Many travel loyalty programs offer the ability to earn lifetime elite status. Ordinarily elite status has to be earned on an annual basis, so it sure is nice to be able to not worry about requalifying for status anymore.
I’ve written in the past about lifetime hotel elite status, including with Hilton Honors, Marriott Bonvoy, and World of Hyatt. Now I’m taking a look at the lifetime status tiers offered by major airlines in the United States, and in this post I wanted to take a look at United MileagePlus lifetime status, which is in my opinion the most lucrative lifetime status program offered by any airline (check out my separate posts on lifetime status with Alaska Mileage Plan, American AAdvantage, and Delta SkyMiles).
In this post:
How to earn United MileagePlus lifetime status
United MileagePlus’ million miler program is incredibly lucrative. Not only can you earn all elite tiers (including Global Services) with this program, but you can also earn the status for a companion. The catch is that lifetime miles are also among the hardest to rack up with MileagePlus.
United’s lifetime elite status is based on the flight distance of paid United and United Express flights you take over your lifetime. So this is quite literally a measure of how many millions of (paid) miles you’ve flown with United over your lifetime. Award flights, travel on partner airlines, and class of service bonuses, don’t in any way contribute toward lifetime status with United.
United has four lifetime elite tiers, so let’s go over the details of that.
Lifetime United Premier Gold status (one million miler)
Those who cumulatively fly one million revenue miles on United will receive lifetime MileagePlus Premier Gold status for themselves and one companion. This isn’t even United’s entry level status, so it’s nice that million miler status already gets you the second elite tier in the program.
Lifetime United Premier Platinum status (two million miler)
Those who cumulatively fly two million revenue miles on United will receive lifetime MileagePlus Premier Platinum status for themselves and one companion. This is United’s upper-mid-tier elite status.
Lifetime United Premier 1K status (three million miler)
Those who cumulatively fly three million revenue miles on United will receive lifetime MileagePlus Premier 1K status for themselves and one companion. This is United’s highest elite tier with published requirements.
Lifetime United Global Services status (four million miler)
Those who cumulatively fly four million revenue miles on United will receive lifetime MileagePlus Global Services status for themselves and one companion. Global Services is United’s invitation-only elite tier, which is ordinarily reserved for very high spenders or those who have a lot of influence over the travel of others.
United’s million miler companion status benefit
As you can see above, at each elite tier you can designate a companion to also receive your elite status. I wanted to go into a bit more detail on how that works:
- The companion receives whatever elite tier you’re earning in the MileagePlus program that year; in other words, if you’re a one million miler who also happens to be a Premier 1K member, your companion would receive Premier 1K that year, rather than Premier Gold (the standard million miler status)
- The companion benefit is awarded on an annual basis, so each year you can change the person who you designate as your companion (if you want to change it, you’ll need to do so by November 30, for it to apply for the following year)
- A companion is defined as a spouse, significant other, or individual who resides at the same home address, based on MileagePlus profile information
United MileagePlus lifetime status FAQs
While the above is a basic rundown of United’s million miler program, let me answer some of the common questions people may have about the program.
Can you earn lifetime United status with credit card spending?
United’s lifetime status is based exclusively on revenue “butt-in-seat” miles on United. While United’s co-branded credit cards can help you earn Premier Qualifying Points (PQPs), they can’t in any way help you earn million miler status.
How can you check your United million miler status progress?
You can check your progress toward United million miler status in the “My Account” section of united.com, after logging into your account.
Do United million miler miles expire?
Miles toward million miler elite status don’t expire, which is to say that you can continue to rack up miles slowly toward lifetime status. Unlike other elite miles, they don’t reset each year.
Also keep in mind that these are completely separate from redeemable miles, as you can’t use million miler miles toward anything. It’s simply a tally of how many total revenue miles you’ve flown on United over the course of your life (while crediting to MileagePlus).
How do you designate your United million miler companion?
If you’re a United million miler and want to nominate a companion, you can do so on this webpage.
Is United million miler status worth it?
Is it awesome to be rewarded for long-term loyalty with lifetime status? Absolutely. But in my opinion it’s never worth significantly changing your behavior in order to earn lifetime status. Why?
- Airlines can change qualification rules at any time for lifetime elite status, even if you’ve spent the past 20 years trying to earn it
- Airlines can change elite benefits at any time, so the perks of elite status can change considerably even after you earn lifetime status
- While the airline industry is more stable than decades ago, there’s always the risk of the airline going out of business, merging, etc.
So it’s awesome to earn lifetime elite status, but it’s not worth significantly going out of your way to earn it, in my opinion.
