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United MileagePlus Membership

# 3 in Best Airline Rewards Programs

Membership Levels

The United MileagePlus program offers basic membership and Premier membership. Premier is divided into four main levels: Premier Silver, Premier Gold, Premier Platinum and Premier 1K. MileagePlus also offers the invitation-only United Global Services program for its most loyal customers.

MileagePlus Member

Benefits include:.

• Ability to earn and use points  

When you join MileagePlus by signing up for free on United's  website , you'll earn 5 miles per dollar spent on United flights. You   can start earning and redeeming miles, Premier Qualifying Points and Premier Qualifying Flights on United and partner airline flights, as well as hotel stays, shopping, dining and more. Plus, you can sign up for a CLEAR membership for a discounted annual fee of $179. If you book a basic economy fare, you won't receive a seat assignment until you check in, you'll be placed in the last boarding group and you won't be permitted to bring a full-size carry-on bag on board any flight (excluding flights to South America, as well as trans-Atlantic and trans-Pacific flights).

Premier Silver

• Free checked bags
• Priority boarding/seating
• Free cabin upgrades
• Expedited security

When you earn 5,000 PQPs or complete 12 PQFs and earn 4,000 PQPs (with a minimum of four flights flown on United or United Express) within a calendar year, you'll be upgraded to Premier Silver membership. At this level, you'll earn 7 miles per dollar spent on base fares. Premier Silver members and one companion also get complimentary access to Economy Plus seating at check-in. Additional upgrades for you and one companion may also be available and confirmed on the departure date for select United flights. Purchase a full-fare "Y" or "B" economy-class ticket and you'll get an upgrade instantly. At the airport, you'll have access to priority check-in, security screening (at participating airports) and boarding lines. Additional Premier Silver perks include a discounted rate of $149 per year for a CLEAR membership, access to a dedicated reservation phone line for Premier members and one free checked bag weighing up to 70 pounds. You'll also get waived award ticket change and cancellation fees with a redeposit. What's more, MileagePlus Premier Silver status makes you a Star Alliance Silver member, meaning you'll get higher priority on reservations and airport standby lists when you purchase a Star Alliance partner airline ticket.  You'll also enjoy complimentary Avis Preferred Plus status as a Premier Silver member. Premier Silver members receive a 500 PQP deposit at the beginning of the year as well.

Keep in mind that when you purchase a basic economy fare, you will not receive certain perks, including seat selection; seat upgrades; flight changes or refunds; and group or family seat selection. You'll need to requalify each year to maintain your Premier Silver status.

Premier Gold

• Lounge access

You'll reach Premier Gold when you rack up 10,000 PQPs or 24 PQFs and 8,000 PQPs (with a minimum of four flights flown on United or United Express) in a single year. In addition to Premier Silver's perks, Premier Gold members earn 8 award miles per dollar spent on fares. You and one companion will get complimentary access to Economy Plus seating at booking, rather than at check-in. Based on availability, your complimentary upgrades will be confirmed as early as 48 hours in advance of your flight's departure. You'll get a total of two complimentary checked bags weighing up to 70 pounds each on domestic flights, as well as free access to United Club lounges when traveling internationally. Premier Gold members automatically become Star Alliance Gold members, with perks such as one additional free checked bag and priority check-in, boarding and baggage handling on Star Alliance flights, as well as Star Alliance lounge access at select airports. Plus, United's partnership with  Marriott Bonvoy  means your Premier Gold status (or higher) automatically grants you Mariott Bonvoy Gold Elite status when you register with  Marriott 's loyalty program . And at the beginning of the year, Premier Gold members receive a 1,000 PQP deposit.

Just remember that when you purchase a basic economy fare, you will not enjoy benefits like seat selection; seat upgrades; flight changes or refunds; and group or family seat selection. You'll need to requalify each year to maintain Premier Gold status. If you accrue 1 million miles on United or United Express flights throughout the course of your membership, you and one companion will become Premier Gold members for life.

Premier Platinum

If you accrue 15,000 PQPs or 36 PQFs and 12,000 PQPs (with a minimum of four flights flown on United or United Express) per calendar year, you'll earn Premier Platinum status. As a Premier Platinum member, you'll receive all Premier Gold benefits and more. To start, you will earn 9 award miles per dollar spent on fares. You can offer free Economy Plus seating at booking to as many as eight companions. Complimentary upgrades will be confirmed as early as 72 hours in advance, and you'll get access to better award availability in select premium cabins. Premier Platinum status also includes 40 PlusPoints per year, which you can use toward upgrades. Plus, you'll receive waived phone service charges and reduced United Club membership rates. As a Premier Platinum member, you'll also receive complimentary Avis President's Club status and an automatic 1,500 PQP deposit at the beginning of the calendar year.

However, certain perks – including seat selection; seat upgrades; flight changes or refunds; and group or family seat selection – are not granted when you purchase a basic economy fare. Premier Platinum membership is maintained as long as you requalify annually. Accrue 2 million miles in your time as a member and you'll receive lifetime Premier Platinum status.

• Ability to earn and use points

You'll reach and maintain Premier 1K status when you collect 24,000 PQPs or take 54 PQFs and earn 18,000 PQPs (with a minimum of four flights flown on United or United Express) in a calendar year. Premier 1K members earn even more award miles – 11 for every dollar spent on airfare. In addition to all Premier Platinum benefits, you'll earn complimentary premier upgrades 96 hours in advance. Purchase a n "M" fare class economy ticket and you'll be instantly upgraded. You'll also receive a complimentary CLEAR membership and one free beverage and one free snack when flying in economy. What's more, you'll be able to make reservations faster using a dedicated 24-hour 1K 1Call service line. You'll also receive 280 PlusPoints a year to use on upgrades. United MileagePlus Premier 1K members can obtain additional PlusPoints for every 3,000 PQPs earned after receiving 18,000 PQPs. Premier 1K members also receive a 2,500 PQP deposit at the beginning of the calendar year.

If you purchase a basic economy fare, you will not receive benefits like seat selection; seat upgrades; flight changes or refunds; and group or family seat selection. Keeping your Premier 1K benefits requires meeting annual qualification requirements each year. You'll become a lifetime Premier 1K member when you accrue 3 million total miles during your time as a MileagePlus member.

United Global Services

United Global Services is an invitation-only program exclusively for top MileagePlus Premier members. As a Global Services member, you'll receive all Premier 1K benefits, plus the highest priority on all upgrade and standby lists. A Global Services dedicated phone line will be yours to access 24 hours a day. If you accrue 4 million total MileagePlus miles, you'll retain a lifetime Global Services membership.

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United Corporate Preferred

Business Travel Built for You

United Corporate Preferred comes with extras from booking to landing and everything in between. Our exclusive benefits program for business travelers is offered only to our very best and most loyal corporate customers.

Enjoy the benefits of United Corporate Preferred

With United Corporate Preferred, enjoy a full range of premium travel perks on every eligible flight*.

AT THE AIRPORT

Preferred treatment with priority standby.

Access to tie-breaker preference on the upgrade list.

TRAVEL FLEXIBILITY

Higher priority and protections when travel doesn't go as planned.

Waiting for an upgrade? Get tie-breaker preference for upgrade clearance.

This benefit applies across United’s available upgrade tools and instruments.

Get to your destination sooner with higher standby priority.

Seat Protection

Window or aisle? Receive protection for your original seat assignment or type if there are changes to your itinerary.

Downgrade Protection

You’ll have higher priority for protection in the unlikely event of a downgrade or in case of involuntary denied boarding situation.

