Last Updated on February 23, 2026
On Thursday February 19th, 2026 United Airlines announced changes to its loyalty program MileagePlus. They debuted award flight discounts for card holders, along with updated award miles earning rates. What has been getting the most attention is the change to award miles earnings for flights.
Changes to Miles Earning Rate
Currently, MileagePlus members earn a base 5 United miles per dollar spent on United ticketed flights regardless of ticket class, with bonus mile earnings increasing with premier status. Starting April 02nd, 2026, base miles earnings rates will be cut to 3 United miles per dollar on economy or higher tickets, and eliminated for basic economy tickets. However, holders of a co-branded United credit card will earn additional United miles, which in most cases brings the total earning rate above the older base rate. Paying with your United credit card will give an even higher earn rate. Exact miles earning rates can be found on United’s website.
While the base earnings rate for basic economy tickets has been eliminated, the bonus earnings for loyalty status tiers still remains in effect. Credit card holders will also sill earn on basic economy tickets, albeit at a reduced rate.
Discounted Award Flights for Cardholders
As part of the overhaul United as said that cardholders will receive at least a 10% discount on award flight redemptions. The example given was 15,000 mile flight would be only 13,500 miles for cardholders. United also claims this discount will be clearly displayed for awareness of savings. Additionally, United has announced it will make more Saver Award seats in Polaris and business class available to cardholders.
Takeaways
The biggest losers in this United’s loyalty program shake up are passengers that consistently or exclusively fly basic economy. With this change, United joins both American and Delta in removing the ability to earn award miles on basic economy tickets. Sadly, this was only a matter of time once American announced basic economy restrictions back in December. Airlines seem to be marching on towards the tierification of the flying experience.
Credit card holders come away as the only winners in this situation, with increased earning rate and award flight discounts. That being said, this push to encourage passengers to hold a card will water down their associated benefits if everyone has one. If everyone has a card then everyone will board in group 1 & 2 out of 4, essentially defeating the point.
As a United Cardholder myself, I don’t care for this change. Even with an increased earning rate. This just feels like another data point in the race to the bottom when it comes to the quality of service airlines offer to their customers. The discount on award seats also seems like a hollow gesture as United uses dynamic pricing for award tickets. It will be interesting to see if this causes a meaningful increase in holders of United credit cards.