Unlock Global Travel with United Star Alliance Partners

As a savvy traveler, maximizing your airline miles is key to unlocking more destinations and travel perks. If you’re a United MileagePlus member, you’re in luck. United Airlines boasts a vast network of partners, most notably its membership in the Star Alliance, the world’s largest airline alliance. This partnership opens up a world of possibilities for earning and redeeming miles, reaching over 1,150 destinations across 189 countries.

This guide will delve into the world of United Star Alliance partners, explaining how this collaboration benefits you, the MileagePlus member, and how to best leverage these partnerships for your travel adventures.

Discover the United Star Alliance Network

The Star Alliance is a powerhouse in global aviation, bringing together 25 leading airlines. Being part of this alliance significantly expands United’s reach, offering passengers seamless travel experiences and enhanced rewards opportunities. For MileagePlus members, flying with any Star Alliance partner is akin to flying with United itself, in terms of mileage accrual and redemption.

Here are the esteemed airlines that form the United Star Alliance partner network:

• 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

Aeroplane soaring against a vibrant blue sky, symbolizing global travel with Star Alliance

Elevate Your Status with Star Alliance Gold Benefits

Achieving Premier Gold status with United MileagePlus not only unlocks perks when flying with United but also grants you the coveted Star Alliance Gold status. This status is your passport to premium benefits across the entire Star Alliance network, making your journeys smoother and more enjoyable.

Star Alliance Gold status benefits include:

• Priority Airport Check-in: Skip the regular queues and check in at dedicated priority counters.
• Priority Baggage Handling: Ensure your bags are among the first to arrive at your destination.
• Airport Lounge Access: Relax and unwind in select airport lounges within the Star Alliance network, regardless of your class of service.
• Priority Boarding: Be among the first to board, allowing you to settle in and secure overhead bin space.
• Extra Baggage Allowance: Enjoy additional baggage allowance on Star Alliance flights.
• Priority Reservations Waitlisting and Priority Standby: Gain priority on waitlists and standby lists if your travel plans change.

These benefits can significantly enhance your travel experience, especially for frequent flyers. Interestingly, elite status with any Star Alliance member airline can potentially grant you Star Alliance status recognition. You can easily verify your status eligibility on the official Star Alliance website.

Star Alliance status check webpage on a laptop, highlighting status benefits

Beyond Star Alliance: Expanding United’s Partner Network

While the Star Alliance forms the core of United’s partnerships, United also collaborates with airlines outside of this alliance to further expand its network and offerings. These partnerships provide MileagePlus members with even more options to earn and redeem miles, and access unique destinations.

For instance, United’s partnership with Virgin Australia opens up travel possibilities to destinations like Hobart, Australia, on a single United itinerary, all while earning MileagePlus miles. However, it’s important to note that benefits may vary with non-Star Alliance partners. Services like mobile boarding passes or priority services might not always be available.

Hotel and Car Rental Partners: Accelerating Mileage Earnings

United’s partnerships extend beyond airlines to encompass hotels and car rental companies, offering multiple avenues to accumulate MileagePlus miles on the ground.

Hotel Partners: United collaborates with major hotel chains with a global presence of over 15,000 properties. By staying with these partners, you can earn miles for your hotel stays. Partner hotels include prominent names like Hyatt and Marriott, each offering varying mileage earning rates. Review the specific earning details for each hotel partner to optimize your mile accumulation strategy.

Car Rental Partners: Earning miles is also possible when renting cars through United’s partner car rental companies:

• Avis
• Budget

Strategic Transfer Partners: Bilt Rewards and Chase Ultimate Rewards

To further boost your MileagePlus balance, United partners with prominent rewards programs: Bilt Rewards and Chase Ultimate Rewards. These partnerships allow you to transfer points earned through these programs directly to United MileagePlus at a 1:1 ratio, providing significant flexibility in accumulating miles.

**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 point values differ across programs, strategic transfers can be highly beneficial, especially when leveraging United’s “Featured Awards.” This page highlights discounted award flights, potentially offering better redemption value for your miles compared to transferring to partners for the same flights.

For example, a flight from Washington D.C. to Accra, Ghana, might be significantly cheaper in miles when booked directly through United’s Featured Awards compared to booking through Bilt Rewards.

Screenshot of United Featured Awards page, showcasing discounted mile redemption for flights

Conversely, there are instances where utilizing external partners might offer better value. A short-haul flight, like New York/Newark to Boston, could be more cost-effective when booked through Chase Travel℠ using a Chase Sapphire Reserve® card, compared to redeeming United miles directly.

Screenshot from Bilt Rewards showing flight options and point costs

Screenshot of Chase Travel booking platform, displaying flight deals

Screenshot of United booking platform, displaying flight options and mile costs

Therefore, comparing options and considering both United’s Featured Awards and partner transfer values is crucial for maximizing your MileagePlus miles. Always evaluate deals based on your specific travel needs and destinations, as partner deals and values can fluctuate.

Maximizing Mileage Accrual with United Partners

Earning United MileagePlus miles through partners is straightforward:

Earning Miles on Star Alliance Flights

When flying with any United Star Alliance partner, simply add your MileagePlus number during the booking process. This ensures your miles are automatically credited to your account. This option is typically available during the passenger information section of the booking process, as illustrated in the Air Canada example.