United’s million miler program is rewarding & brilliant
There aren’t many areas where I think United MileagePlus is industry-leading, though the million miler program is an exception, not just for how rewarding it is, but also for how well thought out it is. In fairness, miles toward United million miler status are harder to earn than with most other airlines, since United only counts flown miles on United.
However, the program is still by far the most generous:
- One of the best things a travel loyalty program can do is reward the spouses of those who travel a lot, because they’re just as impacted by all of this travel; to give them the same elite status is a fantastic gesture
- United offering its invitation-only elite status as part of the million miler program is a real “carrot” for some members, as this is a status that many may otherwise never earn, but the program gives them the chance to earn that
- The fact that a companion receives the higher of your million miler status or your annual status gives million milers a real incentive to continue flying and earning a higher elite tier
Huge kudos to United for the million miler program, especially in comparison to American’s woefully unrewarding million miler program.
Bottom line
United Airlines has a million miler program, whereby MileagePlus members can earn lifetime Gold, Platinum, 1K, or Global Services status. The status is earned based on the total number of paid miles flown on United over the years.
While United million miler miles are hardest to rack up, the program is also rewarding, and gives members a fantastic incentive to continue being loyal to the airline.
Are any OMAAT readers lifetime United MileagePlus elite members? If so, what has your experience been like?
I am a million miler on both United and Delta (I know, really dumb as I would be lifetime 1K now if consolidated and about 500K from lifetime Global). United starts at Gold, whereas a million on Delta gets you Silver. So, on United I get comp Premium Economy, on Delta I am barely on the upgrade list and no Premium Economy.
I’m at 1.88m UA lifetime miles. Alas I retired a few years ago so am not earning near as much now. Alas, all those DCA-MIA on Eastern, then American; or Dca-ATL on Delta, I should have paid attention. Then I’d be at 2m easily. Even so, lifetime gold is pretty cool. Otherwise I’d be a pauper.
Now we mostly fly IAD-SFO to see our kids. At 2500/each way, long time to get 125k actual...
I’m at 1.88m UA lifetime miles. Alas I retired a few years ago so am not earning near as much now. Alas, all those DCA-MIA on Eastern, then American; or Dca-ATL on Delta, I should have paid attention. Then I’d be at 2m easily. Even so, lifetime gold is pretty cool. Otherwise I’d be a pauper.
Now we mostly fly IAD-SFO to see our kids. At 2500/each way, long time to get 125k actual miles.
I have a buddy who is *extremely* loyal to Delta— even flies cross-country thru MPLS. I now see— he gets lotsa perks.
I am a 1k for life with 3.5m "Domestic hard earned" miles on UAL. I would have probably been 4m+ if Covid would not have happened. I have since retired and not earning miles at the rate I did before. I have loved the program, but hate the upgrade algorithm they use. I find myself #20 and higher at times. I understand that people that fly more currently get bumped above people that do not....
I am a 1k for life with 3.5m "Domestic hard earned" miles on UAL. I would have probably been 4m+ if Covid would not have happened. I have since retired and not earning miles at the rate I did before. I have loved the program, but hate the upgrade algorithm they use. I find myself #20 and higher at times. I understand that people that fly more currently get bumped above people that do not. I wish the algorithm gave credit for loyalty, so if you had 1m, 2m 3m or 4m miles you would get bumped up the list accordingly. They need to recognize your loyalty.... Other than that the program has been fantastic...
I am a few miles short of 2m (maybe in month or two) and was global for maybe 10 yrs. But have retired as well and even still 1k(paid out of my pocket) nowhere in upgrades. You learn that all these programs are really just rewarding current spend. And I get it. It’s a business. Unfortunately I have two mil on American as well. Should have singled up.
When I started platinum actually meant...
I am a few miles short of 2m (maybe in month or two) and was global for maybe 10 yrs. But have retired as well and even still 1k(paid out of my pocket) nowhere in upgrades. You learn that all these programs are really just rewarding current spend. And I get it. It’s a business. Unfortunately I have two mil on American as well. Should have singled up.
When I started platinum actually meant something and 1 k was wild. Not anymore. In 10 years there will probably be 2 higher levels. Inflation. Also they are now really balanced on the thinnest of spenders. Consultants and I bankers who get to decide for themselves and charge external clients. Everyone else is now corp managed. I don’t think they understand how precarious that is. Probably these programs will be dead in 5 years.
When Continental and United merged, United re-did the calculations for existing members since it was much easier to reach 1MM in the Continental world: It was miles in general that counted, not just BIS (butt in seat).
