6 April 2023
Editor’s note: We’ve updated this story for the current promotion.
United 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 if you are eligible and register — even if you’re unsure about your upcoming travel plans.
Several TPG staff members have received targeted offers. Their offers are for trips booked and flown from when they register for their Mile Play offer through June 5. 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.
To see if you’re eligible and to register, click here. Enter your MileagePlus number, check the box stating you aren’t a robot and then click “Start Mile Play.”
Examples of offers
As is normal with these promotions, the offers range widely from one member to another. United may not have targeted some members for this promotion. We checked around the TPG team and found varying offers.
I’m a Premier 1K elite member and received an offer for 5,000 bonus miles when I book and take four trips. The minimum fare for each trip to be eligible is $150. Based on TPG’s current valuations, 5,000 MileagePlus miles are worth about $60.
UNITED.COM
TPG’s Summer Hull got a much nicer Mile Play offer as a Premier 1K elite member with the United Club℠ Infinite Card and the United℠ Business Card: 16,000 bonus miles after booking and taking four trips. For her offer, the minimum fare for each trip to be eligible is $250. However, if she takes four eligible trips, she’ll earn bonus miles that TPG values at about $194.
UNITED.COM
Meanwhile, TPG’s Katie Genter received an offer for 3,000 bonus miles after booking and taking one trip with a fare of at least $100. Based on TPG’s valuations, 3,000 United miles are worth about $36. For reference, Katie holds United Premier Silver status through United’s RewardsPlus partnership with Marriott and has a no-annual-fee United credit card that’s no longer open to new applicants.
TPG’s Clint Henderson, who has no status on United and doesn’t hold any United cards, also received a 3,000 bonus award mile offer.
UNITED.COM
TPG’s Nick Ewen — who has the United℠ Explorer Card and no United elite status, though he is starting a Gold trial on April 20 — got a slightly weaker offer than Katie. If he books and takes a qualifying trip with a fare of at least $175, he’ll earn 2,900 bonus miles. Based on TPG’s valuations, 2,900 United miles are worth about $35.
UNITED.COM
In addition to the offers above, other TPG staffers and their loved ones received the following offers:
4,000 bonus miles after you book and take two trips, each with a $100 or more fare.
4,500 bonus miles after you book and take two trips, each with a $100 or more fare.
9,600 bonus miles after you book and take two trips, each with a $100 or more fare.
21,000 bonus miles after you book and take a trip four times, each with a $100 or more fare.
Related: Flights, credit cards and more: How to earn miles with the United MileagePlus program
Best cards to use for United flights
Whether or not you were targeted for this promotion, you can earn a ton of bonus United miles by opening a new United credit card. Here’s a look at the sign-up bonuses on select United cards:
United℠ Explorer Card: 50,000 bonus miles after spending $3,000 on purchases in the first three months your account is open.
United Quest℠ Card: 60,000 bonus miles and 500 Premier qualifying points after spending $4,000 on purchases in the first three months your account is open.
United Club℠ Infinite Card: 80,000 bonus miles after spending $5,000 on purchases in the first three months your account is open.
United Gateway℠ Card: 20,000 bonus miles after spending $1,000 on purchases in the first three months your account is open.
United℠ Business Card: 75,000 bonus miles after spending $5,000 on purchases in the first three months your account is open.
Although United 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).
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:
Best credit cards for airport lounge access
The ultimate guide to United Club access
The 7 do’s and don’ts in an airport lounge
The best credit cards to reach elite status
7 domestic lounges that are worth going out of your way for
Additional reporting by Benji Stawski and Katie Genter.