United Airlines, a founding member of the Star Alliance, boasts an extensive network of airline partners, enabling MileagePlus members to travel the globe using their miles. This guide provides a detailed overview of United’s airline partners, both within and outside the Star Alliance.
Star Alliance Members: Expanding Your Travel Horizons
United’s partnership with Star Alliance provides access to a vast network of airlines, covering nearly every corner of the world. Star Alliance members include:
- 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
- SAS Scandinavian Airlines
- Shenzhen Airlines
- Singapore Airlines
- South African Airways
- Swiss International Air Lines
- TAP Air Portugal
- Thai Airways International
- Turkish Airlines
Beyond Star Alliance: United’s Additional Airline Partners
In addition to its Star Alliance partners, United collaborates with several other airlines to further enhance travel options for its MileagePlus members. These partners include:
- Aer Lingus
- Air Dolomiti
- Airlink
- Azul
- Boutique Air
- Cape Air
- Discover Airlines
- Edelweiss Air
- Emirates*
- Eurowings
- Flydubai*
- Hawaiian Airlines
- JSX
- Juneyao Air
- Lufthansa CityLine
- Olympic Air
- Silver Airways
- Virgin Australia
- Vistara
*Mileage redemption restrictions apply for Emirates and Flydubai. Miles can only be redeemed for flights originating in Dubai when booked in conjunction with a United flight from the U.S. to Dubai.
Redeeming Miles with United’s Airline Partners
United utilizes dynamic pricing for award flights, meaning the mileage cost can fluctuate based on demand and availability. However, partner airlines can offer unique redemption opportunities, sometimes at lower mileage rates than United-operated flights. For instance, ANA offers exceptional value for domestic flights within Japan, while Ethiopian Airlines often provides competitive business class award availability to Africa.
Maximizing Your MileagePlus Membership with Partner Airlines
Leveraging United’s extensive network of airline partners can significantly enhance the value of your MileagePlus miles. Whether you’re exploring Star Alliance members for global reach or utilizing other partners for specific routes or cabin classes, understanding these options can unlock incredible travel experiences. Remember to compare redemption rates and availability across different partners to optimize your mileage usage.
Conclusion
United Airlines’ partnership with Star Alliance and other airlines creates a comprehensive network for MileagePlus members. This network allows for travel to destinations worldwide and provides diverse redemption options. By understanding the breadth of United’s airline partners, travelers can maximize their MileagePlus benefits and enjoy a wider range of travel opportunities.
