Are you a United Airlines MileagePlus member wondering if you can use your miles on other airlines? The short answer is yes! While United Airlines has its own extensive network of routes, there may be times when you need to travel on another airline. Luckily, United Airlines has partnerships with several other carriers, allowing you to use your miles to book flights on those airlines.
In this article, we will explore the different airlines and alliances that United Airlines has partnered with, along with the process of redeeming your United miles for flights on those airlines. So, whether you’re looking to book a flight on a partner airline for a dream vacation or to maximize your miles for business travel, read on to learn all about using your United miles on another airline.
Contents
- Can I Use United Miles on Another Airline?
- Frequently Asked Questions
- 1. Which airlines can I use United miles on?
- 2. How do I use United miles to book a flight on another airline?
- 3. Can I use United miles to upgrade on another airline?
- 4. Are there any restrictions or blackout dates when using United miles on another airline?
- 5. Can I transfer my United miles to another airline’s loyalty program?
- Don’t Buy Extra United Airlines Miles. Here’s Why
- How Many Bags American Airlines?
- How To Fly Standby On American Airlines?
- Why Does My American Airlines Ticket Say Pending?
Can I Use United Miles on Another Airline?
If you’re a United Airlines frequent flyer, you might wonder if you can use your United miles on other airlines. The good news is that United is part of the Star Alliance, which means you can use your miles to book flights on any of the other 27 member airlines. In addition, United has partnerships with several other airlines, giving you even more options for using your miles.
Using United Miles on Star Alliance Airlines
As a member of the Star Alliance, United Airlines allows you to use your miles to book flights on any of the other member airlines, including Air Canada, Lufthansa, and Singapore Airlines. To book a flight on a Star Alliance airline using your United miles, you’ll need to log in to your MileagePlus account and search for award flights on the United website. You can filter your search results to show only Star Alliance airlines.
Once you’ve found a flight you want to book, you can use your United miles to pay for it. The number of miles required will vary depending on the airline, route, and class of service. Keep in mind that you may also be required to pay taxes, fees, and surcharges in addition to using your miles.
Using United Miles on Partner Airlines
In addition to the Star Alliance airlines, United Airlines has partnerships with several other airlines, including Aer Lingus, Hawaiian Airlines, and Copa Airlines. You can use your United miles to book flights on these partner airlines as well.
To book a flight on a partner airline using your United miles, you’ll need to call United Airlines reservations. The number of miles required will vary depending on the airline, route, and class of service. Keep in mind that you may also be required to pay taxes, fees, and surcharges in addition to using your miles.
Benefits of Using United Miles on Other Airlines
Using your United miles to book flights on other airlines can be a great way to stretch your miles further and access more destinations. It can also be a good option if you’re having trouble finding award availability on United Airlines flights.
In addition, using your miles to book flights on partner airlines can also earn you elite qualifying miles, which can help you achieve elite status in the MileagePlus program faster.
Using United Miles vs. Buying a Ticket
Using your United miles to book flights on other airlines can be a good value, especially for long-haul flights in premium cabins. However, it’s important to compare the cost of using your miles to the cost of buying a ticket outright.
In some cases, you may find that the value of your miles is lower than the cost of the ticket, especially for short-haul flights or flights in economy class. In these cases, it may make more sense to save your miles for a future trip or use them for other types of rewards, such as hotel stays or car rentals.
Conclusion
Using your United miles to book flights on other airlines can be a great way to access more destinations and stretch your miles further. Whether you’re booking a flight on a Star Alliance airline or a partner airline, be sure to compare the cost of using your miles to the cost of buying a ticket outright to make sure you’re getting the best value for your miles.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Which airlines can I use United miles on?
Aside from United Airlines, you can also use your United miles to book flights on over 35 Star Alliance member airlines including Air Canada, Lufthansa, and Thai Airways. You can also use your miles to book flights on United’s partner airlines such as Aer Lingus, Azul, and Cape Air.
Make sure to check the United website for a full list of partner airlines and their redemption rates for award flights.
2. How do I use United miles to book a flight on another airline?
To use your United miles to book a flight on another airline, you will need to log in to your United MileagePlus account and search for award flights on the United website. Make sure to select the option to search for award flights on partner airlines.
Once you have found an available award flight, you can book it using your United miles. You may be required to pay additional fees and taxes depending on the airline and route.
3. Can I use United miles to upgrade on another airline?
No, you cannot use United miles to upgrade on another airline. United miles can only be used to book award flights on partner airlines.
If you are looking to upgrade your flight, you will need to check with the airline directly to see if they offer any upgrade options.
4. Are there any restrictions or blackout dates when using United miles on another airline?
Yes, there may be restrictions and blackout dates when using United miles on another airline. Each airline has its own rules and restrictions when it comes to award flights, so it is important to check with the airline before booking.
Additionally, some partner airlines may have limited availability for award flights, especially during peak travel seasons.
5. Can I transfer my United miles to another airline’s loyalty program?
No, you cannot transfer your United miles to another airline’s loyalty program. However, you can use your United miles to book award flights on partner airlines.
If you are interested in transferring your miles to another loyalty program, you will need to check with that program to see if they offer any transfer options.
Don’t Buy Extra United Airlines Miles. Here’s Why
In conclusion, the answer to the question “Can I Use United Miles on Another Airline?” is yes, but with some limitations. United Airlines is part of the Star Alliance network, which includes a variety of airlines where you can use your United miles. However, the availability of award seats may vary depending on the airline and the route you choose.
It’s important to note that using United miles on another airline may require more miles than a United-operated flight. Additionally, some airlines may have different award charts and rules, which could affect your redemption options. It’s recommended to check the award availability and terms and conditions before booking your award ticket.
In summary, using United miles on another airline is possible but requires careful planning and research. Utilizing the Star Alliance network can be a great way to maximize your miles and travel opportunities. So, go ahead and explore your options to make the most of your United miles!