United Airlines overhauls loyalty program to reward cardholders
Chicago Tribune • • business
Key Points:
- United Airlines is revamping its MileagePlus loyalty program to provide greater benefits to holders of its co-branded credit and debit cards, including at least a 10% discount on award flights, increasing to 15% for Premier elites with a co-branded card.
- Cardholders will earn double the miles per dollar on flights compared to non-cardholders, while earning miles on basic economy fares will require holding a co-branded card starting April 2.
- The changes reflect a broader industry trend where airlines, including Delta and American, are focusing loyalty rewards and perks on high-spending customers with credit-card relationships to boost profits amid softer domestic fares and rising costs.
- Budget-conscious travelers who avoid annual-fee credit cards or book the cheapest fares
