If you’re a traveler who’s watched your MileagePlus, balance creep past 50,000 miles, you’ve likely wondered: Are United miles worth it? Should you hang onto them like a retirement investment, or book that trip to Boise before United changes its mind again?
Developments in United MileagePlus have occurred largely over the past several years. With dynamic pricing and pooling miles with friends and family, it is evident that United desires to maintain a major presence in the loyalty game. However, with the threat of devaluations and shifts in redemption rates creeping in unannounced like unwelcome havoc-wreaking gate crashers at a wedding, one wonders about the actual value of those miles that people earn through hard sweat.
Let’s take a closer look at whether these miles still fly—or flop.
What Are United Miles?
United MileagePlus miles are United Airlines’ version of digital currency. You earn them when you fly United or its partners, swipe a co-branded credit card, dine through its dining program, or even shop online via the MileagePlus portal. These miles can be used for flights, upgrades, travel perks, and even merchandise (though more on that mistake later).
Unlike your gym membership, these miles never expire. That’s a big win.
Are United Miles Worth It?
Depending on who you ask, the value of a single United mile ranges from 0.9 cents (Bankrate) to 1.35 cents (TPG). NerdWallet plays it safe in the middle at 1.2 cents. So, if you’ve got 50,000 miles, you’re sitting on roughly $450–$675 in travel credit, depending on how savvy you are with redemptions.
I once used 70,000 United miles to fly from Chicago to Tokyo in Polaris Business Class. The cash ticket would have cost me $4,200. That redemption value? About 6 cents per mile. It’s probably the most luxurious nap I’ve ever taken—and yes, worth every mile.
So, are United miles worth it? When used wisely. But if you blow them on a $100 toaster, maybe not.
Best Uses of United Miles
- Saver-level award flights are still golden. You’ll often get 1.2–1.4 cents per mile, especially on international routes.
- Star Alliance partners like Lufthansa or Singapore Airlines open global possibilities.
- The Excursionist Perk gives you a free one-way flight within a region on multi-city itineraries. It’s the BOGO of the sky.
- Business and first-class cabins deliver maximum value, plus complimentary champagne, which always helps with jet lag.
The “Don’t Do It” List
You wouldn’t use your retirement savings to buy a blender, right? The same logic applies here:
- Merchandise: That Bluetooth speaker could cost 15,000 miles—just don’t.
- Hotel and car redemptions: Often below 0.5 cents per mile.
- Domestic flights during holidays: You’ll pay more miles than you would cash. Peak season = peak regret.
How to Earn Miles Without Flying (or Breaking a Sweat)
- Co-branded United credit cards (like the Explorer or Quest cards from Chase)
- Shopping and Dining portals
- Partner bookings: Hotels, cruises, car rentals
- Chase Ultimate Rewards transfers at a 1:1 ratio (hello, Sapphire Preferred fans!)
You can even earn miles just by eating tacos at a partner restaurant. Now that’s rewarding.
Who Benefits Most from the United Miles?
If you’re a frequent flyer, flexible with dates, and open to international travel, United miles are like a golden ticket. But even casual travelers can get value if they plan. The program is also ideal if you live near a United hub like Newark, Chicago, or San Francisco.
The sweet spot is in booking flights you’d never pay cash for—business to Europe, anyone?
Are United Miles Worth It in 2025?
Yes, United miles are worth it—but only if you play smart. Avoid low-value redemptions, stay alert for saving-level deals, and use those partner airlines to your advantage. Think of your miles as a currency: would you spend $700 on a backpack, or would you fly to Rome?
At Cash for My Miles, we help you calculate the real value of your United miles—and even sell United miles for cash. If the question “Are United miles worth it?” makes your head spin, we’ll give you a straight answer and a fair payout.
Let your miles take off—even if you don’t.
