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Editor's Note
This is a recurring post, regularly updated with the latest information.
United Airlines has launched a new round of Mile Play promotions, which award bonus miles to targeted members after they complete specific tasks. Now's a good time to check your eligibility and register — even if you're unsure about your upcoming travel plans.
To see if you're eligible and to register, visit United's Mile Play page. Enter your MileagePlus number, check the box stating you aren't a robot and click "Start Mile Play."
As is normal with these promotions, offers vary widely from one member to another. United may not have targeted some members for Mile Play, while others will see different rewards and requirements to earn them. We checked around the TPG team and found varying offers.
Examples of United's Mile Play offers
TPG Senior Director of Content Summer Hull received an offer for 5,000 bonus miles if she takes three trips of $300 or more by Dec. 13.
TPG's managing cruise editor, Erica Silverstein, has Premier Silver status. She received an offer to book and take a trip three times to get 5,000 bonus miles; each fare must be $175 or more.
Senior Travel Editor Lyndsey Matthews, who does not hold MileagePlus status, received an offer to book and take a trip three times to earn 7,000 bonus miles; each fare must be more than $100.
Associate Credit Cards Writer Chris Nelson, who has Premier Silver status, received an offer to earn 6,800 bonus miles by booking and taking two trips; each fare must be $250 or more.
Other TPG staffers and their loved ones received the following offers:
- Earn 3,100 bonus miles after you book and take two trips, each with a fare of $175 or more.
- Earn 7,500 bonus miles after you book and take five trips, each with a fare of $100 or more.
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Keep in mind that to count toward these promotions, trips generally must be booked and flown after you register and before the promotion's end date (Dec. 13). So if you already have a trip planned during the Mile Play window, it won't qualify (though you might consider canceling and rebooking it). And unless otherwise noted in your offer's terms, only paid flights marketed and operated by United and United Express will count toward Mile Play offers.
Best cards to use for United flights
Whether or not you're targeted for this promotion, you can earn lots of bonus United miles by opening a cobranded credit card. Here's a look at the current welcome bonuses on select United cards:
- United℠ Explorer Card: Earn 50,000 bonus miles after spending $3,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening.
- United Quest℠ Card: Earn 60,000 bonus miles and 500 Premier qualifying points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening.
- United Club℠ Infinite Card: Earn 80,000 bonus miles after spending $5,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening.
- United Gateway℠ Card: Earn 20,000 bonus miles after you spend $1,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening.
- United℠ Business Card: Earn 75,000 bonus miles after you spend $5,000 on purchases in the first three months your account is open.
Although cobranded credit cards can help you earn United miles, you may earn more rewards when you book with one of the best cards for airfare purchases. For example, The Platinum Card® from American Express earns 5 points per dollar spent on airfare booked directly with the airline or through American Express Travel (on up to $500,000 of these purchases per calendar year, then 1 point per dollar).
Bottom line
Even if you don't have any upcoming travel plans with United, it's worth registering and considering whether it's time to plan a trip. If you have any flights booked that are fully refundable — with United or other airlines — you should consider whether your Mile Play offer is compelling enough for you to cancel and rebook with United.
Related reading:
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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