The United MileagePlus program, a veteran in the loyalty landscape since 1981, boasts an extensive network of partners. These collaborations span across various sectors, from airlines and hotels to car rentals, cruises, retail, and financial services, offering MileagePlus members a wealth of opportunities to earn and redeem miles.
While redeeming United MileagePlus miles for United flights is a straightforward option, the true value often lies in leveraging United Airline Partners. These partnerships extend your reach far beyond United’s route map, unlocking flights to destinations served by partner airlines across the globe. Beyond flights, MileagePlus miles can also be used with non-airline partners for hotel stays and cruises, although the redemption value can vary. This guide will navigate you through the world of United Airline partners, highlighting the best ways to maximize your MileagePlus miles and explore the globe.
Exploring United Airlines’ Partner Airline Network
United Airlines strategically partners with a diverse portfolio of airlines, categorized primarily into two groups: Star Alliance members and non-Star Alliance partners. This dual approach provides MileagePlus members with unparalleled access to a global network, covering regions and routes that United alone might not serve.
United’s Star Alliance Partners: Your Gateway to Global Reach
As a founding member of the Star Alliance, United Airlines offers seamless connectivity with a vast network of fellow Star Alliance members. This membership allows MileagePlus members to earn and redeem miles on flights operated by any of these airlines, often with reciprocal elite status benefits. The Star Alliance network provides comprehensive global coverage, making it easier than ever to reach almost any corner of the world using your MileagePlus miles.
Here are United’s Star Alliance partners:
- 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
Beyond Star Alliance: Expanding Horizons with Other United Airline Partners
In addition to its Star Alliance affiliations, United Airlines has forged partnerships with a select group of airlines outside of the alliance. These united airline partners further expand the reach of the MileagePlus program, providing access to unique routes and travel options. These partnerships demonstrate United’s commitment to offering its MileagePlus members a truly global travel ecosystem.
Here are United’s other airline partners:
- 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
*It’s important to note that MileagePlus miles redemption for Emirates and Flydubai flights is currently limited to flights originating from Dubai and must be booked in conjunction with a United flight from the US to Dubai. Always check the latest terms and conditions for specific partner redemption rules.
United Airlines Travel Partners: Hotels, Cars, and More
The United MileagePlus program extends beyond flights, offering partnerships with various travel service providers. Notably, United has a strong relationship with the Marriott Bonvoy program, offering reciprocal benefits for MileagePlus Premier members who achieve certain elite tiers. This synergy allows frequent travelers to leverage their loyalty across both airlines and hotels.
For car rentals, United provides exclusive offers with Avis, including reciprocal elite status, streamlining the car rental experience for MileagePlus members. Furthermore, MileagePlus members can earn miles with a range of hotel chains and car rental companies, enhancing their earning potential on the ground.
MileagePlus miles can also be redeemed for car rentals, hotel stays, and cruises, offering diverse redemption options beyond air travel. While retail products and magazine subscriptions are also available for redemption, they often provide less optimal value compared to flights and travel experiences.
Maximizing Your Miles: Redeeming MileagePlus Points for Flights
Navigating Award Flight Pricing on United and Partners
United Airlines employs dynamic pricing for its own flights and increasingly for many united airline partners. This means that award flight costs fluctuate based on demand and other factors, and there isn’t a fixed award chart for all redemptions.
For United flights, short-haul economy flights within North America can start from approximately 6,000 miles each way. Roundtrips to popular destinations like Hawaii and Europe can begin around 35,000 and 55,000 miles respectively, while longer-haul destinations like Asia and Africa can range from 121,000 to 145,000 miles for roundtrips.
Premium cabin redemptions also vary dynamically. Domestic United First class on shorter routes can be found from around 30,000 miles each way, while transcontinental flights in First Class might require similar mileage in specific, less common routings. For international travel, United Polaris business class to Europe can start at approximately 135,000 miles each way, and flights to Asia and Africa can range upwards of 170,000 and 325,000 miles each way, respectively.
MileagePlus elite members and United credit card holders may gain access to expanded award inventory and potentially discounted redemption rates, adding another layer of value to the program.
Unlocking Partner Award Flight Value
While dynamic pricing applies to many united airline partners, some partners retain a more structured redemption approach. In certain cases, partner awards can be priced similarly to United awards, but in other markets, they can offer significant savings.
For example, flights from San Francisco to Tokyo Haneda in Economy might cost 70,000 miles on United, but partner awards on airlines like EVA Air (via Taipei) could be found for as low as 61,000 miles. Similarly, business class awards to African cities on Ethiopian Airlines have been observed starting from 88,000 miles each way, presenting a considerable discount compared to some United or other Star Alliance options.
