Quick Overview
- United miles can be purchased directly through their Buy Points portal to top off your account.
- United miles are priced at 3.5 cents per mile plus a 7.5% Tax Recovery Fee.
- You can buy as few as 2,000 miles for $70 (plus tax) and up to 200,000 miles for $7,000 (plus tax).
- You can purchase up to 200,000 United miles per calendar year, and any bonus miles count toward this annual limit.
- Buying United miles can be worthwhile if you're just short of a redemption or can get more value from an award than the purchase cost.
- United frequently offers miles sales throughout the year, making those times the best opportunity to buy.
Use our Buy United Miles calculator to find out how much it will cost you to buy United miles at the base rate. You can check the United's buy miles portal to see if there is an active promotion.
How much do United miles cost?
United Miles cost 3.5 cents per mile, plus a 7.5% tax recovery fee, totaling approximately 3.76 cents per mile.
| Miles Purchased | Cost Per Mile |
|---|---|
| 2,000 - 200,000 Miles | 3.5 Cents |
How many United miles can you buy?
You can buy between 2,000 and 200,000 United Miles per transaction, with prices ranging from $70 for 2,000 miles to $7,000 for 200,000 miles. The maximum purchase limit is 200,000 miles per calendar year.
| Base Cost Per Mile | 3.5 Cents |
|---|---|
| Taxes? | 7.5% Tax Recovery Fee. GST/HST is charged to Canadian residents. |
| Min Purchase Per Transaction | 2,000 Miles |
| Max Purchase Per Transaction | 200,000 Miles |
| Max Purchase Limit Per Calendar Year | 200,000 Miles |
Do note that purchasing United Miles do not count towards elite status requirements and bonus miles earned during promotions counts towards the annual limit.
Buy United miles calculator
Use our Buy United Miles Calculator to find the cost of purchasing United Miles at the standard rate of 3.5 cents per mile, plus tax. Keep in mind that United Miles prices can vary, so double-check the current rate on the United website before completing your purchase.
Calculator: How much will it cost you to buy United miles?
| Cost of Miles | $0 |
| 7.5% Tax Recover Fee | $0 |
| Total Cost | $0 |
How to buy United miles
- Head over to United's Buy Miles page.
- Log into your United MileagePlus account.
- Select how many United Miles you want to purchase.
- Enter your payment information.
- Review the purchase details and agree to the terms and conditions.
- Click Purchase Now.
United Miles will usually post to your account immediately, but it can take up to 48 hours.
FAQs
How much does it cost to buy United Miles?
United Miles cost 3.75 cents per mile, plus a 7.5% tax recovery fee.
How many United Miles can you buy?
You can buy up to 200,000 United Miles per calendar year, with a maximum of 200,000 miles per transaction.
How do you buy United Miles?
You can buy United Miles through the Buy Miles portal on United's website. Simply visit the portal, choose the number of miles you want, and complete your purchase.
Is it worthwhile to buy United miles?
Buying United miles can be worthwhile if you're close to a redemption or if you can use them for a higher-value booking than the purchase cost.
How much does 10,000 United miles cost?
10,000 United miles cost $350, plus $26.25 in taxes, totaling $376.25.
How much does 20,000 United miles cost?
20,000 United miles cost $700, plus $52.50 in taxes, totaling $752.50.
How much does 50,000 United miles cost?
50,000 United miles cost $1,750, plus $131.25 in taxes, totaling $1,881.25.
How much does 100,000 United miles cost?
100,000 United miles cost $3,500, plus $262.50 in taxes, totaling $3,762.50.
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- Best flexible travel card: Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card
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- Best for high cash back: Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express
- Best for foodies: American Express® Gold Card
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- Best for heavy business spenders: Capital One Spark Cash Plus
