Your guide to United Million Miler status
Editor's Note
Whether you’re a dedicated business traveler or a passionate jet-setter, reaching United Million Miler status is a testament to your loyalty. Although it requires a lot of flying on paid tickets, Million Miler members enjoy United Premier status for life.
In fairness, only a small percentage of United MileagePlus members will qualify for lifetime status, but you may still aspire to earn United Million Miler status and lock in benefits for life. So, here’s what you need to know about lifetime elite status with United Airlines.
United lifetime miles
United awards Million Miler status based on the total distance you’ve flown on paid United — and United Express-operated flights credited to MileagePlus. So, while flyers must earn Premier qualifying points (or a combination of Premier qualifying points and Premier qualifying flights) each year to earn United Premier status, lifetime miles on eligible flights are what matter if you're interested in lifetime status.
United lifetime miles do not expire or reset. Most cash fares on United and United Express-operated flights, including United basic economy, count toward your United lifetime miles. Regardless of your cabin class, you earn a lifetime flight mile for each physical mile you fly (based on the miles scheduled for your flights, not the actual flight distance).
Although you can earn PQPs and PQFs on some award bookings, you won’t earn lifetime flight miles on award flights. Likewise, paid flights operated by partner airlines don’t count toward your United lifetime miles.
When you log in to your MileagePlus account, you’ll see your lifetime flight miles under the “Your Premier progress” section.
Related: Is it worth pursuing lifetime elite status?
United Million Miler status
Here’s what it takes to earn United Million Miler status:
| Eligible lifetime flight miles | Lifetime status level |
|---|---|
1 million | Premier Gold |
2 million | Premier Platinum |
3 million | Premier 1K |
4 million | Global Services |
United offers members mid-tier Premier Gold status for life when they reach 1 million lifetime flight miles. Premier Gold status includes many of the same perks as top-tier United status, including access to Economy Plus seating at the time of booking (granted, only for you and a companion at the Premier Gold tier), Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite status and Star Alliance Gold status.
Then, for each additional million miles you fly, you’ll boost your lifetime status. You can even earn lifetime Global Services — an invitation-only status tier for United’s highest spenders — if you accrue 4 million eligible lifetime flight miles with United.
Million Milers receive PlusPoints for upgrades based on their lifetime Premier status level. As such, Million Milers with Premier Platinum status should get 40 PlusPoints each January, while those with Premier 1K status should get 280 PlusPoints each January.
But perhaps the best part of the United Million Miler program is the ability to share your current status with a spouse, significant other or individual who resides at your home address. For example, if you’re a Million Miler with lifetime Premier Platinum status but currently hold Premier 1K status, you can designate one eligible companion to also hold Premier 1K status.
United members with 1 million lifetime flight miles or more can either select a companion or become the companion of another Million Miler. However, you can change or remove your United Million Miler companion (or decide to be selected as a companion of another Million Miler) each year between Sept. 1 and Nov. 30.
Related: United elite status is slipping further out of my reach — here's what I'm doing as a result
How long does it take to earn United Million Miler status?
Since United only credits lifetime flight miles on paid flights operated by United or United Express, earning 1 million lifetime flight miles (let alone 4 million) is not easy. If you earn 100,000 United lifetime miles each year, it’ll take you a decade to earn 1 million lifetime flight miles.
If you qualify for United lifetime status entirely on one-way flights from San Francisco to Newark, here’s what it would take to secure each tier of Million Miler status:
- Lifetime Premier Gold: 390 flights (around 2,150 inflight hours)
- Lifetime Premier Platinum: 780 flights (around 4,300 inflight hours)
- Lifetime Premier 1K: 1,170 flights (around 6,450 inflight hours)
- Lifetime Global Services: 1,560 flights (around 8,600 inflight hours)
Of course, if you travel frequently on eligible long-haul flights, you’ll earn United Million Miler status with fewer flights.
Related: Best United Airlines credit cards
Bottom line
If you’re a dedicated United flyer, consider checking your Million Miler balance to see how close you are to reaching one of the lifetime tiers.
Although we’ve seen passengers take mileage runs to earn more lifetime flight miles, we don’t usually recommend doing so. That said, United Million Miler status is the only published route to locking in Premier status for life and not having to worry about requalifying year after year.
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Rewards
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro offer
Annual Fee
Recommended Credit
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.
Rewards Rate
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro Offer
You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.Annual Fee
$325Recommended Credit
Credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.Excellent to Good
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.