How to Add Past Flight Miles to United MileagePlus
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When flying United Airlines, Star Alliance and United partner flights, be sure that your MileagePlus number is attached to the reservation and appears on your boarding pass. If you want to redeem those valuable miles for a free trip, it can pay off to make sure they post to your account in the first place.
If they don't, here’s exactly how to add past flight miles to United MileagePlus.
Claim United miles for past flights on the airline
Head over to United's website to request missing miles from a United flight. You'll need to log in to your MileagePlus account to submit your request.
Your ticket number, which begins with 016 on United tickets, is all you need. Occasionally, United may request a copy of your boarding pass and receipt.
Input your ticket number and hit "Submit."
Request missing miles for flights on Star Alliance and partner airlines
To claim missing miles on Star Alliance or partner airlines, head over to the same page on United's website. You may be asked to provide details like destination and departure city or fare class.
Ticket numbers for partner airlines may have a different prefix than 016, which United tickets have. United also advises that travelers wait at least seven days for miles to post before trying to get credit for past flights by submitting a missing mileage request.
Travelers can retroactively request United miles from partner flights in the past year. Those who haven't joined MileagePlus yet can still join and retroactively request miles from the past six months’ flights.
Be aware that not all partner flights are eligible for earning mileage. You can check your airline and fare class paid on United's airline partners page.
ARE YOU EARNING ALL THE MILES YOU CAN?
A United Airlines credit card not only allows you to earn more miles when you fly United, but in many cases gives you additional miles for everyday spending. On top of that, United cards offer day-of-travel benefits and other perks that can more than make up for their annual fee. Options include:
$0.
$0 intro for the first year, then $95.
$250.
$525.
• 2 miles per $1 on United purchases, gas stations and local transit and commuting.
• 1 mile per $1 on all other purchases.
• 2 miles per $1 on United purchases.
• 2 miles per $1 at restaurants and hotels (when booked directly with hotel).
• 1 mile per $1 on all other purchases.
• 3 miles per $1 on United purchases.
• 2 miles per $1 at restaurants, select streaming services and all other travel.
• 1 mile per $1 on all other purchases.
• 4 miles per $1 on United purchases.
• 2 miles per $1 at restaurants and all other travel purchases.
• 1 mile per $1 on all other purchases.
• No foreign transaction fees.
• First checked bag free for you and one companion on your reservation.
• 2 United Club one-time passes each year.
• Credit of up to $120 every four years for TSA PreCheck, Global Entry or NEXUS.
• Priority boarding.
• No foreign transaction fees.
• First and second checked bag free for you and one companion on your reservation.
• $125 United purchase credit per year (good on airfare).
• Two 5,000-mile award flight credits per anniversary year.
• Credit of up to $120 every four years for TSA PreCheck, Global Entry or NEXUS.
• Priority boarding.
• No foreign transaction fees.
• First and second checked bag free for you and one companion on your reservation.
• Access to United Club airport lounges.
• Credit of up to $120 every four years for TSA PreCheck, Global Entry or NEXUS.
• Priority boarding.
• No foreign transaction fees.
Limited-time Offer: Earn 30,000 bonus miles after you spend $1,000 on purchases in the first 3 months your account is open. Plus, 0% intro APR for 12 months from account opening on purchases. Learn more.
Limited-time Offer: Earn 60,000 bonus miles after you spend $3,000 on purchases in the first 3 months your account is open.
Limited-time Offer: Earn 70,000 bonus miles and 500 Premier qualifying points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months your account is open.
Limited-time Offer: Earn 90,000 bonus miles after you spend $5,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
★ LIMITED TIME OFFER
Heads up! For a limited time, consumer United Airlines credit cards are offering elevated sign-up bonuses for new cardholders. Depending on the card you choose, you can earn as many as 90,000 bonus miles, which would be worth more than $1,000 toward United travel, based on NerdWallet valuations. Learn more and apply here.
Request missing miles for other MileagePlus partners
You can also request United miles retroactively for travel on Amtrak. To request missing miles from eligible train travel, wait at least 15 days. If they don't post to your account, you can upload proof of travel and a receipt by going to the same page on United's website.
In addition to train travel, on the same website, you can request missing miles for spending on hotels, car rentals and other partners.
» Learn more: Your guide to booking award flights on United
Final thoughts on requesting missing United miles
You can save time and effort by ensuring your MileagePlus number is both added to your reservation and printed on your boarding pass. Still, things can fall through the cracks. By following these steps (and confirming that your past flights have properly posted), you can add miles to a MileagePlus account after a trip and help your balance fill up for your next free flight.
How to maximize your rewards
You want a travel credit card that prioritizes what’s important to you. Here are some of the best travel credit cards of 2024:
Flexibility, point transfers and a large bonus: Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
No annual fee: Wells Fargo Autograph℠ Card
Flat-rate travel rewards: Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card
Bonus travel rewards and high-end perks: Chase Sapphire Reserve®
Luxury perks: The Platinum Card® from American Express
Business travelers: Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card
United℠ Explorer Card
Travel
Get valuable perks like free checked bag, lounge passes and rental car insurance for a fee of $0 intro for the first year, then $95. Limited time offer: Earn 60,000 bonus miles after you spend $3,000 on purchases in the first 3 months your account is open.
