United Airlines, a major global carrier, understands the value of partnerships in enhancing the travel experience for its customers. Through a vast network of collaborations, United MileagePlus members gain access to a world of opportunities to earn and redeem miles, explore new destinations, and enjoy exclusive benefits. But Who Are United Airlines Partners exactly?
This guide will delve into the extensive network of United Airlines partners, spanning airlines within and beyond the Star Alliance, hotels, car rentals, and financial institutions. We’ll explore how these partnerships can elevate your travel strategy, allowing you to maximize your MileagePlus miles and unlock a world of travel rewards.
United Star Alliance Partners: A Global Network
United Airlines is a founding member of the Star Alliance, the world’s largest global airline alliance. This powerful network encompasses 25 leading airlines, offering flights to over 1,150 destinations across 189 countries. Being part of Star Alliance is a cornerstone of United’s partnership strategy, providing MileagePlus members with seamless travel options and expanded earning and redemption possibilities across a vast international network.
Here are the esteemed airlines that comprise the Star Alliance network, partnering with United:
- 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
- Shenzhen Airlines
- Singapore Airlines
- South African Airways
- SWISS
- TAP Air Portugal
- Thai Airways International
- Turkish Airlines
Star Alliance network map
Unlock Star Alliance Gold Status Benefits
Achieving Premier Gold status with United not only rewards you within the United MileagePlus program but also automatically grants you Star Alliance Gold status. This coveted status unlocks a range of premium benefits across all Star Alliance member airlines, significantly enhancing your travel experience:
- Priority Airport Check-in: Skip the regular lines and access dedicated check-in counters for a smoother start to your journey.
- Priority Baggage Handling: Ensure your luggage is among the first to arrive at your destination, saving you valuable time.
- 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 your flight, allowing you to settle in and secure overhead bin space.
- Extra Baggage Allowance: Travel with more flexibility thanks to increased baggage allowances on Star Alliance flights.
These benefits can transform your travel experience, making journeys more comfortable and efficient, especially for frequent international travelers. You can also check the Star Alliance website to see if your status with another member airline translates to Star Alliance benefits.
Beyond Star Alliance: United’s Additional Airline Partners
United’s partnership strategy extends beyond the Star Alliance, encompassing bilateral agreements with select airlines worldwide. These partnerships further expand your options for earning and redeeming miles and reaching destinations not directly served by United or its Star Alliance partners.
For instance, the partnership with Virgin Australia opens up travel possibilities to unique destinations like Hobart, Australia, all bookable through United and eligible for MileagePlus mile accrual. While these non-alliance partnerships offer expanded reach, it’s important to note that specific benefits like mobile boarding passes or priority services may vary depending on the partner airline.
Hotel Partners: Earn Miles on Your Stays
United understands that travel encompasses more than just flights. To reward you for your entire journey, United partners with a diverse portfolio of hotel chains, encompassing over 15,000 properties globally. This extensive network ensures you can find a participating hotel in virtually any destination you visit, allowing you to earn MileagePlus miles on your accommodations.
United’s hotel partners include major brands, offering a range of options from budget-friendly to luxury:
- Hyatt Hotels & Resorts: (e.g., Hyatt Regency, Grand Hyatt, Park Hyatt)
- Marriott International: (e.g., JW Marriott, The Ritz-Carlton, Sheraton, Westin, Courtyard, Residence Inn)
- IHG Hotels & Resorts: (e.g., InterContinental, Crowne Plaza, Holiday Inn)
- Hilton: (e.g., Hilton Hotels & Resorts, DoubleTree, Embassy Suites, Hampton Inn)
Earning rates can vary by hotel chain and brand. For example, you might earn a fixed number of miles per stay at some chains, while others offer miles per dollar spent. Always review the specific earning details for each hotel partner to maximize your mile accumulation.
