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If you don't add your MileagePlus number to your ticket when flying United Airlines, Star Alliance and United partner flights, you won't earn miles from those trips. But you can still claim those miles retroactively. It just takes some time.
Claim miles for past United flights
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.
Add 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, you'll use the same form on United's website. If you flew on certain routes or airlines, there may be additional instructions, which you an find by scrolling down until you see a section titled “Travel on Star Alliance member airlines and other partner airlines.” 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. For flights on Virgin Australia, it may take up to 14 days.
🤓 Nerdy Tip
Keep either screenshots of your boarding pass or paper copies of the boarding pass. You might need to submit them as proof you took the flight. 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, but must contact the MileagePlus Service Center.
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:
United credit cards
Annual Fee
$0 intro for the first year, then $150
$350
$695
$0
Earning Rate
• 5 miles per $1 on prepaid hotels booked through United.
• 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.
• 5 miles per $1 on hotel stays through Renowned Hotels and Resorts.
• 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.
• 5 miles per $1 on hotel stays through Renowned Hotels and Resorts.
• 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.
• 2 miles per $1 on United purchases, gas stations and local transit and commuting.
• 1 mile per $1 on all other purchases.
United benefits
• First checked bag free for you and one companion on your reservation.
• 2 United Club one-time passes each year.
• $100 United Travelbank credits after spending $10,000 in a calendar year.
• 10,000-mile discount after spending $20,000 in a calendar year.
• Credit 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.
• $200 yearly United TravelBank credit.
• Yearly 10,000-mile discount.
• Another 10,000-mile discount after spending $20,000 in purchases per calendar year.
• 2 global Economy Plus seat upgrades after spending $40,000 in a calendar year.
• Annual 1,000 Card Bonus Premier Qualifying Points deposit.
• Credit 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.
• A 10,000-mile discount after spending $20,000 in purchases per calendar year (up to two times per year).
• Annual 1,500 Card Bonus Premier Qualifying Points deposit.
• Credit every four years for TSA PreCheck, Global Entry or NEXUS.
• Priority boarding.
• No foreign transaction fees.
• No foreign transaction fees.
• 2 free checked bags after you spend $10,000 in a calendar year.
Bonus offer
Earn 70,000 bonus miles after you spend $3,000 on purchases in the first 3 months your account is open.
Earn 80,000 bonus miles and 3,000 Premier qualifying points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months your account is open.
Earn 90,000 bonus miles after you spend $5,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
Earn 30,000 bonus miles after you spend $1,000 on purchases in the first 3 months your account is open.
Still not sure?
Request missing miles for other MileagePlus partners
In addition to flying, you can also earn MileagePlus miles with some non-airline partners like hotels, car rentals and more. Earned mileage from these partners can take up to eight weeks to post.
If your miles are missing after eight weeks, you need to contact the partner directly. You can reach out to United's partners via the contact information on this website.
» Learn more: Your guide to booking award flights on United
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