Airline partnerships are common, but understanding how to leverage them can significantly boost your travel rewards. For United Airlines MileagePlus members, a world of opportunities opens up through its extensive network of partners. Beyond just airlines, United collaborates with hotels, car rental companies, and crucially, United Miles Transfer Partners, giving you multiple avenues to earn and redeem miles.
If you’re a United loyalist, or even new to the MileagePlus program, understanding these partnerships, especially united miles transfer partners, is key to maximizing your rewards. You might be surprised at how many ways you can accumulate miles and how flexible they are when you consider transferring points from various programs.
This guide will explore the diverse range of United partners, with a special focus on how united miles transfer partners can accelerate your mileage earnings and open up more redemption possibilities. Let’s dive into the world of United partnerships and ensure you’re not leaving any miles behind.
Related: How to pool United MileagePlus miles with family and friends
Exploring United’s Star Alliance Airline Partners
United Airlines is a founding member of the Star Alliance, the world’s largest airline alliance. This membership is incredibly valuable, as it allows MileagePlus members to earn and redeem miles across a vast network of airlines. Thinking about global reach? Star Alliance has you covered, spanning nearly every major city across all inhabited continents. For those looking to use their united miles transfer partners for flights, the Star Alliance significantly expands your options.
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 Airlines
- Avianca
- Brussels Airlines
- Copa Airlines
- Croatia Airlines
- Egyptair
- Ethiopian Airlines
- EVA Air
- LOT Polish Airlines
- Lufthansa
- Scandinavian Airlines (SAS)
- Shenzhen Airlines
- Singapore Airlines
- South African Airways
- Swiss International Air Lines
- TAP Air Portugal
- Thai Airways
- Turkish Airlines
Related: The Star Alliance credit card launched in Australia. Here’s why I hope it comes to the US
United’s Non-Alliance Airline Partners: Expanding Horizons
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Beyond the extensive Star Alliance network, United also partners with several airlines outside of the alliance. These non-alliance partnerships further broaden travel possibilities for United customers, giving access to even more destinations globally. In most cases, you can earn and redeem miles with these partners, although some specific restrictions might apply. These partnerships, along with united miles transfer partners, offer a comprehensive approach to earning and using miles.
For example, earning miles on Hawaiian Airlines flights has specific conditions. According to United’s website, you can earn miles on Hawaiian Airlines interisland flights if booked as a codeshare with a United Airlines flight number. However, mainland U.S. to Hawaii flights on Hawaiian Airlines typically don’t earn United miles directly, nor can they be booked with United miles, with some exceptions leveraging United’s Excursionist Perk.
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Here’s a list of United’s non-alliance airline partners:
- Aer Lingus
- Air Dolomiti
- Airlink
- Azul Brazilian Airlines
- Boutique Air
- Cape Air
- Discover Airlines
- Edelweiss Air
- Emirates
- Eurowings
- Flydubai
- Hawaiian Airlines
- JSX
- Lufthansa City Airlines
- Olympic Air
- Silver Airways
- Virgin Australia
- Vistara
Maximizing MileagePlus Miles: Earning with Partners
United provides numerous avenues to earn and redeem miles through its partner ecosystem, ranging from airlines and hotels to car rentals and more. Let’s explore the various categories.
Airline Partners: Fly and Earn
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Earning United miles through flights is straightforward. Simply add your MileagePlus number to bookings operated by United or any of its partners. This applies to both Star Alliance and non-alliance partners. When considering united miles transfer partners, remember that flight activity is a foundational way to build your mileage balance.
If United issues your ticket (ticket number starting with “016”), you’ll earn 5 base miles per dollar spent. Premier status holders earn bonus miles on top of this base, increasing your earning rate.
| MileagePlus status | Base miles earned | Premier bonus miles earned | Total miles earned |
|---|---|---|---|
| General member | 5 miles | No additional miles | 5 miles per dollar |
| Premier Silver | 5 miles | 2 bonus miles | 7 miles per dollar |
| Premier Gold | 5 miles | 3 bonus miles | 8 miles per dollar |
| Premier Platinum | 5 miles | 4 bonus miles | 9 miles per dollar |
| Premier 1K | 5 miles | 6 bonus miles | 11 miles per dollar |
For flights ticketed by partner airlines, mileage earning is based on distance flown and fare class. For instance, a Lufthansa flight from Los Angeles (LAX) to Frankfurt (FRA) in M fare economy earns 100% of the flown mileage, which equates to 5,806 miles, as LAX-FRA is a 5,806-mile route. Always check the specific earning charts for each partner on United’s website to understand mileage accrual based on fare class.
