핵심요약

• 유나이티드항공이 4월 2일부터 마일리지플러스 프로그램 개편을 진행합니다.
• 신용카드 미보유자는 마일리지 획득량이 감소하며, 신용카드 보유자는 더 많은 마일리지와 낮은 환급률 혜택을 받을 수 있습니다.
• 항공사는 가장 충성스러운 고객을 보상하고 신용카드 가입을 유도하기 위해 이 개편을 진행합니다.
• 경쟁사인 아메리칸 익스프레스, 캐피탈 원, 체이스와 비교해 유나이티드 신용카드의 경쟁력을 강조합니다.

도입

유나이티드항공의 마일리지플러스 프로그램 개편은 항공사 로열티 프로그램의 변화 추세를 반영합니다. 이 개편은 신용카드 보유자를 중심으로 한 차별화된 혜택 제공으로, 여행자들에게는 새로운 선택 기준을 제시할 것입니다. 또한, 여행 수요가 증가하는 가운데 신용카드 시장의 경쟁 심화로 인해 항공사들이 로열티 프로그램 전략을 재검토하고 있다는 점이 핵심입니다.

본문 1: 신용카드 보유자 대상 혜택 확대

유나이티드항공은 신용카드 보유자에게 더 많은 마일리지와 낮은 환급률 혜택을 제공함으로써 충성 고객을 보상하겠다는 의도를 밝혔습니다. 특히, 장거리 비즈니스 클래스 좌석에 대한 혜택이 확대될 예정이며, 이는 고액 소비자를 타겟으로 한 전략입니다. Andrew Nocella 유나이티드 수석 상업 책임자는 이 개편이 약 18개월 동안 준비되어 왔다고 밝혔으며, 신용카드 보유자가 카드를 우선적으로 사용하도록 유도할 것입니다.

본문 2: 경쟁사와의 차별화 전략

유나이티드항공은 아메리칸 익스프레스, 캐피탈 원, 체이스와 같은 경쟁사와 비교해 신용카드의 경쟁력을 강조하고 있습니다. 여행 수요가 증가하는 가운데, 다양한 여행 수단과 혜택을 제공하는 신용카드 시장에서 유나이티드항공은 자신의 브랜드 가치를 높이고자 합니다. 이는 항공사들이 로열티 프로그램과 신용카드 혜택을 결합해 고객 유치를 강화하려는 전략의 일환입니다.

본문 3: 시장 반응과 장기적 영향

이번 개편은 여행자들에게는 새로운 선택 기준을 제시할 것입니다. 특히, 신용카드를 보유하지 않은 여행자는 마일리지 획득량이 감소하게 되며, 이는 항공사 로열티 프로그램의 변화 추세를 반영합니다. 장기적으로는 항공사들이 충성 고객을 중심으로 한 차별화된 혜택 제공으로 시장 점유율을 확대하려는 전략이 예상됩니다.

결론

유나이티드항공의 마일리지플러스 프로그램 개편은 신용카드 보유자를 중심으로 한 차별화된 혜택 제공으로, 여행자들에게 새로운 선택 기준을 제시할 것입니다. 또한, 여행 수요가 증가하는 가운데 신용카드 시장의 경쟁 심화로 인해 항공사들이 로열티 프로그램 전략을 재검토하고 있다는 점이 핵심입니다. 향후 항공사들의 로열티 프로그램 변화와 신용카드 혜택 결합 전략이 주목됩니다.

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원문 링크: https://www.cnbc.com/2026/02/19/united-airlines-frequent-flyer-mileage-plus-program-credit-card.html

United Airlines is paring back rewards for travelers who don't have its credit card in MileagePlus overhaul

No United Airlines credit card? Soon you'll earn fewer miles than other travelers.

United is overhauling its MileagePlus frequent flyer program to reward travelers with more miles and lower redemption rates, including for some of its long-haul business-class seats — if they have one of the airline's credit cards. It's the latest move by an airline to reward its highest-spending customers .

The changes mark the biggest shake-up to the lucrative program in more than a decade, when United began rewarding customers for how much they spent — not just how far they flew.

United Chief Commercial Officer Andrew Nocella told CNBC in an interview that the airline has been working on the changes for about 18 months and that the carrier is aiming to reward its most loyal customers.

The shift also comes as United tries to stand out in an ever more competitive landscape for travel and rewards credit cards . That space also includes American Express' Platinum, Capital One 's Venture X and Chase's Sapphire Reserve cards .

"In the credit card space in general, a lot's changed over the last five to 10 years in terms of the number of travel credit cards that are out there," Nocella said. "What I'm thinking about as we make these changes for United is to make sure that if you hold the credit card, you put it top of wallet, and then if you don't hold the credit card, there's a reason to get the credit card that seems incredibly compelling if you'd like to fly United Airlines and if you'd like to have that ... trip to Tahiti or to Rome or wherever we may be able to take you."

The changes take effect April 2. United is planning to show the discounted award flights on its website "so customers can see exactly how much having a United card could save them on their travel," the airline said.

United's loyalty program update is part of a trend among airlines to reward frequent flyer program members depending on how much they spend. About a decade ago, the major carriers tweaked their loyalty programs to reward customers for dollars spent over miles traveled.

Airlines also encourage customers to sign up for their credit cards by offering perks like no fees for checked bags and earlier boarding.

United MileagePlus primary cardholders will get more miles per dollar spent on United flights compared with customers without a card, and higher rates than they do currently. Their earning goes up, too, when they actually use that card to purchase the ticket.

Meanwhile, customers without the card will earn less than they do today.

For example, a traveler without a co-branded United Airlines credit card will get three miles per dollar spent on a ticket, down from the current five miles. Under the new structure, a cardholder could earn six miles, and more if they use the card to buy it. Those with elite MileagePlus status earn miles at a higher rate, too.

United debit cardholders will also receive more miles, once they spend $10,000, United said.

United will also now allow customers with one of its credit cards to redeem their miles for flights at a discount of at least 10% compared with those without the card.

The carrier said that, as an example, an economy-class award ticket that was 15,000 miles will go for 13,500 without elite Premier status. United said it's setting aside special discounted inventory of award tickets for cardholders, including for top-tier Polaris seats.

Those with elite MileagePlus Premier status will get deeper discounts and better miles redemption. Elites with a card get at least 15% off mileage tickets.

United said its a seat in a long-haul business class Polaris cabin that is going for 200,000 miles would be 170,000 miles if the cardmember has elite Premier status. United added the lowest priced "Saver Award" seats for Polaris would be accesible to MileagePlus members with a United card, seats that were previously just available to high-tier elites.

Their earning rates also increase if they have both the credit card and status. MileagePlus 1K, the highest tier before Global Services, will get 17 miles for each dollar spent when they use their United Club credit card.

United Airlines travelers who don't have the credit card won't receive miles for basic economy tickets. American Airlines last year similarly said it would no longer allow travelers in that class to earn miles, following an earlier move by Delta Air Lines . There's an exemption, however, for holders of United's elite Premier status, who can still earn miles in basic economy.

Business travelers often have to book with company credit cards under corporate travel policies. But United said that individuals who personally hold a United credit or debit card will still get more miles than an employee who doesn't.

Source: https://www.cnbc.com/2026/02/19/united-airlines-frequent-flyer-mileage-plus-program-credit-card.html