Earning on other airlines: When the ticket is issued by United (ticket number starting with 016), you'll earn miles based on the cost of the fare. But if your ticket is booked through one of United's partners, miles are awarded based on a calculation involving the price and class of the ticket and the flight distance.

You do not necessarily have to book through United.com to earn MileagePlus miles, but the method of earning changes based on the "ticketing" carrier. If you book directly with United, you earn miles based on the fare price (5 miles per dollar for general members). If you book through a partner airline (like Lufthansa, ANA, or Air Canada) or a travel agency, you earn miles based on the flight distance and the fare class, provided you enter your MileagePlus number during booking. In 2026, many savvy travelers also earn miles through "non-flying" activities such as the MileagePlus Shopping portal, dining programs, or by using a co-branded Chase credit card. However, a high-value peer tip for 2026: if your goal is to earn Premier Qualifying Points (PQP) toward elite status, booking a "United-issued" ticket (starting with ticket number 016) is usually the most straightforward way to ensure every dollar spent counts toward your status. Always check the "Partner Earnings" chart on the United website before booking a codeshare flight to avoid surprises.