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United Airlines is a popular airline that offers a robust loyalty program called MileagePlus. As a frequent flyer, you may wonder if your hard-earned miles will expire. The good news is that United Airlines offers a more generous policy compared to other airlines, but there are still some restrictions to be aware of. In this article, we will answer the question “Do United Airlines miles expire?” and provide you with everything you need to know about the MileagePlus program.
Do United Airlines Miles Expire?
United Airlines is a leading airline in the United States with an extensive network of flights globally. One of the most significant benefits of flying with United Airlines is the United MileagePlus loyalty program. The program offers frequent flyers the opportunity to earn miles every time they fly, which can be redeemed for free flights, upgrades, and other travel rewards. However, the question arises, do United Airlines miles expire? In this article, we will explore all the details and information you need to know about the expiration of United Airlines miles.
Understanding MileagePlus Miles
MileagePlus miles are the rewards currency of United Airlines’ frequent flyer program, MileagePlus. Members earn miles by flying with United Airlines or its partners, or by using a United Airlines-branded credit card. These miles can be redeemed for flights, hotel stays, car rentals, and other travel-related items. United Airlines miles can also be used for non-travel-related items such as merchandise, gift cards, and experiences.
How Long Do United Airlines Miles Last?
United Airlines miles do not expire as long as you have activity on your account within the last 18 months. Activity on your account could be anything from earning or redeeming miles to transferring miles or buying miles. If you do not have any activity on your account for 18 months, your United Airlines miles will expire, and you will lose them.
What Happens When United Airlines Miles Expire?
Once your United Airlines miles expire, they are gone forever, and you cannot redeem them. United Airlines does not offer any grace period or extension for expired miles, so it is essential to keep track of your mileage balance and ensure that you have activity on your account within 18 months.
How to Keep Your United Airlines Miles from Expiring
To keep your United Airlines miles from expiring, you need to have activity on your account within 18 months. Here are some ways you can keep your mileage balance active:
1. Fly with United Airlines or its Partners
Flying with United Airlines or its partners is the most obvious way to earn miles and keep your account active. Ensure that you provide your MileagePlus number when booking your flight to earn miles.
2. Use a United Airlines-Branded Credit Card
Using a United Airlines-branded credit card is another way to earn miles and keep your account active. United Airlines offers several co-branded credit cards that earn miles on every purchase.
3. Transfer Miles
You can transfer miles from one MileagePlus account to another to keep your account active. However, there is a fee for transferring miles, and the transferred miles do not count as activity on the receiving account.
4. Buy Miles
You can also buy miles to keep your account active. United Airlines frequently offers promotions on buying miles, making it a cost-effective way to keep your account active.
Benefits of the MileagePlus Program
The MileagePlus program offers several benefits to frequent flyers, including:
1. Free Flights and Upgrades
MileagePlus miles can be redeemed for free flights and upgrades on United Airlines and its partners. The number of miles required for a free flight or upgrade varies based on the destination and class of service.
2. Lounge Access
MileagePlus Premier members have access to United Airlines’ airport lounges, where they can relax, work, or grab a bite to eat before their flight.
3. Priority Boarding
MileagePlus Premier members also have priority boarding, allowing them to board the aircraft before other passengers.
United Airlines MileagePlus vs. Other Loyalty Programs
Compared to other loyalty programs, United Airlines MileagePlus is competitive and offers several benefits to its members. However, it is essential to compare the benefits and rewards of different loyalty programs before committing to one.
1. American Airlines AAdvantage
American Airlines AAdvantage offers similar benefits to MileagePlus, including free flights, upgrades, and lounge access. However, AAdvantage miles expire after 18 months of inactivity, compared to MileagePlus miles, which do not expire as long as you have account activity within 18 months.
2. Delta SkyMiles
Delta SkyMiles also offers free flights, upgrades, and lounge access to its members. However, SkyMiles miles expire after 24 months of inactivity, which is shorter than MileagePlus.