Car Rental Partners: Miles on the Road
Extending beyond flights and hotels, United also partners with leading car rental companies, providing yet another avenue to earn MileagePlus miles during your travels. These partnerships make it easy to accumulate miles whether you’re exploring a new city or embarking on a road trip.
United’s car rental partners include:
- Avis
- Budget
By booking your rental car through United’s partner links or providing your MileagePlus number at the time of rental, you can seamlessly earn miles on your car rentals.
Strategic Transfer Partners: Bilt Rewards and Chase Ultimate Rewards
United MileagePlus further enhances its value through partnerships with key transferrable points programs: Bilt Rewards and Chase Ultimate Rewards. These programs allow you to convert your points into United MileagePlus miles, providing significant flexibility and boosting your miles balance.
- Bilt Rewards: Bilt Rewards is unique in allowing you to earn points on rent payments, along with everyday spending. These points transfer to United MileagePlus at a 1:1 ratio, making it a valuable option for renters to accumulate miles.
- Chase Ultimate Rewards: Chase Ultimate Rewards is a popular program earned through various Chase credit cards. Points transfer to United MileagePlus at a 1:1 ratio, offering a straightforward way to convert your credit card rewards into airline miles.
Comparing the value of points across programs is crucial for making informed decisions. While Bankrate valuations can provide a benchmark, the optimal value depends on your specific redemption goals and travel patterns.
| Program | Bankrate Value** | Estimated value of 50,000 points/miles |
|---|---|---|
| United Airlines MileagePlus | 0.9 cents | $490 |
| Bilt Rewards | 2.1 cents | $1,050 |
| Chase Ultimate Rewards | 2.0 cents | $1,000 |
**Based on weighted average of median point/mile values. Values are approximate and subject to change.
While transfer partners offer flexibility, United MileagePlus often presents unique “sweet spots” for redemptions, particularly through their Featured Awards page. This page highlights discounted award flights, potentially offering better value for your miles when redeemed directly through United.
For example, a flight from Washington D.C. to Accra, Ghana, might require fewer United miles through Featured Awards compared to the points needed through transfer partners like Bilt Rewards for the same flight. Conversely, for some domestic routes or specific scenarios, redeeming points through Chase Travel℠ using a Chase Sapphire Reserve® card might offer better value. Always compare options to maximize your point redemption value.
United Featured Awards page example
Bilt Rewards points example
Chase Travel℠ example
United miles example
Maximizing Mile Accrual with United Partners
Earning United MileagePlus miles through partners is straightforward and enhances your earning potential beyond just flying with United.
Earning Miles on Star Alliance Flights
Crediting your Star Alliance flights to United MileagePlus is simple. When booking flights with any Star Alliance carrier, simply enter your MileagePlus number during the booking process. This ensures your miles are automatically credited to your United account after you fly.
Entering MileagePlus number for partner flight
The number of miles earned on partner flights can depend on factors like fare class and booking method. Flights booked directly through United often earn miles based on fare price and MileagePlus status, while partner-booked flights may accrue miles based on distance and fare class. For those pursuing Premier status, Premier Qualifying Points (PQP) accrual also varies with partner airlines, so consult United’s partner page for detailed earning information. Remember that airline loyalty points are not interchangeable between Star Alliance carriers; Lufthansa Miles & More points, for example, cannot be transferred to United MileagePlus.
Earning Miles with Other Airline and Hotel Partners
Earning miles with United’s non-Star Alliance airline and hotel partners generally involves similar processes. For airline partners outside Star Alliance, ensure you add your MileagePlus number during booking or contact the partner airline to confirm proper crediting. For hotel partners, you can typically earn miles by associating your MileagePlus account with your hotel booking or by booking through United’s travel portal. Earning rates and specific procedures vary, so always check the partner details on the United MileagePlus website.
Top Credit Cards for United MileagePlus Miles
Credit cards are a highly effective way to accelerate your United MileagePlus mile accumulation. United co-branded credit cards and flexible travel cards that transfer to United offer numerous earning opportunities and valuable cardholder perks.
