Since its inception in 1981, the United MileagePlus program has become a cornerstone of airline loyalty, offering a vast network of partners. These United Mileageplus Partners span across various sectors, from airlines and hotels to car rentals and financial services, providing numerous avenues to earn and redeem miles.
While redeeming miles for United flights is a common practice, the true value of MileagePlus often lies in its extensive partner network. You can leverage your miles for flights with united mileageplus partners across the globe, unlocking destinations beyond United’s direct routes. Furthermore, although options like hotel stays and cruises are available, understanding the optimal redemption methods ensures you get the most out of your MileagePlus miles.
Discovering United Airlines Partner Airlines
United Airlines, a founding member of the Star Alliance, boasts a robust network of united mileageplus partners within this global airline alliance. This partnership allows MileagePlus members to access flights to virtually any corner of the world. Beyond the Star Alliance, United also collaborates with other select airlines, further expanding travel possibilities in markets where United may not operate directly.
Exploring United’s Star Alliance Partners
The Star Alliance provides a significant portion of United’s united mileageplus partners, offering a seamless travel experience and extensive global reach. These partners include:
- Aegean Airlines
- Air Canada
- Air China
- Air India
- Air New Zealand
- All Nippon Airways (ANA)
- Asiana Airlines
- Austrian
- Avianca
- Brussels Airlines
- Copa Airlines
- Croatia Airlines
- Egyptair
- Ethiopian Airlines
- EVA Airways
- LOT Polish Airlines
- Lufthansa
- SAS Scandinavian Airlines
- Shenzhen Airlines
- Singapore Airlines
- South African Airways
- Swiss International Air Lines
- TAP Air Portugal
- Thai Airways
- Turkish Airlines
Expanding Horizons with Other United Airline Partners
In addition to the Star Alliance, United collaborates with a diverse group of airlines outside the alliance. These united mileageplus partners broaden your travel options and provide access to unique destinations and routes:
- Aer Lingus
- Air Dolomiti
- Airlink
- Azul
- Boutique Air
- Cape Air
- Discover Airlines
- Edelweiss
- Emirates*
- Eurowings
- Flydubai*
- Hawaiian Airlines
- JSX
- Juneyao Air
- Lufthansa City Airlines
- Olympic Air
- Silver Airways
- Virgin Australia
- Vistara
* Note: Mileage redemption for Emirates and Flydubai flights from Dubai is typically restricted to itineraries connected with a United flight originating from the US and traveling to Dubai.
Beyond Flights: United Airlines Travel Partners
United’s partnerships extend beyond airlines, encompassing various travel services. The program has a strong connection with Marriott Bonvoy, offering reciprocal benefits for MileagePlus Premier members who also hold Bonvoy elite status. This synergy highlights the value of united mileageplus partners across different travel sectors. Furthermore, United provides exclusive deals with Avis car rentals, including reciprocal elite status, and enables members to earn miles with numerous hotel and car rental chains.
MileagePlus members can also redeem their miles for car rentals, hotel accommodations, and cruises, offering flexibility beyond flight rewards. While options like retail products and magazine subscriptions exist for redemption, flights and travel-related redemptions generally provide the most advantageous value for your miles.
Understanding MileagePlus Point Values for Flights
Redeeming Miles on United Airlines
United employs dynamic pricing for its flights, meaning award redemption rates fluctuate. There isn’t a fixed award chart, so the miles required depend on factors like demand, route, and time of year. Generally, short-haul economy flights within North America can start from around 6,000 miles each way. Round trips to popular destinations like Hawaii might begin around 35,000 miles, while European round trips could start at approximately 55,000 miles. For longer haul destinations, round trips to Asia can start from around 121,000 miles, and to Africa from 145,000 miles.
For premium cabin experiences, domestic United First class on shorter routes can be found from about 30,000 miles each way. Transatlantic United Polaris business class might be available from 135,000 miles each way, while transpacific travel to Japan could start around 170,000 miles each way. Flights to Africa in Polaris may begin at approximately 325,000 miles each way.
It’s worth noting that MileagePlus elite members and United credit card holders may access enhanced award availability and potential discounts on mileage redemptions, further maximizing the benefits of united mileageplus partners.
For a deeper understanding, explore how much United miles are worth or learn about the United Excursionist Perk.
Leveraging Miles with Partner Airlines
United extends its dynamic pricing model to many of its united mileageplus partners. However, some partners feature a simplified redemption structure: if award inventory is available, a fixed redemption rate applies. Availability on these partner airlines can be limited, requiring flexible travel plans.
Partner awards can sometimes mirror United’s pricing, but in certain markets, they can offer better value. For instance, an economy flight from San Francisco to Tokyo Haneda on United might cost 70,000 miles, while a comparable flight on EVA Air via Taipei, a united mileageplus partner, could be found for 61,000 miles. Business class flights to African cities on Ethiopian Airlines, another valuable united mileageplus partner, have been observed from 88,000 miles each way. Lufthansa First Class, a highly sought-after experience, stands out as a potentially advantageous partner redemption, sometimes costing less than United Polaris for transatlantic routes. While availability is restricted and typically appears closer to the travel date (within two weeks), it can be secured for around 140,000 miles each way, offering exceptional value for a premium experience with united mileageplus partners.