Screenshot showing where to enter MileagePlus number when booking a Star Alliance partner flight, like Air Canada

Mileage accrual rates can vary. Bookings made directly through United often earn miles based on fare and MileagePlus status, while partner airline bookings typically accrue miles based on flight distance and fare class.

For those pursuing Premier status, be aware that Premier-qualifying credits may vary, and not all partner tickets are eligible for Premier-qualifying points. Consult United’s partner page for detailed information on Premier-qualifying credits with specific partners.

Remember that each Star Alliance airline has its own distinct rewards program, and points are not transferable between them. Lufthansa Miles & More miles, for instance, cannot be directly exchanged for United MileagePlus miles.

Earning Miles with Other Airline and Non-Airline Partners

Earning miles with United’s non-Star Alliance airline partners and hotel/car rental partners is also possible. For non-Star Alliance airlines, ensure proper MileagePlus crediting during booking or by contacting the partner airline. For hotels, link your MileagePlus account or book through United’s travel portal. Mileage earning rates for hotels depend on the partner, spending, and stay duration. Refer to United’s hotel partner page for specific details.

Credit Cards: Your Fast Track to United Miles

Co-branded United airline credit cards and flexible travel cards like Chase Ultimate Rewards cards are excellent tools for rapidly accumulating MileagePlus miles through everyday spending.

United Co-branded Credit Cards: These cards directly earn United miles on purchases and often come with valuable perks like free checked bags and priority boarding. Consider these options:

• United℠ Explorer Card: Ideal for occasional United travelers, offering bonus miles on United purchases, dining, and hotels, along with benefits like a free checked bag and priority boarding.

Image of United℠ Explorer Card, highlighting travel benefits

• United Club℠ Infinite Card: Designed for frequent United flyers, offering a higher earning rate on United purchases, United Club lounge access, and Premier Access benefits.

Image of United Club℠ Infinite Card, emphasizing premium travel rewards

• United℠ Business Card: Tailored for small business owners, offering bonus miles on United purchases and business-related expenses, along with travel benefits.

Image of United℠ Business Card, suitable for business travel and rewards

Flexible Travel Credit Cards (Chase Ultimate Rewards): Cards like Chase Sapphire Preferred® and Chase Sapphire Reserve® earn Chase Ultimate Rewards points, which transfer 1:1 to United MileagePlus.

• Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card: A versatile option for earning transferable points, offering bonus points on travel and dining, and a valuable welcome bonus.

Image of Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card, promoting flexible travel points

• Chase Sapphire Reserve®: A premium travel card with enhanced earning on travel and dining, Priority Pass lounge access, and a generous travel credit, also offering Ultimate Rewards points transferable to United.

Image of Chase Sapphire Reserve® Card, highlighting premium travel benefits and rewards

Redeeming Miles with United and Star Alliance Partners

Redeeming your hard-earned United MileagePlus miles is simple through United’s website or mobile app. To search for award flights, enter your origin, destination, travel dates, and be sure to check the “Book with miles” option.

Screenshot of United booking interface, emphasizing the "Book with miles" option

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

Screenshot of United's 30-day low cost calendar for award flights

Final Thoughts: Unlock a World of Travel with United Star Alliance

United Airlines’ extensive network of Star Alliance and other partners provides MileagePlus members with unparalleled opportunities to earn and redeem miles, expanding travel possibilities and enhancing the overall travel experience. By strategically leveraging these partnerships, you can maximize the value of your MileagePlus miles and explore a wider world of destinations. Remember to prioritize booking United flights directly through United for potentially better redemption rates and always explore partner benefits when booking hotels, rental cars, or shopping with partner retailers to maximize your rewards.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about United Airlines Partners

• Besides airlines, how else can I earn United MileagePlus miles with partners?
  You can also earn miles with hotel and rental car partners, as well as select retailers like FTD and Macy’s.

• Can I earn miles without flying?
  Yes, through United co-branded credit card spending, transferring points from Chase Ultimate Rewards or Bilt Rewards, and participating in United Dining and shopping programs.

• Can I use United miles on Star Alliance airlines?
  Yes, United miles can be redeemed on many Star Alliance airlines, subject to award seat availability. Redemptions are made through United’s booking website by selecting the “Book with miles” option. United miles are not transferable to other airline programs.

• Can United miles be used on non-Star Alliance partner airlines?
  Yes, in some cases, United miles can be used to book flights on non-Star Alliance partners like Virgin Australia, depending on availability and specific partnership agreements.

**APA Citation:**
Essilfie, W. (2024, October 21). *Guide to United Airlines partners.* Bankrate. Retrieved February 21, 2025, from https://www.bankrate.com/credit-cards/travel/united-airline-partners/

**MLA Citation:**
Essilfie, Will. "Guide to United Airlines partners." *Bankrate*. 21 October 2024, https://www.bankrate.com/credit-cards/travel/united-airline-partners/.

**Chicago Citation:**
Essilfie, Will. "Guide to United Airlines partners." Bankrate. October 21, 2024. https://www.bankrate.com/credit-cards/travel/united-airline-partners/.

Will Essilfie, Personal Finance Contributor at Bankrate

Written by Will Essilfie
Contributor, Personal Finance

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