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The United MileagePlus program is one of the largest, and most complicated, airline rewards systems in the world. Learning how to navigate it starts with knowing how much its currency — miles — are worth.
Here’s the short answer: The value of United MileagePlus miles is roughly 1.2 cents each. You can get more or less value from each mile depending on when and how you use them, but this is a good estimate for comparing your own redemptions.
How much are United miles worth?
We estimate that each United mile is worth 1.2 cents, but this is a baseline value, not a maximized value based on comparing real-world cash and award fares in main cabin. You can get considerably more bang from your miles by researching carefully, targeting partner airlines, leveraging the Excursionist Perk and booking business class (see below). You can also get considerably less value by using your United miles carelessly. Just like real money, there are better and worse ways to use award miles.
Calculator: Convert United miles to dollars
With the calculator below, you can quickly figure out how much your United miles are worth based on our estimated value.
» Learn more: The best United Airline credit cards
United MileagePlus Miles value over time
United miles rose in value during NerdWallet's last valuation after a consistent three years.
How do United miles compare with other airlines?
United falls near the middle of the airline pack with its mile value.
Program | Mile value |
|---|---|
Alaska | 1.4 cents. |
American | 1.7 cents. |
Delta | 1.2 cents. |
Frontier | 1.1 cents. |
Hawaiian | 1.2 cents. |
JetBlue | 1.5 cents. |
Southwest | 1.5 cents. |
United | 1.2 cents. |
» Learn more: How much are your airline miles and hotel points worth?
When is the best time to use United miles?
We compared the value when booking at three different time frames:
180 days before departure.
15 days before departure.
Peak holiday travel (Dec. 22-29).
United miles are worth roughly the same across these three time frames, though in our analysis, miles were worth slightly less when you redeem them for holiday flights.
» Learn more: Don't just redeem United miles — redeem them wisely. Here's how
Can United miles be used on other airlines?
Yes, United miles can be used to book flights on United, of course. They can also be used to book flights on dozens of partner airlines (through the United search tool, not by transferring to partners), upgrade to premium cabin seats and even upgrade Star Alliance partner flights.
You can also use these miles for unusual purchases such as magazine subscriptions and rental cars, but in general these redemption options don’t offer great value.
» Learn more: The guide to United Airlines partners: earning and redeeming miles
Credit cards that earn United miles
United Gateway℠ Card
NerdWallet Rating
on Chase's website
United℠ Explorer Card
NerdWallet Rating
on Chase's website
United Quest℠ Card
NerdWallet Rating
on Chase's website
United Club℠ Infinite Card
NerdWallet Rating
on Chase's website
Annual fee
$0.
$0 intro for the first year, then $95.
$250.
$525.
Earning rates
• 2 miles per $1 spent on United purchases.
• 2 miles per $1 at gas stations.
• 2 miles per $1 on local transit and commuting.
• 1 mile per $1 on all other purchases.
• 2 miles per $1 spent on United purchases.
• 2 miles per $1 at restaurants.
• 2 miles per $1 on hotels (when booked directly with the hotel).
• 1 mile per $1 on all other purchases.
• 3 miles per $1 spent on United purchases.
• 2 miles per $1 spent on all other travel (including other airlines, hotels, car rentals and more).
• 2 miles per $1 on dining (including takeout and delivery).
• 2 miles per $1 on select streaming services.
• 1 mile per $1 on all other purchases.
• 4 miles per $1 spent on United purchases.
• 2 miles per $1 on all other travel.
• 2 miles per $1 on dining.
• 1 mile per $1 on all other purchases.
Other benefits
• No foreign transaction fees.
• First checked bag free for you and one companion on your reservation.
• 2 United Club one-time passes each year.
• Credit of up to $100 every four years for TSA PreCheck, Global Entry or NEXUS.
• Priority boarding.
• No foreign transaction fees.
• First and second checked bag free for you and one companion on your reservation.
• $125 United purchase credit per year (good on airfare).
• Two 5,000-mile award flight credits per anniversary year.
• Credit of up to $100 every four years for TSA PreCheck, Global Entry or NEXUS.
• Priority boarding.
• No foreign transaction fees.
