{"id":51354,"date":"2026-08-05T23:51:59","date_gmt":"2026-08-05T23:51:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/blog\/?p=51354"},"modified":"2026-08-11T15:41:19","modified_gmt":"2026-08-11T15:41:19","slug":"united-award-travel","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/airlines\/united-mileageplus\/united-award-travel\/","title":{"rendered":"United MileagePlus Sweet Spots: 5 Great Ways To Use Your United Miles"},"content":{"rendered":"

While United MileagePlus<\/a> 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.<\/p>\n

To better illustrate the value of United miles, we've put together a few of the best ways to use them.<\/p>\n

What's So Great About United Miles?<\/span><\/h2>\n

Massive partner network<\/span><\/h3>\n

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<\/a> \u2014 the world's largest airline alliance. Other members include Lufthansa, Air Canada, and Singapore Airlines.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

United also has partners outside of Star Alliance, including JetBlue<\/a>. MileagePlus members can earn and redeem miles on most JetBlue flights, and some United elite benefits are honored on JetBlue flights as well.<\/p>\n

No fuel surcharges<\/span><\/h3>\n

One of the best parts of MileagePlus is the fact that it doesn't charge carrier or fuel surcharges<\/a> on award bookings. This is a big benefit of MileagePlus since many Star Alliance airlines \u2014 including most Lufthansa Group airlines \u2014 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.<\/p>\n

You can transfer Chase Ultimate Rewards, Bilt Points, and Marriott Bonvoy points to United<\/span><\/h3>\n

You can transfer Chase Ultimate Rewards points<\/a>\u00a0and Bilt Points<\/a> 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.<\/p>\n

You can also transfer Marriott Bonvoy points<\/a> to United MileagePlus. Thanks to the RewardsPlus partnership<\/a>, you'll receive 30,000 United miles for every 60,000 Marriott Bonvoy points transferred (effectively a 2:1 ratio).<\/p>\n

Not everyone gets the same price<\/span><\/h3>\n

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<\/a> or elite status<\/a> 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.<\/p>\n

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\u2120 Card<\/a> (Rates & Fees<\/a>) requires $10,000 in annual spend to unlock this earn rate).<\/p>\n

Related:\u00a0<\/strong>United Credit Cards: Which One Matches Your Style?<\/a><\/p>\n

\"United\u2120<\/div><\/div>
United\u2120 Explorer Card<\/div>
Welcome Bonus<\/strong> Earn 50,000 bonus miles after you spend $3,000 on purchases in the first 3 months your account is open.<\/div><\/div>
Apply Now<\/a><\/div>
Annual Fee<\/strong>

$0 intro annual fee for the first year, then $150Rates & Fees<\/a><\/span><\/p><\/div>

Credit Score<\/strong>

Excellent, Good<\/p><\/div><\/div>