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Targeted MileagePlus members eligible for bonus miles when checking in and checking a bag on the United app
Kyle Olsen
Points and Miles Expert
Kyle Olsen is the former points and miles reporter at TPG. He specializes in maximizing points and miles, elite status and credit cards so readers travel more comfortably and at a lower cost.
Dec. 01, 2022
•
4 min read
Targeted MileagePlus members eligible for bonus miles when checking in and checking a bag on the United app
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Editor's Note
This post has been updated to reflect that more United members have been targeted for this Mile Play promotion. It was previously reported that only Premier 1K members were targeted.
Mile Play has been a popular way for United Airlines customers to earn extra MileagePlus miles when traveling on the airline.
Historically, Mile Play offers have several requirements: Register, book a flight that meets your specific offer's requirements and work toward bonus miles before your offer's expiration.
Now, in conjunction with existing Mile Play offers set to expire Dec. 15, United has launched an entirely new type of Mile Play offer. In our 25 surveyed MileagePlus accounts (with various United status levels), our tests indicated that this new Mile Play offer is only available to targeted Premier 1K customers; however, we've received reports that other MileagePlus members have been targeted, too. To see if you're eligible, click here.
This time, however, targeted members are being rewarded for completing certain tasks in the United app. Let's take a closer look.
A new Mile Play style
As mentioned, United has long had Mile Play offers that require you to spend and fly after registering. Here are some of the offers that TPG staffers received when United launched its last Mile Play offers in October:
- 2,500 bonus miles after you book and take one trip with a fare of $200 or more.
- 2,500 bonus miles after you book and take one trip with a fare of $225 or more.
- 4,100 bonus miles after you book and take two trips, each with a fare of $150 or more.
- 7,000 bonus miles after you book and take three trips, each with a fare of $100 or more.
- 5,000 bonus miles after you book and take four trips, each with a fare of $100 or more.
However, United's newest Mile Play offers consist of two components:
- Check in for your flight on the United app.
- Use the Bag Drop Shortcut or check a bag online.
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My offer provides 600 bonus miles for checking in for a flight online and 1,000 bonus miles for checking a bag using Bag Drop Shortcut; the shortcut is United's new way to drop your bag off after making your checked luggage selections in the United app or on united.com. The terms of my offer state that I must start my trip at Chicago's O'Hare International Airport (ORD), Denver International Airport (DEN) or San Francisco International Airport (SFO) and use the Bag Drop Shortcut at one of these three airports.
If I complete both activities by Dec. 7, I'll earn 800 bonus miles, bringing in 2,400 bonus miles (worth $29.04 at TPG's valuations).
TPG's Zach Griff, also a Premier 1K member, received a similar offer to mine with the same Dec. 7 expiration date; however, his offer didn't have the Bag Drop Shortcut requirement.
Zach's offer consists of 400 bonus miles for checking in for a flight on the United app and 800 bonus miles if he checks a bag online. If he completes both components, he'll receive 600 bonus miles, bringing the total to 1,800 bonus miles (worth $21.78 at TPG's valuations).
Related: Quick Points: How to earn extra miles with United Mile Play promotions
Bottom line
United has an entirely new Mile Play offer currently available to targeted MileagePlus members. Rather than earning bonus miles through new reservations that meet specific spending requirements, United customers can earn miles on existing reservations through activities they likely would have done anyway.
It's possible that MileagePlus members located in Chicagoland, the Denver area and the San Francisco Bay area may be targeted for offers like mine with the Bag Drop Shortcut. Otherwise, you might find offers that are more like Zach's.
To see if you're eligible for this newest iteration of United's Mile Play, head to the registration page with your MileagePlus number.
Featured image by ZACH GRIFF/THE POINTS GUY
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.
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Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees
Best for dining at restaurants
TPG Editor‘s Rating
Go to reviewCard Rating is based on the opinion of TPG‘s editors and is not influenced by the card issuer.
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.