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United Airlines has long been the most generous when it comes to its Million Miler program. Members who achieve one million miles flown with United Airlines are awarded Premier Gold status for life. What set United apart was its companion benefit. As a Million Miler, my husband received the status I earned that year (generally Global Services® or Premier 1K®). This changes in 2027, with Million Miler companions dropping to the status granted by the Million Miler program (so, at one million miles, a companion would receive Premier Gold status). This is a huge devaluation and quite aggravating.
As a Million Miler, I can extend Premier status to my companion (in my case my husband). This is open to spouses, significant others, or people who resides at the same home address based on MileagePlus® profile information. Companions enjoy the rewarding perks of Premier membership at the level earned by the Million Miler.
Starting in 2027, companions of 1 Million Milers will get Premier Gold status. Companions of 2 Million Milers, 3 Million Milers, or 4+ Million Milers will receive their sponsor’s highest earned status during the applicable program year.
This is a big change for Million Milers. Members of the MileagePlus® program who fly one million miles are awarded Premier Gold for life. If you earn a higher status in a given year (like this year where I am Premier 1K®), your companion is granted the same status. I will be at two million miles flown in the next year or so and will then be able to grant him my earned status again, but I’m not sure why United is making this change.
Recently, United just cracked down on people piggybacking status. I didn’t realize at the time that there was a loophole where multiple Million Milers could essentially piggyback or “daisy chain” off of each others’ status to grant the highest level to many people.
Now, United is taking away a key differentiator of its program for those who hit their first million miles. I’m not sure why this makes sense as United already does not extend other perks like PlusPoints to members who are companions. The biggest loss I see here is the earning of miles (which higher level elites earn more of) and upgrade potential (we buy Business/First, but this is important for many).
Anthony’s Take: This will not go into effect until 2027, but it’s a slap in the face to those who have been loyal. I guess it won’t impact me after I cross two million miles flown with United, but this is not a change that anyone will like.
(Image Credits: United Airlines.)
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Advertiser & Editorial Disclosure: The Bulkhead Seat earns an affiliate commission for anyone approved through the links above This compensation may impact how and where links appear on this site. We work to provide the best publicly available offers to our readers. We frequently update them, but this site does not include all available offers. Opinions, reviews, analyses & recommendations are the author’s alone, and have not been reviewed, endorsed, or approved by any of these entities.