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Partner flights also contribute to Premier qualifying points (PQPs) and Premier qualifying flights (PQFs). “Preferred” partners earn 1 PQP per 5 miles flown, while other partners earn 1 PQP per 6 miles. However, keep in mind that United sets limits on PQPs and PQFs earned from partner flights, depending on the airline and fare class.
Detailed PQP guidelines and miles-earning rates for each partner airline are available on United’s website. Always review these pages as mileage earning can be restricted to specific routes and fare classes.
Related: How to get maximum value from the United MileagePlus program
Hotel Partnerships: Miles for Stays
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United’s hotel partnerships provide another excellent way to accumulate miles. Collaborations with major hotel chains and booking platforms allow MileagePlus members to earn miles on hotel stays. Earning structures vary, with some partners offering a fixed number of miles per stay, while others award miles based on spending. While hotel points transfers to airlines, including United, are available, they are often not the most valuable redemption option compared to united miles transfer partners from credit card programs.
Here’s a breakdown of United’s hotel partners and their earning structures:
| Partner | Mileage earning |
|---|---|
| Accor | Transfer Accor Live Limitless points to United miles at a 2:1 ratio. |
| Best Western | Earn 250 United miles per eligible stay at any participating hotel. |
| Choice Hotels | Transfer Choice points to United miles at a 5:1 ratio. Earn 250 United miles per eligible stay at participating hotels. |
| Hilton | Transfer Hilton Honors points to United at a 10:1 ratio. |
| Hyatt | Transfer World of Hyatt points to United miles at a 2.5:1 ratio. Plus, convert 50,000 points into 20,000 miles and receive a 5,000-mile bonus. Earn 500 United miles per eligible stay at certain World of Hyatt brands. |
| IHG Hotels & Resorts | Transfer IHG One Rewards points to United miles at a 5:1 ratio. Earn 2 United miles per dollar spent on qualifying room rates at certain IHG brands. Candlewood Suites and Staybridge Suites earn 1 mile per dollar spent. |
| Marriott Bonvoy | Transfer Marriott Bonvoy points to United miles at a 3:1 ratio. You’ll also earn a 10,000-mile bonus for every 60,000 Marriott points you transfer to an airline. Earn 1 or 2 miles per dollar spent on all qualifying charges at select Marriott hotels, depending on the brand. |
| Rocketmiles | Book hotels through Rocketmiles and earn up to 10,000 miles per night. |
| Shangri-La | Transfer Shangri-La Circle points to United miles at a 1:1 ratio (minimum 2,500 points). Earn 500 United miles per eligible stay at participating hotels. |
| United Hotels | Earn 2 United miles per dollar spent. |
| Vrbo | Earn 3 United miles per dollar spent on Vrbo vacation rentals. |
| Wyndham Hotels & Resorts | Transfer Wyndham Rewards points to United miles at a 5:1 ratio. Wyndham Gold and Blue members earn 1 United mile per dollar spent; Platinum and Diamond members earn 2 miles per dollar spent (at participating hotels). |
Related: Should you transfer hotel points to airline partners?
Car Rental Partners: Miles on the Road
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Rental cars are often essential for travel, especially outside major cities. United partners with Avis and Budget to offer MileagePlus members miles on rentals. This is another valuable earning opportunity to consider alongside united miles transfer partners.
Mileage earning rates with Avis and Budget are tiered based on your MileagePlus status:
| MileagePlus membership tier | Miles earned |
|---|---|
| Basic member | 500 miles per rental |
| MileagePlus credit card holder | 750 miles per rental |
| Premier Silver and Premier Gold | 1,000 miles per rental |
| Premier Platinum and Premier 1K | 1,250 miles per rental |
To earn miles, simply provide your MileagePlus number when booking your rental. Be aware that some rentals may incur a frequent traveler program surcharge when opting to earn United miles. United flyers can also access discounts of up to 35% with Avis and Budget using specific discount numbers.
