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While United MileagePlus has devalued over the years, United miles can still be useful if you know how to use them. The program has an extensive partner network, doesn't add fuel surcharges to any award tickets, and has no change or cancellation fees. This makes them some of the most flexible airline miles out there, even if you'll sometimes pay more miles than you would through other Star Alliance programs.
To better illustrate the value of United miles, we've put together a few of the best ways to use them.
What's So Great About United Miles?
Massive partner network
United is one of the largest airlines in the United States, operating hubs in cities like Newark, Chicago, Houston, and San Francisco. Perhaps more important than that, United is a founding member of Star Alliance — the world's largest airline alliance. Other members include Lufthansa, Air Canada, and Singapore Airlines.
This allows MileagePlus members to redeem miles for travel on all of United's partners to over 1,000 destinations worldwide. Star Alliance has unparalleled coverage in Europe and Asia, as well as extensive coverage in North America and Africa.
United also has partners outside of Star Alliance, including JetBlue. MileagePlus members can earn and redeem miles on most JetBlue flights, and some United elite benefits are honored on JetBlue flights as well.
No fuel surcharges
One of the best parts of MileagePlus is the fact that it doesn't charge carrier or fuel surcharges on award bookings. This is a big benefit of MileagePlus since many Star Alliance airlines — including most Lufthansa Group airlines — add fuel surcharges to award tickets. These can run over $500 a ticket in business class, so even if you're paying moderately more miles for your award ticket through MileagePlus, you could come out ahead.
You can transfer Chase Ultimate Rewards, Bilt Points, and Marriott Bonvoy points to United
You can transfer Chase Ultimate Rewards points and Bilt Points to United MileagePlus at a 1:1 ratio, making them relatively easy to earn even if you don't have a United credit card. These transfers typically happen instantly, so you can wait until you've found a United award ticket before you transfer points.
You can also transfer Marriott Bonvoy points to United MileagePlus. Thanks to the RewardsPlus partnership, you'll receive 30,000 United miles for every 60,000 Marriott Bonvoy points transferred (effectively a 2:1 ratio).
Not everyone gets the same price
But not all is good with MileagePlus. One big downside to the program is that not everyone sees the same prices when booking awards on United metal. Those with a United credit card or elite status will sometimes see lower prices than those with only a MileagePlus account. This can be beneficial for those who see better prices, but it makes the program unpredictable for the rest of us.
Without a United card and no elite status, you now earn 3 miles per dollar, down from 5 before United's April 2026 overhaul. Simply holding a United card doubles your base rate to 6X no matter how you pay (though the no-fee United Gateway℠ Card (Rates & Fees) requires $10,000 in annual spend to unlock this earn rate).
Related: United Credit Cards: Which One Matches Your Style?
$0 intro annual fee for the first year, then $150Rates & Fees
- Earn at least 9X total miles on eligible United flights (excluding Basic Economy and other base fares)*
- 3X miles on all other eligible United purchases
- 2X miles on dining and direct hotel stays
- 1X on all other purchases
- 6x miles on the primary cardmember’s fare from United as a MileagePlus member
- 3x miles on United purchases with the United℠ Explorer Card
$350Rates & Fees
- Earn at least 10X total miles on eligible United flights (excluding Basic Economy and other base fares)*
- 5X miles on hotel stays at Renowned Hotels and Resorts
- 4X miles on eligible United purchases
- 2X miles on all other travel, select streaming services and dining
- 1X on all other purchases
- 6X miles on the primary cardmember’s fare from United as a MileagePlus member
- 4X miles on entire United purchases with the United Quest℠ Card
$150Rates & Fees
- Earn at least 8X total miles on eligible United flights (excluding Basic Economy and other base fares)*
- 2X miles on eligible United purchases
- 2X miles on dining and all other travel
- 1X on all other purchases
- 6X miles on the primary cardmember’s fare from United as a MileagePlus member
- 2X miles on entire United purchases with the United℠ Business Card
Best Ways To Use United MileagePlus Miles
There are many great ways to use United miles. Let's go over some of our favorites.
Fly to Europe in business class
United offers predictable award prices for flights to Europe — and while not as competitive as other Star Alliance programs, it can be a great deal.
