Until July 28, MileagePlus is running a tiered bonus event, allowing members to purchase miles with a bonus of up to 85%.
1. What’s the Deal?
United Airlines’ frequent flyer program, MileagePlus, is currently running a special promotion where members can purchase miles with a bonus of up to 85%. The promotion started on July 10, 2023, and will end on July 28, 2023. To qualify for the bonus, MileagePlus members need to buy 5,000 or more miles. The bonus is tiered based on the number of miles purchased:
- Between 5,000 and 14,000 miles earns a 45% bonus.
- Between 15,000 and 39,000 miles earns a 65% bonus.
- Between 40,000 and 94,500 miles earns an 85% bonus.
Members can buy up to 175,000 miles per account per calendar year, and the bonus miles earned in this promotion count towards this limit.
Any purchased miles may take up to 72 hours to post to the member’s account, although in most cases, the miles will appear within a day of purchase.
2. Is Buying United MileagePlus Miles Worth It?
The value of purchasing MileagePlus miles depends on your travel plans and how you intend to use the miles. United Airlines no longer has an award chart, and the number of miles required for an award flight can vary based on factors such as demand and seasonality. This dynamic pricing system makes it challenging to determine the exact value of each mile.
On average, however, I estimate that United MileagePlus miles are valued at 1.2 cents each. If you are flexible with your travel dates, the dynamic award pricing system can present opportunities for great deals. By comparing the cost of a flight in miles to the normal value of a mile, you can assess whether the award represents a good value or is overpriced.
It’s important to note that purchasing miles speculatively, without a specific redemption in mind, isn’t something that I personally recommend, although there are occasions where speculative mile purchases can be beneficial.
If you regularly fly with United or plan to make redemptions through United’s Star Alliance partners, this promotion is worth considering.
3. Good Redemption Options
When it comes to redeeming United MileagePlus miles, several excellent options can provide great value for your miles. Here are a few popular redemption choices:
International Polaris Business: One of the best uses of MileagePlus miles is to book premium cabin seats on international flights. Using miles for these high-value redemptions can save you a significant amount of money compared to paying for these seats outright.
Domestic Short-Haul Flights: Don’t overlook the value of using miles for domestic short-haul flights within the United States or neighboring regions. These flights can be redeemed for a relatively low number of miles, making them an excellent choice for quick getaways or visiting nearby destinations without breaking the bank.
Caribbean Getaways: United Airlines offers flights to popular Caribbean destinations, and using MileagePlus miles for these flights can be a smart move, especially during peak travel periods when cash prices are high.
Star Alliance Partner Redemptions: United MileagePlus is part of the Star Alliance, which means you can use your miles to book flights with partner airlines. This opens up a vast network of routes and destinations around the world, giving you more options and flexibility for your travel plans. Whether you’re flying with Air Canada, Lufthansa, Singapore Airlines, or any other Star Alliance member, using your MileagePlus miles can provide excellent value.
4. How Does This Offer Compare to Previous Promotions?
In previous promotions, United MileagePlus has offered bonuses ranging from 45% to 85% on purchased miles. Last month, the bonus was up to 45%, whereas in May, there was another 85% bonus promotion.
The current promotion allows members to purchase miles for as little as 2.03 cents per mile, with the maximum bonus applied for eligible members.
5. How Much Is a United MileagePlus Mile Worth?
As mentioned earlier, the value of a United MileagePlus mile can vary due to the dynamic pricing system.
On average, each mile is valued at 1.2 cents. However, it’s important to assess the value based on specific award flights and compare it to the normal value of a mile to determine if the award represents a good deal.
6. Do MileagePlus Miles Expire?
MileagePlus miles do not expire as long as there is account activity within the last 18 months. Account activity can include earning or redeeming miles, using a United MileagePlus credit card, or utilizing other MileagePlus partners.
7. Is MileagePlus a Revenue or Miles-Based Program?
United MileagePlus transitioned to a revenue-based program, meaning that the number of miles earned on flights is based on the price of the ticket rather than the distance flown. The redemption of miles for award flights follows a dynamic pricing system, which takes into account factors such as demand and seasonality.
Not buying any MilesPesos after the last massive devaluation. Scott Kirby has gone woke and transgendered into Deltalina.