Re-accommodation

Rest easy. We've got you covered with consideration for better re-accommodation outcomes if your flight is delayed or canceled.

How does tie-breaker work for standby and upgrades?

Your United Corporate Preferred status is a differentiator just like MileagePlus Premier® status or fare class. You will get priority for upgrades and standby above a non-Corporate Preferred traveler with the same MileagePlus Premier® status and fare class .

Atlantic Joint Venture Corporate Preferred program

For select customers, we offer some of most premium Corporate Preferred benefits - like preferred boarding - on Air Canada and Lufthansa Group flights.

Not a MileagePlus member yet?

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*See Terms and Conditions for eligibility requirements.

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Travel Benefits : United(SM) Explorer Card

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United℠ Explorer Card

Travel benefits.

The benefits that come with being a United℠ Explorer Cardmember make it easier than ever to travel smart.

Free checked bag — a savings of up to $140 per roundtrip

The primary Cardmember and one companion traveling on the same reservation will each receive their first standard checked bag free (up to $35 value for the first checked bag, each way, per person) on United-operated flights when purchasing tickets with their United Explorer Card. See united.com/ChaseBag for details.

25% Back on United Inflight and InClub Purchases

Pay with your United Card and get 25% back as a statement credit on purchases of food, beverages and Wi-Fi onboard United-operated flights and on purchases of premium drinks in United Club locations.

Global Entry, TSA PreCheck ® or NEXUS fee credit — up to $100

Get a statement credit every four years as reimbursement for the application fee for these programs when charged to your Explorer Card.

No foreign transaction fees

Purchases made outside the U.S. with the Explorer Card are not subject to foreign transaction fees. It’s a great opportunity to use your card when you travel or shop online and earn award miles. For example, if you spend $5,000 internationally, you would avoid $150 in foreign transaction fees.

Priority boarding

The primary Cardmember and companions on the same reservation will be invited to board United-operated flights prior to general boarding. To receive priority boarding, just add your MileagePlus number to your reservation and refer to your United boarding pass for your boarding group number.

Two United Club℠ passes — over a $100 value

Relax at a United Club location before your flight, where you can enjoy complimentary beverages, snacks and more. As the primary Cardmember, you’ll get two United Club one-time passes deposited into your MileagePlus account each year for your anniversary. We’ll notify you via email when your two passes are available in your MileagePlus account. Please visit united.com/ChaseClubPasses for more information. For a list of United Club locations, visit united.com/UnitedClubLocations .

Concierge services

Need help finding a great new restaurant or tickets to the theater? Count on the United Explorer Card concierge services to give you personalized assistance with reservations, referrals and recommendations — anywhere in the world. Call United Explorer Card concierge services at 1-800-888-8756 for assistance.

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United Global Services: All the Benefits & Everything You Need To Know

Spencer Howard

Former Content Contributor

52 Published Articles

Countries Visited: 21 U.S. States Visited:

Keri Stooksbury

Editor-in-Chief

29 Published Articles 3057 Edited Articles

Countries Visited: 45 U.S. States Visited: 28

Elite Status on United

What is united global services, qualifying for global services, global services customer service, private check-in, upgrade priority, upgrades on award flights, more upgrade availability with miles and certificates, companion saver award with a cash ticket, car transfers between flights, priority boarding, dedicated cancellation assistance, star alliance gold status, final thoughts.

We may be compensated when you click on product links, such as credit cards, from one or more of our advertising partners. Terms apply to the offers below. See our Advertising Policy for more about our partners, how we make money, and our rating methodology. Opinions and recommendations are ours alone.

Many people earn elite status with United Airlines every year. Some road warriors might even earn United MileagePlus Premier 1K, the highest status level available to most travelers. However, an unpublished tier with United tops them all: United Global Services.

If you’re a Global Services member, you can expect to be a top-priority passenger and enjoy a bunch of fun perks, both in the air and on the ground. While this will be out of reach for the vast majority of travelers, it’s still amazing to see what United will do for some customers.

Let’s take a look into what United Global Services is and see what it has to offer.

Having MileagePlus elite status with United comes with many perks. As you’d expect, you earn more benefits as you move higher in the elite ranks. For many who travel for work, this can mean fighting to earn Premier 1K status to improve their chances of upgrades on domestic flights.

However, earning top-tier Premier 1K status with United requires a flyer to spend a lot flying United. For United, elite status progress is measured by 2 types of qualifying activity earned during the calendar year: PQFs and PQPs.

PQFs, or Premier Qualifying Flights, represent the total flight segments flown. To earn status, at least 4 flight segments need to be flown on United or United Express in addition to other requirements. United Basic economy flights do not earn PQFs.

On the other hand, PQPs, or Premier Qualifying Points, is a metric based on the base fare of the flight, including carrier-imposed surcharges but not taxes and other fees. All tickets, including Basic Economy fares, earn PQPs.

To qualify for United Premier status, you have two options. You can qualify for Premier status through a combination of PQFs and PQPs or meet a higher PQP goal.

To earn Premier 1K, you must fly at least 54 segments AND spend $18,000 on flights with United or spend $24,000 on United flights.

United credit card members can earn Premier Qualifying Points (PQP) through their annual credit card spend and apply this earned PQP toward Premier 1K status.

United℠ Explorer Card

With priority boarding privileges, no foreign transaction fees and more, MileagePlus members will definitely enjoy their partnered card.

You travel United all the time, but you have heard that there could be ways to make your travel experiences even better, including priority boarding, free bags, and more miles.

You should consider the United℠ Explorer Card , because this card does all that and more!

• 2x miles per $1 on United purchases, dining purchases (including delivery services), and hotel stays
• 1x mile per $1 on all other purchases
• First checked bag free for you and up to 1 traveling companion
• 25% statement credit on United inflight purchases
• Priority boarding
• Global Entry, TSA PreCheck, or NEXUS statement credit
• 2 United Club 1-time passes each year
• Premier upgrades on award tickets
• Travel and purchase protections
• $0 intro for the first year, then $95 annual fee
• Does not earn transferable rewards
• Earn 50,000 bonus miles after you spend $3,000 on purchases in the first 3 months your account is open.
• $0 introductory annual fee for the first year, then $95.
• Earn 2 miles per $1 spent on dining, hotel stays, and United ® purchases
• Up to $100 Global Entry, TSA PreCheck ® or NEXUS fee credit
• 25% back as a statement credit on purchases of food, beverages and Wi-Fi on board United-operated flights and on Club premium drinks when you pay with your Explorer Card
• Free first checked bag - a savings of up to $140 per roundtrip. Terms Apply.
• Enjoy priority boarding privileges and visit the United Club℠ with 2 one-time passes each year for your anniversary
• Member FDIC

Financial Snapshot

• Foreign Transaction Fees: None

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United Club℠ Infinite Card

Perfect for frequent United flyers who want premium perks like United Club access and free baggage benefits.

The United Club℠ Infinite Card  is a premium card designed for the most dedicated of United frequent flyers who are looking for a card that provides the opportunity to earn extra United MileagePlus miles and receive lounge access via a yearly United Club membership.

United frequent flyers will find that the United Club Infinite card provides an enhanced experience on their United flights thanks to the money saved on each flight and the conveniences it provides.

