How To Use United Airline Miles?

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Are you a frequent flyer looking for ways to maximize your United Airlines miles? Look no further! United Airlines offers a robust loyalty program that allows you to earn and redeem miles for flights, upgrades, and more. In this guide, we will explore the various ways to use United Airlines miles to get the most out of your loyalty program membership.

Whether you’re planning a dream vacation, looking to upgrade your seat on your next flight, or simply want to redeem your miles for gift cards or merchandise, United Airlines has plenty of options for you. With a little bit of knowledge and some strategic planning, you can make the most of your miles and enjoy all the perks that come with being a loyal United Airlines customer. So, let’s dive in and discover how to use United Airlines miles like a pro!

How to Use United Airline Miles?

How to Use United Airline Miles?

United Airlines offers a loyalty program called MileagePlus, which allows frequent flyers to earn miles that they can redeem for flights, upgrades, and other rewards. If you’re a member of MileagePlus, you might be wondering how to make the most of your United airline miles. Here are some tips on how to use your miles effectively:

1. Understand the Basics of United Airline Miles

Before you start redeeming your United airline miles, it’s important to understand the basics of how the program works. United airline miles are earned by flying on United Airlines or its partner airlines, as well as by using a United credit card or shopping with United’s partners. MileagePlus members can redeem their miles for flights, upgrades, hotel stays, car rentals, and more.

To redeem your United airline miles, you’ll need to log in to your MileagePlus account and search for available award flights. Keep in mind that award availability can be limited, so it’s best to book your flights as far in advance as possible. You’ll also need to pay any applicable taxes and fees when you redeem your miles.

2. Redeem Your United Airline Miles for Flights

One of the most popular ways to use United airline miles is to redeem them for flights. United offers award flights to destinations all over the world, and the number of miles required for a flight will depend on the distance, the class of service, and the demand for the flight.

To find available award flights, log in to your MileagePlus account and search for flights using the “Book with miles” option. You can also use the United app to search for award flights and book them directly from your mobile device.

3. Upgrade Your United Flights with Miles

If you’ve already booked a flight on United, you might be able to use your airline miles to upgrade to a higher class of service. United offers two types of upgrades: regional upgrades, which can be used for flights within North America, and global upgrades, which can be used for long-haul international flights.

To upgrade your flight with miles, log in to your MileagePlus account and search for available upgrades. Keep in mind that upgrade availability can be limited, so it’s best to book your upgrades as far in advance as possible.

4. Use Your United Airline Miles for Hotel Stays and Car Rentals

In addition to flights, United airline miles can also be redeemed for hotel stays and car rentals. United partners with a number of hotels and car rental companies to offer MileagePlus members discounts and special offers.

To redeem your miles for a hotel stay or car rental, log in to your MileagePlus account and search for available options. You can also use the United app to search for hotel and car rental options and book them directly from your mobile device.

5. Shop with United’s Partners to Earn More Miles

Another way to earn more United airline miles is to shop with United’s partners. United partners with a number of retailers, including Macy’s, Sephora, and Apple, to offer bonus miles for purchases made through United’s shopping portal.

To earn more miles through shopping, log in to your MileagePlus account and click on the “Earn miles” tab. From there, you can browse United’s partner offers and click through to the retailer’s website to make your purchase.

6. Transfer Your United Airline Miles to Another Account

If you have a friend or family member who is also a MileagePlus member, you can transfer your United airline miles to their account. United allows members to transfer miles in increments of 1,000, up to a maximum of 100,000 miles per year.

To transfer your miles, log in to your MileagePlus account and click on the “Transfer miles” tab. From there, you can enter the recipient’s MileagePlus number and the number of miles you want to transfer.

7. Use United’s Excursionist Perk to Get More Value from Your Miles

United offers a unique perk for MileagePlus members called the “Excursionist Perk.” This perk allows you to add a free one-way flight to your itinerary when you book a multi-city trip with United.

For example, if you’re planning a trip from New York to Paris and then from Paris to London, you could use the Excursionist Perk to add a free one-way flight from London back to New York. This can be a great way to get more value from your United airline miles.

