6 CLEVER WAYS TO USE UNITED AIRLINES MILEAGEPLUS MILES
- United MileagePlus offers multiple ways to spend miles, including Money + Miles for bookings.
- Travelers can use miles for TSA PreCheck, United Club access, cabin upgrades, and onboard amenities.
- MileagePlus members can bid on exclusive experiences, purchase gift cards, and pay for airport dining using miles.
As we accumulate airline reward points, we must decide how to spend them. For United MileagePlus members, these can be redeemed for flights, gift cards, shopping, lounge access, and more. Through the Star Alliance program, MileagePlus members travel to over 1,000 destinations through the alliance network and can earn points on partner airlines on select routes and fares.
Some of us may not have enough miles to book that memorable trip; for this, United has a unique feature called Money + Miles, which allows you to pay with cash and your points.
MileagePlus members don't need to take flights to earn rewards either, with the ability to book hotels and resorts through United Hotels and receive VIP access benefits for MileagePlus Premier and MileagePlus Chase card members. Booking a car is also easy; with Avis or Budget, you'll continue to earn rewards.
If you prefer to travel on the seven seas, United Cruises offers you the option to pay with Money and miles and receive exclusive onboard extras on select cruises. A trip with Norwegian, Carnival, or Royal Caribbean can start from just 22,714 miles, depending on the length of the journey. While you're onboard, members with Premier Status may be treated with up to $250 of onboard spending money or free alcoholic drinks. You will also earn up to seven miles for every $1 spent when booking your cruise.
Get all the latest aviation news for North America here
Six clever ways to spend your miles
Gift cards
MileagePlus members can spend to their heart's content on eGift Cards powered by MileagePlus X. There are over 270 merchants ranging from Walmart, Apple, Home Depot, Starbucks, Best Buy, Adidas, Uber, and Sephora. Not only will you be able to redeem your miles here, but you will earn them too when buying cards through this portal with your MileagePlus linked credit card.
The list continues with merchants like:
| Airbnb | Saks Fifth Avenue | Puma |
| Lowe's | DoorDash | Nike |
| Wayfair | Disney | The Cheesecake Factory. |
How To Get TSA PreCheck Using Points And Miles
There are new ways for frequent flyers to obtain the benefits of TSA PreCheck.TSA PreCheck
If you're looking to breeze through the airport quicker, using your miles to pay for TSA PreCheck could be right up your alley. Using your miles for new and renewal fees with the TSA allows you to enjoy getting through airport security in less than five minutes, leaving your laptop in your bag, or keeping your shoes and belts on.
Just 11,000 miles
TSA PreCheck is valid for five years and starts at 11,000 MileagePlus miles, which covers the $78 application fee.
Onboard
You can use your miles to enhance your journey onboard in several ways. These include:
Upgrades
Redeeming your miles to travel in a premium cabin could enhance your trip to the next level. How do Premium Plus, Business, and first class sound?
United Club
At participating airports worldwide, you can redeem your miles for a United Club membership and enjoy a complimentary snack and beverage before taking off on a United or Star Alliance flight. 45 United Clubs are scattered across the United States and internationally, including lounges in Guam, Hong Kong, London Heathrow, Mexico City, and Tokyo Narita.
Extra bags
Unable to travel light? You can pre-pay bags up to 24 hours before take-off using your MileagePlus miles.
Inflight dining
Snack away with meals, drinks, and snack boxes paid for with your United MileagePlus points on select United flights.
Seats
Are you sick of the middle seat? Use your miles to book a seat on your next United or United Express service. You can book preferred seating or even Economy Plus.
WiFi
Start surfing the web with fast Wi-Fi. Just 800 miles will get you updating your Twitter feed in no time.
Get all the latest aviation news for North America here
Magazines and newspapers
Through the carrier Magsformiles program, you can redeem miles on your favorite magazines or newspapers. How does a subscription to the Washington Examiner or Florida Trend sound? Or even Midwest Living or Wine Spectator? These start at just 600 miles.
If you plan on sitting back with a cup of tea and the newspaper, MileagePlus will reward you with the paper subject to your zip code; you can check out which newspapers are available near you via this link.
Airport dining
You can now pay your tab with MileagePlus at participating restaurants at Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) and Houston George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH). You can pay the bill using the iPad near where you are seated at these and other participating restaurants:
Newark (EWR) - Terminal C
| Restaurants | ||
|---|---|---|
| Abruzzo Italian Steakhouse | Caps Beer Garden, | Vanguard Kitchen, |
| Flora Caf | Nonna's Meatball Kitchen | Oeno Wine Bar |
| Origami | Proof | Salumeria Prima |
| Riviera | Saison | Vesper Tavern |
Houston (IAH) - Terminal E
Down in Texas, you can use your mile at four Cibo Express Gourmet Markets in Terminal E. United plans to add more dining options in Terminal C and E throughout the year.
MileagePlus Exclusives
Another unique way to spend your MileagePlus miles is to bid on once-in-a-lifetime experiences like VIP sports tickets, concerts, and behind-the-scenes tours.
Popular recent exclusives:
- A tour of United's operations at LAX
- Tickets to the Chicago White Sox vs. Cleveland baseball game
- An exclusive tour of Archer's groundbreaking electric air taxi technologies.
How does Delta compare? Check out the article below.
5 Clever Ways To Use Delta Skymiles?
There are various ways to redeem Delta's loyalty program miles.