Every airline loyalty program is different and has its own pros and cons. So if you’re wondering which is right for you and your travel style, here's what you need to know about MileagePlus, the United frequent flyer program and if it's a good fit for you.

Of course, the frequent flyer program (or programs) you choose should depend first and foremost on whether the airline flies into and out of an airport near you. So check to make sure that’s the case with United. If it is — and the airline flies to destinations that pique your interest — here are all the pros and cons of using United Airlines' loyalty program.

The pros of the United MileagePlus rewards program

Miles never expire

While many airlines offer ways to keep your miles from expiring, such as using branded credit cards or booking travel, you don’t have to do anything to keep MileagePlus miles from expiring. They just don’t.

That means once you earn miles, you can rest easy knowing you don’t have to constantly keep tabs on when your hard-earned miles will disappear. This is an especially great feature if you don’t foresee yourself traveling with the airline at least once or twice a year.

Earn miles on in-person shopping

Many airlines, including United, offer the opportunity to earn miles when you shop online using their dedicated shopping portals. But United takes it a step further: It offers loyalty members a way to earn miles on in-person purchases, too.

By using the MileagePlus X app, you can rack up even more miles by purchasing digital gift cards for stores you probably shop at regularly, like Home Depot, Starbucks and Sephora. You can even purchase gift cards in the exact amount of your order and use them within seconds.