Maximizing Your Miles: A Guide to United MileagePlus Partners

design element including airplane flying in the sky

Images by GettyImages; Illustration by Hunter Newton/Bankrate

United Airlines, a major player in the aviation industry, offers travelers numerous opportunities to earn and redeem miles through its comprehensive United MileagePlus program. A key aspect of this program is its extensive network of partners, significantly expanding the ways you can accumulate and utilize your miles. Whether you’re a frequent flyer or an occasional traveler, understanding United’s partnerships can greatly enhance your travel rewards strategy.

This guide will delve into the world of United MileagePlus partners, covering everything from airline alliances to hotel chains and car rentals, ensuring you know how to make the most of your travel expenditures.

Exploring United Airlines Star Alliance Partners

United Airlines is a founding member of the Star Alliance, the world’s largest global airline alliance. This powerful network comprises 25 leading airlines, offering flights to over 1,150 destinations across 189 countries. Being part of Star Alliance allows MileagePlus members to earn and redeem miles across a vast selection of flights and access elite status benefits across member airlines.

Here’s a list of United’s Star Alliance partners:

Aegean Airlines
Air Canada
Air China
Air India
Air New Zealand
All Nippon Airways (ANA)
Asiana Airlines
Austrian Airlines
Avianca
Brussels Airlines
Copa Airlines
Croatia Airlines
EgyptAir
Ethiopian Airlines
EVA Air
LOT Polish Airlines
Lufthansa
Shenzhen Airlines
Singapore Airlines
South African Airways
SWISS
TAP Air Portugal
Thai Airways International
Turkish Airlines

Unlocking Benefits with Star Alliance Gold Status

Achieving United Premier Gold status not only unlocks perks with United but also grants you Star Alliance Gold status. This coveted status provides a range of benefits applicable across all Star Alliance member airlines, making international travel smoother and more enjoyable.

Star Alliance Gold benefits include:

Priority airport check-in: Skip the regular lines and check in at dedicated counters.
Priority baggage handling: Ensure your luggage is among the first to arrive at your destination.
Airport lounge access: Relax and unwind in designated airport lounges within the Star Alliance network.
Priority boarding: Be among the first to board the plane and settle in.
Extra baggage allowance: Travel with more baggage without incurring extra fees (where permitted).

If you hold elite status with another Star Alliance airline, you may also be entitled to Star Alliance status benefits. You can verify your eligibility on the Star Alliance website.

Check your status on the Star Alliance website

Expanding Horizons with Other United Airline Partners

Beyond the Star Alliance, United has established partnerships with several other airlines globally. These partnerships further broaden your options for earning and redeeming miles, opening up routes and destinations not covered by United or Star Alliance.

For instance, United’s partnership with Virgin Australia allows you to reach destinations like Hobart, Australia, on a single United itinerary, earning MileagePlus miles for the entire journey. While these non-alliance partnerships offer expanded reach, it’s important to note that some Star Alliance benefits, such as mobile boarding passes or priority services, may not be universally available.

Hotel Partners: Earn United Miles on Your Stays

United MileagePlus extends beyond the skies, partnering with numerous hotel chains worldwide. These hotel partners provide another avenue to accumulate miles simply by booking your accommodation. With over 15,000 participating hotels globally, you’re likely to find a partner hotel wherever your travels take you. Benefits can vary between hotel brands and chains, so it’s worth exploring your options before booking.

Car Rental Partners: Miles on the Road

To complete your travel ecosystem, United also partners with car rental companies, allowing you to earn miles on your ground transportation needs. United’s car rental partners include:

Avis
Budget

Strategic Transfer Partners for United MileagePlus Miles

For those looking to boost their MileagePlus balance quickly, United partners with key rewards programs: Bilt Rewards and Chase Ultimate Rewards. These programs allow you to transfer your points to United MileagePlus at a 1:1 ratio, significantly accelerating your journey to award flights.

