Improve Your Journey with These 6 United Miles Strategies
United MileagePlus miles can be a valuable asset for travellers, offering opportunities to book flights at a fraction of the cash price. However, understanding the best strategies is key to maximizing their value.
One of the most effective strategies is to focus on high-value premium cabin awards on international routes. Flights between the U.S./Canada and Europe or Africa, for instance, often require around 80,000–88,000 miles for a round-trip ticket, offering a potential value of over 1.5 cents per mile. [1][2][3]
Another advantage of United's MileagePlus program is its strong Star Alliance network. Booking award flights on partner airlines directly through United's website avoids fuel surcharges common on other carriers' award tickets, expanding options and enhancing value, especially for international business class travel on partners like Lufthansa, Asiana, and Thai Airways. [2][5]
The Excursionist Perk is another key tactic. This feature allows a free one-way segment within a multi-city Star Alliance award, adding great value by allowing more travel without additional miles spent. For domestic or short-haul flights, aiming for redemptions that get at least 1.2 cents per mile can ensure decent value, typically achievable on short-haul or intra-Europe flights. [2][3]
Last-minute bookings or flights to pricey regional airports can also provide good redemptions domestically. Additionally, using miles for upgrades on paid tickets (excluding basic economy and award tickets) can be beneficial, but it requires ticket class and availability considerations. [1][4]
For those with Premier elite status, additional upgrade award benefits and priority when redeeming miles for upgrades can further enhance value on paid economy tickets. [1][4]
In summary, maximize United miles by booking premium cabin awards on international routes, especially to Europe, Africa, and South America with United or Star Alliance partners. Book partner flights via United’s site to avoid fuel surcharges and access better award availability. Utilize the Excursionist Perk for multi-city trips to extend travel without extra miles. Consider redeeming miles for last-minute or regional domestic flights where cash prices are high. Lastly, consider upgrade awards on eligible paid fares if it provides better value than paying cash. Maintaining or attaining Premier elite status can also provide additional benefits. [1][2][3][4][5]
It's worth noting that United does not pass on fuel surcharges from other airlines when redeeming miles. For instance, a Lufthansa flight from San Francisco to Frankfurt in January, booked using United miles, costs 88,000 miles and $5.60 in fees. [6]
United has also expanded its reach with new flights to Nuuk, Greenland; Kaohsiung, Taiwan; Dakar, Senegal; and Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia. Cash flights to these far-flung destinations are not cheap either. [7]
Travellers looking to accumulate United miles quickly might consider some of the best travel credit cards of 2025, such as the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card, Wells Fargo Autograph® Card, Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card, Chase Sapphire Reserve®, The Platinum Card® from American Express, and Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card. [8]
- To maximize the value of United MileagePlus miles, saving them for premium cabin awards on international routes like Europe or Africa could offer over 1.5 cents per mile in potential savings.
- United's strong Star Alliance network allows travelers to book award flights on partner airlines directly through United's website, avoiding fuel surcharges and expanding travel options.
- The Excursionist Perk is a key tactic that allows a free one-way segment within a multi-city Star Alliance award, adding value by allowing more travel without additional miles spent.
- Travelers looking to accumulate United miles quickly might consider personal-finance strategies such as using travel credit cards like the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card, The Platinum Card® from American Express, or the Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card.
