United Airlines Unveils Changes to 2015 MileagePlus Program

News provided by

Jun 10, 2014, 08:45 ET

CHICAGO, June 10, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- United Airlines today announced that the company will make changes to its MileagePlus program in 2015. Members will earn award miles based on their ticket price rather than distance flown.

Beginning March 1, 2015, members will earn award miles based on the price of their ticket – specifically the base fare and carrier-imposed surcharges – and their MileagePlus status. Members will earn five miles for every dollar spent, while those with MileagePlus Premier status will earn the following on their base fare and carrier surcharges:

Status level on day of departure on or after March 1, 2015	Award miles per dollar
Premier Silver	7
Premier Gold	8
Premier Platinum	9
Premier 1K	11

The new earning structure will apply to MileagePlus members worldwide for most tickets for travel on United and United Express flights, and most United-issued tickets for flights on the company's airline partners – tickets with numbers that begin with "016." Members may earn up to 75,000 award miles per ticket.

In addition, next year United plans to offer members new opportunities to use their award miles, including for single-flight purchases of extra-legroom United Economy Plus seats and to purchase Economy Plus and checked-baggage subscriptions.

"These changes are designed to more directly recognize the value of our members when they fly United," said Thomas F. O'Toole, United's senior vice president of marketing and loyalty and president of MileagePlus. "We are also pleased to give our members new redemption options that expand the usefulness of their MileagePlus miles."

Tickets not issued by United for MileagePlus partner airline flights departing on or after March 1 will still earn award miles based on distance flown and purchased fare class.

The new earning structure will not affect the way members qualify for Premier status in 2015, and MileagePlus credit card members will still earn even more miles when they use their cards to purchase United tickets.

About MileagePlus

MileagePlus is United's award-winning loyalty program in which members earn miles by flying United, United Express, Star Alliance or United's other airline partners, and by purchasing products or services from many partners worldwide. Members may then use their miles for travel, hotel stays, car rentals, merchandise, experiences and other benefits. According to the fifth annual Switchfly Reward Seat Availability Survey, published by IdeaWorksCompany in May 2014, MileagePlus offers the most "Saver" award-seat availability among U.S. global airlines. Plus, Global Traveler magazine has named MileagePlus the "Best Frequent-Flyer Program" for 10 consecutive years.

About United

United Airlines and United Express operate an average of more than 5,200 flights a day to 369 airports across six continents. In 2013, United and United Express carried more passenger traffic than any other airline in the world and operated nearly two million flights carrying 139 million customers. United operates nearly 700 mainline aircraft and, in 2014, will take delivery of 35 new Boeing aircraft, including the B787-9 as the North American launch customer, and will welcome 27 new E175 aircraft to United Express. The airline is a founding member of Star Alliance, which provides service to 195 countries via 26 member airlines. More than 85,000 United employees reside in every U.S. state and in countries around the world. For more information, visit united.com, follow @United on Twitter or connect on Facebook. The common stock of United's parent, United Continental Holdings, Inc., is traded on the NYSE under the symbol UAL.

Logo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20130404/MM89155LOGO

SOURCE United Airlines