A 1K-1MM here. While I appreciate usually (not always) being thanked for being a 1K, it is very rare when I'm recognized being a Million Miler. I absolutely, 100% agree that those os us who have shown such loyalty to United in flying over a million miles, should have the ability of receiving a complimentary upgrade on International flights without having to use PP when available. I think we've earned it. It was soooooo disheartening...
A 1K-1MM here. While I appreciate usually (not always) being thanked for being a 1K, it is very rare when I'm recognized being a Million Miler. I absolutely, 100% agree that those os us who have shown such loyalty to United in flying over a million miles, should have the ability of receiving a complimentary upgrade on International flights without having to use PP when available. I think we've earned it. It was soooooo disheartening for me on a flight from Newark to Singapore when several seats in Polaris were empty, and I could not upgrade because I had no more PP available. I was seething the entire trip. It happened on another flight a few years ago on a direct from Denver to Tokyo. Those empty seats benefitted NOBODY when they could have been used to reward the most loyal fleas for the airline. It makes absolutely no sense whatsoever.
I am a 2MM - hoped to be at 3MM by now, but the Covid years delayed that. Just a note - my old Continental miles, and I believe Eastern Airlines miles (giving away my age), are included in the totals.
I am a 1MM and I am actually sitting on a United flight right now, ZUR - IAD. I love the lounge access and it would be nice if million milers could get upgraded when there are seats available on international routes. For example, there are empty Polaris seats on the flight I am on.
Darryl: You can get upgraded as a MM... all you have to do is part with some Plus Points and you will get upgraded on your international flights! However, if United offered complimentary upgrades on international flights, you would still be at the back of the pack because all of the Globals, 1Ks, and Platinums who would be upgraded before you... unless you have higher status than Gold from being a MM through flying that...
Darryl: You can get upgraded as a MM... all you have to do is part with some Plus Points and you will get upgraded on your international flights! However, if United offered complimentary upgrades on international flights, you would still be at the back of the pack because all of the Globals, 1Ks, and Platinums who would be upgraded before you... unless you have higher status than Gold from being a MM through flying that year.
I documented my quest to 3 Million miles on the podcast called; The Journey Is The Reward. Please check it out.
The Lifetime Star Alliance Gold status gets us into the LAX *A lounge and all *A lounges worldwide when flying international, even when flying Coach.
I'm a 2MM and have been very happy with the program. Although I would like to see MM status be used as a tiebreaker when it comes to upgrades. But generally UA has done a solid job in getting all staff to recognize status. I'm hoping to make GS in 2024 and the companion status will be a great perk. Even if I dont make it, being able to gift the same status to someone else is hugely beneficial and a key advantage of the program...
Maybe a good reminder, basic economy won’t be counted towards Million milers.
I am a Million Miler with United and happy to know that until that is changed, I would get to keep my Gold status forever (or until the program changes and this is discontinued). Also happy to pass my higher (Currently Platinum) status to a family member as well.
Unfortunately, earned the benefit towards the end of the Corvid era and therefore the only tangible recognition I got was an e-mail from United. (Most Million...
I am a Million Miler with United and happy to know that until that is changed, I would get to keep my Gold status forever (or until the program changes and this is discontinued). Also happy to pass my higher (Currently Platinum) status to a family member as well.
Unfortunately, earned the benefit towards the end of the Corvid era and therefore the only tangible recognition I got was an e-mail from United. (Most Million milers got something like luggage tags and an acrylic card to keep and show your status to other people).
Also missed any type of recognition during my flights when I earned or since, so unless you are 1K or higher, it feels like nothing to the airline.
You forgot to mention that Continental Infinite Elite members were granted 1K for life at the time of the merger. Again, another example of United taking care of its members. United continued awarding of BIS is what a frequent flyer program is all about and not how much you spend with a credit card. I’m sorry that you will never know how great United is and why in my opinion it is the best.
I'm also a Continental Infinite Elite, and agree that United is good in keeping that promise. However, there is a slight difference between my legacy Infinite Elite lifetime 1K and a 3mm lifetime 1K - I do NOT automatically get the 280 plus points unless I qualify for 1K each year. (I do get the 40 PP since I'm a 2mm)
A very solid program . I am close to the 1 million mile mark and will focus flying on UA to reach that goal since there is no incentive to go beyond my 2 Million Miler status on AA. As you have previously pointed out , AA’s million miler is woefully uncompetitive when compared to UA and the newly announced DL changes . So , for me , it’s UA , UA credit card , UA business card .