3. Southwest Rapid Rewards
Southwest Rapid Rewards is a popular loyalty program that offers free flights and other travel-related rewards. However, Rapid Rewards points expire after 24 months of inactivity, compared to MileagePlus miles, which do not expire as long as you have account activity within 18 months.
Conclusion
In conclusion, United Airlines MileagePlus is a valuable loyalty program that offers several benefits and rewards to its members. However, it is essential to keep your account active and prevent your miles from expiring. By using the tips mentioned in this article, you can keep your MileagePlus miles from expiring and enjoy the benefits of the program for years to come.
Contents
- Frequently Asked Questions
- What is the United Airlines MileagePlus program?
- Do United Airlines miles expire?
- Can I extend my United Airlines miles expiration date?
- What happens to my United Airlines miles if my account is closed?
- Can I reinstate expired United Airlines miles?
- How To Print A Boarding Pass For United Airlines?
- Are American Airline Tickets Cheaper At The Airport?
- How To Sign Up For American Airlines Frequent Flyer?
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some common questions about United Airlines miles and their expiration policies.
What is the United Airlines MileagePlus program?
The United Airlines MileagePlus program is a loyalty program for frequent flyers that rewards them with miles for every flight they take with United Airlines or one of its partner airlines. Members can redeem these miles for free flights, upgrades, and other rewards.
United Airlines MileagePlus is free to join, and members can earn miles by flying, using a United MileagePlus credit card, or shopping with United’s partners.
Do United Airlines miles expire?
Yes, United Airlines miles do expire, but the expiration policy has changed in recent years. As of April 2021, United Airlines miles no longer expire as long as the member has activity in their account every 18 months. Activity can be any type of earning or redeeming of miles, such as booking a flight, using a co-branded credit card, or even donating miles to a charity.
Prior to this change, United Airlines miles would expire after 18 months of account inactivity, which could be frustrating for infrequent flyers or those who didn’t use their miles often.
Can I extend my United Airlines miles expiration date?
Yes, if you’re worried about your United Airlines miles expiring, there are a few ways to extend their expiration date. The easiest way is to earn or redeem miles at least once every 18 months, as this will reset the clock on your account and prevent your miles from expiring.
Another option is to purchase or transfer miles, although this can be expensive and may not be worth it unless you’re close to a redemption goal or have a specific flight in mind. United Airlines also occasionally offers promotions or bonus miles for completing certain activities, which can be a good way to keep your account active and earn more miles at the same time.
What happens to my United Airlines miles if my account is closed?
If your United Airlines MileagePlus account is closed, you will lose any unused miles in your account. This is why it’s important to keep your account active and prevent your miles from expiring, even if you don’t plan to use them right away.
If you close your account voluntarily, you may be able to transfer your miles to another MileagePlus member for a fee. However, if your account is closed due to a violation of the program’s terms and conditions, such as fraud or abuse, you may lose all of your miles and be banned from the program.
Can I reinstate expired United Airlines miles?
Yes, if your United Airlines miles have already expired, you may be able to reinstate them for a fee. The cost of reinstatement varies depending on the number of miles and how long they have been expired, but it can be expensive.
To reinstate your expired miles, you’ll need to contact United Airlines customer service and explain your situation. They may be able to offer you options for reinstatement or suggest other ways to earn more miles and reach your redemption goals.
In conclusion, United Airlines miles do expire, but the expiration policy is not as strict as some other airlines. It is important to keep track of your miles and ensure that you redeem them before they expire. United Airlines offers various ways to earn miles, including flights, credit card purchases, and partner purchases, so there are plenty of opportunities to accumulate miles. Additionally, United Airlines offers a MileagePlus program that allows members to earn and redeem miles for travel, merchandise, and other rewards. Overall, if you are a frequent traveler with United Airlines, it is worth considering joining the MileagePlus program to take advantage of the benefits and rewards.