Partner airlines also integrate with United’s Excursionist Perk. This valuable benefit enables travelers to include a free flight segment within the same region on round-trip itineraries, provided the origin and destination regions of the first and third flights are different. For example, on a trip from Newark to London, continuing to Paris, and returning from Paris to Newark, the London to Paris flight segment would not incur additional mileage costs, showcasing the strategic advantages of united mileageplus partners.
Earning MileagePlus Miles: Multiple Avenues
Earning MileagePlus miles is multifaceted. Flying with United, Star Alliance partners, and other united mileageplus partners is a primary method. Miles earned on United-operated flights or partner flights ticketed by United (016 ticket stock) are based on ticket price and the member’s MileagePlus status, with multipliers increasing with higher status tiers.
Beyond flying, you can accumulate miles through hotel stays, car rentals, and financial partnerships, including co-branded credit cards and collaborations with banks and energy providers. Furthermore, transferring points from programs like Chase Ultimate Rewards, Marriott Bonvoy, and Bilt Rewards to United MileagePlus provides another efficient way to bolster your mile balance and leverage united mileageplus partners.
Unlocking Benefits with MileagePlus Status
The MileagePlus program features four Premier elite status tiers: Premier Silver, Premier Gold, Premier Platinum, and Premier 1K. These tiers provide increasingly valuable benefits, enhancing the travel experience for loyal customers. Premier members enjoy perks such as complimentary checked baggage, upgrades on domestic flights, access to Economy Plus seating at no charge, priority boarding, and more.
Domestic upgrades are prioritized based on status level. Premier 1K members receive upgrade clearance as early as 96 hours before departure, while Premier Silver members are cleared on the day of departure. Complimentary upgrades are generally not applicable on international flights and certain long-haul domestic routes (e.g., Hawaii to the eastern US). However, Premier Platinum and Premier 1K members receive Plus Points, which can be used to request upgrades on these flights, adding another layer of value when flying with united mileageplus partners internationally.
MileagePlus Premier status also translates to Star Alliance status recognition. Premier Silver equates to Star Alliance Silver, offering limited benefits like priority waitlisting and standby. Premier Gold and higher tiers correspond to Star Alliance Gold, granting access to business class check-in and boarding, and lounge access for most international flights operated by united mileageplus partners within the Star Alliance.
Top United Airlines Partners for MileagePlus Redemption
With such an extensive network of united mileageplus partners, identifying the most advantageous redemption options can be challenging. However, several partners consistently offer excellent value for MileagePlus redemptions, particularly for specific routes and cabin classes.
Premier Airline Redemption Partners
All Nippon Airways (ANA)
ANA stands out as a top united mileageplus partner for domestic flights within Japan. Economy seats on select short-haul domestic routes can be booked for as low as 5,000 miles each way, representing exceptional value for exploring Japan’s domestic network.
Ethiopian Airlines
For travel to Africa, Ethiopian Airlines provides a compelling option. With nonstop flights from the US to Addis Ababa, its hub, Ethiopian often offers comparable economy redemption rates to United and other Star Alliance partners. However, Ethiopian truly shines in business class redemptions. While business class awards to Africa on United and some Star Alliance partners can reach 200,000 miles each way, Ethiopian frequently offers them for around 88,000 miles each way – a substantial saving and a prime example of maximizing value with united mileageplus partners.
Aer Lingus
Similar to Ethiopian, Aer Lingus occasionally presents superior award availability and more affordable redemption rates in premium cabins, making them a noteworthy united mileageplus partner. Business class flights to numerous European destinations via Dublin can be found for around 88,000 miles each way. When searching for award flights, sorting by the lowest redemption amount can help uncover these valuable options. Furthermore, Aer Lingus flights from Ireland to the U.S. offer pre-clearance for US customs and immigration, streamlining connections upon arrival in the United States, adding convenience when utilizing united mileageplus partners for transatlantic travel.
Lufthansa
Lufthansa First Class, a premium experience, is available on select flights from Frankfurt and Munich and is a highly desirable united mileageplus partner redemption. One-way flights from the U.S. to Europe can be booked from 110,000 miles each way. However, availability is restricted and typically opens up only within two weeks of departure. Passengers traveling via Frankfurt also enjoy access to Lufthansa’s exclusive First Class Terminal, enhancing the overall travel experience when redeeming miles with united mileageplus partners for premium travel.
Redeeming MileagePlus Points on Partner Airlines: A Streamlined Process
United provides a user-friendly system for redeeming MileagePlus miles with united mileageplus partners. Almost all partner awards can be booked directly through the United website. Contacting an agent is rarely necessary unless the website encounters technical issues processing a transaction. To book, simply search for flights on united.com, log in to your MileagePlus account, and proceed with your booking. This seamless online booking experience simplifies utilizing the extensive network of united mileageplus partners.
In Conclusion: The Power of United MileagePlus Partners
MileagePlus stands as a leading loyalty program globally, distinguished by its extensive network of airline, hotel, car rental, and financial united mileageplus partners. This vast network provides members with abundant opportunities to earn and redeem miles effectively. The program’s strength lies not only in its size but also in the ease of online booking for the majority of partner redemptions. By strategically utilizing united mileageplus partners, members can often unlock even greater value than booking solely with United, maximizing the rewards and possibilities within the MileagePlus program.
