United Airlines' frequent flyer program is called United Airlines Mileage Plus. Members can obtain frequent flyer points by flying United and partner airlines, using a Mileage Plus credit card, and booking with partner hotels, rental car agencies, and shopping at partner stores. The program also offers extra benefits to "elite" members, those who have reached Premier, Premier Executive and 1K membership levels.
Choose how you would like to spend your United Airlines Mileage Plus rewards. The United rewards program has a wide variety of ways to redeem these rewards. One of the most common methods of redemption is redeeming rewards for airline tickets. (Redemption levels vary based on enrollment levels--standard, Premier, Premier Executive, and 1K.) However, rewards can also be used for hotel, rental car and restaurant reservations, magazine and newspaper subscriptions, and online merchandise. Miles can also be transferred to a friend or donated to charity.
To redeem rewards for airline travel, book your United award travel online or by phone. On the United Airlines website, go to "Planning & Booking" and click on the "Redeem Miles" tab to choose eligible flights. Choose between "Saver Awards" and "Standard Awards" and enter your frequent flyer number to purchase. To book airfare through United Airlines's partner airlines, there are different ways to do so based on the airline. Award travel online for Continental Airlines and US Airways can be booked online or by phone. Award travel on other Star Alliance carriers can be booked by calling United at 888-674-4680. There is a nonrefundable $25 per-ticket handling fee for award tickets issued by calling United Reservations, or a $30 per-ticket handling fee for award tickets issued at a United ticket counter.
To redeem for other rewards, visit United Airlines's website. Click on the drop-down "Mileage Plus" tab to see all program details. Click on "Use Miles" to see all the available options. Each section gives specific directions on redeeming awards in that category. For example, if you want to redeem your rewards for hotel reservations or car rentals, click on "Hotel Awards" or "Car Awards." You will be taken to a page with tips on redeeming awards in that category, such as, "There are no blackout dates," and "Your miles will be deducted at the time of purchase." Click on the button that says, "Search Hotel and Car Awards Now." Input your information, including your frequent flyer number, to redeem awards.
