Sharing your United MileagePlus miles with loved ones can be a thoughtful way to help them travel and experience new destinations. Whether it’s for a birthday, holiday, or just because, gifting miles can make a significant difference in someone’s travel plans. If you’re wondering, “How do I gift United miles to someone?”, you’re in the right place. This guide will walk you through the process of gifting United miles, making it easy to share your rewards.
Understanding United MileagePlus Gifting
United Airlines allows MileagePlus members to gift miles to other members through their online platform. This feature is perfect for those who have accumulated miles they may not use themselves and want to give the gift of travel. Before you proceed, it’s important to understand the key aspects of gifting United miles.
Who Can Gift and Receive Miles?
To gift miles, you need to be a United MileagePlus member with a valid account. The recipient must also be a MileagePlus member. If the person you want to gift miles to isn’t a member yet, they can easily sign up for free on the United Airlines website.
How to Gift United Miles: Step-by-Step
The process of gifting United miles is straightforward and can be completed online in a few simple steps:
- Visit the United MileagePlus Website: Go to the official United Airlines website and navigate to the MileagePlus section. Look for options related to “Use Miles” or “MileagePlus Programs.”
- Find the “Gift Miles” Option: Within the MileagePlus section, you should find an option to “Gift Miles” or “Transfer Miles.” United often uses “transfer miles” to refer to gifting, so look for either term.
- Enter Recipient’s Information: You will need to provide the recipient’s MileagePlus number and last name. Ensure you have this information correct to avoid any issues with the transfer.
- Specify the Number of Miles: Enter the number of miles you wish to gift. United usually has a minimum and maximum number of miles you can gift per transaction and per year. Be aware of these limits.
- Review and Pay Fees: Gifting miles usually involves a transaction fee and sometimes a per-mile fee. The exact fees can vary, so carefully review the total cost before proceeding. United will display these fees clearly before you finalize the transaction.
- Complete the Transaction: After reviewing the details and fees, proceed to the payment page to complete the transaction. You will typically need a credit card to pay for the gifting fees.
- Confirmation: Once the transaction is complete, both you and the recipient should receive a confirmation email. The gifted miles will usually appear in the recipient’s MileagePlus account shortly after.
Costs and Fees Associated with Gifting Miles
It’s crucial to be aware of the costs involved when gifting United miles. Typically, these costs include:
- Transaction Fee: A fixed fee per transaction, regardless of the number of miles gifted.
- Per-Mile Fee: A fee for each mile you gift. This is often a few cents per mile.
- Taxes: In some cases, taxes may be applicable to the transaction.
These fees can sometimes make gifting miles less economical than other options, especially for smaller amounts of miles. Always calculate the total cost to ensure it aligns with your budget and the value you want to provide.
Alternatives to Gifting Miles
If the fees for gifting miles seem too high, or if you are looking for other ways to share your miles, consider these alternatives:
- Booking Award Travel for Someone Else: You can use your miles to book a flight for someone else directly from your MileagePlus account. This way, you use your miles for their intended purpose – travel – without incurring gifting fees.
- MileagePlus Pooling (for Family Members): United offers a MileagePlus pooling option where family members can pool their miles together for free to reach award travel goals faster. This is ideal for close family travel planning.
- Consider a Credit Card that Allows Sharing Rewards: Some credit cards linked to airline miles allow you to transfer points to other loyalty programs or directly to other users without the fees associated with gifting miles directly through the airline.
Things to Consider Before Gifting United Miles
Before you decide to gift United miles, keep these points in mind:
- Mileage Expiration: Gifted miles typically follow the standard MileagePlus expiration policy, which means they can expire after a certain period of inactivity in the recipient’s account. Encourage the recipient to use the miles promptly or engage in qualifying activity to extend their validity.
- Fees vs. Value: Always compare the total cost of gifting miles (fees included) with the potential value the recipient will get from those miles. Sometimes, purchasing a ticket outright might be more cost-effective.
- Recipient’s Travel Plans: Consider if the recipient has immediate or near-future travel plans where they can effectively use the gifted miles. Miles are most valuable when used for flights, so ensure they align with the recipient’s needs.
Conclusion
Gifting United miles is a generous way to share the benefits of your MileagePlus rewards. By following these steps and considering the associated costs and alternatives, you can make an informed decision and bring joy to someone’s travel aspirations. Remember to always check the latest fee structure and policies on the United Airlines MileagePlus website before proceeding with a mile gifting transaction to ensure a smooth and beneficial experience for both you and the recipient.
