Score bonus miles: Register now for United’s latest Mile Play promotion

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.

Most TPG staff members have received targeted offers (dates vary). 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 click “Start Mile Play.”

Examples of United’s Mile Play offers

As is normal with these promotions, the offers vary 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.

TPG’s Tarah Chieffi is not a frequent United Airlines flyer and currently does not hold status with the airline. She received an offer to book and take one trip to earn up to 9,000 bonus miles in the next 53 days.

TPG’s managing cruise editor, Erica Silverstein, received an offer to book and take a trip three times to get 12,000 bonus miles; each fare booked must be $225 or more.

Senior points and miles writer Katie Genter received two offers from United. She currently has Silver elite status through holding Marriott Bonvoy Titanium Elite status. If she completes two trips in the allotted time frame, she will earn 2,900 bonus miles. Each purchased fare must be more than $100 to qualify for this promotion.

Additionally, if she completes three activities, she can earn up to 4,200 bonus miles. The activities are dining with MileagePlus Dining, shopping through MileagePlus Shopping and purchasing an eGift card with the United MileagePlus X app.

TPG’s senior reporter, Zach Griff, has Premier 1K status and holds the United Club℠ Infinite Card. He received an offer for 5,000 bonus miles if he books and completes four trips, each with a minimum fare of $300.

Other TPG staffers and their loved ones received the following offers:

Earn up to 7,100 bonus miles after you book and take two trips, each with a fare of $150 or more.
Earn up to 2,900 bonus miles after you book and take one trip with a fare of $175 or more.
Earn up to 8,800 bonus miles after you book and take one trip and check one bag; fare must be a minimum of $100.

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 new United credit card. Here’s a look at the sign-up bonuses on select United cards:

United℠ Explorer Card: Earn 50,000 bonus miles after you spend $3,000 on purchases in the first three months your account is open.
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 your account is open.
United Club℠ Infinite Card: Earn 80,000 bonus miles after you spend $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 your account is open.
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 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, 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.

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