or from paid United Business to United First®. On two-class aircraft, you can upgrade from paid United Economy to United First.

Also beginning January 12, 2010, all paid international Economy-class tickets can be upgraded with miles and a co-pay. Currently, only select Economy classes can be upgraded internationally.

As we approach January 2010, please check back to this page for additional details and more FAQs.

Terms and conditions Frequently asked questions

null

Mileage awards
We realigned our award charts effective January 1, 2009. Award travel on United, Star Alliance and non-Star partners ticketed on or after this date follow these new award levels. View current award charts for Saver, Standard and partner awards.

Our most popular awards stayed the same:

  • Economy-class Saver award within the continental U.S. = 25,000 miles
  • Economy-class Standard award within the continental U.S. = 50,000 miles

Award travel for 2009 ticketed priot to January 1, 2009 is not affected.

Terms and conditions Frequently asked questions

null

Restoration of 500-mile minimum accrual for elite members
Elite members earn a minimum of 500 redeemable miles and 500 EQM on United flights flown on or after January 1, 2009, that are less than 500 miles. Three are no changes to the accrual rules for Star Alliance and non-Star partners. Refer to the individual carrier's page on unitedairlines.com.au

 

Terms and conditions Frequently asked questions
Compatible browsers  |  Terms and conditions  |  Privacy  |  © 2012 United Air Lines, Inc.