United miles can be redeemed for flights with United and their partners, car rentals, hotels, cruises, lounge access, and much more. United miles will have the best value when redeemed for award flights.
What's the value of United miles?
Based on our valuations, United miles are worth 1.3 cents each when used towards flights with United and their airline partners. This means 10,000 miles are worth $130 in flight value on average.
Here's our breakdown on United miles value:
| Redemption option | Redemption value in cents |
|---|---|
| Award Flights (Research/Sweet Spots) | 2 |
| Award Flights (Average) | 1.3 |
| Cruises | 0.78 |
| United Club Membership | 0.76 |
| Car Rentals | 0.75 |
| TSA PreCheck | 0.70 |
| Hotels | 0.68 |
| United Wi-Fi Subscription | 0.65 - 0.68 |
| Gift Cards | 0.30 |
United Flights
United miles will have the best value when redeemed towards flights with United Airlines and their airline partners. This will give you an average of 1.3 cents per mile meaning that 10,000 miles is worth around $130 in flight value.
Listed below are a few popular sweet spots when it comes to booking award flights with United Miles as well as some standard examples for redeeming miles for domestic and international travel.
- Fly United Polaris Business Class: If you're looking to redeem your miles directly with United, Polaris is a great option. One-way flights to Europe start at 60,000 miles. If you're trying to fly west, one-way flights to Asia starts at 70,000 United Miles.
- Fly From The U.S. To Europe On Lufthansa First Class: Lufthansa's first class sits high up on the list of top-rated first class products and you can obtain a seat for yourself starting at 110,000 Untied Miles for a one-way award flight.
- Fly From The U.S. To Europe In Economy: You can find higher-than-average value booking economy flights from the U.S. to Europe.
- United's Excursionist Perk: If you book a multi-city itinerary with three or more one-way awards, you will be eligible to receive one of those one-way awards for free as long as travel meets the rules.
Cruises
United miles can be used to book cruises through the United Cruises portal which will give you a value of around 0.78 cents per mile. It's possible to get slightly higher value when booking high-end rooms such as suites.
United Club Membership
United miles can be used to pay for United Club membership which gives you access to 45+ United Club locations worldwide as well as access to visit select partner lounges around the world. Both the individual member and couple membership will give you the same value of 0.76 cents per mile.
If you're really looking for lounge access, the better route to take is the United Club℠ Infinite Card which offers complimentary United Club Membership as it's primary perk (hence Club in the card's name). The card has a high annual fee, but the fee is lower than the $650 you'll have to dish out if you were to buy membership directly from United.
Car Rentals
You can rent cars with Hertz, Dollar, and Thrifty using United miles. This will give you an average value of about 0.75 cents per mile.
The higher redemption values for car rentals will come from booking the smaller vehicles with Hertz. You'll also receive additional benefits booking with Hertz as they are partnered with United.
TSA PreCheck
If you want to get through security slightly faster, you can redeem 11,000 United miles to pay for a TSA PreCheck application. New enrollment for TSA PreCheck will cost you $78, so you're looking at about 0.7 cents per mile in value.
Hotels
Hotels can be booked using United miles via the United portal. This will give your miles an average of about 0.68 cents per mile which is pretty low when compared to airfare redemptions.
United Wi-Fi
United Miles can be used to pay for a Wi-Fi subscription that you can use towards United flights. Depending on the subscription, this will give your miles an average of 0.65 to 0.68 cents per mile.
Gift Cards
United miles can be redeemed for gift cards which starts at 3,333 United miles for a $10 denomination. This is the worst redemption option for United miles.
Merchandise and Apple
United Miles can be used to redeem electronics, housewares, jewelery, and more through the MileagePlus Awards Shop. The value of these redemptions will vary, but you can search by how many miles you're willing to spend. If you have a low amount of United Miles sitting in the dark corners of your account, awards look to start at 3,000 United Miles.
United Miles can also be used to purchase Apple products such as a Macbook, iPad, iPhone, or iWatch.
Calculator: Convert United Miles To Dollars
Use the United Miles Value Calculator to determine the cash value of United miles for flights, gift cards, car rentals, and more. With this helpful tool, you'll be able to have a better understanding of the monetary value of your United miles!
