Through October 25, 2024, United MileagePlus is offering a tiered bonus on purchased miles. Here’s the breakdown of the bonus:
- Buy 5,000 – 14,000 miles, get a 50% bonus
- Buy 15,000 – 49,000 miles, get a 70% bonus
- Buy 50,000 – 102,000 miles, get a 95% bonus
With the 95% bonus, you can buy 198,900 miles for USD 3,837.75, making it 1.93 cents per mile. Purchasing United miles is ideal for premium air travel as there are no fuel surcharges and miles never expire. You can redeem on Star Alliance airlines, but note that United may adjust the mileage requirements for routes.
Maximizing the Bonus
Miles are priced at 3.5 cents per mile plus a 7.5% excise tax. To get the best deal, focus on buying miles when they are close to 95% bonus to bring the cost per mile down to 1.93 cents. This can save significantly on high-end award redemptions, like business or first-class tickets.
Best Cards for Purchasing Miles
Since point purchases are processed via Points.com, it won’t count as airline spending. Therefore, use a card that offers strong returns on international transactions:
- Axis Olympus or Axis Reserve
- American Express Platinum Charge Card
These cards provide the best reward points for foreign currency spends. Additionally, choose cards that offer low foreign exchange fees, or use this opportunity to meet minimum spend targets.
Why Buy United MileagePlus Miles?
- No Expiration: Your miles won’t expire, offering flexibility.
- No Fuel Surcharges: United doesn’t pass on fuel surcharges, which helps you save even more on award tickets.
- Star Alliance Access: United MileagePlus miles can be used for redemption on Star Alliance member airlines, giving you global travel flexibility.
- Tiered Bonus Opportunities: For large redemptions, this is a great opportunity to stock up on miles for future travel.
Important Considerations
- United allows the purchase of up to 200,000 miles per account per year (including bonus miles).
- Purchased miles may take up to 48 hours to post to your account.
- United may adjust mileage requirements on routes, so it’s important to check award availability before purchasing miles.
This promotion is ideal for those looking to book premium travel at a discount. Make sure to purchase by October 25, 2024, to take advantage of the up to 95% bonus on United MileagePlus miles!