MileagePlus is the name of the frequent flyer programme for United Airlines and is free to join. Once you have signed up, you can earn points or miles by spending money with United Airlines or any of their partners. Purchasing flights is the primary way to do this – however, there are other ways, including booking hotels and restaurants and shopping with a United credit card. Points can then be spent on airfare, cabin upgrades or holiday experiences.

Regular flyers who build up enough points will start to move through the MileagePlus Levels. For example, the first level beyond basic membership is Premier Silver which gives eligible passengers complimentary checked-in cabin bags and priority boarding, among other perks. Unlike some frequent flyer plans, MileagePlus points never expire, offering flexibility about when you use them.

When you fly with United, there are seven different types of tickets.

Basic Economy

 Seats allocated
 Checked in bags start at $35
 Carry on only allowed on transpacific and transatlantic flights
 No flight changes
 Last to board
 Standard economy seating

Economy

 Choose your own seats
 Checked in bags start at $35
 Complimentary carry on
 Flight changes allowed
 Standard main cabin seating

United Plus

 Choose your own seats
 Checked in bags start at $35
 Complimentary carry on
 Flight changes allowed
 Priority boarding
 Additional leg room

* On certain United flights upgrades to Premium Plus are available, which include premium seating and complimentary beverages and food.

United Business Class (transcontinental, Latin America and the Caribbean) / First Class (domestic flights)

 Choose your own seats
 Two checked in bags
 Complimentary carry-on
 Priority boarding
 Extra legroom in reclinable, leather seats
 Charging point
 Wide range of entertainment services
 Premium food and beverages

United Polaris

Polaris is United’s premium offering for long-haul journeys, which, although described as a business class proposition, is the highest level of service they have on offer.

 Choose your own seats
 Two checked-in bags
 Complimentary carry-on
 Lie flat seats
 Charging point
 Private entertainment screening and noise-reducing headphones
 Restaurant quality cuisine and beverages
 First people to board