Imagine: your cousin is just a few thousand miles short of scoring a dream getaway, and you’re sitting on a modest stash of United miles. The logical thought? Why not just transfer them over? Simple, right?
Because all things in aviation appear too good to be accurate, somehow and somewhere, there are hidden charges, fine lines, and challenges hidden by the small print. If you think about transferring miles to another person or family, you’ve come to the right spot for this service and the cost — whether there may be a fun hack or two and whether this Favor should be of help to you.
Can You Transfer United Miles to Someone Else?
Yes, you can transfer United MileagePlus miles to another person, but it’s not exactly a “freebie” from the friendly skies. United lets you move miles from one MileagePlus account to another — as long as both people are members. But before you start generously sending miles like it’s your birthday, make sure you understand what it’ll cost.
How Much Does It Cost to Transfer United Miles to Another Person?
Ah, the million-mile question. Here’s the math:
- $7.50 per 500 miles transferred (which is 1.5 cents per mile)
- $30 processing fee per transaction
So, if you wanted to transfer 10,000 miles to a friend or family member, you’d be shelling out $180. That’s not exactly loose change, especially since you’re not buying new miles — you’re just moving what you already earned.
You can transfer anywhere from 500 to 100,000 miles per calendar year, and the increments go like this:
- 500–5,000 miles (increments of 500)
- 5,000–100,000 miles (increments of 1,000)
Also, you can only send and receive up to 100,000 miles each year per account. So if you were hoping to become the Oprah of MileagePlus — “You get miles, and you get miles!” — you’ll need to pace yourself.
When Promotions Make Transfers Slightly Less Painful
Every now and then, United throws a bone to its members — like waiving the $30 processing fee or offering a 20% discount on transfer rates.
For example, during a recent promo:
- Instead of paying 1.5 cents per mile, the rate dropped to 1.2 cents.
- Transferring 500 miles costs just $6 (instead of $37.50 with the fee).
Still, even with a discount, you’re paying for the privilege of giving your miles away. It’s kind of like tipping a friend for borrowing your lawnmower. Nice gesture? Sure. Necessary? Not really.
Is It Ever Worth Transferring United Miles?
Let’s be real: in most cases, no. Transferring miles at full cost is rarely a good deal unless:
- You’re combining a small leftover balance into one main account.
- You’re helping someone complete a redemption that’s about to disappear.
- There’s a promotion running that reduces the cost significantly.
Remember — you’re not getting extra miles here. You’re just paying a fee to move them around. It’s the airline equivalent of hiring movers to carry your stuff across the street.
Smart Alternatives to Transferring Miles
If you’re still on the fence about whether it’s worth it, here are a few better options:
1. Book the Flight for Them
The easiest workaround? Just use your miles to book the award ticket in their name. United doesn’t charge any extra fees for booking a flight for someone else — and you skip the transfer costs completely.
Just make sure to use their legal name and date of birth (airlines love ID checks more than TSA loves confiscating water bottles).
2. Buy United Miles During a Promotion
If the other person needs miles fast, buying them during a promo is often better. United occasionally sells miles for around 1.88 cents each — which isn’t cheap, but at least they’re getting new miles for their money.
3. Transfer from a Partner Program
Programs like Chase Ultimate Rewards or Marriott Bonvoy allow points to be transferred into United miles. In some cases, Bonvoy lets members transfer up to 50,000 points/year to another person for just $10 — way cheaper than United’s fees.
If you’re feeling clever (or just frugal), this can be a game-changer.
How to Transfer United Miles: Step-by-Step
Still want to go through with the transfer? Here’s how:
- Head to Buy or Transfer Miles
- Log in to your MileagePlus account.
- Select “Transfer Miles.”
- Fill out the form with the sender and recipient info.
- Choose the number of miles.
- Pay the fee (deep breaths).
- Click submit — miles usually appear instantly but can take up to 24 hours.
All transfers are non-refundable — no takebacks.
When in Doubt, Book Don’t Transfer
Now that you know exactly how much it costs to transfer United miles to another person, you probably realize it’s not the most budget-friendly move. Sure, it’s fast and easy — but so is paying full price for airport snacks, and we all know how that feels.
Unless you’re dealing with a very specific situation — like consolidating accounts or topping off for an award flight — booking the flight directly for someone or using partner transfers is usually smarter.
Don’t Just Move Your Miles — Monetize Them
If you’re not planning to use your miles anytime soon and you’re debating whether to transfer or let them sit idle, consider this: You can turn them into real money.
You can sell airline mileage quickly and securely with Cash For My Miles. Whether you’re looking to cash out United miles or sell Delta SkyMiles or American Airlines miles, we make it easy. Our process is fast and safe and pays out instantly — no transfer fees are required.