8. Consider United’s Co-Branded Credit Cards

If you’re a frequent United flyer, you might want to consider getting a United co-branded credit card. These cards offer bonus miles for purchases made on United flights and with United partners, as well as other perks like free checked bags and priority boarding.

There are several different United credit cards to choose from, so be sure to compare the benefits and fees before applying.

9. Keep an Eye on United’s Promotions and Bonus Offers

United frequently runs promotions and bonus offers for MileagePlus members, such as bonus miles for completing certain activities or booking flights during a certain time period. To stay up-to-date on these offers, be sure to sign up for United’s promotional emails and follow the airline on social media.

10. Consider the Value of Your United Airline Miles

Finally, when deciding how to use your United airline miles, it’s important to consider the value of the miles. The value of a mile can vary depending on how you redeem it, so be sure to do your research before making a redemption.

For example, a domestic flight might require 25,000 miles, while an international flight might require 50,000 miles. If the cash price of the flight is lower than the value you would get from redeeming your miles, it might make more sense to pay for the flight with cash and save your miles for a higher-value redemption in the future.

In conclusion, United airline miles can be a valuable asset for frequent flyers. By understanding the basics of MileagePlus and making strategic redemptions, you can make the most of your miles and enjoy the benefits of the program.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are United Airlines miles?

United Airlines miles are a type of loyalty program currency that can be earned by flying on United Airlines, its partner airlines, or by using a United Airlines credit card. These miles can be used to redeem flights, upgrades, and other travel-related services.

They can also be used to book hotel stays, car rentals, and other non-flight related services through the United Airlines website or partner websites. United Airlines miles are a valuable currency that can help you save money on travel expenses.

How can I earn United Airlines miles?

You can earn United Airlines miles by flying on United Airlines, its partner airlines, or by using a United Airlines credit card. You can also earn miles by shopping with United Airlines’ retail partners or by staying at partner hotels and resorts.

United Airlines also frequently offers promotions and bonus miles for certain flights or purchases. By taking advantage of these promotions and using your United Airlines credit card for everyday purchases, you can quickly accumulate miles and earn rewards.

How do I redeem United Airlines miles?

You can redeem United Airlines miles for flights, upgrades, hotel stays, car rentals, and other travel-related services through the United Airlines website or partner websites. To redeem miles for a flight, simply search for your desired flight on the United Airlines website and select “pay with miles” at checkout.

If you don’t have enough miles to cover the full cost of your desired flight, you can also use a combination of miles and cash to book your trip. United Airlines also offers a variety of redemption options, including last-minute deals, upgrades, and partner awards.

What is the value of United Airlines miles?

The value of United Airlines miles can vary depending on a number of factors, including the cost of the flight or service being redeemed, the time of year, and availability. On average, United Airlines miles are worth around 1-2 cents per mile.

However, by strategically using your miles and taking advantage of promotions and special offers, you can often get a higher value for your miles and save money on travel expenses.

How long do United Airlines miles last?

United Airlines miles do not expire as long as there is activity on your account every 18 months. This means that as long as you earn or redeem miles at least once every 18 months, your miles will not expire.

If your miles do expire due to inactivity, you may be able to reinstate them for a fee. However, it’s important to keep track of your miles and ensure that you are using them regularly to avoid losing them.

Top Three Ways to Redeem Your United MileagePlus Miles | To The Point | Ep 20


In conclusion, using United Airline miles can be a great way to save on travel expenses and enjoy exciting destinations. By following the simple steps outlined above, you can easily redeem your miles and maximize your rewards. Whether you’re planning a romantic getaway, a family vacation, or a solo adventure, United Airline miles can help you get there. So why wait? Start exploring the world today with United Airline miles!

Remember to check your account regularly for updates and offers, and be sure to take advantage of any promotions that may be available. With a little patience and some careful planning, you can use your United Airline miles to travel the world and create unforgettable memories.

Finally, it’s important to keep in mind that the value of your United Airline miles can vary depending on a variety of factors, such as your travel dates and destination. So before you redeem your miles, do some research to ensure that you’re getting the best possible value for your rewards. With these tips in mind, you can make the most of your United Airline miles and enjoy an unforgettable travel experience.

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