Part of United MileagePlus hub
Status: checked against official sources; automated independent review
FREQUENT FLYER GLOSSARY
What is an equipment change?
An equipment change (also called an aircraft substitution or equipment swap) is a change to the aircraft operating a flight. For MileagePlus award tickets, United's rules state that award tickets may be subject to the taxes, fees, tariffs, Contract of Carriage, ticket terms, and re-accommodation policies of the carrier on which travel is scheduled. [6]
Facts checked: 18 October 2026
Key takeaways
- An equipment change is a change to the aircraft operating a flight.
- United's MileagePlus rules state that MileagePlus award tickets may be subject to the taxes, fees, tariffs, Contract of Carriage, ticket terms, and re-accommodation policies of the carrier on which travel is scheduled. [6]
- Class-of-service bonus miles and Premier qualifying credits, if any, are credited according to the fare paid, not the cabin flown, and are not credited on any upgrade. [6]
What is an equipment change?
An equipment change is a change to the aircraft operating a flight.
For MileagePlus award tickets, United's rules state that MileagePlus award tickets may be subject to the taxes, fees, tariffs, Contract of Carriage, ticket terms, and re-accommodation policies of the carrier on which travel is scheduled. [6]
What United's MileagePlus rules say about award tickets
MileagePlus award tickets may be subject to the taxes, fees, tariffs, Contract of Carriage, ticket terms, and re-accommodation policies of the carrier on which travel is scheduled. [6]
Awards for travel shall be valid only to destinations served both at the time of the issuance of the award ticket and at the time of departure, and neither United nor its partners shall be liable for schedule changes that result in the cancellation of service to any destination. [6]
Class-of-service bonus miles and Premier qualifying credits, if any, are credited according to the fare paid, not the cabin flown, and are not credited on any upgrade. [6]
Premier benefits, such as bonus miles, Premier Access, baggage allowance and upgrade benefits, are based on the member's Premier status at the time of travel, not at the time the air travel is purchased, booked or reserved. [6]
United shall establish the amount, structure, availability, process and other criteria for award redemption, all of which are subject to modification, cancellation or limitation at United's discretion, with or without notice. [6]
| Point | What the rule says |
|---|---|
| Which terms may apply | Award tickets may be subject to the taxes, fees, tariffs, Contract of Carriage, ticket terms, and re-accommodation policies of the carrier on which travel is scheduled [6] |
| Destination validity | Awards are valid only to destinations served at both issuance and departure; neither United nor its partners are liable for schedule changes that result in cancellation of service [6] |
| Cabin bonus | Class-of-service bonus miles follow the fare paid, not the cabin flown, and are not credited on upgrades [6] |
| Elite benefits | Premier benefits follow Premier status at the time of travel, not at booking [6] |
| Award redemption criteria | United establishes the amount, structure, availability, process and other criteria, subject to modification, cancellation or limitation at its discretion [6] |
Exceptions and limits
- Scope. The rules cited here are United Airlines MileagePlus rules. [6]
- Rule-breach accommodation. If a member fails to comply with published award rules for air travel, United may at its sole discretion accommodate the member on a different flight than originally selected, seat the member in a lower class of service, deny ticketing or boarding, or take other action, and the member is not entitled to compensation in that connection. [6]
- Premium seating and the membership record. MileagePlus members who receive benefits at booking, check-in or travel, including premium seating, fee waivers, additional baggage allowance and lounge access, must keep their MileagePlus number on the reservation throughout the whole reservation and any reservations created from it, and for the entire duration of the original and future travel. [6]
- Companions. If a companion receives benefits through a member's status and that member is no longer travelling on the original reservation, the companion travelling on the original reservation is no longer eligible for those benefits. [6]
- Award-ticket changes and cancellations. After an award ticket or other award is issued, a service charge may be imposed for each change or cancellation requested by the member. [6]
Frequently asked questions
What do United's MileagePlus rules say about award tickets?
MileagePlus award tickets may be subject to the taxes, fees, tariffs, Contract of Carriage, ticket terms, and re-accommodation policies of the carrier on which travel is scheduled. [6]
What do the rules say about destination validity and schedule changes?
Awards for travel shall be valid only to destinations served both at the time of the issuance of the award ticket and at the time of departure, and neither United nor its partners shall be liable for schedule changes that result in the cancellation of service to any destination. [6]
Do I earn class-of-service bonus miles for the cabin I actually fly?
Under United's MileagePlus rules, class-of-service bonus miles and Premier qualifying credits, if any, are credited according to the fare paid, not the cabin flown, and are not credited on any upgrade. [6]
When are Premier benefits based?
Benefits associated with Premier status, such as bonus miles, Premier Access, baggage allowance and upgrade benefits, are based on the member's Premier status at the time of travel, not at the time the air travel is purchased, booked or reserved. [6]
Sources
Sources checked on 18 October 2026. The citation below is to the United Airlines MileagePlus rules.
- United Airlines MileagePlus rules, checked 18 October 2026