• 4x miles per $1 on United purchases
• 2x miles per $1 on travel and dining purchases
• Complimentary United Club membership
• Free first and second checked bag for you and 1 traveling companion
• United Premier Access
• 25% back on United inflight purchases
• Complimentary Premier Upgrades on United-operated award tickets (when available)
• Expanded award availability
• Up to 10,000 Premier Qualifying Points
• $100 Global Entry/TSA PreCheck/NEXUS credit
• Trip protections like trip delay insurance, lost and delayed luggage insurance, and rental car insurance
• Shopping protections like return protection, purchase protection, and extended warranty protection
• IHG One Rewards Platinum Elite status and a $75 annual credit
• Avis President’s Club elite status
• 10% discount on United Economy Saver Awards within the continental U.S. and Canada
• $525 annual fee
• Earn 80,000 bonus miles after qualifying purchases
• Earn 4 miles per $1 spent on United ®  purchases
• Earn 2 miles per $1 spent on all other travel and dining
• Earn 1 mile per $1 spent on all other purchases
• Free first and second checked bags - a savings of up to $320 per roundtrip (terms apply) - and Premier Access ® travel services
• 10% United Economy Saver Award discount within the continental U.S. and Canada
• Earn up to 10,000 Premier qualifying points (25 PQP for every $500 you spend on purchases)
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• United Club Lounge Locations
• New Benefits for United Club Infinite Card [IHG Elite Status, 10% Off Awards]

United Quest℠ Card

The United Quest card is a fantastic option for United flyers looking to earn more miles and enhance their flights.

The newest addition to United’s lineup of cards is the United Quest℠ Card . With it, you can bolster your United MileagePlus miles, thanks to the bonus categories, while enjoying the card’s many perks designed to help save you money on each United flight.

With an annual fee that falls between the United℠ Explorer Card and United Club℠ Infinite Card , the United Quest card makes for a fantastic card option for United frequent flyers.

• 3x miles per $1 on United purchases
• 2x miles per $1 spent on travel, dining, and select streaming services
• $125 annual United credit
• 2 5,000-mile anniversary award flight credits
• Up to 3,000 Premier Qualifying Points
• Up to $100 Global Entry/TSA PreCheck/NEXUS credit
• Travel and shopping protections including trip delay insurance, lost/delayed luggage insurance, rental car insurance, purchase protection, and extended warranty protection
• Does not offer airport lounge access
• $250 annual fee
• Earn 60,000 bonus miles and 500 PQP after qualifying purchases
• Earn 3 miles per $1 spent on United ® purchases
• Earn 2 miles per $1 spent on all other travel, dining and select streaming services
• Free first and second checked bags - a savings of up to $320 per roundtrip (terms apply) - and priority boarding
• Up to a $125 United ® purchase credit and up to 10,000 miles in award flight credits each year (terms apply)
• Earn up to 6,000 Premier qualifying points (25 PQP for every $500 you spend on purchases)

United Gateway℠ Card

The United Gateway card is a great option for those looking to earn more United miles without paying an annual fee.

The United Gateway℠ Card is a great option for those looking to earn more United miles without wanting to pay a credit card annual fee. Plus, the card offers other solid benefits like a 25% back on United inflight purchases, purchase protection, and rental car insurance.

• 2x miles per $1 on United purchases
• 2x miles per $1 at gas stations and on local transit and commuting, including rideshare services, taxicabs, train tickets, tolls, and mass transit
• No annual fee
• 25% back on inflight purchases
• No foreign transaction fees
• Trip cancellation and trip interruption insurance
• Rental car insurance
• Purchase protection
• Extended warranty coverage
• If you are a frequent United flyer, other cards offer more perks
• It does not earn transferable rewards
• Earn 20,000 bonus miles
• Earn 2 miles per $1 spent on United ® purchases, at gas stations and on local transit and commuting
• Earn 2 miles per $1 spent on United ® purchases
• Earn 2 miles per $1 spent at gas stations, on local transit and commuting
• 25% back as a statement credit on purchases of food, beverages and Wi-Fi on board United-operated flights and on Club premium drinks when you pay with your Gateway Card
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United Club℠ Business Card

The United Club Business card is a great option for frequent United flyers looking for United Club access.

The United Club℠ Business Card is a premium card option for dedicated United loyalists seeking a card that offers complimentary United Club access, helps them earn and retain status, and doesn’t skip on the benefits.

From free checked bags to upgrades on award tickets and the ability to earn Premier qualifying points, there is plenty to the United Club Business card that United flyers are sure to love.

• 2x miles per $1 spent on United purchases
• 1.5x miles per $1 spent on all other purchases
• Free checked bags
• Premier Access travel services
• Discount on inflight purchases
• Upgrades on award tickets
• Employee cards at no additional cost
• $450 annual fee
• Earning rate for United purchases is poor compared to other United cards
• Earn 75,000 bonus miles + 1,000 Premier qualifying points (PQP) after $5,000 on purchases in the first 3 months your account is open
• Earn 2x miles on United purchases
• Earn 1.5x miles on all other purchases
• United Club membership — up to a $650 value per year. Relax in comfort while waiting for your flight with complimentary beverages, snacks, high-speed Wi-Fi, and more
• Free first and second checked bags for you and a companion, save up to $320 per round-trip
• APR: 21.99%–28.99% Variable
• Foreign Transaction Fees: $0
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Hot Tip: Check out our in-depth guide on the best ways of earning United miles .

With these basics about United status in mind, you can begin to see just how elite you must be to have United Global Services.

United Global Services is an invitation-only elite status with United MileagePlus given to some of United’s most elite and profitable customers. The invite criteria are not public but require substantial annual spending with United Airlines.

With a United Global Services membership, passengers can expect several perks and customer service far exceeding anything other United passengers receive.

The eligibility requirements for Global Services remain unpublished, so it is not known exactly how one can earn an invitation. However, these members are typically high spenders with United.

Although it’s not truly known, there have been estimates that Global Services members spend upwards of $50,000 on airfare with United each year. These unpublished requirements to reach United Global Services are more than double the requirements needed for Premier 1K status.

Currently, there’s only 1 true published way to earn Global Services, and that’s through United’s Million Miler program. You are awarded Lifetime Global Services status if you earn 4 million lifetime miles with United MileagePlus.

However, it would also take a lifetime to get there. If you were to fly 100,000 miles per year, it would take 40 years to achieve this metric.

Global Services Benefits

While it’s hard to confirm all the perks Global Services members receive, several specific benefits have been revealed. Let’s take a look at some of these perks.

Customer service is at its best for Global Services members. They can expect a dedicated phone line that rarely has any wait time, United staff tracking their flight status to ensure connections are made, and getting served meals before anyone else when flying business class or first class.

As a Global Services member, you also have access to a private United Global Services phone number with 24/7 help and a dedicated email address for requests.

Global Services members never have to worry about check-in lines when departing Chicago-O’Hare (ORD), Newark (EWR), or San Francisco (SFO). There are dedicated check-in areas just for Global Services members.

Global Services members are at the front of the line regarding upgrade priority. This can be especially important when booking economy-class tickets on transcontinental or international flights.

For flights on United, complimentary upgrades start clearing 120 hours before a flight compared to 96 hours for United Premier 1K members.

Premier members with one of the co-branded United cards are eligible for Complimentary Premier Upgrades (CPUs) on award flights. To upgrade, there must be space in the RN fare class.

Meanwhile, Global Services members can receive a CPU if there is space in the PN fare class, which often has much better availability. While Global Services members receive access to this PN fare class availability, Premier members do not.

Global Services members can also redeem United miles for upgrades into the PN fare class.

Additionally, Global Services members can also use PlusPoints to upgrade award tickets.

When you consider that those with Global Services are not only spending a lot of money on United but also traveling frequently, the companion perk is a nice touch from United.

If a Global Services member books a cash ticket, they may bring a companion for the cost of a saver-level award ticket. This allows members to extend a work trip into a vacation with a spouse, loved one, or friend.

