Requests may be submitted up to one year after the date of your flight. For United-operated flights, you only need to enter the 13-digit ticket number. If you have more than four flight segments on your itinerary, you need to enter each ticket number.

In 2026, the timeframe for requesting missing airline miles (retroactive credit) typically ranges from 6 to 12 months after your flight, but it depends heavily on the specific airline. For example, American Airlines allows requests for eligible flights up to 12 months from the activity date. Delta and United generally share this 12-month window. Conversely, some international carriers or specific partners may limit the window to just 6 months. There is also a major catch for new members: most airlines will only credit flights taken 30 to 180 days prior to your enrollment date in their frequent flyer program. To file a claim, you usually need your ticket number (a 13-digit code starting with the airline's prefix) and your boarding pass. It is always recommended to wait at least 7 to 14 days after a flight before submitting a request, as some systems take time to sync. Keeping a digital copy of your boarding pass until the miles appear in your account is the best way to ensure you don't lose out on valuable "Loyalty Points" or status-qualifying miles.