Bankrate’s current valuations for these points programs are as follows:

Program	Bankrate Value**	Estimated value of 50,000 points/miles
United Airlines MileagePlus	0.9 cents	$490
Bilt Rewards	2.1 cents	$1,050
Chase Ultimate Rewards	2.0 cents	$1,000

**Based on weighted average of median point/mile values across economy and first/business class fares for United Airlines MileagePlus, and based on an average of the issuer’s five highest-value transfer partners for Bilt Rewards and Chase Ultimate Rewards (if available).

While these values provide a general guideline, the optimal redemption value can vary. United MileagePlus often features “Featured Awards,” showcasing routes with reduced mileage requirements. For example, a one-way economy ticket from Washington D.C. to Accra, Ghana, might be available for 45,000 miles through United MileagePlus.

Screenshot of United offers its Featured Awards page

Booking the same flight through Bilt Rewards could require 95,000 points, highlighting the potential value of utilizing United’s own program for specific routes.

Screenshot example from Built Rewards

Conversely, in some instances, utilizing a partner program might be more advantageous. For a flight from New York/Newark to Boston, Chase Travel℠, using a Chase Sapphire Reserve® card, could offer a better redemption rate.

The same flight on United might cost 7,000 miles, potentially representing a lower value per mile compared to the Chase redemption.

Screenshot of same flight offered for 7k United miles

To maximize your miles, always compare options and consider United’s Featured Awards page for potential sweet spots. Transfer partner deals are dynamic, so reviewing options for your specific destinations and dates is crucial.

Earning United Miles with Partner Airlines and Beyond

Miles from Star Alliance Flights

Earning miles on Star Alliance partner flights is straightforward. Simply include your MileagePlus number when booking flights with any Star Alliance carrier. This can typically be done during the booking process, as illustrated in this Air Canada example.

Earn United MileagePlus miles on Star Alliance partner flights by entering your MileagePlus number at the time of booking

The miles earned on partner flights can depend on the booking method. Tickets purchased directly through United typically earn miles based on fare and MileagePlus status. Flights booked directly with partner airlines usually accrue miles based on flight distance and fare class.

For those pursuing United Premier status, be aware that Premier-qualifying credits vary and not all partner tickets are eligible for Premier-qualifying points. Refer to United’s partner airline Premier-qualifying credit page for detailed information.

Remember that each Star Alliance airline has its own loyalty program, and points are not transferable between programs. Miles earned with Lufthansa, for example, cannot be directly transferred to United MileagePlus.

Miles from Other Airline Partners

United’s partnerships extend beyond Star Alliance, offering even more opportunities to earn MileagePlus miles with other airlines globally. The process for crediting miles may vary, so it’s advisable to confirm with the partner airline or during booking to ensure proper MileagePlus credit.

Hotel Stays and United Miles

Earning miles with hotel partners is simple: either link your MileagePlus account with the hotel program or book directly through United’s travel portal. The number of miles earned varies by hotel partner, spending amount, and stay duration. For instance, Hyatt hotels may offer 500 miles per stay, while JW Marriott might award 2 miles per dollar spent. Review the hotel partner benefits to optimize your mile earnings based on your preferred hotel chains.

Top Credit Cards to Rack Up United MileagePlus Miles

Credit cards are a powerful tool for accumulating United MileagePlus miles. United co-branded airline credit cards directly reward your spending with miles, while flexible travel credit cards, like those in the Chase Ultimate Rewards program, offer point transfers to United at a 1:1 ratio.

These credit card options not only boost your mile balance but also offer valuable perks like no foreign transaction fees and travel protections. Consider these top credit cards for earning United miles:

United℠ Explorer Card image

Best for occasional United travelers: United℠ Explorer Card

2X miles on United purchases
2X miles on dining and hotel stays
1X miles on all other purchases

The United℠ Explorer Card offers a solid entry point into earning United miles with a reasonable $95 annual fee (waived for the first year). New cardholders can earn a 50,000-mile welcome bonus after spending $3,000 in the first three months. Card benefits include a free first checked bag, up to $100 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fees, priority boarding, and two United Club passes annually.

United Club℠ Infinite Card image

Best for frequent United travelers: United Club℠ Infinite Card

4X miles on United purchases
2X miles on non-United travel, dining, and select delivery services
1X miles on all other purchases

The United Club℠ Infinite Card comes with a $525 annual fee but offers premium benefits for frequent United flyers. Earn 80,000 bonus miles after spending $5,000 in the first three months. Perks include United Club lounge membership, United Premier Access, two free checked bags, and travel credits for expedited security screening.