Not only that, but these companion saver level awards are available in whatever cabin the Global Services members have booked. If a member has paid for a business class ticket, their companion can book a business class award at the saver level.

Probably one of the coolest benefits of being a Global Services Member is a ride to your flight in a Jaguar . Global Services members won’t receive this every time they connect, as it’s only used for tight connections at specific airports.

Airports with this tarmac car transfer service include Chicago-O’Hare (ORD) , Denver (DEN) , Houston (IAH) , Los Angeles (LAX) , and San Francisco (SFO) .

Global Services members will be the first to board and settle into their seats. Global Services members even board before passengers flying in United Polaris.

If a flight is delayed or canceled, a designated concierge can rebook you for the next flight out. In some situations, this can happen before a member even knows of a cancellation.

Global Services members receive Star Alliance Gold status, which provides additional benefits when they fly with other airlines in the Star Alliance.

United Global Services is an invitation-only elite status given to some of United’s most prolific spenders. Though most people will never spend enough to be considered for an invite to Global Services, a look at the benefits of membership is a great insight into how customer service at an airline could work.

Global Services status comes with a number of benefits, including enhanced customer service, private check-in, upgrade priority, and priority boarding, among others.

The information regarding the United Club℠ Business Card was independently collected by Upgraded Points and not provided nor reviewed by the issuer.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is united global services.

Global Services is an invitation-only elite status with United Airlines that provides upgrade priority, allows upgrades on award bookings, provides increased award and upgrade space, and more.

How do you earn Global Services status?

Eligibility requirements for Global Services have never been published, so it is not known exactly how one can earn an invitation. However, there are estimates that Global Services members spend upwards of $50,000 on airfare with United each year.

One sure way to earn Global Services is to fly 4 million miles over the course of your life.

How many PQP do you need for Global Services?

United doesn’t officially publish this, but a rough estimate based on public reports is approximately 50,000 PQPs a year. However, your mileage may vary.

Can Global Services use Polaris Lounge?

Global Services can use the Polaris lounge, but only when seated in first or business class on a qualifying international flight. Global Services members do not get access outside of flying in a premium cabin.

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About Spencer Howard

Always a fan of flying, it was only natural that Spencer was drawn to finding a way to improve the travel experience.

Like many, he started this journey searching for cheap flights to take him around the world. This was fun for a while, but Spencer was intrigued by the idea of flying in business and first class!

Throwing himself into what became an extensive research project, Spencer spent 3-4 hours per night learning everything he could about frequent flyer miles over the course of several months (he thinks this is normal). He runs Straight to the Points, an award-seat alert platform.

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Traveling for Free as an Airline Employee

The most important point to clear up is that airline employees do pay for their travel unless they are commuting for work. Even though they may not be responsible for covering the airfare that you would normally pay to fly, they are responsible for paying the taxes and fees on their tickets.

Airline employees traveling for pleasure are referred to as "non-revenue passengers." In other words, the carrier isn't making any money off them, so they're prioritized below the lowest paying revenue passenger (including those traveling on award tickets). Most airline employees also fly standby, so they won't know if they're going to make it on a flight until after everyone else has made it on board. With unpopular routes, there shouldn't be any trouble, but if they're traveling on international flights to cities that the airline only serves once each day, and the flight is full, they'll have to try again. If they have prepaid accommodations or tours, standby travel can actually end up being very costly.

Even with their benefits, the taxes and fees alone—which include security fees, international fees, and fuel surcharges—can total hundreds of dollars on an international itinerary. And while their total travel costs are lower most of the time, they hardly get to fly for free.

The good news for employees is that in certain situations, any seat may be up for grabs. If there's a first class or business class seat that hasn't been sold, they may end up getting to sit there for the same "price" as traveling in economy, or for a little extra. Of course, there's no guarantee, and even passengers using upgrade certificates or miles to move up to the next cabin have a higher priority.

Discount Travel for Friends and Family of Airline Employees

Sometimes friends and family can get in on the "non-revenue passenger" travel. Each airline has different policies and procedures for an employee's "non-revenue" guest, ranging from buddy passes to full-out booking options. Here are the policies of four major airlines in the U.S. 

American Airlines Buddy Pass Policies

Qualified American Airlines employees are allowed to fly for free, along with their registered guests and companions. Retirees who pass the "65-point plan" (a minimum of 10 years of active service, and the retiree's age plus years of service must equal or exceed 65) also qualify for "non-revenue" travel. Those who wish to travel business class or above must pay an additional fee, based on their itinerary. Fees for premium domestic travel inside the United States are based on distance, while international premium cabin travel is a flat fee based on the destination.

What about friends or companions that aren't parents, spouses, or children? Qualifying American Airlines employees are allocated a certain number of "buddy passes" each year. Buddy pass travelers receive lower boarding priority than American employees on vacation, other employees and eligible travelers, retirees and parents. 

Lastly, American Airlines employees can opt to buy full price tickets, to which a 20 percent employee discount is applied; this ensures an assigned seat and is considered a full fare ticket.

Delta Buddy Pass Policies

Much like American, Delta employees get to extend their travel privileges to friends and family. However, how it applies is a different policy than their Dallas-based counterpart. 

After successfully working for Delta for 30 days, employees are allowed to use their free travel benefits to see the world. Additionally, spouses, minor-dependent children up to 19 years old (or 23 for full-time students) and parents may also receive reduced-rate travel. That doesn't extend to everyone: non-dependent children, travel companions, extended families, and guests are only eligible for reduced-rate travel.

When flying on a Delta buddy pass or as part of an airline program, everyone is boarded on a standby basis. If there is room available after all other passengers have been accounted for, then the benefit flyers can board. According to the employee benefit page, domestic flights are "free" but travels to international destinations are subject to government and airport fees. 

Southwest Airlines Buddy Pass Policies

Even though it's open seating, Southwest Airlines passengers are allowed to snag open seats on flights as part of their benefits package.

Employees receive free, unlimited travel privileges and can offer their Southwest travel benefits to their eligible dependents: spouses or committed registered partner, eligible dependent children 19 or younger (24 if they are full-time students), and parents. While Southwest has agreements with other airlines for benefits, traveling "non-revenue" is not always a free experience, as fees can apply based on the carrier and destination. 

Southwest employees also have the benefits of "SWAG Points." When employees are recognized for their good work or take part in incentive programs, they can earn points that can be exchanged for buddy passes, frequent flyer points, or event tickets. 

United Airlines Buddy Pass Policies

At United, employees still get to hand out buddy passes to their friends and family, but the scope is very limited. According to the airline, employees and their families may receive travel privileges which include discounted rates and unlimited standby travel. 

What does the program actually look like? A bulletin from the Association of Flight Attendants outlines the program in detail. Employees must select their friends eligible for "non-revenue" travel in December for the next year. After the deadline passes, no friends can be added to their list. Employees can also elect to receive 12 buddy passes every year to distribute among friends.

What kind of pass also matters at United. Enrolled friends traveling with the employee, retiree, or their spouse are given the highest boarding priority, while those flying alone on a buddy pass are given the lowest priority.

What to Know About Buddy Pass Travel

Friends of airline employees get to fly for a cheap price if room is available—sounds like a good deal, right? Unfortunately, it's not as easy as having your airline employed friend book a ticket, passing the TSA checkpoint , and going on vacation. 

As noted above, flyers on a buddy pass are the lowest passengers on the standby list. If their flight is just about full, there's a good chance they won't make it on board. Buddy pass passengers are usually only permitted to fly in coach, but the policies vary by airline.

