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United continues to offer United MileagePlus cardholders unique experiences to do things you might not otherwise pay for out of pocket. Three new packages are now available for cardholders to redeem miles on — a behind-the-scenes look at the airline's flight training center in Denver, a VIP tour of the Houston Space Center, and a tour of Boom Supersonic.
The flight training center and flight simulator package (happening on November 4) is an auction that runs from September 8 through September 22, while the Houston Space Center packages (happening on November 7) and Boom Supersonic tours (happening on October 30) are first-come, first-served. Here are the details.
Page Contents
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.
Attendees must meet the stated age requirements and complete a safety waiver, if required. Unless specified, 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?
Houston Space Center VIP tour and astronaut meet and greet
On November 4, United will host a special event at the Houston Space Center with retired astronaut Michael A. Baker, a facility tour, and a special charcuterie and drinks package presented by Wolfgang Puck. MileagePlus cardholders can purchase up to two tickets for this unique event for 30,000 miles per ticket.
Tickets went on sale September 12 at 8 a.m. CST — and they will likely sell out quickly. So, you'll need to act fast once they go on sale.
This package includes the following:
- A VIP tour of the Neutral Buoyancy Lab, Astronaut Training Facility, and the Space Vehicle Mock-Up Facility at NASA Johnson Space Center
- A presentation and Q&A with retired NASA astronaut Michael A. Baker
- Private access to Starship Gallery
- Charcuterie, select beer, wine, and soft drinks by Wolfgang Puck Catering
Tickets are available through October 23. United does not specify whether there is a limited number of tickets. All sales are final, and tickets are non-refundable. The package does not include airfare, accommodations, ground transportation, or any other food or drink expenses.
Denver flight training center tour and flight simulator experience
United MileagePlus cardholders can bid miles for tickets to a special experience at the Denver Flight Training Center happening on November 7, 2025. This package is an auction starting on September 12 at 8 a.m. CST and ending on September 22.
This experience includes the following:
- Two round-trip domestic United Economy flights to Denver, Colorado
- A facility tour of the Denver flight training center
- An emergency procedures tour
- Two hours in a Boeing simulator
- Two hours in an Airbus simulator
- Meet and greet with the United Flight Training Center Team
- Gift bag
- Complimentary breakfast and lunch
Flights are only for cardholders who live outside Denver. Passengers can upgrade to a higher class for a fee. Each flight simulator experience includes one hour of flight time and one hour as an observer.
Guests must be 21+ to attend. When the auction started the morning of September 12, bidding started at 75,000 miles. Only four tickets are available, and cardholders can only bid on a single experience for two guests.
Behind-the-scenes tour of Boom Supersonic in Denver
Starting on September 12, 2025 at 8 am CT, United MileagePlus cardholders can purchase up to two tickets for a unique experience at Boom Supersonic's research and development facilities. Tickets cost 30,000 MileagePlus miles and come with the following:
- Tour Boom’s R&D facilities
- Step inside the jet and cockpit of supersonic demonstrator XB-1
- Experience the XB-1 flight simulator with Boom’s Chief Test Pilot
- Fly the Overture flight simulator
- Visit the Symphony engine machine shop
- Discover the Passenger Experience Lab
- Meet and connect with Boom leadership
- Share lunch with fellow aviation enthusiasts
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 1.96¢ each. That means 30,000 miles for a ticket equates to about $588 in value. If the experience feels worth it to you and you can make it to Houston or Denver on the right dates, it's worth doing what you can to secure tickets.
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.
- 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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