A few days ago I wrote about a major improvement to the United mobile app. United’s app update now allows passengers to check-in to flights with partner airlines booked through United. Additionally, ticketed and checked in passengers may also retrieve a partner airline’s mobile boarding pass through the United app.
I’m extremely excited about this recent update to the United app. I often find it difficult to manage reservations that include travel on partner airlines. For starters, you often have to wait in the partner airline’s ticketing line to retrieve a physical boarding card. You also usually get stuck with a poor seat assignments because partner airlines won’t assign seats until check-in. Hopefully with this update to the United app these first world problems will be a thing of the past. Luckily I’ll get to test out this added functionality later this week!
United Introduces Another Update
Earlier this week I noticed yet another update to the United mobile app. At first I just assumed the update was intended to squash bugs related to the partner airline boarding pass update. While that definitely was the case, United also introduced a small easter egg. With the most recent update to the United app (version 2.1.28) United now allows MileagePlus members to store their membership card in their mobile wallet!
Now before you get angry at me for hyping up this rather small update, remember just how weird this update is. Until now, late 2017, you haven’t been able to store your MileagePlus membership card in your Apple Wallet. I’ve been able to store my AAdvantage card in Apple Wallet since 2013! I honestly find it hard to believe that United hasn’t allowed this feature until now.
In the past, since I rarely flew with United, I could never remember my MileagePlus number. Instead of simply launching the Passport App (Now Apple Wallet) I’d have to launch the United app and slide over to the MileagePlus tab to view my membership card. I remember thinking how silly it was that United didn’t allow you to add the card to my Mobile Wallet, but quickly accepted that reality. Now, I’m happy to say, United allows you to store your MileagePlus card in your Apple Wallet!
Other Updates
As you can see from the above screenshot of the update mobile membership cards aren’t the only improvement. United also introduced the ability to change reservations through the mobile app and improved checked bag tracking. While both of those updates also seem exciting, neither interests me as much as the mobile MileagePlus membership card does.
Final Thoughts
For as good as I think the United app is, I again find it hard to believe this functionality took so long. It seems commonplace today to have mobile membership cards, but just remember, United didn’t allow this until less than a week ago! Who would have thought we’d have partner airline boarding passes before MileagePlus membership cards? What an exciting time!