United℠ Business Card image

Best for small business owners: United℠ Business Card

2X miles on United purchases
2X miles on dining, gas stations, office supplies, local transit, and commuting
1X miles on all other purchases

The United℠ Business Card is ideal for small business owners who frequently fly United. With a $99 annual fee (waived the first year), it offers a 75,000-mile welcome bonus after spending $5,000 in the first three months. Benefits include a free first checked bag, a $100 United travel credit, and travel protection benefits.

Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card image

Best for flexibility: Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

5X points on travel booked through Chase Travel℠
5X total points on Lyft rides (through March 31, 2025)
3X points on dining, select streaming, and online groceries
2X points on general travel
1X points on all other purchases

Chase Ultimate Rewards points transfer to United MileagePlus at a 1:1 ratio, making the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card a versatile option. It has a $95 annual fee and offers a 60,000-point welcome bonus after spending $4,000 in the first three months, plus up to $300 in statement credits for Chase Travel℠ purchases as part of the welcome bonus. Additional perks include a $50 annual hotel credit and a 10% anniversary point bonus.

Chase Sapphire Reserve® image

Best for frequent flyers and premium travel: Chase Sapphire Reserve®

10X points on Lyft rides (through March 31, 2025)
10X points on hotels, car rentals, and Chase Dining through Chase Travel℠
5X points on air travel through Chase Travel℠ (after $300 travel credit)
3X on general travel (after $300 travel credit)
3X points on dining
1X points on all other purchases

The Chase Sapphire Reserve® is a premium travel card with a $550 annual fee, offering access to Chase’s transfer partners, including United. Benefits include Priority Pass Select lounge membership, a $300 annual travel credit, Global Entry/TSA PreCheck credit, and travel protections. New cardholders can earn a 60,000-point welcome bonus after spending $4,000 in the first three months.

Redeeming United Miles with Partners: Unlock Award Flights

Once you’ve accumulated a sufficient MileagePlus balance, redeeming miles for award flights is simple through United’s website or mobile app. Search for flights by entering your origin and destination, travel dates, and selecting the “Book with miles” option.

Use your United MileagePlus miles to book a flight on United’s site with its partners

The search results will display available award seats on United, Star Alliance partners, and other partner airlines. You can then book your award flight using your miles. United also provides a 30-day calendar view to identify days with lower mileage costs.

United

The Takeaway: Maximize Your United MileagePlus Miles with Partners

United MileagePlus offers a vast ecosystem of partners, including airlines, hotels, and car rentals, providing numerous ways to earn and redeem miles. For frequent United travelers, these partnerships extend the reach of your MileagePlus miles, offering more destinations and travel options. Remember to prioritize booking United flights directly through United for potentially better redemption values. And always explore partner benefits when booking hotels, renting cars, or shopping to maximize your miles accumulation over time.

*Information about the United℠ Explorer Card and United Club℠ Infinite Card has been collected independently by Bankrate. The card details have not been reviewed or approved by the card issuer.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about United Airlines Partners

Beyond airlines, where else can I earn United MileagePlus miles? In addition to airline partners, you can also earn United MileagePlus miles with hotel and rental car partners, as well as select retailers like FTD and Macy’s.
Can I earn miles without flying? Yes, you can earn miles through spending on United co-branded credit cards, transferring points from Chase Ultimate Rewards or Bilt Rewards, and through United Dining and shopping programs.
Can I use United miles on Star Alliance airlines? Yes, United MileagePlus miles can be redeemed on many Star Alliance airlines, subject to award seat availability. United miles are not transferable to other airlines and can only be used for award bookings listed on United’s website when the “Book with miles” option is selected. Partner availability is subject to change, so check United’s website for current options.
Can United miles be used on non-Star Alliance partners? Yes, in some cases, United miles can be used to book flights on partner airlines outside of Star Alliance, such as Virgin Australia.
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Will Essilfie Arrow Right Icon Contributor, Personal Finance

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