A particularly valuable redemption is Lufthansa First Class, which can sometimes be more cost-effective than United Polaris on certain routes. Although availability is limited and typically appears within two weeks of departure, booking Lufthansa First Class for around 140,000 miles each way can offer an exceptional flight experience.
Partner airlines also integrate with United’s “Excursionist Perk,” allowing for a free flight segment within the same region on roundtrip award bookings, further enhancing the value of partner redemptions.
Earning MileagePlus Miles: Fueling Your Travel Rewards
Earning MileagePlus miles is multifaceted. Flying with United, Star Alliance partners, and other united airline partners is a primary method. Miles are earned based on ticket price for United-operated flights and partner flights ticketed by United (016), with multipliers varying based on MileagePlus status.
Beyond flying, you can accumulate miles through hotel stays, car rentals, and partnerships with financial institutions like banks and energy companies. Holding a United MileagePlus credit card provides another avenue for consistent mile accumulation through everyday spending and bonus categories.
Transferring points from partners like Chase Ultimate Rewards, Marriott Bonvoy, and Bilt Rewards to United MileagePlus provides a flexible way to consolidate rewards and boost your MileagePlus balance.
MileagePlus Elite Status: Elevating Your Travel Experience with Partners
The MileagePlus program features four Premier elite status tiers: Premier Silver, Premier Gold, Premier Platinum, and Premier 1K. These tiers unlock a range of benefits, including free checked baggage, complimentary upgrades on domestic flights, access to Economy Plus seating, priority boarding, and more.
Elite status benefits extend to united airline partners. Premier Silver status aligns with Star Alliance Silver, offering 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 Star Alliance partners. This reciprocal recognition significantly enhances the travel experience when flying with partner airlines.
Top United Airlines Partners for MileagePlus Redemption Value
Navigating the vast network of united airline partners to find optimal redemption values can seem daunting. However, certain partners consistently offer excellent opportunities for maximizing your MileagePlus miles.
High-Value Airline Partners
All Nippon Airways (ANA)
ANA stands out for offering some of the most affordable MileagePlus redemptions, particularly for domestic flights within Japan. Economy seats on select short-haul domestic Japan flights can be booked for as little as 5,000 miles each way.
Ethiopian Airlines
For travel to Africa, Ethiopian Airlines, with its hub in Addis Ababa and nonstop flights from the U.S., is a compelling option. While economy redemptions to African destinations might be similarly priced across United and Star Alliance partners, Ethiopian often exhibits better business class award availability, sometimes at significantly lower mileage rates compared to other options. Business class awards on Ethiopian can be found for around 88,000 miles each way, a substantial saving compared to the 200,000 miles often seen on United and some Star Alliance partners for similar routes.
Aer Lingus
Aer Lingus, like Ethiopian, can present better award availability and potentially lower redemption rates in premium cabins for transatlantic travel. Business class flights to numerous European destinations via Dublin can be found for approximately 88,000 miles each way. Searching for award flights sorted by lowest redemption amount can be particularly helpful when exploring Aer Lingus options. Furthermore, Aer Lingus offers U.S. pre-clearance from Ireland, streamlining connections upon arrival in the United States.
Lufthansa
Lufthansa First Class, available on select flights from Frankfurt and Munich, is a coveted redemption for MileagePlus members. One-way flights between the U.S. and Europe can be booked from around 110,000 miles each way. While award availability is limited and tends to open up only within two weeks of departure, the experience is exceptional. Passengers traveling via Frankfurt also gain access to Lufthansa’s exclusive First Class terminal.
Booking Partner Airlines with MileagePlus Miles: A Seamless Process
United’s platform simplifies MileagePlus redemption on united airline partners. Virtually all partner award flights can be booked directly through the United website. Booking online is generally straightforward, minimizing the need to contact customer service unless complex itineraries or website issues arise. Simply search for flights on united.com, log in to your MileagePlus account, and proceed with your booking.
Conclusion: Unlock a World of Travel with United Airline Partners
United MileagePlus stands as a leading loyalty program, fueled by its extensive network of airline, hotel, car rental, and financial partners. This vast ecosystem provides MileagePlus members with abundant opportunities to earn and redeem miles, unlocking global travel possibilities. The ease of online booking and the potential for exceptional value through strategic partner redemptions make United Airline partners a cornerstone of maximizing your MileagePlus miles and experiencing the world. By understanding and leveraging these partnerships, you can elevate your travel experiences and make your miles go further.