United prices its own award tickets dynamically, but routes with saver-level space will usually cost 80,000 miles plus minimal taxes and fees. On these flights, you'll enjoy United's comfortable Polaris business class and its swanky Polaris lounges, which offer upgraded dining, drinks, and less crowded spaces.
Meanwhile, you can also fly to Europe on Star Alliance partners like Lufthansa and Swiss in business class for 88,000 miles. You'll often find better award availability on partner flights, and depending on who you fly, you might have a better experience, too.
Fly between European cities in economy
Once you're in Europe, chances are you'll want to see more than one city. The continent is home to a number of low-cost carriers like Ryanair and EasyJet, but even those can get expensive when you're visiting Europe during the peak summer and holiday seasons.
Thankfully, United can help you skirt these high prices by letting you book flights between European cities for just 6,000 miles. And given Star Alliance has a number of European partners, you can book some of the more obscure European routes at this price. For example, Split (SPU) to Prague (PRG) on Croatia Airlines.
Note that some longer European flights cost more miles, so always compare the cost of booking a cash ticket with that of a United award ticket.
Fly to Africa with Ethiopian Airlines
Ethiopian Airlines is another Star Alliance member, with its global hub in Addis Ababa (ADD). The airline has an extensive route network throughout Africa and serves a number of U.S. airports, and we've found that business-class award space is relatively easy to come by.
Most Ethiopian Airlines business-class award tickets from the U.S. to Africa cost 88,000 miles, including this nonstop flight from Atlanta (ATL) to Addis Ababa (ADD).
If you can find award space, you can continue further into the continent for the same price. For example, this flight from New York (JFK) to Johannesburg (JNB) costs the same number of miles.
Head to Central America with Copa Airlines
Copa Airlines is another Star Alliance member, and it has one of the strongest route networks in Central America. From its hub in Panama City (PTY), you can fly to most major cities in the U.S., Central America, and South America. So even if Panama City isn't on your bucket list, you can take an easy connecting flight to places like Bogota (BOG), Quito (UIO), and Aruba (AUA). You can even venture further into the continent, with flights to Buenos Aires (EZE), Santiago (SCL), and Rio de Janeiro (GIG).
You'll pay 22,000 miles or 38,500 miles for a one-way flight from the U.S. to Central America in economy or business class, respectively. The real sweet spot is in business class, since these tickets can be expensive — especially when connecting onward to tourist destinations in the region.
Unfortunately, continuing further to South America more than doubles the cost, with business-class tickets costing 88,000 miles. Pricey, but can be worthwhile if award space works out.
Book domestic flights on the cheap
While not the most exciting way to use your miles, you can get a great deal — and save some serious money — by booking domestic flights with your MileagePlus miles. United prices these flights dynamically, so you need to be flexible to get the best deals. However, you can often book off-peak domestic flights for well under 10,000 miles one-way in economy.
For example, this flight from Houston (IAH) to Atlanta (ATL) costs 7,700 miles one way in economy in November:
Likewise, you can book San Francisco (SFO) to San Diego (SAN) for 7,300 miles on this date in July:
Again, the key to getting the best deal on these flights is to be flexible. You'll generally have the best luck booking off-peak dates or times, such as late-night flights in the middle of the week. Use the calendar search function on United’s website to help you find the cheapest flights when your travel dates are flexible.
Our Take
United MileagePlus isn't the best loyalty program out there — devaluations have raised prices numerous times over the years — but it's possible to get a ton of value from the program. Whether you're using your United miles to fly to Europe in business class or simply flying home for the holidays, there are plenty of ways to use United miles. To learn more, check out our guide to United MileagePlus.
For rates and fees of the cards mentioned in this post, please visit the following links: United Gateway℠ Card (Rates & Fees), United℠ Explorer Card (Rates & Fees), United Quest℠ Card (Rates & Fees), and United℠ Business Card (Rates & Fees)
I am tempted as well, but I have so many miles that I’m unable to use–as many of us are–and wondering if its wise since a devaluation could be coming.
I’m hoping that United’s recent devaluations are all that we will see for a while. But, since United has completely removed award charts, it’s hard to say that for sure.
Unfortunately I got my United Explorer credit card last year and it only came with 50,000 bonus miles.