Related: How you can redeem points and miles for car rentals
United Credit Cards: Direct Mileage Accumulation
United Airlines has an exclusive credit card partnership with Chase in the U.S. These United co-branded credit cards are a direct route to earning MileagePlus miles. They offer bonus miles on United purchases and often include perks like free checked bags and United Club access. While direct earning with these cards is valuable, united miles transfer partners from broader rewards programs can offer more flexibility in the long run.
Here are some currently available United personal cards and their welcome bonuses:
United also offers two business credit cards:
- United℠ Business Card: Earn 100,000 bonus miles after spending $5,000 on purchases in the first three months of account opening.
- United Club℠ Business Card: Earn 75,000 bonus miles and 1,000 Premier qualifying points after spending $5,000 on purchases in the first three months of account opening.
The information for the United Club Business Card has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
Related: Best United Airlines credit cards
United Miles Transfer Partners: Unlocking Flexible Rewards
The most powerful way to accumulate United miles quickly and efficiently is often through united miles transfer partners. MileagePlus partners with two major credit card rewards programs: Chase Ultimate Rewards and Bilt Rewards.
Both Chase Ultimate Rewards and Bilt Rewards transfer to United MileagePlus at a 1:1 ratio. This means 1,000 Ultimate Rewards points or 1,000 Bilt Points become 1,000 United miles. Transfers are also typically instant, allowing you to quickly capitalize on flight deals or award availability.
Here are some popular cards that earn these transferable points, acting as key united miles transfer partners:
TPG founder Brian Kelly is a Bilt adviser and investor.
Earning points with these cards can be more advantageous than solely relying on United co-branded cards for everyday spending. While United cards offer airline-specific benefits, transferable points cards provide greater earning potential on various purchase categories and, crucially, flexibility. You can transfer points to United or other airline and hotel programs depending on your travel needs and the best redemption opportunities. This strategic use of united miles transfer partners is central to maximizing your travel rewards.
Shopping and Everyday Partners: Miles in Daily Life
JACOB WACKERHAUSEN/GETTY IMAGES
Beyond travel-specific partners, United also offers a range of shopping and everyday partners, allowing you to earn miles on daily purchases. These partners, along with united miles transfer partners, contribute to building your MileagePlus balance through diverse activities.
Here’s a quick overview of United’s everyday partners:
| Partner | Mileage earning |
|---|---|
| Audience Rewards | Earn at least 100 miles per Broadway ticket, with bonus offers up to 2,000 miles per ticket. |
| Emergency Assistance Plus | Earn 1,500 miles upon sign-up and annually for renewal. |
| FTD | Earn 15 miles per dollar spent on FTD flowers and gifts. |
| Home Chef | Earn up to 5,000 miles on your first five Home Chef boxes (1,000 miles each). |
| MileagePlus Dining | Earn up to 5 miles per dollar spent at participating restaurants. |
| MileagePlus Shopping | Earn United miles shopping at qualifying merchants like Apple, Macy’s, and Levi’s through the online portal. |
| MileagePlus X App | Earn United miles on gift cards, restaurant purchases, online retailers, and last-minute hotel deals via the MileagePlus X app. |
| MyPoints | Earn up to 1,500 miles upon joining MyPoints and making your first purchase within 30 days. |
| National Foundation for Cancer Research | Earn 10 miles per dollar on tax-deductible contributions of $25 or more. |
| Norton 360 with LifeLock | Save up to 45% on your first year and earn up to 10,000 miles. |
| NRG Energy | Earn bonus miles for enrolling in electricity and natural gas accounts (available in select areas), plus miles per dollar on monthly bills. Texas residents have special Reliant Secure 24 plan offers. |
| Opinion Miles Club | Earn up to 600 United miles for joining and completing your first survey, plus miles for subsequent surveys. |
| Rocket Mortgage | Earn 25,000 miles for closing or refinancing a home loan through Rocket Mortgage. |
| Thanks Again | Earn 100 bonus miles upon enrollment and miles for parking, shopping, and dining at participating airports and local businesses. |
| Therabody | Earn up to 6 miles per dollar spent on Therabody products. |
| Timeshifter | Earn 500 miles for an annual subscription or 200 miles for a round-trip plan. |
| United Cruises | Earn up to 4 miles per dollar spent on cruises booked through United Cruises (maximum 25,000 miles per cruise). |
| Vinesse Wines | Earn up to 5,000 miles with Vinesse Wines. |
Redeeming Miles on Partner Flights: Global Access
While United MileagePlus has seen some devaluations, particularly with dynamic award pricing for partner tickets and increased costs for certain routes, the partner network still provides immense value for redemptions. Even with potential surcharges or slightly higher mileage costs for partner flights compared to United-operated flights, the expanded network is invaluable. Thinking strategically about united miles transfer partners allows you to amass a large enough mileage balance to offset these fluctuations and still achieve valuable redemptions.
