Can I get cheaper flights if I've flown before with United?

score:10

Accepted answer

According to the Mileageplus FAQs

Can I receive credit for trips taken before I had a MileagePlus account?
You may receive mileage credit for United-operated flights taken up to 30 days prior to your enrollment date free of charge. No mileage credit will be given for partner flights.

You may also receive mileage credit for United-operated flights taken between 31 days and six months prior to enrollment for a $50 service fee.

You could use the miles you earned via that route to obtain free or reduced cost flights potentially. There is no other benefit that would allow you to achieve discounts due to your previous flying on UA.

Upvote:4

Probably not worth it, even if you have still all relevant documentation and are willing to pay the service fee. Over the last two years United has significantly de-valued their loyalty program.

  • To gain the lowest status "Premier Silver" you need to fly 25000 status miles AND spend at least 3000 "qualifying" dollars. The latter one is particularly tricky since flying on Star Alliance partners almost never counts.
  • The exact rules for the accrual of status miles, award miles and qualifying spent are quite complex and have little to do any more with the actual miles flown.
  • Economy Saver Award for a domestic round trip costs typically 25,000 award miles.
  • In addition you have to pay fees and taxes. Especially for international trips this often exceeds $100, which greatly diminishes the value of the miles

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