Perhaps this is not the newest news, but I figured it’s still important to discuss. It’s been clear that in the US, airlines gain significant profits from their loyalty programs. That comes both from people choosing to fly with a single airline in hopes of getting elite status, but even more so from the co-branded credit cards. In fact, some analyses have shown that US airlines would barely make a profit if not for the credit card agreements. On that note, United has just taken a step to integrate the credit cards directly into how passengers will earn miles from flying with United. This is something we haven’t seen before, but it makes sense in the grand scheme of things. But, I’d say it is bad for the majority of United fliers…

1. The situation for flights ticketed before April 2nd 2026
2. As of April 2nd 2026, credit card holders earn more, those without elite status less
3. Basic economy fares will earn nothing
4. Paying with the United card will further increase mileage earning
5. Credit card holders will also get discounts on award flights, extra saver availability
6. Why did United implement these changes?
7. So, should you get a United credit card? Which one should you get?
8. Summary

The situation for flights ticketed before April 2nd 2026

For context, find below the mileage earning rates for United flights tickets before April 2nd, 2026. As you can see, everybody earns the same base amount of miles, namely 5 miles/dollar spent. Then, you can earn extra bonus miles as a function of the elite status you have, amounting to a minimum of 5miles/dollar spent for general members (no bonus) to 11 miles per dollar spent (for Premier 1K elites).

As of April 2nd 2026, credit card holders earn more, those without elite status less

Now compare the above chart to the below chart, which shows the updates earn rates as of April 2nd, 2026. You’ll notice two things:

• There is no longer a flat 5 miles/dollar earn rate. Instead, earn rate starts at 3 miles/dollar for general members (2 miles/dollar less than before), and increases with elite status, up to 9 miles/dollar.
• Having a credit card increases your earn rate by a flat 3 miles/dollar. As such, card holders at every tier will earn 1 mile/dollar more than before. Note these extra miles are earned for just having the card – if you’d also use the card to pay for the flight, you’s also earn the extra miles for putting spending on the United credit card.

In short, having a United credit card will actually increase your earn rate as of April 2nd 2026 over the old scheme, whereas if you have no credit card and no elite status, you will earn 40% less miles from your flights with United. Do note that your MileagePlus number needs to be added into the reservation to accrue MileagePlus miles.

Basic economy fares will earn nothing

It used to be that basic economy fares with United would earn miles, but those days are over. Essentially, basic economy fares see a reduction of 3miles/dollar, meaning general members earn nothing, and all elite tiers earn whatever they earned minus 3 (compare the below chart with those before April 2nd 2026).

That is, unless you have a United credit card, in which case you will still earn the flat 3 miles/dollar rate that all credit card holders will earn in addition to the earn rate specific to their elite tier. Note these extra miles are earned for just having the card – if you’d also use the card to pay for the flight, you’s also earn the extra miles for putting spending on the United credit card.

This shouldn’t be entirely surprising, as Delta and American have both already implemented this a while ago, meaning United is simply following the pack rather then setting the trend. The new thing is how having the United credit card will still grant some mileage earning, also in basic economy.

Paying with the United card will further increase mileage earning

I have mentioned this already, but I wanted it to be clear that the mileage earning rates quoted above for United card holders are earned just for having a card, and don’t require spending on the card. However, if you pay for your flight with your United credit card, you will gain more miles per dollar spent, at the total rates in the table below (base rate, plus the rate for having a United card, plus paying for the flight with the card).

Note: United MileagePlus^® Debit Rewards and United Gateway^SM Cardmembers must spend $10,000 within a calendar year to qualify for the table below

Credit card holders will also get discounts on award flights, extra saver availability

Like with every airline loyalty program out there, you can use your United MileagePlus miles to redeem for flights. Since some time now, United has provided a 10% discount in redemption rates to United card holders. Now, we see this scheme expanded, such that discounts will be at least 10% discounts for card holders without elite status, and at least 15% for those with elite status.

The cheapest (saver) award fares on United Polaris business class for transatlantic routes ordinarily cost 80.000 miles. With the discounts, general members with a United card will pay 72.000 miles, and elite members with a United card will pay just 68.000 miles.

In addition, card holders will be provided with increased saver awards. As a non-card holder myself, I don’t think I’ve ever come across a saver award on United metal, so the United credit card should certainly help with that, if you wish to fly United’s Polaris business class. For partner awards, such as on Star Alliance airlines Lufthansa, Singapore Airlines and others, Air Canada’s Aeroplan may still be a more attractive program.

Why did United implement these changes?

On the surface, this seems like an unfriendly move towards a portion of United’s customers. After all, United is greatly diminishing the number of miles people can earn. However, I think its a very sensible move from United’s perspective. Remember that, as I mentioned in the intro, US airlines get most of their profits these days from their loyalty programs, and especially their co-branded credit cards. Without these, they’d likely barely break even. As such, airlines want their customers to get a credit card. Integrating credit card membership into the mileage earning equation is a smart way to convince people to get that credit card.

There is a risk that people will book away from United over this, but actually I don’t think that is a major concern. Generally, I think the price will continue to lead customer choices, as well as the possibility to bring a carryon bag. That is especially true for basic economy fares, which you’d generally book if you’re very price conscious. And, American and Delta already removed mileage earning on basic economy fares.

In practice, I think there’s a contingent of people already flying with United (loyal or otherwise) that may have been on the fence on getting a United card, and this may push them over. All others, especially those opportunistically buying the best (not necessarily cheapest) fare, will probably still pass on the United credit card.

So, should you get a United credit card? Which one should you get?

Let me give the short answer first: no, you should not immediately go and get a United credit card, because for many people the vlaue proposition of the card wouldn’t make sense. Under what circumstances does it make sense to get the United credit card?

I feel there is only one reason to get a United credit card: You fly United often. If you’re in a position where United is the primary airline you fly, it makes sense to get their credit card, given that it generally provides some priority boarding and a free checked bag. For example, if United has a hub at the closest airport to you, or has a major presence there. Also, if you simply like flying United and are loyal to them (though there are plenty reasons not to be loyal to a specific airline!).

Note that there are several United credit cards out there, all with different annual fees. Could you get the no annual fee Gateway card to earn miles? Yes and no. Unfortunately the no annual fee card requires spending at least $10.000 on the card to ‘unlock’ the ability to earn miles from the card other than spending with it. As such, the Explorer card would make more sense. With a $150 annual fee, it’s more expensive than cards from other airlines that provide similar benefits, including priority services and a free checked bag. However, if you do check a bag and are able to indeed save 10% on awards, it could be worth the annual fee. The thing is, I’m not so sure that you’ll get that value out of it consistently, unless you fly United regualrly.

As such, for the majority of people I don’t think the math on the United credit card works out all that well.

Summary

United has drastically changed the Mileage earning rates for United flights. The gist of it is that it’s all about the credit cards now. If you don’t have a credit card and no elite status, you’ll earn 40% less miles (3 miles/dollar, down from 5, if you’re a general member in the program). If you do have a credit card, you can earn earn 1 mile/dollar more than previously. Also, you’ll earn a further 3 miles/dollar less in basic economy, meaning as a general member without the credit card you’ll earn nothing. Overall, these are some rather customer unfriendly changes, but they make perfect sense in the loyalty program and credit card-focused business model that US airlines have increasingly adopted, so I can’t say it’s much of a surprise. Still, unless you’re bound to fly United often, I wouldn’t say it’s necessarily worthwhile getting a United credit card at this point.