United’s new basic Polaris fares are even worse than expected

Zach Griff

6 hours ago

ZACH GRIFF

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When United announced plans to bring basic fares to business class, it didn’t explain how you’d earn MileagePlus miles and Premier-qualifying credit on those tickets.

Well, the first basic Polaris and Premium Plus fares are now on sale, and I’ve got bad news.

If you were hoping to earn miles or status credit on these fares, you’ll want to pay close attention.

No miles on basic Polaris tickets

Unless you are a Premier elite member or hold an eligible United cobranded credit card, you will earn no redeemable miles on a basic Polaris or basic Premium Plus ticket.

That means you could spend $5,000 on a basic business-class fare and walk away with zero miles.

The news is even worse for those chasing status.

Basic tickets also do not earn Premier Qualifying Flights, or PQFs. That applies to everyone, regardless of whether you have elite status or a United credit card.

Even if you are a Premier member, mileage earning on these fares is reduced, as shown below.

Status	No United card	With eligible United card
General member	0 miles	3x
Premier Silver	2x	5x
Premier Gold	3x	6x
Premier Platinum	4x	7x
Premier 1K	6x	9x

Note that these earning rates are the exact same as if you bought a basic economy ticket. Also, you don’t need to actually buy your ticket on a United cobranded credit card to earn miles — you just need to be the primary cardholder on a card with an annual fee to earn miles.

If you don’t yet have a United cobranded credit card, now is probably the time to reconsider that choice. (Here’s my referral link if you’d like to support my content.)

When United first introduced basic fares in premium cabins, some frequent flyers told me they would accept the restrictions if it meant paying less for the ticket.

I’m not so sure they’ll feel the same way now that we know the loyalty perks (or lack thereof) included with these fares.

Earn PQPs from basic fares

There is one important exception.

Regardless of your status or whether you carry a cobranded United card, you will still earn the full amount of Premier Qualifying Points, or PQPs, on a basic fare.

PQPs are awarded at roughly 1:1 with the base fare and carrier-imposed surcharges, and earning more PQPs is what helps you climb the Premier status ladder.

Basic Polaris, Premium Plus restrictions

As a refresher, the other restrictions on United’s basic Polaris fares are as follows.

No free seat selection
One checked bag instead of two
No Polaris Lounge access
No changes or refunds
No upgrades to Polaris Studio

In Premium Plus, basic fares are subject to the following restrictions.

No free seat selection
One checked bag instead of two
No changes or refunds

Bottom line

United is the first U.S. airline to introduce basic fares in premium cabins, and I hope competitors won’t copy this especially punitive policy. Delta has already said it plans to bring basic fares to premium cabins, though it has not yet shared exactly what those tickets will exclude. (For what it’s worth, Delta and American don’t award miles or status credit on basic economy fares.)

From United’s perspective, the move makes sense. The airline is clearly trying to push more travelers to buy up to a standard fare and, perhaps, pick up a cobranded credit card along the way.

Those are the behaviors that generate more revenue for United.

It may not be good news for flyers, but I will certainly be crunching the numbers the next time I book a long-haul United ticket.

Zach Griff Author

Zach Griff is a travel expert who’s covered airlines, loyalty programs, credit cards, and travel tech for nearly a decade. He’s visited 60+ countries and regularly shares his insights across Instagram, TikTok and X — and at From the Tray Table.

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