United Miles Value Calculator
| Redemption | Estimated Value |
|---|---|
| Award Flights (Research/Sweet Spots) | $0+ |
| Award Flights (Average) | $0 |
| Cruises | $0 |
| United Club Membership | $0 |
| Car Rentals | $0 |
| TSA PreCheck | $0 |
| Hotels | $0 |
| United Wi-Fi Subscription | $0 - $0 |
| Gift Cards | $0 |
Calculator: Use United Miles or Pay Cash?
Is your United Miles redemption giving you the best bang for your buck? Use this calculator to figure out the value of a particular United Airlines redemption by inputting the cost in cash and in United Miles (plus taxes). With this calculator, you'll know if the redemption is the best option.
United miles value versus other airlines
Here's how the average value of United miles stack up against other airlines:
Best credit cards for earning United miles
The best credit card for earning United miles will be a Chase Ultimate Rewards credit card, Bilt Rewards credit card, or co-branded United credit card.
Chase Ultimate Rewards credit card
Chase Ultimate Rewards points can be transferred to United at a 1:1 rate. Every 1,000 Ultimate Rewards points you convert will give you 1,000 United miles.
Chase Ultimate Rewards is a fantastic program for earning rewards on dining and travel. On top of that, points earned with their cards can easily be redeemed for high travel through Chase Travel or by transferring to other partners.
Here are the Ultimate Rewards credit cards that allow you to transfer to United:
- Earn 10X points on hotels and car rentals booked through Chase Travel℠
- Earn 5X points on flights booked through Chase Travel℠
- Earn 3X points on travel worldwide and dining at restaurants
- Earn 1X points on all other purchases
- $300 statement credit for travel purchases charged to the card each anniversary year
- Complimentary Priority Pass Select membership
- Up to $100 towards a Global Entry, TSA PreCheck, or NEXUS application fee
- 50% boost to point value on travel booked through Chase Travel
- $550 annual fee
- Card Value & Chase Sapphire Reserve Points Calculator
- Earn 5X points on travel booked through Chase Travel℠
- Earn 3X points on dining, online grocery purchases, and on select streaming services
- Earn 2X points on other travel purchases
- Earn 1X points on all other purchases
- 25% boost to point value on travel booked through Chase Travel
- $50 credit every cardmember anniversary good towards hotel stays booked through Chase Travel
- 10% bonus points based on how much you spend the prior cardmember year
- $95 annual fee
- Card Value & Chase Sapphire Preferred Points Calculator
- Earn 3X points on the first $150,000 spent on travel and select business categories each account anniversary year
- Earn 1X points on all other purchases
- 25% boost to point value on travel booked through Chase Travel
- $95 annual fee
- Card Value & Chase Ink Preferred Points Calculator
Bilt Rewards credit card
Bilt Rewards points can be transferred to United at a 1:1 rate. Every 1,000 Bilt Rewards points you convert will give you 1,000 United miles.
Bilt Rewards is most known for being able to earn rewards points when paying your rent. You can use their credit card or bill pay program to pay rent and earn points with no transaction fee which is fantastic.
Here is the credit card that Bilt offers:
- Earn 3X points on dining.
- Earn 2X points on travel.
- Earn 1X points on rent payments, up to 100,000 points per year.
- Earn 1X points on all other purchases.
- Enjoy cell phone coverage and travel coverage including trip cancellation and interruption insurance.
- No annual fee and no foreign transaction fees.
- Card Value & Bilt Points Calculator
United credit cards
United offers a handful of co-branded credit cards through Chase that you can use to earn United miles through intro bonuses and everyday spend. If you fly United often, picking up one of their co-branded credit cards is a great route to take as you'll be able to enjoy great benefits.
