Award System
United MileagePlus
Point Transfer Options
Transfer To Spouse/Partner Yes - $$
Transfer To Friends Yes - $$
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Travel Partner Transfers
Outside Point System United MileagePlus
The Highlights
United Airlines MileagePlus is the most flexible rewards program for international flights, especially if you're invested in the Chase ecosystem. They tend to be more available and cost fewer points than Delta or American Airlines. (The biggest exception is Southwest to the Caribbean.)
With a little planning, you can get some fantastic redemption rates. Even if you have the Reserve Card 1.5x multiplier, we usually find better value using United's portal directly. For example, we booked first-class flights to Africa searching the "Business Saver" seats through United and got flights for 80,000 points. That would've cost 250,000 points through the Chase Portal.
Plus, being part of the Star Alliance, points have more flexibility in terms of global destinations, including smaller cities in Asia, Africa and other niche locations. So if you're focusing on international flights and/or Chase transfers, United is a great go-to for flexibility and solid value.
Associated Alliance
Airlines within Star Alliance
Status Levels Explained
United Airlines is part of Star Alliance, which has some very solid international partners. When you book with your MileagePlus rewards, you’ll find that United tends to have more availability than some of the other big names. We don’t have any complaints about the airline itself, but earning status has become more challenging recently. In our opinion, nearly unattainable to most people. First off, having a United card won’t help you much, and traveling internationally won’t boost your PQF’s at all. That said, if you happen to be savvy or spend enough to get status, here is what you get with each level.
United Premier Silver Status
Requires 5,000 PQP’s or 12 PQF’s + 4,000 PQP’s
- Complimentary Premier Upgrades to first class for domestic and short-haul international flights, confirmed the day of departure
- Complimentary access to Economy Plus at check-in for you and one guest
- Free first checked bag weighing 70lbs or less, 3 free checked bags for business and first-class tickets
- Priority check-in, security, boarding, and baggage handling
- Earn 7 miles per $1 on every flight
- Star Alliance Silver Status
- Hertz Gold Plus Status
United Premier Gold Status
Requires 10,000 PQP’s or 24 PQF’s + 8,000 PQP’s
All Silver Status benefits plus:
- Earn 8 miles per $1 on every flight
- Star Alliance Gold Status
- Marriott Gold Status
United Premier Platinum Status
Requires 15,000 PQP’s or 36 PQF’s + 12,000 PQP’s
All Gold benefits plus:
- Complimentary Premier upgrades confirmed 72 hours before departure
- 40 PlusPoints, these give you the flexibility to upgrade however you choose
- Free same-day flight changes
- Complimentary access to Economy + and preferred seats at booking for you and 8 of your companions
- Free first three checked bags weighing 70lbs or less, in any class
- Same-day flight changes can be used 3 times annually
- Earn 9 miles per $1 on every flight
- Hertz Gold President’s Circle Status
United Premier 1K Status
Requires 24,000 PQP’s or 54 PQF’s + 18,000 PQP’s
All Platinum benefits plus:
- 280 PlusPoints, these give you the flexibility to upgrade however you choose.
- Complimentary same day flight changes
- Earn 11 miles per $1 on every flight
- 1 Free drink and snack in economy
- No Close-in booking fee
- No additional phone booking fee
- Complimentary CLEAR membership
Breaking Points
November 14, 2023
Mini Points - December 2023
Limited Time Offers Going on NOW:
- United Explorer Chase Card - 60,000 Miles after spending $3000 in 3 Months - $95 Annual fee (waived the first year).
- United Quest Chase Card - 70,000 Miles after spending $4000 in 3 Months - $250 Annual fee (card comes with 5000 PQP).
- United Club Infinite Chase Card - 90,000 Miles after spending $5000 in 3 Months - $525 Annual fee (card comes with lot's of extras to off-set the annual fee).
Related:
United Explorer United Club United Quest United
November 21, 2022
Mini Points - November 2022
- Elite Status requirements for United will be increasing starting in 2023. Be on guard as they are increasing the number of PQFs and PQPs to earn MileagePlus status. Their cards offer PQPs based on spendings pay attention to that part of the application before you apply if status is what you're going for.
Related:
Chase
November 10, 2022
United Sign Up Bonus on 3 different Cards
Chase United Cards have 3 Limited Time offers:
1. United Explorer - 60,000 Bonus miles after spending $3000 in 3 months, $95 annual fee is waived for the first year.
2. United Quest Card - 80,000 Bonus miles after spending $5000 in 3 months, $250 annual fee.
3. United Club Infinite Card - 100,000 Bonus miles after spending $5000 in 3 months, $525 annual fee.
Remember the higher the annual fee the more the card has to offer, so before you get scared away by that, look into if it makes sense for your upcoming travel plans.
Related:
United Explorer United Quest United Club United