United Airlines miles’ current value is approximately 1.3 cents per mile. However, it can be increased or decreased based on redemption. Some itineraries, travel dates, and routes may offer exceptional United Airlines miles worth, while others may not be as rewarding. United miles can be redeemed not only for flight bookings with United Airlines but also with its partner airlines. Additionally, these miles can be used for car rentals, hotel stays, cruises, United Club lounge access, and various other travel-related services.
How to Calculate United Airlines Miles Worth?
Calculating the value of United miles helps travelers to determine whether a redemption offers good value. The approximate value is 1.3 cents per mile. If the calculated value is higher, it is a good use of miles. However, if the value is low, in that case, paying cash is a good option. To calculate the United miles’ worth, use the basic formula:
Value per Mile = Cash Price of Ticket−Taxes and Fees/number of miles required
For example:
A Passenger has booked his ticket for $320.
Extra taxes and fees on the ticket are $5.60.
Required miles are 25000.
The value per mile would be: 320-5.60/25000= 0.012576 cents
The United Mile worth is 1.26 cents, which is close to the average value of United miles (approximately 1.3 cents per mile).
What are United Miles Worth in Dollars?
| No. of United Miles | Value (In Cash) |
|---|---|
| 1 mile | $0.13 |
| 1000 miles | $13 |
| 1500 miles | $19.5 |
| 2000 miles | $26 |
| 2500 miles | $32.5 |
| 3000 miles | $39 |
| 3500 miles | $45.5 |
| 4000 miles | $52 |
| 5000 miles | $65 |
| 7500 miles | $97.5 |
| 9000 miles | $117 |
| 12000 miles | $156 |
| 13000 miles | $169 |
| 14000 miles | $182 |
| 15000 miles | $195 |
| 16000 miles | $208 |
| 17000 miles | $221 |
| 18000 miles | $234 |
| 20000 miles | $260 |
| 24000 miles | $312 |
| 25000 miles | $325 |
| 30000 miles | $390 |
| 40000 miles | $520 |
| 50000 miles | $650 |
| 55000 miles | $715 |
| 60000 miles | $780 |
| 65000 miles | $845 |
| 70000 miles | $910 |
| 80000 miles | $1,040 |
| 85000 miles | $1,105 |
| 90000 miles | $1,170 |
| 100000 miles | $1300 |
| 120000 miles | $1,560 |
| 200000 miles | $2,600 |
| 250000 miles | $3,250 |
| 300000 miles | $3,900 |
| 5000000 miles | $6,500 |
Comparing United Miles and Other Airlines’ Rewards Miles
Passengers can use United miles to book other partner flights as well. However, the value of miles from other frequent flyer programs can vary depending on when and how the miles are redeemed. Understanding these differences is especially useful when evaluating airline credit cards and deciding which loyalty programs offer the most valuable rewards.
| Airlines | Cent/mile |
|---|---|
| Alaska Airlines | 1.3 |
| American Airlines | 1.6 |
| Delta Airlines | 1.2 |
| Frontier Airlines | 1.5 |
| Hawaiian Airlines | 1 |
| JetBlue Airlines | 1.5 |
| Southwest Airlines | 1.5 |
| United Airlines | 1.2 |
What is The Best Time to Redeem United Miles?
United Airlines miles worth tends to maintain consistently throughout the year, regardless of the booking window or season. However, it is best to redeem the United miles:
- During holiday seasons
- 180 days in advance
- Just a few weeks (around 15 days) before departure
United Miles Redemptions Options
United MileagePlus members have access to various redemption options, each offering different values per mile. On average, non-flight redemptions give between 0.30 and 0.78 cents per mile, which is typically lower than the value received when redeeming miles for flight bookings. The table below provides a detailed breakdown of the estimated United miles worth for different redemption plans.
| Redemption Options | United Miles Value in Cents |
|---|---|
| Award Flight | 1.3 (Approximately) |
| Cruises | 0.78 |
| United Club Membership | 0.76 |
| Car Rental | 0.75 |
| TSA PreCheck | 0.7 |
| Hotels | 0.68 |
| Gift Cards | 0.3 |
Is Buying Miles on United worth it?
Buying United miles is not worth it, because the cost per mile when purchasing is usually higher than the value travellers get when redeeming them, which means passengers are likely overpaying unless they use them strategically. Instead of purchasing extra miles, one can easily earn United miles by:
- Using the United credit cards
- Booking a ticket with a United MileagePlus number
- Using United Mileage Plus dining options
- Shopping through the United MileagePlus shopping portal
- Booking a hotel and a car with United partners
However, buying miles can be worthwhile in very specific situations, such as:
- Topping off the account
- Flash sales or promotions
- Premium cabin redemption
- Short-haul flight
- Multi-city itineraries
Wrapping Up!
Current United Airlines miles are worth approximately 1.3 cents per mile, which is variable based on redemption. Travelers can significantly increase the value of their United miles by conducting thorough research, strategically targeting partner airline redemptions, utilizing the Excursionist Perk, and booking business-class flights when possible. On the other hand, careless or uninformed redemptions can lead to much lower value. Similar to cash, United miles have pros and cons. Therefore, it is essential to plan redemptions wisely to maximize their worth.
Frequently Asked Questions(FAQs)
United MileagePlus miles are generally worth around 1.3 cents per mile.
1,000 United miles are worth about $13, which is approximately 1.2 cents per mile.
100,000 United miles are worth approximately $1,300.
3,500 United miles are generally valued at approximately $45.5.
When redeemed efficiently, 50,000 United miles can be worth around $650.
The estimated value of 70,000 United miles comes out to about $910.
A total of 10,000 United miles is often equivalent to about $130 in travel rewards.
Travelers holding 30,000 United miles can usually redeem them for roughly $390.
5,000 United miles translates to an estimated value of $65.
A MileagePlus member with 50,000 miles would have a redemption value near $600.
1,000 United miles are generally worth around $12.
In most cases, 80,000 miles with United Airlines are worth close to $1,040.
60,000 United miles are commonly valued at approximately $720
Buying United miles is not worth it until you top off the account.
No, United miles don’t expire as long as the account remains active.
You can book a free flight with as few as 7,300 miles, depending on route and availability.
Leave a Reply