United MileagePlus Miles Sale: Up to 100% Bonus
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United Airlines has launched a new promotion offering up to a 100% bonus on purchased MileagePlus miles through June 24, 2026. This offer brings the cost down to as low as 1.88¢ per mile—a significant discount from the standard rate, though still higher than what we typically value these miles at.
While this promotion might offer value for specific high-end redemptions like business class flights to Europe, there are often better options for purchasing Star Alliance miles through programs like Air Canada Aeroplan or Avianca LifeMiles.
Now, let’s explore whether this deal makes sense for your travel plans.
Promotion Details
The current United MileagePlus miles promotion runs through June 24, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. CT. This is a targeted offer, so different members may see different offers when they log into their accounts.
The 100% bonus offer has a tiered structure, appearing as follows:
- Buy 2,000–4,000 miles: No bonus (3.76¢ per mile with tax)
- Buy 5,000–19,000 miles: 75% bonus (2.15¢ per mile with tax)
- Buy 20,000–25,000 miles: 100% bonus (1.88¢ per mile with tax)
Notably, if you’re targeted for the 100% bonus promotion, the maximum number of points you can buy is 25,000, receiving an additional 25,000 as bonus miles, for a total of 50,000 miles at a cost of $940.63.
During previous promotions, you’ve been able to max out your yearly purchased-points threshold of 200,000 miles (as seen in the image below), but now you can only buy, gift, or multiply a maximum of “50,000 miles within any consecutive 90-day period.”
How Much Does It Cost to Buy United Miles?
United MileagePlus normally charges 3.5¢ per mile for purchased miles, plus a 7.5% federal excise tax, bringing the standard cost to approximately 3.76¢ per mile.
With the current 100% bonus at the highest tier, if you purchase 25,000 base miles for $940.63 (including tax), you’ll receive a total of 50,000 miles, which works out to 1.88¢ per mile.
This is significantly better than the standard rate but still higher than what we typically value United miles at (approximately 1.1-1.2¢ each).
How Many United Miles Can You Purchase?
United MileagePlus limits members to purchasing 200,000 miles per account per calendar year, and during this promotion (and likely going forward), members are limited to buying, gifting, or multiplying a maximum of 50,000 miles within any consecutive 90-day period.
Additionally, unlike some other programs, this limit applies to the total miles received, including any bonuses. This means that with a 100% bonus, you can only purchase 25,000 base miles to receive a total of 50,000 miles.
According to United, purchased miles may take up to 48 hours to post to your account, though they often appear much faster.
Which Credit Card Should You Use?
United MileagePlus miles purchases are processed through Points.com rather than directly by United. This means these transactions don’t code as airfare or travel purchases for the purposes of earning bonus points on your credit card.
Your best options for purchasing United miles are:
- A credit card where you’re working toward meeting a minimum spending requirement for a welcome bonus
- A card that excels at everyday spending, such as the Citi Double Cash® Card (2% cash back) or The Blue Business® Plus Credit Card from American Express (2x Membership Rewards points on the first $50,000 spent annually)
| Credit card | Annual fee | Welcome offer | |
|---|---|---|---|
| $0 | |||
| $0 | |||
| $95 |
Is Buying United Miles Worth It?
United MileagePlus uses dynamic pricing for award tickets, which means there’s no published award chart and prices can vary significantly based on demand, seasonality, and cash fares. This makes it challenging to provide a fixed value for United miles, but there are specific scenarios where purchasing miles during this promotion might make sense:
When Buying United Miles Makes Sense
- Business class to Europe: Award flights typically cost 80,000-88,000 miles one-way, which would cost $1,504-$1,654 when buying miles at 1.88¢ each—potentially much less than cash fares of $3,000+ (though you would need to buy the points over two promotions, 90 days apart)
- Partner airline premium cabins: Some Star Alliance partner business and first class products can provide good value
- Topping off for a specific redemption: If you’re just short of the miles needed for a valuable award
When to Skip This Promotion
- Domestic economy flights: These rarely provide good value when using purchased miles
- Speculative purchases: Given United’s history of devaluations, buying miles without a specific redemption in mind is risky
- When other programs offer better value: Air Canada Aeroplan and Avianca LifeMiles often have better redemption rates for Star Alliance flights and sell miles at lower costs
With the 50,000-miles limit during this promotion, it’s difficult to find particularly good value.
That said, to get an idea of good vs. poor value, let’s look at a couple of specific examples:
Example 1: Domestic First Class (Poor Value)
A one-way first class flight from Chicago (ORD) to San Francisco (SFO) might cost as little as 50,800 United miles. Purchasing most of these miles during the promotion would cost approximately $940, while the cash fare might be only $706. In this case, buying miles would be a poor value.
