A few years ago if you wanted to earn a quick 20,000 miles or so it was easy, all you had to do was sign up for residential long distance service. But then it all fell apart, like so many discarded cell phones.

Now United Airlines has stepped back into the telecom bonus business with the launch of http://www.mileagepluswireless.com — a Web site devoted to all things wireless.

With Mileage Plus Wireless, United members can earn miles when purchasing any wireless device with any rate plan or accessory from the major wireless providers in the United States. The site offers free phones with activation of a new contract, PDAs, smartphones, PC cards and Bluetooth accessories. Members can also earn up to 5,000 miles for any new service contract, plus 10 miles per dollar spent on all accessories.

As well, current AT&T and Cingular Wireless customers can earn up to 3,000 miles when they renew their Cingular Wireless contract through this Web site.

And that’s not all. Members can also earn up to 5,000 bonus miles by activating new satellite TV service from Dish Network.

Note: We think this is such a great idea that we predict you’ll see other airlines introduce their version of the same program.