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United Airlines is shaking off the humdrum of legacy airlines by introducing a feature that many domestic discount carriers and international airlines offer. It’s now possible for up to five members to engage in MileagePlus miles pooling to redeem United miles sooner.
What is MileagePlus Miles Pooling?
The United Airlines MileagePlus miles pooling feature is available to all members of the airline’s loyalty program. Up to five members (one pool leader and four members of any age) can combine unlimited miles and redeem them for award flights. It’s the first major U.S. airline to offer combining miles without fees.
The pool leader must be at least 18 years old. The leader can invite up to four additional members, such as companions, relatives, and close friends. Additionally, there isn’t a minimum age to join MileagePlus or participate in this program. This allows minor children to pool miles with parents or guardians.
You can pool an unlimited number of miles. However, only the member redeeming them will earn any eligible Premier qualifying points (PQP). Pooling miles won’t affect an individual member’s Premier® status tier.
Miles are redeemable for award flights on United and United Express. These tickets are bookable through United.com or in the United mobile app.
So, it’s possible to combine miles that you earn from United flights, from co-brand United credit card purchases, and other ways to collect miles. This includes MileagePlus offers and its rewards shopping platform.
Here are some of the top United cards:
- For a mid-level premium card with plenty of perks, the United Quest℠ Card (60k Bonus)
- Most Flexible (2x points and points transfer to United): Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card (60k Bonus)
- For Those Who Check Baggage, the Best United credit card is: the United℠ Explorer Card (50k Bonus)
- Premium Traveler’s Best United credit card: United Club℠ Infinite Card (80k Bonus)
- Business Travelers: United℠ Business Card (100k United Miles Bonus)
- For the occasional United flyer: United Gateway℠ Card (20,000 Bonus Miles)
Can You Pool United Miles?
Yes, it’s possible to pool unlimited United MileagePlus miles between up to five accounts. Loyalty members of any age can participate. Invited members will receive instructions from United.com regarding how to contribute and redeem miles.
However, currently, it’s not possible to combine PQP, Premier qualifying flights (PQF), PlusPoints, or TravelBank cash.
While United miles don’t expire, pooling them can help infrequent flyers who may never accumulate enough miles to book an award flight. This allows them to give their balance to close friends and family instead of letting them sit dormant.
Additionally, MileagePlus miles pooling helps make group travel more affordable. The timing is opportune as 60% of parents participating in the 2023 U.S. Family Travel Survey cite concerns about travel affordability.
“MileagePlus miles pooling further reinforces United’s position as the leader in family and group travel and gives our members more flexibility to use their miles while making it easier to connect to the destinations and moments that matter most, with the people that matter most,” says Luc Bondar, Chief Operating Officer of MileagePlus.
This pooling option and the ability to transfer credit card points to United are beneficial tools if you live near a United hub or want to earn United miles quickly.
Summary
In conclusion, pooling MileagePlus miles without limitations provides ample flexibility with booking award flights between family and friends. This is an exciting perk that can make United Miles more valuable. Further, there are many domestic and international flight options to choose from between United and Star Alliance flights available through the airline’s website or mobile app.
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