What To Know
- In this blog post, we’ll delve into the question of whether United Airlines MileagePlus costs money and provide a comprehensive analysis of its fee structure.
- Purchasing miles can be a good option if you need a small number of miles to complete an award redemption.
- However, purchasing miles can be a good option if you need a small number of miles to complete an award redemption.
Mileage programs like United Airlines MileagePlus offer a way to earn rewards for frequent travel. However, it’s essential to understand the potential costs associated with these programs. In this blog post, we’ll delve into the question of whether United Airlines MileagePlus costs money and provide a comprehensive analysis of its fee structure.
Membership Fees
Unlike some other airline loyalty programs, United Airlines MileagePlus does not charge an annual membership fee. This means that enrolling in the program is free of charge. However, there are other costs that come with using MileagePlus, which we’ll explore in the following sections.
Award Ticket Fees
When you redeem MileagePlus miles for award tickets, you will typically need to pay a variety of fees, including:
- Base Fare: The base fare is the core cost of the flight, which varies depending on the route, travel dates, and fare class.
- Carrier-Imposed Surcharges: Airlines often impose additional surcharges on award tickets, such as fuel surcharges, airport taxes, and security fees.
- Taxes and Fees: Federal and local taxes and fees are also payable when redeeming award tickets.
The total cost of an award ticket can vary significantly, so it’s important to factor in all these fees when planning your redemption.
Mileage Purchase Fees
If you need to top up your MileagePlus account before redeeming an award ticket, you can purchase miles directly from United Airlines. However, this comes with a fee:
- Mileage Purchase Fee: The mileage purchase fee is a flat rate charged for each mile purchased. The fee varies depending on the number of miles purchased.
Purchasing miles can be a good option if you need a small number of miles to complete an award redemption. However, it’s generally not cost-effective to purchase large quantities of miles.
Elite Status Fees
United Airlines offers four elite status tiers: Premier Silver, Premier Gold, Premier Platinum, and Premier 1K. These tiers provide various benefits, such as priority boarding, complimentary upgrades, and lounge access. To achieve elite status, you must meet certain spending or mileage earning requirements.
However, there are no additional fees associated with elite status. Once you qualify for a particular tier, you will enjoy its benefits for the entire calendar year.
Other Fees
In addition to the fees mentioned above, there are a few other potential costs associated with United Airlines MileagePlus:
- Change Fees: If you need to change an award ticket, you may be charged a change fee.
- Cancellation Fees: If you cancel an award ticket, you may be charged a cancellation fee.
- Mileage Expiration Fees: MileagePlus miles expire after 18 months of inactivity. To prevent your miles from expiring, you can either earn or redeem miles within this timeframe. If your miles do expire, you may be able to reinstate them by paying a reinstatement fee.
The Bottom Line: Understanding the True Cost
While United Airlines MileagePlus does not charge an annual membership fee, it’s important to be aware of the other potential costs associated with the program. These costs can include award ticket fees, mileage purchase fees, elite status fees, and other miscellaneous fees. By understanding these costs, you can make informed decisions about how to use your MileagePlus miles and maximize their value.
Answers to Your Most Common Questions
Q: Is it worth joining United Airlines MileagePlus?
A: Whether joining MileagePlus is worth it depends on your individual travel habits. If you frequently fly on United or its partners and plan to redeem miles for award tickets, then joining the program can be beneficial.
Q: How can I avoid paying award ticket fees?
A: One way to avoid award ticket fees is to book flights during off-peak seasons or on less popular routes. You can also consider using miles to upgrade your economy ticket rather than redeeming them for a full award ticket.
Q: Is it better to purchase miles or earn them through flying?
A: Earning miles through flying is generally the most cost-effective way to accumulate miles. However, purchasing miles can be a good option if you need a small number of miles to complete an award redemption.
