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If you’ve ever wanted to see how an airline operates behind the scenes or get a preview of what’s coming next for United flyers, here’s your chance. United MileagePlus cardholders will soon be able to redeem miles for exclusive access to three new “Uniquely United” events — including a cocktail reception in Brooklyn, a behind-the-scenes look at technician training in Houston, and an operations tour at Newark Airport.
These experiences aren’t available to book just yet, but they’re listed as “coming soon” on United’s site. If one piques your interest, keep an eye out. It will likely sell out quickly once it launches. Here are the details.
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Overview of United MileagePlus Experiences
United semi-regularly offers a handful of unique experiences that MileagePlus cardholders can book using miles. In the past, these have included flight simulator rides, airport maintenance tours, and access to United’s flight attendant training center. These are experiences you can't otherwise pay for with cash.
And there's a new round of experiences about to launch — but we don't know when yet. However, we do know that each one is exclusive to MileagePlus cardholders, quantities are limited, and pricing ranges from 20,000 to 40,000 miles per ticket. Cardmembers can purchase up to two tickets per event, and all sales will be final once booking opens.
Attendees must meet the stated age requirements and complete a safety waiver, if required. Travel and accommodations are not included. You will receive specific instructions about where and when to meet a couple of weeks before the event.
If you have any of the following United credit cards, you’ll likely be eligible to purchase tickets once they launch:
- The New United Gateway℠ Card
- The New United Quest℠ Card
- The New United℠ Explorer Card
- The New United Club℠ Card
- The New United℠ Business Card
Related: Which United Airlines Credit Card Is Right for You?
Brooklyn: International flying experience preview event
The Brooklyn event is scheduled for Tuesday, May 13, from 5:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. ET. This reception will give guests a first look at upgrades coming to United’s international flying experience. This experience includes the following:
- Welcome and overview of “exciting changes” to United’s international flying experience
- Cocktail reception with light bites and cocktails
- Gift bag
- Complimentary parking
Guests must be 21+ to attend and tickets will cost 40,000 miles per person.
Houston: United Calibrate Program tour
The Houston event is on the calendar for Tuesday, June 3, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. CT. Attendees will get a behind-the-scenes look at United’s technician training facilities and meet students in the Calibrate program. This experience includes the following:
- Welcome and introduction to United’s Tech Ops Recruiting Center
- Guided tour of Hangar E, Hangar G, and the Hangar X Engine Build-Up Shop
- Q&A with students and instructors from the Calibrate technician training program
- Light breakfast items and lunch
- Gift bag
- Complimentary parking
Guests must be at least 12 years old, but anyone under 18 must be accompanied by an adult. And all attendees must complete a safety waiver. Tickets will cost 20,000 miles per person.
Newark: Behind-the-scenes airport operations tour
The Newark airport tour is scheduled for Friday, June 27, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. ET. Guests will explore ramp and baggage operations, agent workflows, and the airport’s control tower. This experience includes the following:
- Welcome and introduction from a United Executive
- Overview and tour of Control Tower Operations, Ramp Operations, Baggage Operations, and Agent Operations
- Light breakfast items and lunch
- Gift bag
Guests must be 18+ to attend, and a safety waiver will be required. Tickets will cost 20,000 miles per person.
Top Off Your United MileagePlus Balance
If you're interested in booking one of these experiences but don't have the necessary MileagePlus miles in your account, a quick way to stockpile some is to initiate a transfer from a credit card or hotel program that partners with United.
Related: Do United Miles Expire?
Our Take
Other loyalty programs, such as Chase, Wyndham, and Marriott, have their own member experiences (or “Moments,” as Marriott calls them). These MileagePlus experiences are another fun way to use your miles. They won’t be for everyone, but for the right traveler, they can offer a once-in-a-lifetime memory.
AwardWallet readers typically redeem United miles at 1.94¢ each. That means 20,000 miles for a ticket equates to about $380 in value, while 40,000 miles is worth more than $750. If the experience feels worth it to you and you can make it to Brooklyn, Newark, or Houston on the right date, be ready to redeem when these go live; they’ll likely sell out fast.
If you don't have a United credit card yet, you may still have time to open one to get access to these events. But we wouldn't recommend waiting long. Even better, United is currently offering elevated welcome offers on several recently refreshed cards:
- 2X miles per $1 spent on purchases from United®
- 2X miles per $1 spent on dining and hotel stays when booked with the hotel
- 1X mile per $1 spent on all other purchases
- 5 miles per $1 spent at Renowned Hotels and Resorts
- 3 miles per $1 spent on United® purchases
- 2 miles per $1 spent on all other travel
- 2 miles per $1 spent at restaurants
- 2 miles per $1 spent on select streaming services
- 1 mile per $1 spent on all other purchases
- 2x on United® purchases
- 2x on local transit and commuting — including train tickets, taxicabs, mass transit, tolls and ride share services
- 2x at gas stations, restaurants and office supply stores
- 1x on all other purchases
For rates and fees of the cards mentioned in this post, please visit the following links: The New United℠ Explorer Card (Rates & Fees), The New United Quest℠ Card (Rates & Fees), and The New United℠ Business Card (Rates & Fees)
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