Score bonus miles: Register now for United’s latest Mile Play promotion

Editor’s note: This is a recurring post, regularly updated with the latest information.

United Airlines has launched a new round of Mile Play promotions, which award bonus miles to targeted members after they complete specific tasks. Now’s a good time to check your eligibility and register — even if you’re unsure about your upcoming travel plans.

To see if you’re eligible and register, visit United’s Mile Play page. Enter your United MileagePlus number, check the box stating you aren’t a robot and click “Start Mile Play.”

As is normal with these promotions, offers vary widely from one member to another. United may not have targeted some members for Mile Play, while others will see different rewards and requirements to earn them. We checked around the TPG team and found varying offers.

Examples of United’s Mile Play offers

TPG Director of Content Carly Hefland, who has Premier Gold status with United, received an offer to earn 13,000 bonus miles if she takes four trips of $225 or more by June 18.

Senior Travel Editor Lyndsey Matthews, who does not hold MileagePlus status, received an offer to book and take a trip to earn 3,000 bonus miles; the fare must be more than $100.

TPG Senior Director of Content Summer Hull received an offer to earn 15,000 bonus miles if she takes five trips of $175 or more by June 18.

Other TPG staffers received the following offers:

• Earn 4,500 bonus miles after you book and take two trips, each with a fare of $100 or more.
• Earn 14,000 bonus miles after you book and take four trips, each with a fare of $175 or more.

Keep in mind that to count toward these promotions, trips generally must be booked and flown after you register and before the promotion’s end date (June 18). So if you already have a trip planned during the Mile Play window, it won’t qualify (though you might consider canceling and rebooking it). Unless otherwise noted in your offer’s terms, only paid flights marketed and operated by United and United Express will count toward Mile Play offers.

Best cards to use to book United flights

Whether or not you’re targeted for this promotion, you can earn lots of bonus United miles by opening a cobranded credit card. Here’s a look at the current welcome bonuses on select United cards:

• United℠ Explorer Card (see rates and fees): Earn 80,000 bonus miles after spending $3,000 on purchases in the first three months of account opening.
• United Quest℠ Card (see rates and fees): Earn 90,000 bonus miles and 500 Premier qualifying points after spending $4,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening.
• United Club℠ Card (see rates and fees): Earn 95,000 bonus miles after spending $5,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening.
• United Gateway℠ Card (see rates and fees): Earn 30,000 bonus miles after spending $1,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening.
• United℠ Business Card (see rates and fees): Earn 125,000 bonus miles after spending $5,000 on purchases in the first three months of account opening.

Although cobranded credit cards can help you earn United miles, you may earn more rewards when you book with one of the best cards for airfare purchases. For example, The Platinum Card® from American Express earns 5 points per dollar spent on airfare booked directly with the airline or through American Express Travel (on up to $500,000 of these purchases per calendar year, then 1 point per dollar).

Bottom line

Even if you don’t have any upcoming travel plans with United, it’s worth registering and considering whether it’s time to plan a trip. If you have any flights booked that are fully refundable — with United or other airlines — you should consider whether your Mile Play offer is compelling enough for you to cancel and rebook with United.

Related reading:

• How to get United Club lounge access: From credit cards to paid memberships
• Best credit cards for airport lounge access
• The best credit cards to reach elite status