CHICAGO, Dec. 17, 2002 å- United Airlines (NYSE: UAL) today announced that it will extend the Mileage Plus elite qualification period for members who are within 10,000 miles or 10 segments of reaching Premier, Premier Executive or Premier Executive 1K status for a $25 (USD) service charge.

“This special offer will give other members who are very close to reaching elite status three more months to qualify,” said Chris Bowers, senior vice president of Sales and Marketing.

Bowers added, “We will also be recognizing customers who, by year-end, meet published criteria for 2003 status by including a special thank-you in their 2003 credentials packages to show our appreciation of their business and loyalty.  Moving forward, we will continue to enhance our program to maintain its award-winning position.”

Qualified members must take advantage of this special offer by February 16, 2003.  Once registered, members have until March 31, 2003 to earn the additional flight miles or segments on United, United Express, US Airways*, US Airways Express, US Airways Shuttle and United’s Star Alliance partners.  For members who participate in this offer, flight activity during the first quarter 2003 will count toward both 2003 and 2004 status.

Eligible members may register to extend their qualifying period by visiting united.com/eliteextension.  To take advantage of this offer, members must first register at united.com.

United Airlines offers nearly 1,800 flights a day on a route network that spans the globe. United`s frequent flier program Mileage Plus, with more than 40 million enrolled members, has been named the best frequent flyer program by Business Traveler International magazine in 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001 and 2002. In addition to earning miles through flights on United, Mileage Plus members can earn miles with over 100 partners, including through credits cards, long distance telephone calls, grocery purchases, online stock trading, dining at partner restaurants and shopping at partner stores, as just a few examples. Program guidelines are available to customers on United`s web site, united.com.

* Beginning January 1, 2003, the paid flight activity earned on US Airways will count toward Mileage Plus Elite status.

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