Join the Mileage Plus program offered by United Airlines. You can do this by going to the United Airlines website and scrolling over the "Mileage Plus" option along the top of the page. Click on the "Join" option on the drop-down menu that appears. Enter your personal information, e-mail address, password and security question and answer. Then click the "Enroll" button.
Earn reward miles by flying with United Airlines or one of its 28 Star Alliance Network partners. As of September 2010, Discount Economy, Full Economy and Discount Business class reservations received 100 percent reward miles, while Business class reservations received 125 percent reward miles and First Class reservations received 150 percent reward miles. Those classified with Elite status received an additional 25 to 50 percent reward miles for Full Economy, Discount Business and Business class reservations.
Redeem your reward miles for Upgrade Rewards. As of May 2010, you needed 5,000 reward miles to upgrade a one-way United Economy ticket for travel within the U.S. Depending on where you want to fly to, what class you are upgrading from and your elite status, you might have to pay a co-pay along with your reward miles.
