By Dayo Ade Olusola |M10news Travel| 29 July 2025
United Airlines has quietly become one of the most valuable players in the global travel rewards game – and if you collect credit card points, there’s a good chance you’re already benefiting from it.
Thanks to key partnerships with major financial platforms including Chase, Bilt Rewards, and Marriott Bonvoy, United’s MileagePlus loyalty scheme is now one of the most versatile ways to book flights using points.
But it’s not just about booking United flights. Those miles can unlock business class seats on Singapore Airlines, flights to Europe with Lufthansa, or even island hops across the Pacific — all at a fraction of the cost, and often with no added fuel surcharges.
How the Points Transfer Works
If you’ve got credit card points sitting in your account, certain banks will let you transfer them directly to United MileagePlus.
The most popular option? Chase Ultimate Rewards. If you have a Chase Sapphire Preferred or Chase Sapphire Reserve card, you can transfer your points to United instantly at a 1:1 ratio. That means 50,000 Chase points equals 50,000 United miles — simple.
Bilt Rewards, the relatively new program that lets you earn points by paying rent, also transfers to United. And it’s catching on quickly, especially among younger renters in big cities.
Even Marriott Bonvoy lets you convert hotel points into United miles, although the rate is much less favourable at 3:1. That said, if you have 60,000 Marriott points lying around, you’ll get 20,000 miles — plus a 5,000-mile bonus.
Where Can You Fly? Just About Everywhere
United’s Star Alliance membership gives you access to more than two dozen partner airlines. This means your points can be used to book flights with:
- Lufthansa (Germany)
- ANA (Japan)
- Turkish Airlines
- Swiss International Air Lines
- Air Canada
- …and many more.
Even airlines outside the Star Alliance, like Aer Lingus and Hawaiian Airlines, are available through MileagePlus.
That opens the door to global travel — whether it’s a safari in Nairobi or a skiing trip to the Swiss Alps — using nothing more than your accumulated credit card rewards.
A Hidden Gem: United’s Free Flight Perks
One of United’s best-kept secrets is the “Excursionist Perk.” It gives you a free one-way flight within a single region — as long as your trip starts and ends in the same area.
So, for example, if you’re flying from London to Tokyo (via United partners), you can add a free Tokyo–Osaka leg to your itinerary — for no extra miles.
It’s a clever trick that travel insiders have been quietly using for years.
What’s the Catch?
United doesn’t use a fixed award chart anymore. That means mileage prices can vary depending on demand. Booking far in advance gives you the best chance to grab low-cost award seats — especially in premium cabins.
And while Chase and Bilt transfers are instant, Marriott transfers can take a few days. That could cost you availability if you wait too long.
Real-World Example: Business Class to Europe
Let’s say you want to fly from New York to Frankfurt in business class on Lufthansa. That seat normally costs over $3,000. But with United miles, you could book it for about 77,000 miles + $5.60 in fees.
That’s a value of more than four cents per mile — far better than what you’d get cashing those points in for gift cards or online shopping.
Final Thoughts: Is It Worth It?
Absolutely — if you’re smart about how you use your points.
United may not always have the flashiest offerings, but its network, transfer partnerships, and flexible booking options make it one of the most reliable and valuable airlines for frequent flyers and savvy points users.
So if you’re sitting on Chase points or earning Bilt rewards by paying rent, you may already have your next flight halfway covered — and not even realize it.