In addition, buddy pass flyers are considered representatives of the airline, no matter how old they are. As a result, they must adhere to a strict dress code, which often includes business-casual dress standards. If they do not meet these strict criteria, they may be denied boarding with no sources of repayment.

The Worst Times to Fly as a Non-Revenue Passenger

Using free or buddy pass travel is a terrible idea during peak times, such as:

• The Sunday after Thanksgiving
• Holiday weeks (Christmas week, Memorial Day, Labor Day, etc.)
• Any time that there's inclement weather , like the winter months

If a flight is canceled, all of the displaced passengers will be accommodated on the next scheduled flight. If it's full, they'll end up on the standby list above non-revenue passengers. As an example: If a plane that holds 250 passengers isn't permitted to fly, that could mean 250 people ahead of you on the list (although that's an extreme example).

"Non-revenue" travel can be quite rewarding, but it's important to remember that you may end up not flying that day, or you could be stranded in a city that you weren't planning to visit. If that happens, you're on the hook for meals and hotel rooms—the airline won't help at all. Before you ask your friend for help and try your hand as a "non-revenue" flyer, be sure to weigh the pros and cons of every situation. In some situations, it may be cheaper to pay for your ticket instead of flying on a buddy pass.

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What it's really like to fly standby as an airline employee

Free travel is one of the most enticing perks of working in the airline industry , but there's a major asterisk involved. Airline employees have access to non-revenue travel, meaning you'll only get a seat if there's space available. For those who like a good gamble, showing up to the airport without a confirmed seat can be thrilling yet incredibly nerve-wracking.

Back in summer 2019 — also known as the golden year for air travel — I was an intern at JetBlue Airways . One of the perks was standby travel, and during those 10 weeks, I wanted to take full advantage of my (short-lived) benefits. Overall, it was a success, as I flew more than 30 times that summer, with seven of those flights on the coveted JetBlue Mint business class .

During my internship, I learned a lot about standby travel and the airline industry as a whole. While standby travel is certainly not for the faintest of hearts, there are ways to get good at it and mitigate stress from all of the uncertainty.

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How standby travel works as an airline employee

Whether you're a pilot , flight attendant , gate agent or even an intern, you may have standby travel privileges that get you free flights on the airline you're working for and (potentially) on partner airlines. While you can travel for free within the 50 U.S. states, any international taxes and fees will apply if you're flying out of the country.

While most airlines rank employees based on seniority and role, JetBlue full-time and part-time employees were ranked on a priority list based on their check-in time. Occasionally, JetBlue employees could get one-time priority passes and jump to the top of the standby list, bypassing other employees on the ranking.

However, as an intern, I was on the same priority level as seasonal employees, which meant that we were grouped under all full-time and part-time staff but above partner airline employees. Regardless of your place on the list, all non-revenue travelers must show up at the gate and wait to be issued a ticket. If the flight was considerably empty, the gate agent may go ahead and ticket you at the start of the boarding process. But if the flight only had a few seats left — or was completely full — all non-revenue passengers must wait until the end of the boarding process for standby seats to clear.

With this much uncertainty, it's essential that you only travel with a carry-on or personal bag, as you never know which flight you'll end up taking that day. Since I only had free time to travel on weekends, this wasn't a problem as I never needed to check a bag in the first place.

Since JetBlue only offers paid upgrades to its passengers, it was easy for non-revenue flyers to snag Even More Space (EMS) seats or even Mint seats on qualifying routes. Interns only had access to JetBlue-operated flights, but full-time employees could fly standby on partner airlines as well, widening the opportunities for international trips.

Finally, in terms of dress and behavior, you're supposed to blend in with the rest of the crowd while looking neat and polished. For example, you're not allowed to wear flip flops or sweatpants as a non-revenue passenger.

Your standby benefits extend to immediate family

At JetBlue, your standby benefits as a full-time employee extend to your immediate family (spouse, dependent children and parents). Airline employees will also get buddy passes throughout the year, handing them out to extended family or friends.

As an intern, I could extend my travel privileges to my parents and one designated travel companion. I brought my mom with me on several trips that summer, and I think she enjoyed the standby privileges as much as I did.

How to work the odds in your favor

Now that I've given a brief rundown, here's how you can work standby travel in your favor. While some of it's luck, there's actually more strategy involved.

First, I had access to a separate website where I'd book non-revenue tickets and monitor flight loads in real time. For example, my new intern friend, Peter, and I wanted to start easy. That means we weren't interested in flying a competitive route such as New York (JFK) to Los Angeles (LAX) from the get-go.

Instead, we picked New York (JFK) to Nantucket on the first flight of the day — 7:10 a.m. We checked the flight loads the night before, and since there were 60+ empty seats, we knew we could hop on this flight with no issues. We were ticketed as soon as we arrived at the gate.

A perk of standby travel that I hadn't considered before is that you have flexibility in your travel plans. We did a quick day trip in Nantucket, and there were plenty of flights going back to New York that day (JFK and LGA). While we were initially intending on leaving around dinnertime, we decided to hop back on the flight around 4 p.m. so we could get back to Manhattan earlier.

On my way home from San Diego, I wanted to try out Mint for the first time, but there were only a few seats left and a long list of standby passengers. Instead, I decided to book a flight to Boston-Logan International Airport (BOS) to snag a Mint seat and then jumped on a flight from Boston to New York (LGA).

Related: The Mint experience from London: What it was like flying JetBlue's inaugural flight from London to New York

What happens when there's not a seat available

Out of the 30+ flights I took that summer, I was denied boarding only once. Those are some pretty good odds, especially since the summer is the busiest travel season and full of bad weather delays .

My mom and I wanted to fly to Los Angeles, so we picked the first flight of the day that had about 15 seats the morning of. With other higher priority employees on the list, there was only one seat left. My mom took the last seat while I hopped on standby for the next flight that left just an hour later, and we finally met up at the airport.

There are several other instances where seats may fill up last minute. For example, delays and cancellations can lead to rebooking on later flights during the day — so that flight with 30 seats available might be snatched up by revenue passengers. That's why it's important to monitor the flight loads religiously, check the forecast and see where the aircraft is coming from or going since numbers can change last minute.

Standby travel is also a game of exercising patience, as gate agents are often overworked when it comes to delays and cancellations . We were advised to never go up to the gate until boarding has finished, as you'll want to stay out of the way as much as possible.

Several interns and I flew to St. Martin at the end of the summer. To ensure that we'd all get back to New York, some of us took the earlier flight home while the others took the later flight. No matter how many seats are available, it's always stressful not to have a confirmed ticket, so splitting up helped us travel together without leaving one of us stranded.

Spontaneity is the spice of life

Thanks to JetBlue offering free in-flight Wi-Fi, I could then plan the rest of my trip once I got a confirmed seat and was en route to my destination. Depending on where I was going, I would only bring enough clothes for a day trip. I would look at last-minute hotels or Airbnbs on the flight.

On the ground, I would spend most of my time walking, spending time on the beach or exploring restaurants in the area. Standby travel is an entirely different way to travel than I've ever experienced.

Bottom line

As someone who's quite spontaneous already, I loved the thrill of non-revenue travel and exploring a new destination for a fraction of the cost. However, as I returned to a "normal" paying passenger, I also enjoy the peace of mind that comes with a confirmed booking and the ability to earn points and miles and work toward elite status .

United Airlines announces miles pooling, seat preference alerts in new updates

United Airlines announced two updates this week aimed at making travel easier.

The airline is introducing a new way to collect and share miles among friends and family, known as miles pooling, and an app feature that will help you secure your preferred seat onboard. 