For instance, a one-way economy ticket from Denver (DEN) to Paris (CDG) on a United flight might cost 40,000 miles. Comparable flights operated by partners like Air Canada, Lufthansa, or Turkish Airlines might cost slightly more, perhaps 44,000 miles.
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Despite this, the ability to reach destinations not served by United, using your United miles through partners, is a significant advantage. Essentially, the partner network makes almost the entire globe accessible using MileagePlus miles.
Finding award space on United partner airlines is easy via the United website. It’s a highly regarded search tool, particularly for Star Alliance availability. Many consider United’s website the best Star Alliance search tool.
For those using transferable points from united miles transfer partners and seeking optimal Star Alliance redemptions, consider using United’s website to find availability, then compare booking options through partner platforms like Air Canada Aeroplan for potentially different pricing or routing rules.
Related: Getting started with points, miles and credit cards to travel
Reciprocal Elite Status Benefits: Enhanced Travel Experience
ZACH GRIFF/THE POINTS GUY
United Premier elite status extends benefits across the Star Alliance network. United Premier Silver members receive Star Alliance Silver status, while Premier Gold and higher tiers enjoy Star Alliance Gold status, offering more substantial benefits. By leveraging united miles transfer partners to achieve higher Premier status, you can enhance your travel experience across all Star Alliance carriers.
To utilize Star Alliance benefits, simply add your United MileagePlus number to your booking when flying with partner airlines.
Here’s a summary of Star Alliance Silver and Gold benefits:
Star Alliance Silver
Star Alliance Silver provides basic benefits that, while not transformative, can be helpful:
- Priority Wait-listing: Higher waitlist priority for your desired class of service (excluding award tickets).
- Priority Airport Standby: Higher standby priority for preferred flights (excluding award tickets). Useful for same-day flight changes.
Star Alliance Gold
Star Alliance Gold offers more significant and tangible benefits:
- Gold Track Security: Access to dedicated Gold Track security lanes for faster security checks before Star Alliance flights.
- Extra Baggage Allowance: Additional 44 pounds of checked baggage on partner flights, with most airlines also offering a free extra piece of baggage. Note: Basic economy fares may be excluded.
- Priority Boarding: Board before general boarding on all Star Alliance flights, even in economy class.
- Priority Baggage Handling: Checked baggage prioritized for faster delivery upon arrival.
- Airport Lounge Access: Access to over 1,000 Star Alliance lounges globally when flying with any Star Alliance partner. (Note: United Club access for United elites is generally restricted to international flights).
- Priority Airport Check-in: Use priority check-in desks when flying Star Alliance partners.
Related: How to get airline elite status
Bottom Line: United MileagePlus and Strategic Partnerships
United MileagePlus boasts a vast network of partners, making it a leading program for mileage accumulation. However, for those starting their miles and points journey, beginning with cards that earn Chase Ultimate Rewards or Bilt Rewards points is highly recommended. These united miles transfer partners offer flexibility and often a faster path to accumulating a significant mileage balance.
While redeeming United miles for United-operated flights often yields the best value, the extensive partner network is crucial. It allows you to use miles to reach destinations worldwide, even those not served directly by United. Strategic use of united miles transfer partners, combined with understanding airline, hotel, and other partnerships, is the key to unlocking maximum value from the United MileagePlus program.
For rates and fees of the Bilt Mastercard, click here.For rewards and benefits of the Bilt Mastercard, click here.
