Miles Calculator
United MileagePlus guide: miles and Premier status
Rules checked 27 September 2026
MileagePlus is United Airlines' programme and a member of Star Alliance. On United flights it rewards what you spend rather than distance, and from 2 April 2026 it pays noticeably more to members who hold a United credit card.
At a glance
| Alliance | Star Alliance |
|---|---|
| How you earn | Miles per US dollar of base fare and airline surcharges |
| Status currency | Premier Qualifying Points (PQP), plus Premier Qualifying Flights (PQF) |
| Qualifying period | The calendar year |
| Tiers | Premier Silver, Gold, Platinum and 1K |
Earning on United flights
| Status | Miles per US$1 | With a United credit card |
|---|---|---|
| General member | 3 | 6 |
| Premier Silver | 5 | 8 |
| Premier Gold | 6 | 9 |
| Premier Platinum | 7 | 10 |
| Premier 1K | 9 | 12 |
Taxes and government fees don't count. Each US dollar also earns one PQP towards status.
Premier status
You can qualify on PQP alone, or on a lower PQP target combined with a number of flights:
| Tier | PQP only | Or PQP plus flights | Star Alliance status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Premier Silver | 6,000 | 5,000 and 15 flights | Star Alliance Silver |
| Premier Gold | 12,000 | 10,000 and 30 flights | Star Alliance Gold |
| Premier Platinum | 18,000 | 15,000 and 45 flights | Star Alliance Gold |
| Premier 1K | 28,000 | 22,000 and 60 flights | Star Alliance Gold |
Every tier also needs at least four paid flights operated by United or United Express.
Things to watch
- Basic Economy. General members without a United card earn no miles on Basic Economy, and Basic Economy doesn't count as a Premier Qualifying Flight for anyone.
- The credit card matters. Without a United card, a general member earns 3 miles per dollar, half the rate of a cardholder.
- High targets for non-US spenders. Premier Gold, the level that brings Star Alliance Gold, means US$12,000 of United fares a year. If you live outside the US and fly United occasionally, crediting United flights to another Star Alliance programme may earn status more easily.
Who it suits
MileagePlus suits frequent United flyers, especially in the US, who buy higher fares and hold a United credit card. United miles don't expire, which helps occasional flyers keep a balance.
See what a flight earns in MileagePlus and how far it takes you towards keeping or reaching your tier.
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