Question: excursionist perk and business. To get business on the middle leg, which remaining leg(s) need to be booked in business? 1st, 3rd, or both?
Just the 1st! You can fly back in economy. United just looks at the preceding leg.
Thanks! Sorry, I missed your reply so I’m glad you refreshed the article.
This is a nice card for earning the account opening bonus if you can meet the stiff $5k spend requirement.
Not a bad deal. Bonus miles seems to be a good deal. they give ample amount so thats good.
Thanks for the all details. If I could safely say I would be traveling again next year I would probably jump this offer…
“The United Excursionist Perk” really stands out among the US Big 3 loyalty programs.
The excursionist perk looks like a true perk with lots of value. You’ll have to do as lot of trial and error.
Great card for those who live in America.
Perks clearly outweigh the annual fee after the first year.
75k bonus point?? Wow i have never seen a deal like this before! Sign me up! thanks for the info!
There’s a lot of value in UA points. On a long term and earning basis the card isn’t as strong as the Chase Sapphire. Would rather just transfer UR to the strong UA program.
Thank you for the information. 75,000 miles is a great bonus and the first year annual fee is waived.
I just got the Explorer card. These are great tips,
Thanks
UA is the most love FFP for me. It’s very easy to redeem a ticket on their website. So i like this offer will be apply this card to try to get 60K miles.
The “Excursionist Perk” is sure a wonderful benefit. Let’s hope that it will stay for good.
Thanks for this info. I will do this to my list for next round of applications. Covid is a good time to accumulate points for later.
Very helpful post! Also found some sweet deals only 5k miles for some NYC – Florida flights in the winter. I believe this credit card offers free checked bags as well? Thanks!
It sure does! Just make sure that you pay for the flight with your United card to get this benefit: https://awardwallet.com/credit-cards/united-mileageplus/united-explorer-card/
The most love reason of UA is that have no fuel surcharges. and the miles will be not expire also good for us .
There’s no way that anyone knows how to do what you just said even if they are a platinum elite in united like I am and a platinum executive in American like I am and fly all the time!!! And also happen to be a travel executive because we don’t have access To sit and watch the screen constantly like you must be doing and no with these dates are available for zero points!
No question reward travel can be frustrating and complicated to book. Check out the AwardWallet booking service if you want to hire someone to do the leg work for you.
@Rita – I disagree. Sure there’s a learning curve to booking award travel, and particularly more complex routings, but it’s eminently doable. One just needs to take the time to learn the basics and the rest will fall into place.
I got this card long ago but they periodically give extra miles for some specific spend so it is worth keeping. I also should read up on the excursionist perk to maximize my miles when I travel again for fun.
I never knew about the excursion perk. Would that only work with flying from Australia to New Zealand or only within Australia? Would it also work with flying to Hawaii from the continental US and then onto a destination in Asia like Tokyo?
Thanks
Hey Chris, here are the region definitions.
1. Australia & NZ are in the same region, so that could be a free one-way segment.
2. Hawaii is a region of its own, so you can’t fly continental US > Hawaii > Asia
Thanks so much for the info Erik!
Nice, United has the most variety of flight options and I like the ones you showed.
Its a good offer. unfortunately, I can take advantage of it as it is for new applicants.
Just to clarify: The 60K bonus is only available to new cardholders, but the excursionist perk and other strategies to use United miles are available to all MileagePlus members. You can also transfer Chase Ultimate Rewards or Marriott Bonvoy points to United if you don’t have the miles for a redemption.
UA is my favorite airline and a hub at my home airport.
UA is one of my least favorite airlines (though I guess aren’t they all…) but I live in a United hub.
UA is eliminating changing fee, is a good one to use in the future.
There are some very good examples on the usage of the miles especially the excursionist part that translate into 0 miles for that leg. This is dreaming of being able to travel again but I think one more year to go.
It looks very interesting. I’ll keep it in mind for after the pandemic
Tempting .
One-way transatlantic business class offers maximum value to me.
Great ideas! Because of Covid, we had to cancel international trip last year. Perhaps we should turn to the excursion perk and try to leverage that trip this time. ?
That’s one way to stay positive. Focus on the fact that the replacement trip may very well be better and cheaper than the originally planned cancelled trip!