Short on United Airlines miles? Need to keep your MileagePlus account active? Here’s how to get 5,000 United Airlines miles and elite status in 5 minutes or less.
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5,000 United Airlines Miles and Elite Status in 5 Minutes

Fast track to VIP status
You can get 5,000 United Airlines miles and elite status in 5 minutes by joining the United MileagePlus Dining program by July 1, 2016.
Here’s how:
- 2,000 miles after spending $25 or more (including tax & tip) within 30 days of joining
- 1,000 miles for every $100 spent (up to three times) within 30 days
- Free VIP status when you create your profile within 30 days
You get 5x miles per $1 spent with VIP status.
Remember to register a card that is not registered with another dining program. Because you can not double dip dining programs.
How to Get 5,000 United Miles
To get the 5,000 United miles you have to need to have 4 charges and spend $325 at participating MileagePlus Dining program restaurants.
Instead of visiting four separate restaurants, you can fast track your way to 5,000 United miles.
1. Split Your Bill
For the miles to post, you need a total of 4 charges from a participating MileagePlus Dining restaurant broken down as follows:
- $25
- $100
- $100
- $100
If you’re a big spender and expect to have a large tab, have your server split the bill into separate charges. BUT the first charge must be for $25 because that will trigger the 2,000 bonus.
2. Buy Gift Cards
Shallow wallets? Not a big spender? Buy gift cards from MileagePlus Dining restaurants and use later or give as gift. Father’s Day and graduation is coming. Gift cards also make great teacher’s gifts.
3. Use Other People’s Money
Consider picking up the tab when you dine out with others. Or better yet, don’t pick up the tab. Instead ask for the cash.
As detailed in my Extreme Mile and Point Collecting post, if you see someone paying with cash, ask them if you can put it on your credit card. This way you get the miles. And you don’t have to actually spend the money to get the bonus!
Summary of the Fine Print
- Offer open to new MileagePlus Dining members without a dining profile
- Profile has to be completed by July 1, 2016, at 11:59 pm Eastern Time
- Spend $25 within 30 days of joining to get 2,000 United miles
- Spend $100 within 30 days, get 1,000 United miles (up to three times)
Conclusion
You can earn 5,000 United Airlines miles and elite status within 5 minutes or less when you join the MileagePlus Dining program by July 1, 2016.
To get the bonus you have to spend $325 or more at participating MileagePlus Dining restaurants within 30 days of joining.
You can fast track your way to the 5,000 United miles bonus by splitting the check into 4 charges ($25, $100, $100, and $100), buying gift cards, or using other people’s money.
Read my post: Extreme Miles and Point Collecting.
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Michelle
Sunday 15th of May 2016
Thanks for sharing. I've tried googling but I'm not sure if I found the right information. There's a chart on united's website that says 40 miles for a redemption seat from USA to mexico, first class. Doesn't seem right? TIA
Michelle
Monday 16th of May 2016
Please ignore my dumb-ass too tired to read properly comment. Just saw that the pdf says x1000 so it's 40k miles, not 40. Duh!