Example 2: Business Class to Europe (Good Value)
A one-way business class flight from the US to Europe typically costs 80,000-88,000 United miles. Purchasing these miles during a similar 100% promotion (that doesn’t impose the 50,000-miles limit) would cost approximately $1,504-$1,654, while cash fares often exceed $3,000. In this case, buying miles could save you $1,200+ per ticket.
Alternative Star Alliance Programs to Consider
Before purchasing United miles, consider these alternative Star Alliance programs that often provide better value:
- Air Canada Aeroplan: Offers more favorable award pricing on many routes, allows stopovers for additional value, and frequently sells points at lower rates
- Avianca LifeMiles: Often has competitive pricing for Star Alliance premium cabins and regularly sells miles for as low as 1.1-1.3¢ each during promotions
- Singapore KrisFlyer: Offers excellent value for Singapore Airlines premium cabins, though has limited partner availability
On What Airlines Can You Redeem United Miles?
United MileagePlus miles can be redeemed for flights on:
- United Airlines
- Star Alliance partners: Including Air Canada, ANA, Lufthansa, SWISS, Turkish Airlines, and many others
- Non-alliance partners: Including Aer Lingus, Azul, Discover Airlines, and more
Other Ways to Earn United Miles
Before purchasing miles, consider these alternative methods of earning United MileagePlus miles:
Credit Cards
United offers several co-branded credit cards that provide substantial welcome bonuses and ongoing earning opportunities:
| Credit card | Annual fee | Welcome offer | |
|---|---|---|---|
| $695 | |||
| $695 | |||
| $0 | |||
| $350 | |||
| $150 | |||
| $0 |
Transfer Partners
United MileagePlus is a 1:1 transfer partner of Chase Ultimate Rewards. If you have cards like the Chase Sapphire Preferred, Chase Sapphire Reserve, or Ink Business Preferred, you can transfer your Ultimate Rewards points directly to United.
| Credit card | Annual fee | Welcome offer | |
|---|---|---|---|
| $95 | |||
| $795 | |||
| $0 |
Shopping and Dining Programs
United offers both a shopping portal (MileagePlus Shopping) and a dining program (MileagePlus Dining) that allow you to earn miles for everyday purchases.
Bottom Line
This United MileagePlus promotion offering miles for as low as 1.88¢ each represents a significant discount from the standard rate, but still exceeds what we typically value these miles at. While there are specific scenarios where buying United miles can provide good value—particularly for business class flights to Europe—there are often better options available through other Star Alliance programs.
Before purchasing United miles during this promotion:
- Compare the cost of buying miles to the cash fare for your specific itinerary
- Check if partner programs like Air Canada Aeroplan or Avianca LifeMiles offer better value for your intended redemption
- Consider whether you can earn the miles you need through credit card sign-up bonuses or transfers from Chase Ultimate Rewards
Remember that this promotion ends on June 24, 2026, so if you’re planning to take advantage of it, make sureto finalize your purchase before then.
Frequently Asked Questions
How quickly will purchased United miles post to my account?
According to United, purchased miles may take up to 48 hours to post to your account. In practice, miles often post much faster, sometimes within minutes or a few hours after purchase. If you’re purchasing miles for an imminent booking, it’s still advisable to allow at least 24 hours for processing.
Can I pool United miles with family members?
United doesn’t offer a free family pooling feature like some other programs. However, you can transfer miles between accounts for a fee ($7.50 per 500 miles plus a $30 processing fee). Given these high fees, it’s generally not economical to transfer miles between accounts. Instead, you can book awards for others directly from your account without transferring miles.
Does United have an award chart?
No, United MileagePlus eliminated its published award charts in 2019 and now uses dynamic pricing for both United and partner airline awards. This means award prices can fluctuate based on demand, seasonality, and cash fares. While there are still some general pricing patterns, there are no guaranteed fixed rates for specific routes or cabins.
Are there any fees when redeeming United miles?
United eliminated close-in booking fees in 2019, so there’s no additional charge for booking awards shortly before departure. However, you’ll still be responsible for paying the taxes and fees associated with the ticket, which vary by route and can be higher for certain international destinations. United also charges change and cancellation fees for award tickets, though these are waived for Premier elite members.
Can I use United miles for upgrades?
Yes, United MileagePlus miles can be used for upgrades on United and select partner flights. Upgrade costs vary based on your ticket type, route, and elite status. Upgrades on United-operated flights typically offer better value than purchasing miles outright for premium cabin awards, especially if you’re starting with a discounted economy ticket.
Can I cancel a miles purchase if I change my mind?
Generally, miles purchases are non-refundable. However, if you have issues with your purchase or believe it was made in error, you can contact United’s customer service for assistance. It’s always best to be certain about your redemption plans before purchasing miles.
Do United MileagePlus Miles expire?
United MileagePlus miles do not expire, regardless of account activity. This is a positive policy change that United implemented in 2019, removing the previous 18-month inactivity expiration policy.
