United Continental Holdings Inc. plans to change its frequent-flier plan to award miles based on ticket price rather than distance flown, becoming the latest carrier to shift its loyalty program to favor bigger spenders.

The No. 2 airline by traffic said on Tuesday that its MileagePlus program, which has about 95 million members, will make the change on March 1. Starting then, customers who have no status in the plan will receive 5 miles for each dollar spent on tickets, excluding government taxes and fees.

The number of miles awarded will increase based on the passenger's elite status, with the lowest level silver members earning 7 miles a dollar and top-level 1Ks getting 11 miles.

These awards mirror a change rival Delta Air Lines Inc. rolled out for its SkyMiles members in February and take effect Jan. 1. Southwest Airlines Co., JetBlue Airways Corp. and Virgin America Inc. already have gone to the so-called revenue model, intended to reward frequent fliers who spend more money.

American Airlines Group Inc., which merged last year with US Airways to become the largest airline by traffic, recently said it couldn't make such structural changes until it integrates its two loyalty programs, which likely means not until next year. "But conceptually, it certainly makes sense to reward your best customers the most," said Scott Kirby, American's president.