United Co-branded Credit Cards:
- United℠ Explorer Card: Ideal for occasional United flyers. Earns 2X miles on United purchases, dining, and hotels. Offers benefits like free checked bag, priority boarding, and United Club passes.
United℠ Explorer Card image
- United Club℠ Infinite Card: Suited for frequent United travelers. Earns 4X miles on United purchases and includes United Club lounge membership, Premier Access benefits, and more.
United Club℠ Infinite Card image
- United℠ Business Card: Designed for small business owners who fly United. Earns 2X miles on United purchases and select business categories. Offers benefits like a United travel credit and travel protections.
United℠ Business Card image
Flexible Travel Credit Cards (Transfer Partners):
- Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card: A versatile travel card that earns Chase Ultimate Rewards points, transferable to United at a 1:1 ratio. Earns bonus points on travel and dining.
Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card image
- Chase Sapphire Reserve®: A premium travel card with enhanced benefits, also earning Chase Ultimate Rewards points transferable to United. Offers lounge access, travel credits, and elevated earning on travel and dining.
Chase Sapphire Reserve® image
Choosing the right credit card strategy can significantly accelerate your MileagePlus balance and unlock premium travel perks.
Redeeming Miles with United and its Partners
Redeeming your accumulated United MileagePlus miles for award flights with United and its partners is a rewarding experience. United’s website and mobile app provide user-friendly tools to search and book award travel.
Simply enter your desired origin, destination, travel dates, and be sure to check the “Book with miles” option. The search results will display available award flights on United, Star Alliance partners, and other partner airlines, allowing you to utilize your miles across the extensive network.
Booking award flights on United website
United also offers a 30-day calendar view to help you identify dates with lower mileage costs, providing flexibility in your travel planning and maximizing your mile redemptions.
United Low Cost Calendar
The Bottom Line: Unlock Global Travel with United Partners
United Airlines’ robust network of partners across airlines, hotels, car rentals, and financial programs creates a powerful ecosystem for earning and redeeming MileagePlus miles. Whether you’re a frequent United flyer or an occasional traveler, understanding and leveraging these partnerships can significantly enhance your travel rewards and open doors to new destinations and experiences. Remember to prioritize booking United flights directly for potentially better redemption values and always explore partner benefits to maximize your miles across all aspects of your travel journey.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About United Airlines Partners
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Beyond airlines, hotels, and car rentals, are there other ways to earn United miles with partners? Yes, United also partners with select retailers like FTD and Macy’s, offering additional avenues to earn miles on everyday purchases.
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Can I earn United miles without flying? Absolutely. Earning miles without flying is readily achievable through United co-branded credit card spending, transferring points from Chase Ultimate Rewards or Bilt Rewards, and utilizing United Dining and shopping programs.
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Can I use United miles to fly on Star Alliance airlines? Yes, United MileagePlus miles can be redeemed for award flights on many Star Alliance airlines, subject to award seat availability. Search for Star Alliance partner options directly on the United website when booking with miles.
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Can United miles be used on airlines outside of Star Alliance? In some cases, yes. United miles can be used to book flights with select non-Star Alliance partners like Virgin Australia, expanding redemption options beyond the alliance network.
**Quick citation guide**
**APA:** Essilfie, W. (2024, October 21). *Guide to United Airlines partners.* Bankrate. Retrieved February 23, 2025, from https://www.bankrate.com/credit-cards/travel/united-airline-partners/
**MLA:** Essilfie, Will. "Guide to United Airlines partners." *Bankrate*. 21 October 2024, https://www.bankrate.com/credit-cards/travel/united-airline-partners/.
**Chicago:** Essilfie, Will. "Guide to United Airlines partners." Bankrate. October 21, 2024. https://www.bankrate.com/credit-cards/travel/united-airline-partners/.
Will Essilfie, Author
Written by
Will Essilfie Arrow Right Icon Contributor, Personal Finance
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