How to Use US Air Miles to Get a United Airline Flight
Mileage Plus, United Airlines' frequent flyer program, allows traveling patrons to redeem their air miles for free flights. Aside from award travel using Mileage Plus, members can also redeem other rewards such as free magazine subscriptions, car rentals, hotel stays and merchandise items. They can even donate their miles to charity organizations such as the American Red Cross. Mileage Plus allows members to choose from flights available on United Airlines, Star Alliance Airlines and other partner airlines.
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Things You'll Need
- Mileage Plus username and password for online account
- Available miles
- Travel schedule and destination
- Money (if using an award travel ticket that requires combining miles and cash)
Instructions
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Log in to your Mileage Plus account at United.com using your username and password to start booking your intended flight with your available air miles.
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Check the number of miles you have, and then compare it with the required number of miles for the ticket for your intended travel destination. Use the award chart found in the applicable link in your online account as a guide. Generally, Mileage Plus members can use their miles any time as no blackout dates are imposed on award travels in various destinations.
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Decide how much miles you want to use for your intended award travel ticket. You can choose to pay for the entire trip with your available air miles or a combination of miles and money. To save on miles, you can set a priority for getting an United Saver/Star Alliance Award ticket. However, capacity control restrictions apply for this type of award. Since ticket allotment per flight is limited, booking a flight earlier is advantageous so you have a better chance of getting a ticket for your preferred flight destination and date. If no available United Saver/Star Alliance Award ticket is available for your preferred flight, you may get the Standard Award ticket as capacity control restrictions do not apply on this type of award.
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Choose the flight you want and the number of miles you want to use in your account. Enter your credit card details in the space provided, in case you choose to use a combination of miles and money for your intended flight ticket. Click the confirmation button and wait for the confirmation-acknowledgment page to appear.
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Print or save the confirmation-acknowledgment receipt in your computer for reference.
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Tips & Warnings
Mileage Plus members can also use their air miles to upgrade their flight tickets.
Other airline members of Star Alliance may allow passengers to receive Mileage Plus credits. Rules for mileage credits vary from one airline to another. Crediting air miles generally depends on the partner airlines' approved booking classes allowing mileage credits.
Although making changes in award tickets is permitted, a service charge may apply for specific changes.
Aside from online booking, you may also book your award travel ticket by calling the United Reservations number at 1-888-674-4680. However, this assesses a nonrefundable $25 fee (as of January 2011) per ticket handling. For tickets issued at a United ticket counter, a $30 fee is also required for such transaction.
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