According to United both features are about providing better value and flexibility to customers and are aimed at helping flyers tailor their trips to their own preferences. 

Here’s what travelers need to know about the announcements and how to take advantage of the new features.

What is miles pooling?

United’s new MileagePlus feature allows frequent flyer program members to share miles with each other.

"We're always looking for new ways to provide the most value to all of our loyalty members," Luc Bondar, Chief Operating Officer of MileagePlus said in a statement . "MileagePlus miles pooling further reinforces United's position as the leader in family and group travel and gives our members more flexibility to use their miles while making it easier to connect to the destinations and moments that matter most, with the people that matter most." 

The program allows groups of up to five people to share redeemable miles and apply the pot toward the price of a reward ticket.

According to United, here’s how the program works:

Any MileagePlus member age 18 or older can become a group leader and can invite up to four other members of any age into the pool. Members can transfer their miles to the pool by following instructions on the airline’s website or app.

“If a group of friends is planning an upcoming summer getaway and each friend has their own individual MileagePlus accounts with their respective number of miles, they can combine all, or a select amount of their personal miles into one central 'pool' that can be used to purchase flights and offset the cost of ticket prices,” the airline’s announcement said.

There is no limit to how many miles can be contributed to the pool. 

Check out United’s website for full terms and conditions of the program.

How do seat alerts work?

The new feature in United’s mobile app lets you set your seating preferences so you’ll be notified if the one you like becomes available.

United began rolling out the option Friday.

It allows passengers to request their desired seat type (aisle, window or middle, including exit or bulkhead rows). 

United will automatically change you to your preferred seat type if it becomes available up to 12 hours before departure and will notify you of the change.

“With up to three million users interacting with the United mobile app daily, United is continuing to bring helpful features to its app, and this is just the latest new app feature that gives customers more options and makes travel a breeze,” a statement from the airline said.

Zach Wichter is a travel reporter for USA TODAY based in New York. You can reach him at [email protected]

Watch CBS News

United Airlines now allows travelers to pool their air miles with others

By Khristopher J. Brooks

Edited By Aimee Picchi

March 21, 2024 / 6:33 PM EDT / CBS News

Customers who have racked up travel miles with United Airlines can now share those points with up to four other passengers under a new program the airlines announced Thursday.

Anyone 18 or older with a MileagePlus membership can link their online account and combine their miles with those accumulated by family or friends from previous flights, United said. As with other airline points programs, United passengers can use the miles they've gathered to help pay for future travel.

United said there's no limit to how many miles a group can pool together. The Chicago-based airline said it launched the program in anticipation of families seeking to fly more often as the summer draws near. 

Allowing customers to pool miles "gives our members more flexibility to use their miles while making it easier to connect to the destinations and moments that matter most," Luc Bondar, chief operating officer of United's points program, said in a statement. 

United isn't the first airline to allow passengers to pool miles. In 2018, New York-based JetBlue extended its existing points-pooling program  to include friends and extended family.

Access to more air miles may come in handy for travelers as the price of flights have soared since the pandemic Additionally, most major airlines have  increased their baggage fees this year. United in particular raised its fees $5, the company said last month . 

Meanwhile, prices for air tickets sold in February were up about 6%, according to the Airline Reporting Corporation. Higher fuel costs and production delays at airplane manufacturer Boeing are partly to blame for higher fares, but airlines still expect high demand for travel in the coming months. 

The miles pooling program comes at a time when United is facing questions about its safety record. One United jet landed with  pieces of aluminum skin  missing from its fuselage, and in another case, a jet lost a wheel during takeoff . 

The incidents prompted CEO Scott Kirby this week to reassure passengers that flying United is safe. Aviation experts also said air travel is still one of the safest forms of public transportation . 

"Unfortunately, in the past few weeks, our airline has experienced a number of incidents that are reminders of the importance of safety," Kirby said Monday. "While they are all unrelated, I want you to know that these incidents have our attention and have sharpened our focus."

• United Airlines

Khristopher J. Brooks is a reporter for CBS MoneyWatch. He previously worked as a reporter for the Omaha World-Herald, Newsday and the Florida Times-Union. His reporting primarily focuses on the U.S. housing market, the business of sports and bankruptcy.

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Are airline credit cards worth it anymore?

Airline credit cards have evolved alongside frequent flyer programs for over several decades. Initially, they offered simple bonuses for free flights, but now more options are available to consumers, including transferable points and fixed-value points programs.

The increasing number of airline credit cards has made it difficult for consumers to compare their value. Additionally, these cards are subject to constant changes in benefits, bonuses, fees and program restructuring.

So you might wonder if airline credit cards are worthwhile, especially premium ones with high annual fees .

However, there are still excellent airline credit cards with tailored perks for different types of travelers. So, consider these factors before deciding if an airline card is right for you.

Welcome offers

When evaluating an airline card, you'll want to ensure you find an advantageous sign-up bonus . Take note of the spending requirements and assess if they are feasible. For instance, the Southwest® Rapid Rewards® Performance Business Credit Card currently offers 80,000 points, but you need to spend $5,000 in the first three months to earn the sign-up bonus.

Additionally, it's important to research and compare the value of different welcome offers, as they often change. For example, the United Club Infinite Card currently offers an elevated sign-up bonus of 90,000 miles after spending $5,000 in the first three months.

Lastly, it's crucial to have a clear plan for how you intend to use the miles you earn. While earning 70,000 American Airlines AAdvantage miles after spending $7,000 in the first three months from the Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard® (see rates and fees ) is significant, ensure it aligns with your travel and redemption goals.

Related: Here are the best credit card welcome offers

Annual fees

Consider your card's annual fee. Some airline credit cards, like the Delta SkyMiles® Blue American Express Card (see rates and fees ) and the JetBlue Card , don't have annual fees. However, these are exceptions. These cards can be suitable for occasional travelers who want to accumulate miles inexpensively without prioritizing day-of-travel perks.

On the higher end, cards like the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card (see rates and fees ), the United Club Infinite Card and the Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard® (see rates and fees ) have annual fees of over $500. These fees may be worthwhile for frequent flyers who can make the most of the additional benefits like lounge access and earning elite-qualifying miles or points based on spending.

Most popular airline credit cards charge around $100 per year. Examples include the AAdvantage Aviator Red World Elite Mastercard ($99), the Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card (see rates and fees , $99 after the first year), the JetBlue Plus Card ($99), the Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier Credit Card ($99) and the United Explorer Card ($95, waived the first year). The Hawaiian Airlines World Elite Mastercard costs $99 per year, and the Alaska Airlines Visa® credit card costs $95 per year.

Some cards offer anniversary bonuses to soften the blow of the annual fee. For instance, the Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier Credit Card provides 6,000 bonus points on your account anniversary, and the JetBlue Plus Card grants 5,000 TrueBlue points each year upon renewal.

When your annual fee is due, consider if your card's perks offset the cost of keeping it for another year. And make sure to ask for a retention offer .

The information for the AAdvantage Aviator Red, JetBlue, JetBlue Plus and Hawaiian Airlines World Elite cards has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.

Related: Best Delta credit cards

Earning categories

In the past, airline cards tended to earn double miles on purchases with their associated airline. However, to compete with non-airline travel rewards cards, many airline credit cards now offer multiple miles per dollar at various merchants like restaurants and grocery stores.

When considering or already having an airline credit card, check the bonus miles categories and see if they align with your spending habits. For example, it's probably not worth having a card that earns 2 miles per dollar on dining if you primarily spend on groceries.

