AwardWallet receives compensation from advertising partners for links on the blog. The opinions expressed here are our own and have not been reviewed, provided, or approved by any bank advertiser. Here's our complete list of Advertisers.
Many frequent flyers chase elite status, but what if your airline loyalty could unlock perks that last a lifetime? Enter United’s Million Miler status, an exclusive tier reserved for passengers who log an extraordinary number of miles in the sky. Unlike traditional elite status levels, which reset annually, Million Miler perks last for life.
So, how do you earn it, and is it worth the effort? Here's everything you need to know about United’s Million Miler status.
Page Contents
How To Earn United Million Miler Status
Achieving Million Miler status is no small task. Only a small percentage of travelers will ever reach this milestone. But if you’re aiming to join the elite ranks (or just curious about the process), here’s how it works.
Related: The Complete Guide to the United MileagePlus Program
PQPs vs. Lifetime Miles
United’s standard Premier elite status is earned based on Premier Qualifying Points (PQPs) and Premier Qualifying Flights (PQFs) each year. However, Million Miler status is based solely on Lifetime Flight Miles, which is a separate metric entirely.
Unlike PQPs, which are tied to how much you spent on your ticket, Lifetime Flight Miles are calculated based on the actual distance flown. For example, if you fly 5,000 miles, you’ll be credited with 5,000 Lifetime Flight Miles, regardless of ticket price. Whether you book basic economy or business class, the mileage credit remains the same.
Lifetime Flight Miles, as the name suggests, do not expire or restart each year the way that PQPs do. They continue to accrue throughout your lifetime.
Which flights count towards Million Miler status?
You can only earn Lifetime Flight Miles on revenue flights — meaning flights booked entirely with miles do not count. Additionally, you won’t earn Lifetime Flight Miles from:
- Spending on United credit cards
- Partner airline flights
- Premier elite status bonuses
The only way to accrue Lifetime Flight Miles is by flying on a paid ticket with United or United Express. And because only miles flown count, a long-haul economy flight may contribute more to your Million Miler progress than multiple short-haul domestic flights in first class.
How To Track Your United Million Miler Progress
You can easily track your progress towards Million Miler status in both the United App and when logged into your account on the United website. Click on the “Account” tab and choose “MileagePlus.” This will bring up your Premier progress tracker.
This tracker displays both your annual progress toward elite status and your Lifetime Flight Miles total.
United Million Miler Status Tiers and Perks
The level of lifetime status you earn depends on the total number of Lifetime Flight Miles you accumulate. Lifetime Premier Gold is awarded at 1 million miles, but you can earn up to Lifetime United Global Services at 4 million miles.
Million Milers receive all standard perks associated with their earned status, including:
- Selecting Economy Plus seats at booking.
- Complimentary Premier upgrades.
- Priority check-in, security, and boarding.
- Receive PlusPoints for upgrades commensurate with earned status each year
Being a Million Miler also means you'll have Star Alliance Gold status for life, which provides reciprocal benefits on all Star Alliance airlines, such as lounge access.
Related: United Gold Status: Free Checked Bags, Upgrades, Lounge Access, and More
United Million Miler Companion Benefit
One of the best perks of United Million Miler status is the ability to share your elite status with a designated companion. Each year, Million Milers can choose one person (such as a spouse, partner, or household member) to receive the highest Premier status they’ve earned for that year.
This benefit makes Million Miler status even more valuable, allowing you to share perks like upgrades and lounge access with a frequent travel companion.
Is United Million Miler Status Worth It?
The value of Million Miler status depends on how much you fly with United. If you’re already a frequent traveler accumulating miles naturally, the lifetime perks, like upgrades, extra baggage allowance, and priority services, can be incredibly valuable.
The companion benefit is another major perk, particularly for those who regularly travel with a plus one.
However, earning even the base 1-million-mile level requires flying the equivalent of circling the globe 40 times. Only the most dedicated road warriors will meet this threshold, making it an unrealistic goal for casual travelers to chase deliberately.
How Does United Million Miler Compare With Competitors?
United Million Miler status is quite similar to what Delta and Alaska offer. All three airlines offer mid-tier status at the first million miles, high-tier status at two million miles, and top-tier status at three million miles. United is the most generous of the airlines by offering its invitation-only Global Services tier at four million miles.
Although American Airlines Million Miler status was recently expanded, American offers a far less rewarding million miler program. However, one benefit of AA's program is that you'll earn Million Miler credits when flying on partner airlines.
| Lifetime Mileage Earnings | American | Delta | United | Alaska |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1,000,000 miles | Lowest tier (Gold) | Second tier (Gold) | Second tier (Gold) | Second tier (MVP Gold) |
| 2,000,000 miles | Second tier (Platinum) | Third tier (Platinum) | Third tier (Platinum) | Third tier (Platinum) |
| 3,000,000 miles | " " | Top tier (Diamond) | Top tier (1K) | Top tier (MVP Gold 100K) |
| 4,000,000 miles | Third tier (Platinum Pro) | " " | Invitation-only (Global Services) | " " |
| 5,000,000 miles | Top tier (Executive Platinum) | Invitation-only (360°) | " " | " " |
Bottom Line
United Million Miler status is the pinnacle of United Premier status, with lifetime elite benefits and perks that you can share with a companion. For the ultimate road warrior who is loyal to United Airlines, this status can be an excellent reward for a long-term commitment.
The comments on this page are not provided, reviewed, or otherwise approved by the bank advertiser. It is not the bank advertiser's responsibility to ensure all posts and/or questions are answered.