Can You Transfer United Miles to Other Airlines?
So, you’ve been racking up United MileagePlus miles like a champ—maybe through work trips, a sneaky points promo, or thanks to a credit card that practically begs you to fly more often. And now you’re wondering: can United miles be transferred to other airlines? It sounds simple enough, but as with all things travel rewards, the answer is a little more… nuanced.
Let’s break it down for you to understand what you are (and are not) able to do with those miles, especially if you are set on a vacation that bears no United metal.
The Short Answer: No, But Also Yes
Here’s the straight-up truth: United miles cannot be directly transferred to another airline’s loyalty program. You can’t, for example, send your miles over to Delta or Lufthansa’s account and treat them like your own. It’s not that kind of party. Each airline has its own point ecosystem, and United likes to keep its toys (aka miles) in its sandbox.
All hope we say is not lost yet. Flight bookings on partner airlines numbering dozens can be made using United miles, even though the miles never leave the United account. It is like using your library card to check out a book from another branch. The system remains unchanged; however, this opens choices.
United’s Extensive Partner Network
United is one of the airlines that established the Star Alliance, the world’s largest airline alliance, which comprises twenty-five airlines, including:
- Lufthansa
- Singapore Airlines
- ANA
- Swiss
- Air Canada
- Turkish Airlines
- Thai Airways
You can redeem your MileagePlus miles on any of these partners directly through United’s booking platform. You’ll earn and redeem miles seamlessly within this network, no “transfer” necessary. Pretty convenient, right?
But wait, there’s more.
United also partners with non-Star Alliance carriers like Hawaiian Airlines and Aer Lingus. While the perks and redemptions may vary, these give you even more flexibility to travel the globe without being stuck on United flights.
So, Can United Miles Be Transferred to Other Airlines?
Let’s revisit the big question: Can United miles be transferred to other airlines? Officially, no. You can’t log into your Lufthansa Miles & More account and add some of your United stash. But functionally? Yes, in a way. You can use your United miles to book flights with over 35 partner airlines. So while the miles stay in your United account, they can still take you far beyond United’s route map.
Let me say it differently. It is like a gym membership with access to a partner network; you are technically a member in your local gym, but it does not stop you from getting on a treadmill in Rome or Bangkok.
Let me share a quick story.
A few years ago, I was planning a trip to Tokyo. I had a healthy stash of United miles and not a single United flight aligned with my schedule or budget (typical). But then I discovered I could redeem those miles for a seat on ANA, one of United’s Star Alliance partners. Not only was the flight available, but it was a business class seat with sushi on demand (yes, it lived up to the hype). And guess what? I booked it through United.com, with my MileagePlus miles—no transferring needed.
That’s when I realized: understanding how partnerships work in airline programs is like unlocking a cheat code.
What About Mileage Pooling and Transfers Between People?
Now, here’s a fun twist: you can pool United miles with up to four friends or family members, thanks to United’s new feature. So, if you’re just a few thousand miles shy of that award ticket, you can team up like the Avengers (travel version) and make it happen.
However, if you plan on transferring miles to another person, be prepared for fees. There’s a per-mile charge and a processing fee, because United doesn’t miss a chance to turn your generosity into a mini-invoice.
Watch Out for the Fine Print
Remember, MileagePlus miles are governed by United’s program rules, which explicitly say you can’t transfer, assign, or sell them outside of permitted use. It’s their sandbox, remember?
Still, United offers tons of ways to earn and use miles—including through credit cards, hotels, car rentals, and even cruises. But if your goal is to travel on partner airlines, booking with your miles directly via United is your best bet.
How Cash for My Miles Can Help
Now here’s the part you’ll love: if you’re feeling boxed in by all these limitations and just want to turn your United miles into something more flexible, we can help.
At Cash for My Miles, we make it easy for you to sell your United miles and get real value in return. Whether you’re frustrated by blackout dates, partner restrictions, or just want cold hard cash instead of flying to Timbuktu at 6 a.m., we’ve got you.
You won’t need to worry about figuring out how United miles can be transferred to other airlines, because we’ll help you unlock their worth right away.
You can’t directly transfer United miles to other airline programs, but thanks to Star Alliance and partner networks, you can still use them to fly all over the world. Want even more freedom? Let Cash for My Miles help you convert those miles into cash and ditch the airline gymnastics altogether.
Ready to fly smarter—or sell smarter? Visit CashForMyMiles.com today.
