United Airlines Mileage Plus

Let me start by saying that I am not a particularly frequent flyer. I don't do many business miles, and have a couple of holidays a year. However, I booked a holiday a couple of years ago with United Vacations. The reservations agent advised that I should join Mileage Plus. Yeah whatever, but did it anyway. Went to the United Airlines website and had a better look at it. United Airlines is part of the Star Alliance, the worlds leading airline alliance. The Mileage Plus scheme is obviously centred around United Airlines, but you can "earn and burn" your miles on any of the Star Alliance ... more

I have now been in the United F.Flyer club for three years and have been very impressed with it. I have also been in the British Airways & KLM F.Flyer programmes which aren't a patch on this one. A big advantage is that there are so many ways to collect points. Most of my points are not with flying but using partners in the Star Alliance, such as Marriott & Holiday-Inn hotels. Basically, join the Hotel chains own programme and then tell them to pass the points across to your United Mileage Plus programme. I also use a United Frequent Flyer proramme (Mileage Plus) Visa card which gives you a ... more

The benefit of joining this club really is apparent if you are a frequent traveller to the states or South America and especially since this airline is part of the Star Alliance. It means flying with any of the 13 odd airlines comprising of the star alliance you can collect points on one frequent flyer card and use the benefits on all. To get to the first rung on the ladder you have to fly at least 25,000 miles this gets you some extra benefits like better seats on the aircraft, ie at the front and your preferences are taken in to account when seat allocations are made. You need at least 20 ... more