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This United buy miles promotion has ended. However, you can still buy United miles here.
United has announced a mileage sale, where you can pick up to 100% bonus on purchased miles. It has been a while since United held a sale with such a large bonus; the last time was in May 2016. The offer is relatively straightforward and runs through September 12, 2017.
Key Terms
- Minimum purchase of 2,000 miles
- Offer valid until September 12, 2017
- Offer is tiered, and you will need to buy at least 50,000 miles to receive the 100%
- Bonus miles take up to 48 hours to post in your account
- Purchased and bonus miles do not count towards United Premier
Should You Buy United Miles?
This depends on a couple of factors, and whether you know if you will use the miles or not. Although purchasing miles speculatively is not recommended, if you have a United MileagePlus balance and are nearing your 18-month mileage expiry deadline, then purchasing miles is a good way to keep your account and miles alive. However, it is easier and less expensive to use MileagePlus Shopping or dining program to create account activity and earn miles. If you are close to a reward then this promotion is one of your better options to reach your required miles.
Overall
If you need the miles, then this is the best value you are going to get for topping up your mileage account through a mileage purchase. But if you don’t, then buying miles speculatively is not really a great idea. At the top end of this promotion with a 100% bonus, you are still paying 1.75 cents per mile. Unless you need the miles to hit a specific redemption, we'd say holding cash is preferable.
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