Here are the credit cards that United offers:
- Earn 4 United miles per $1 spent with United Airlines
- Earn 2 United miles per $1 spent on dining and travel
- Earn 1 United mile per $1 spent on all other purchases
- Receive complimentary access to United Club locations and participating Star Alliance affiliated lounges around the world
- Receive the first and second checked bag free free of charge —a savings of up to $320 per roundtrip
- $525 annual fee
- Card Value & Rewards Calculator
- Earn 3X United miles on United® purchases
- Earn 2X United miles on dining including eligible delivery services, select streaming services, and all other travel
- Earn 1X United miles on all other purchases
- Receive $125 in statement credits annually as reimbursements towards United purchases charged to your card
- Automatically get 5,000 miles back in your MileagePlus account after you take a United or United Express-operated award flight booked with your miles
- $250 annual fee
- Card Value & Rewards Calculator
- Earn 2 United miles per $1 spent on hotel stays and United® purchases
- Earn 2 United miles per $1 spent on dining including eligible delivery services
- Earn 1 United mile per $1 spent on all other purchases
- Receive the first checked bag free for yourself and up to one companion traveling on the same reservation when you use your card to pay for the flight
- Every year, two United Club Passes will be deposited into your United MileagePlus account
- $0 the first year, then $95
- Card Value & Rewards Calculator
- Earn 2 United miles per $1 spent on United® purchases, at gas stations and on local transit and commuting
- Earn 1 United mile per $1 spent on all other purchases
- Receive a 25% discount in the form of a statement credit when you use your card to make purchases in-flight on United-operated flights
- $0 annual fee
- Card Value & Rewards Calculator
- Earn 2 United miles per $1 spent on United purchases
- Earn 2 United miles per $1 spent on restaurant, gas station, office supply store, and transit/commuting purchases
- Receive the first checked bag free for yourself and up to one companion traveling on the same reservation when you use your card to pay for the flight
- Every year, two United Club Passes will be deposited into your United MileagePlus account
- Every year that you use your card to make seven (7) United Flight purchases totaling $100 or more, you'll receive a $100 travel credit
- Receive 5,000 anniversary points if you also hold a personal/consumer United credit card
- $0 introductory annual fee for the first year, then $99.
- Card Value & Rewards Calculator
FAQs
How much are United Miles worth?
The Point Calculator values United Miles at 1.3 cents each, but they can be worth significantly more with a little research.
What can you use United Miles for?
United Miles can be used for award flights with United and other airline partners. They can also be redeemed towards car rentals, hotels, lounge access, gift cards, and much more.
How much is 5,000 United miles worth?
Based on our valuations, 5,000 United miles are worth $65 in flight value with United and their airline partners
How much is 10,000 United miles worth?
Based on our valuations, 10,000 United miles are worth $130 in flight value with United and their airline partners
How much is 15,000 United miles worth?
Based on our valuations, 15,000 United miles are worth $195 in flight value with United and their airline partners
How much is 20,000 United miles worth?
Based on our valuations, 20,000 United miles are worth $260 in flight value with United and their airline partners
How much is 25,000 United miles worth?
Based on our valuations, 25,000 United miles are worth $325 in flight value with United and their airline partners
How much is 30,000 United miles worth?
Based on our valuations, 30,000 United miles are worth $390 in flight value with United and their airline partners
How much is 50,000 United miles worth?
Based on our valuations, 50,000 United miles are worth $650 in flight value with United and their airline partners
How much is 60,000 United miles worth?
Based on our valuations, 60,000 United miles are worth $780 in flight value with United and their airline partners
How much is 70,000 United miles worth?
Based on our valuations, 70,000 United miles are worth $910 in flight value with United and their airline partners
How much is 75,000 United miles worth?
Based on our valuations, 75,000 United miles are worth $975 in flight value with United and their airline partners
How much is 80,000 United miles worth?
Based on our valuations, 80,000 United miles are worth $1,040 in flight value with United and their airline partners
How much is 100,000 United miles worth?
Based on our valuations, 100,000 United miles are worth $1,300 in flight value with United and their airline partners
How much is 200,000 United miles worth?
Based on our valuations, 200,000 United miles are worth $2,600 in flight value with United and their airline partners
How much is 300,000 United miles worth?
Based on our valuations, 300,000 United miles are worth $3,900 in flight value with United and their airline partners
We've run the calculations and checked them twice — here are the credit cards that consistently provide outstanding value to our users:
- Best flexible travel card: Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card
- Best overall value year after year: Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
- Best for high cash back: Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express
- Best for lounge access & luxury travel: The Platinum Card® from American Express
- Best for business travel rewards: Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card
- Best for heavy business spend: Capital One Spark Cash Plus