Some top earners include the United Explorer Card , which earns 2 miles per dollar on hotel and dining purchases. The Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite Mastercard® card earns 2 miles per dollar at gas stations and restaurants, while the JetBlue Plus card gives 2 points per dollar at restaurants and grocery stores.

Related: The best rewards credit cards for each bonus category

The information for the Citi / AAdvantage Platinum Select World Elite Mastercard has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.

Travel benefits

Airline credit cards offer various benefits for travel, including waived annual fees, sign-up bonuses and money-saving perks. These perks can include free checked bags , priority boarding and discounts on inflight purchases like food and Wi-Fi.

For instance, the Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card has an annual fee of $99 after the first year but offers a free checked bag for the cardholder and up to eight companions on the same reservation. This benefit alone could save up to $640 on a round-trip domestic itinerary. Even if you save just a few hundred dollars a year, it can still be worthwhile.

Regarding onboard discounts, the JetBlue Plus and JetBlue Card provide 50% savings on food and beverage purchases. You'll also get 25% back on onboard purchases when you use the United Explorer Card.

These benefits are valuable based on how much you utilize them, and while some potential savings may seem substantial, they may not apply to everyone's usage patterns.

Related: 8 elite status benefits you're not using but should

Elite status

Airline elite status is important to many travelers, and using a cobranded airline card can help bridge the gap if you're close to falling short. However, only a few airline credit cards offer elite-boosting opportunities, usually with high annual fees. But if you're a frequent flyer aiming for the next status tier, it could be worth carrying an airline card.

For example, the JetBlue Plus and JetBlue Business cards grant automatic Mosaic status to cardholders who spend $50,000 or more in a calendar year.

The information for the JetBlue Business Card has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.

The Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier Credit Card and Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority Credit Card provide 1,500 tier-qualifying points toward A-List status for every $10,000 spent (drops to every $5,000 spent from Jan. 1, 2024.)

In 2024, the United Quest Card will let you earn 25 Premier qualifying points (PQPs) per $500 spent up to 6,000 PQPs per year (an improvement from 500 PQPs per $12,000.)

Likewise, most American Airlines credit cards earn 1 Loyalty Point for every dollar you spend.

These are just a few examples. If you're unsure about this benefit or already achieved your desired elite status independently, consider exploring another airline to enjoy elite-style perks when not flying your primary carrier.

Related: Credit cards that can help you earn airline elite status

Companion tickets

Carrying an airline credit card can provide significant value through companion ticket benefits . These benefits vary among airlines and cards, so reviewing the details is crucial.

The Alaska Airlines credit card offers an annual companion fare upon renewal, starting from $122 ($99 fare, plus taxes and fees from $23) for economy class. This benefit alone can save you hundreds of dollars each year.

The Hawaiian Airlines World Elite Mastercard includes a one-time 50% discount on round-trip coach travel between Hawaii and North America and $100 off a companion ticket for round-trip coach airfare after each account anniversary.

The Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card and the Delta SkyMiles Reserve American Express Card provide annual companion certificates.

Additionally, earning points with Southwest's credit cards, such as the Southwest Rapid Rewards Performance Business Credit Card and the Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority Credit Card , contributes toward obtaining the highly sought-after Companion Pass (which may be included as an introductory offer with these cards).

If you frequently travel with a partner, family member or colleague, it's worth considering a card with companion benefits for significant savings.

Related: 43 real-world family travel tips that actually work

Award chart devaluations

We recommend evaluating the airlines' frequent flyer programs to ensure their long-term value. Many programs, including Delta SkyMiles , United MileagePlus and Alaska Mileage Plan , have undergone significant devaluations in recent years. Some airlines, such as Lufthansa Miles & More and Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer , have also changed their award charts.

Many programs have eliminated their award charts and now dynamically price tickets . Before committing to a new frequent flyer program and signing up for a credit card, research how the program has evolved in recent years. This will help determine if the miles you earn from welcome offers and everyday spending will provide your desired travel rewards.

Related: Dynamic airline award pricing is out of control — here are some ways to beat it

Application restrictions

Major credit card issuers have implemented restrictions to prevent excessive card churning, which may impact your ability to open new cards and earn sign-up bonuses. Knowing these rules is important to avoid being denied or ineligible for bonuses.

Chase's 5/24 rule is well-known, affecting cards like the United Explorer Card and Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier Credit Card . Generally, if you've opened five or more personal credit cards (from any bank) in the past 24 months, Chase may not approve you for a new card.

Amex has become stricter with eligibility rules, especially for popular cards like the Delta lineup, limiting bonus eligibility to once per lifetime on each product. However, they have a welcome bonus qualification tool to check eligibility before applying.

Citi has specific limitations for its AAdvantage cards. If you've opened or closed another Citi / AAdvantage card within the past 48 months, you won't receive the bonus on a new card. If you have one open for over 24 months, it's advisable to apply for another before closing it to avoid disqualifying your application.

Related: The ultimate guide to credit card application restrictions

Transferable points as an alternative

To quickly accumulate frequent flyer miles without relying on specific travel benefits, consider applying for a card that earns transferable points instead of an airline card.

Several transferable points programs are available, such as American Express Membership Rewards , Bilt Rewards , Capital One miles , Chase Ultimate Rewards , Citi ThankYou Rewards and Marriott Bonvoy . These programs allow you to transfer points to various airline partners, providing flexibility and protecting you from sudden award chart devaluations.

Furthermore, credit cards associated with these programs offer bonus-earning opportunities across multiple categories like gas , groceries , dining and general travel purchases , not just airfare . This makes them superior earners compared to many airline credit cards.

Related: Here's why the Venture X and Amex Gold are the only 2 cards in my wallet

Bottom line

Deciding whether to carry an airline credit card depends on a few important factors.

First, evaluate whether the welcome offer provides compelling value. Then, consider if the ongoing benefits, such as day-of-travel perks and discounts, are valuable enough to outweigh the annual fee. Lastly, evaluate if a rewards card earning transferable points aligns better with your spending habits and travel preferences.

Editorial disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airline or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.

Remote Airline Jobs With Flight Benefits

Are you passionate about the travel industry and dream of working remotely while enjoying flight benefits? Join our team as a Remote Airline Customer Service Representative and embark on an exciting career that allows you to contribute to exceptional customer experiences while enjoying the perks of flight benefits. This is a unique opportunity to be part of a dynamic team from the comfort of your home.

Responsibilities:

• Customer Assistance:  Respond to customer inquiries via phone, email, and chat, providing information and support for airline services and bookings.
• Issue Resolution:  Efficiently address and resolve customer concerns, ensuring a positive travel experience.
• Booking Support:  Assist customers with flight reservations, changes, cancellations, and other travel-related inquiries.
• Product Knowledge:  Stay informed about airline policies, routes, and travel regulations.
• Quality Service:  Uphold the commitment to delivering high-quality service to every customer.

Qualifications:

• Communication Skills:  Excellent verbal and written communication skills in English.
• Customer Focus:  Dedication to providing outstanding customer service.
• Problem-Solving Skills:  Ability to analyze and resolve customer issues effectively.
• Tech Proficiency:  Comfortable using computer systems and relevant software.
• Adaptability:  Able to thrive in a fast-paced and remote work environment.

Requirements:

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Previous customer service experience is advantageous.
• Access to a computer, headset, and a reliable high-speed internet connection.
• Flexibility to work varied hours, including evenings, weekends, and holidays.
• Enjoyment of flight benefits and a passion for the airline industry.
• Competitive hourly pay.
• Opportunities for career advancement within the airline industry.
• Comprehensive training and ongoing support.
• Remote work flexibility.
• Flight benefits for personal and family travel.

