How To Use United Airlines Frequent Flyer Miles?

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Chief Editor of - Fancy Fly USA

Flying can be an expensive affair, but with United Airlines’ frequent flyer program, you can earn miles every time you fly and redeem them for free flights, upgrades, and more. However, figuring out how to use these miles can be a bit overwhelming, especially if you’re new to the program. In this guide, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know to make the most of your United Airlines frequent flyer miles. So, fasten your seatbelts and get ready to take off on your next adventure without breaking the bank!

How to Use United Airlines Frequent Flyer Miles?

How to Use United Airlines Frequent Flyer Miles?

United Airlines is one of the world’s leading airlines, and their frequent flyer program is a great way for travelers to earn and redeem miles for flights, upgrades, hotel stays, and car rentals. If you’re a member of United’s frequent flyer program, MileagePlus, this guide will help you understand how to use your miles effectively.

1. Understanding MileagePlus

MileagePlus is United Airlines’ loyalty program that rewards frequent flyers with miles that can be redeemed for flights, upgrades, and more. You can earn miles by flying with United Airlines or any of its partners, using a United Airlines credit card, or by participating in promotions.

Once you have earned enough miles, you can redeem them for flights, upgrades, and other travel-related expenses. You can also use your miles to purchase merchandise or donate them to charity.

To get started, sign up for MileagePlus and start earning miles today.

2. Finding Award Availability

Before you can redeem your miles for flights, you need to find award availability. You can do this by logging into your MileagePlus account and searching for flights using the “book with miles” option.

It’s important to note that award availability is limited, especially during peak travel times like holidays and summer. It’s best to book your award flights as early as possible to ensure availability.

3. Booking Award Flights

Once you have found award availability, you can book your flight using your miles. The number of miles required for a flight varies depending on the distance, destination, and class of service.

You can also use a combination of miles and cash to pay for your flight, which is a great option if you don’t have enough miles to cover the entire cost of your flight.

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4. Upgrading Your Flight

If you have enough miles, you can also use them to upgrade your flight to a higher class of service. This is a great option if you want to enjoy a more comfortable flight experience without paying the full price for a business or first-class ticket.

You can upgrade your flight using miles or a combination of miles and cash. Keep in mind that upgrades are subject to availability, and it’s best to book as early as possible to ensure availability.

5. Using Your Miles for Hotel Stays

In addition to flights, you can also use your miles to book hotel stays. United Airlines partners with several hotel chains, and you can redeem your miles for a free night or a discounted rate.

To book a hotel stay using your miles, log into your MileagePlus account and search for hotels using the “book with miles” option.

6. Renting Cars with Your Miles

You can also use your miles to rent cars from United Airlines’ partners. This is a great option if you need a rental car for your trip and want to save some money.

To book a rental car using your miles, log into your MileagePlus account and search for car rentals using the “book with miles” option.

7. Other Ways to Use Your Miles

In addition to flights, hotels, and car rentals, you can also use your miles for other travel-related expenses like baggage fees, in-flight purchases, and airport lounge access.

You can also use your miles to purchase merchandise from the MileagePlus Shopping portal or donate them to charity through the Miles on a Mission program.

8. Benefits of Using United Airlines Frequent Flyer Miles

Using United Airlines frequent flyer miles comes with several benefits, including:

– Free flights and upgrades
– Discounts on hotels and car rentals
– Access to airport lounges
– Free baggage allowance
– Ability to book last-minute flights with miles
– Ability to transfer miles to family and friends

9. MileagePlus vs Other Frequent Flyer Programs

While there are several frequent flyer programs out there, MileagePlus is one of the best. Here are some reasons why:

– Wide range of partners, including airlines, hotels, and car rental companies
– Easy-to-use booking platform
– Generous rewards program
– Ability to transfer miles to family and friends
– Access to exclusive benefits and promotions

10. Conclusion

United Airlines frequent flyer program, MileagePlus, is a great way to earn and redeem miles for flights, upgrades, hotel stays, and car rentals. By understanding how to use your miles effectively, you can maximize your rewards and enjoy a more comfortable travel experience. Sign up for MileagePlus today and start earning miles towards your next trip.

Frequently Asked Questions

Here are some common questions and answers regarding the use of United Airlines frequent flyer miles.

Can I use my United Airlines frequent flyer miles to book any flight?

Yes, you can use your United Airlines frequent flyer miles to book any available flight on United Airlines or any of its partner airlines. However, availability may vary depending on the date, destination, and demand. It is recommended to book your award flight in advance to secure your preferred itinerary.

To book an award flight using your frequent flyer miles, log in to your United MileagePlus account on the United Airlines website, search for your desired flight, and select the “Book with miles” option. The number of miles required for the flight will depend on the fare class and the destination.

Can I transfer my United Airlines frequent flyer miles to someone else?

Yes, you can transfer your United Airlines frequent flyer miles to another MileagePlus member for a fee. The transfer fee is $7.50 per 500 miles transferred, plus a processing fee of $30 per transaction. You can transfer a minimum of 500 miles and a maximum of 150,000 miles per year.

To transfer your miles, log in to your MileagePlus account on the United Airlines website, select the “Transfer miles” option, enter the recipient’s information and the number of miles you wish to transfer, and complete the transaction by paying the transfer and processing fees.

Can I use my United Airlines frequent flyer miles for upgrades?

Yes, you can use your United Airlines frequent flyer miles to upgrade your seat on eligible United Airlines flights. The number of miles required for an upgrade will depend on the fare class and the destination. You can also use your miles to upgrade your seat on certain partner airlines.

To request an upgrade using your frequent flyer miles, log in to your MileagePlus account on the United Airlines website, go to the “Manage reservations” section, and select the “Upgrade with miles” option. You will be notified if your upgrade request is confirmed.

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What are the benefits of United Airlines frequent flyer program?

The United Airlines frequent flyer program, MileagePlus, offers several benefits to its members. These include earning miles for flights and everyday spending, redeeming miles for award flights, upgrades, hotels, car rentals, and merchandise, and access to exclusive airport lounges and priority services.

MileagePlus members can also earn elite status by accumulating a certain number of miles or segments in a calendar year, which entitles them to additional benefits such as bonus miles, priority check-in, boarding, and baggage handling, and waived fees.

Do United Airlines frequent flyer miles expire?

Yes, United Airlines frequent flyer miles expire if there is no activity in the account for 18 months. Activity includes earning or redeeming miles, or using a United Airlines credit card or partner services. To keep your account active, you can earn or redeem miles, or use a United Airlines credit card or partner services.

If your miles have expired, you may be able to reinstate them for a fee. The reinstatement fee is $75 for the first 25,000 miles, and $0.03 per mile thereafter, up to a maximum of $600.

United Mileage Program


In conclusion, United Airlines frequent flyer miles can be an excellent way to save money on your travels. By understanding how to use them effectively, you can maximize your benefits and enjoy the perks that come with being a loyal customer.

First and foremost, it’s important to know how to earn miles. This can be done through flights, credit card purchases, and even shopping with United’s partners. Once you have earned your miles, you can redeem them for flights, upgrades, and other rewards.

To get the most value out of your miles, be sure to plan ahead and book early. This will give you more options and allow you to use your miles for flights that might otherwise be too expensive. Additionally, keep an eye out for promotions and special offers, which can help you stretch your miles even further.

Overall, using United Airlines frequent flyer miles can be a great way to save money and enjoy an enhanced travel experience. By following these tips and staying up-to-date on the latest rewards and promotions, you can make the most of your miles and travel with confidence.

adminChief Editor of - Fancy Fly USA

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