The MileagePlus program is a simple and powerful loyalty program that makes it easy to earn and redeem miles. This guide will give you the basics of redeeming your miles for award flights that deliver your points maximum value.
MileagePlus Redemption Basics
Once you transfer your points to the MileagePlus program, you can redeem your miles for travel on a United Airlines-operated itinerary or partner-operated flight.
You can earn and use your miles to book flights on more than 35 United Airlines partners worldwide. For example, if you wish to fly from the U.S. to Germany, you can use your miles to fly on a German Airline (Lufthansa) flight from Washington, DC to Munich.
How Much Do Award Flights Cost?
United moved to more dynamic pricing for their awards a few years ago. As a result, it no longer published an official award chart that listed the specific number of miles you needed to reach your destination. Because United uses this new award pricing model, the miles you need for a free flight are now variable and less predictable.
The dynamic model means you won’t know how much a free flight will cost until you look up the number and may change day to day or even hour to hour. While dynamic pricing means less predictability in how much an award will cost, it also means you can find some fantastic deals if you are patient and flexible in your travel plans. Therefore, you can find some exceptional value when redeeming with MileagePlus.
Ways to Redeem MileagePlus Miles
MileagePlus members have several different ways to redeem their miles on United or partner flights. There are many strategies to what the best redemption is for your miles, but ultimately the best value is the one that best suits your needs at the moment of redemption.
MileagePlus miles can be used for:
- Travel on United Airlines to 210 domestic and over 120 international destinations
- Travel in style from the U.S. to Europe for 60,000 miles in United Polaris business class
- Or head to South America utilizing partner Avianca for only 38,500 miles
United Airlines Military Benefits
United Airlines offers 5% discounts on fares through their partner, Veterans Advantage. You can enroll in Veterans Advantage here. Active-Duty Military and their dependents traveling on orders can check up to five bags for free up to 100lbs each by showing their military I.D. at check-in. Additionally, active-duty military traveling on personal or leisure travel may check three bags up to 70lbs each.
Active U.S. Military Personnel in uniform or with present leave orders are welcomed to enter the United Club lounges with family members who have gate passes or traveling on the same flight as the military member. Invitations are subject to each United Club’s capacity and seating availability.