If you are enthusiastic about customer service and the travel industry and desire remote work with flight benefits, apply now for the Remote Airline Customer Service Representative position. Join us in providing exceptional service to travellers while enjoying the perks of working in the airline industry.

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MileagePlus Air Awards

Now you can combine money and miles to book a flight. Search for a flight using money, choose Money + Miles as your payment method and select how many MileagePlus ® miles you want to use. Then, cover the rest of the cost with money. It’s that easy. Book now >

Traveling on an award ticket is not one-size-fits-all. You have the flexibility to choose the award type and class of service that suits your needs. All United awards are one-way, which means you can also choose a different class of service for each direction.

Pick the class of service you want, when you want. Maybe you need personal workspace on your outbound trip or want to start your vacation in style. You can travel outbound in one class and return in a different class. It’s your choice.

Book your award ticket now

Browse featured awards

Learn more about our broader range of award prices

Last Seat Availability Benefit

MileagePlus members can book awards without capacity controls on flights operated by United and United Express. If a seat is available, members have unrestricted access to book an award, even if it's the last seat on the plane.

Excursionist Perk

The Excursionist Perk is a free one-way award within select multi-city itineraries. Members who book an itinerary with three or more one-way awards will be eligible to receive one of those one-way awards for free if it meets all of these conditions:

• The Excursionist Perk cannot be in the MileagePlus defined region where your travel originates. (For example, if your journey begins in North America, you will only receive the Excursionist Perk if travel is within a region outside of North America.)
• Travel must end in the same MileagePlus defined region where travel originates.
• The origin and destination of the Excursionist Perk are within a single MileagePlus defined region.
• The cabin of service and award inventory of the free one-way award is the same or lower than the one-way award preceding it.
• If two or more one-way awards qualify for this benefit, only the first occurrence will be free.

Examples of award itineraries in United Economy ® :

United air travel award rules

• Awards have limited availability and are subject to capacity controls.
• MileagePlus members have access to last-seat availability for awards on United- and United Express-operated flights when redeeming miles to book award travel.
• Most travel award itineraries may be booked at united.com. Certain travel awards, such as flights operated by certain carriers, may only be booked over the phone with your local United Customer Contact Center. An award booking service fee will apply to all bookings made over the phone, regardless of whether it is possible to be booked at united.com. Please see the award fee chart for more details.
• Different cabins may be combined to create a single roundtrip award. Awards may not be combined or used with any other air travel certificate, discount coupon, premium offer or specific promotional fares.
• You can also book a one-way award if you wish to travel one way. If you redeem a roundtrip award and only travel one-way, the unused portion of the award will be forfeited.
• The origin and destination of the Excursionist Perk is within a single MileagePlus defined region.
• Only the first occurrence will be free if two or more one-way awards qualify for this benefit.
• Economy awards may be exchanged for a higher cabin, if available, for the difference in mileage and applicable award change fee. Travel awards may not be used in conjunction with promotional upgrades or MileagePlus Upgrade Awards.
• Travel awards are not eligible for mileage accrual with MileagePlus or any other loyalty program.
• Starting on January 1, 2023, travel awards booked using MileagePlus miles for award flights operated by United or United Express are eligible to earn Premier ® qualifying credits. Eligible award flights will earn 1 PQP per 100 miles redeemed, as well as 1 PQF earned per United or United Express flight. Visit the Premier Status Qualification page for more information on how to qualify for status.
• Waitlisting for travel awards is permitted in premium cabins on flights operated by United, and will be automatically confirmed, if the waitlisted cabin is available, based on the status of the account holder.
• Waitlisting may be requested for travel in a premium cabin up to 24 hours before flight departure. If the waitlist does not clear, you will automatically be added to the airport standby list upon check-in.
• Waitlisting for certain inventory types is not permitted.
• Connecting flights: Customers may waitlist on only one leg of the connecting flights and the flight must meet the required minimum connecting time.
• Nonstop flights: Customers can waitlist on only one flight per direction. Alternate dates and times are allowed.
• You may use miles for travel in United First ® , United Business ® or United Polaris ® business class, even if the space is not available. In these cases, United Economy in the same award type must be confirmed, and the front cabin will be waitlisted. If the courtesy waitlist does not clear, it will expire 24 hours before itinerary departure, and you will automatically be added to the airport upgrade standby list upon check-in. In these cases, you will be confirmed on a space-available basis by a United airport representative at the gate once the flight has closed for check-in. For United Polaris business class and United Business travel awards, the difference in miles will be refunded when the United Polaris business class or United Business class segment of the trip cannot be confirmed. Waitlist requests may only be made over the phone with your local United Customer Contact Center.
• Flight changes, including standby, may be made on the day of departure in accordance with the Same-Day Change Policy . All other itinerary changes may be subject to the applicable change fees, depending on geography and status level, and may require additional mileage. Please see the award fee chart for more details.
• Wholly unused or canceled MileagePlus awards may be re-deposited back to the account from which the miles were withdrawn. Award re-deposits are subject to applicable fees. Please see the award fee chart for more details.
• There is a $125 redeposit fee for members who do not show up for their flight and request a redeposit of their miles. This fee applies to all members.
• MileagePlus travel awards have no cash value except for applicable taxes, fees and surcharges. Requests for refund of taxes should be sent to refund accounting.
• Award tickets are valid one year from original date of issue. All travel must begin within one year from the original ticket issue date.
• United, United Express and Copa Airlines do not have any restricted travel dates for MileagePlus awards; however, some partners may have restricted travel dates.
• Pricing for award travel is determined by the city pair between which you wish to travel on a single award. Each city pair is part of an award region per one-way basis. Please see our interactive award chart for award regions.
• MileagePlus members are responsible for all applicable federal inspection fees, terminal facility fees, customs and immigration fees, infant tickets (when required for children under two years of age) and any other fees or surcharges applicable to award travel. Fees and surcharges must be paid by credit card only at the time the MileagePlus award is ticketed. Also, some international departure fees are due at the airport, payable in cash only.
• Once an airline ticket is issued, the passenger's name on the ticket may not be changed, and the ticket may not be used by anyone else. A name change requires that you redeposit the award for a service fee (payable by credit card only) and request a new award in the appropriate name.
• MileagePlus awards and mileage in your MileagePlus account may not be sold, bartered, traded, exchanged or purchased, except under programs fully authorized and/or sponsored by United Airlines. Awards and mileage obtained in violation of this rule will be void and confiscated. A violation of this rule may result in the termination of your MileagePlus membership and forfeiture of all mileage in your account. If a person other than the MileagePlus member or the person named on the reward attempts to use the award, it will be void and travel will be denied. Altered awards are also void. Awards deemed void will be confiscated and the mileage forfeited by the member. At the discretion of MileagePlus, actions which result in a void award may lead to membership termination and forfeiture of all mileage.
• In the event of a flight delay or cancellation, you will be re-routed on the first available flight in accordance with Our United Customer Commitment . Some partners may have different policies for re-accommodation during irregular operations.
• If you elect to travel in a lower class of service than specified by your award, you will not receive a mileage adjustment.
• All tax liability associated with the MileagePlus program and with the receipt and use of MileagePlus awards, including income tax, is the responsibility of the customer.
• If you fail to comply with the MileagePlus award rules, at United Airlines' sole discretion, you may be accommodated on a different flight than originally selected, seated in a lower class of service, denied ticketing or boarding, or be subject to other action as provided under the "Mileage or Award Abuse" provision herein. Travel on United Airlines or MileagePlus airline partners is subject to the filed tariffs and standard contract of carriage of the specific carrier.