• First and second checked bag free for you and one companion on your reservation.
• Access to United Club airport lounges.
• Credit of up to $100 every four years for TSA PreCheck, Global Entry or NEXUS.
• Priority boarding.
• No foreign transaction fees.
Bonus offer
Earn 30,000 bonus miles after you spend $1,000 on purchases in the first 3 months your account is open.
Earn 60,000 bonus miles after you spend $3,000 on purchases in the first 3 months your account is open.
Earn 70,000 bonus miles and 500 Premier qualifying points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months your account is open..
Earn 90,000 bonus miles after you spend $5,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
Still not sure?
How did we determine the value of United miles?
We collected hundreds of data points comparing the cash value with award (mile) value for the same routes and dates. That is, we compared the cost of a given ticket in either cash or miles, across many tickets.
This method differs from others in that it looks at actual redemptions rather than hypothetical, maximized redemptions. The advantage of this approach is that it provides a real-world indication of how much these miles are worth, on average. That said, it doesn’t take into account the upper range of potential values.
Wondering what you can do with those miles? Check out our guide to booking award flights with United.
Get up to 80,000 miles with our favorite United cards
Check out our nerdy picks for the best United credit cards and find the right card for you.
Frequently asked questions
How much are 10,000 United miles worth?
10,000 United miles are worth about $120.
How much are 40,000 United miles worth?
40,000 United miles are worth about $480.
How much are 50,000 United miles worth?
50,000 United miles are worth about $600.
How much are 60,000 United miles worth?
60,000 United miles are worth about $720.
How much are 100,000 United miles worth?
100,000 United miles are worth about $1,200.
How to maximize your rewards
You want a travel credit card that prioritizes what’s important to you. Here are our picks for the best travel credit cards of 2023, including those best for:
Flexibility, point transfers and a large bonus: Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
No annual fee: Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card
Flat-rate travel rewards: Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card
Bonus travel rewards and high-end perks: Chase Sapphire Reserve®
Luxury perks: The Platinum Card® from American Express
Business travelers: Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card
I'm well-versed in travel rewards programs, particularly the United MileagePlus system. The program's value lies in its currency—miles, which typically average around 1.2 cents each. However, the true worth of these miles fluctuates based on when and how they're utilized.
United MileagePlus offers various ways to optimize your miles, such as leveraging partner airlines, utilizing the Excursionist Perk, and prioritizing business class bookings. Navigating this system involves strategic research and understanding the nuances of redemptions.
Comparing United's miles to other airline programs, it sits in the middle ground in terms of value, with Alaska and American Airlines generally offering higher values per mile.
The timing of mile redemption is crucial, and while United miles maintain consistent value across different time frames, holiday travel periods might slightly diminish their worth.
One major advantage of United MileagePlus is its flexibility. Beyond booking flights with United and its partners, miles can be used for seat upgrades, including those on Star Alliance partner flights. However, some redemption options like magazine subscriptions or rental cars might not offer great value.
Earning United miles can be done through specific credit cards that offer various perks, from no foreign transaction fees to bonus miles on specific purchases. These cards also come with enticing sign-up bonuses, further boosting your mile accumulation.
Determining the value of United miles involves a meticulous process of collecting data points comparing cash and award values for the same routes and dates. This method focuses on actual redemptions rather than hypothetical scenarios, providing a real-world estimation of mile worth.
Regarding the value of United miles, 10,000 miles roughly equate to $120, 40,000 miles to $480, 50,000 miles to $600, 60,000 miles to $720, and 100,000 miles to around $1,200.
To maximize your rewards within the United MileagePlus program, choosing the right credit card that aligns with your spending habits and travel priorities is essential. Cards like the United Quest℠ Card or United Club℠ Infinite Card offer various benefits like free checked bags, priority boarding, and credits for travel-related expenses.
For those seeking other travel credit cards, options like the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card, Chase Sapphire Reserve®, or the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card cater to different preferences, whether it's flexibility, luxury perks, or specific business-related benefits.
Understanding the intricacies of United MileagePlus involves constant research, strategic planning, and utilizing the array of tools and benefits provided by the program and its associated credit cards.
