United Airlines is offering a tiered miles bonus of up to 100% on purchased miles. The bonus amount depends on the number of miles bought, with higher tiers receiving the maximum bonus. Consider if the purchase aligns with your redemption goals, factoring in the price per mile and alternative earn strategies. Evaluate whether this promotion is worthwhile before participating.
Understanding the Bonus Structure
The bonus miles you receive depend on the number of miles you purchase. Generally, the more miles you buy, the higher the bonus percentage. United often tailors these offers, so the exact structure may vary from member to member. It's crucial to log in to your MileagePlus account and check the specific offer available to you.
While the exact structure varies, here’s a hypothetical example of how the bonus might be tiered:
Miles Purchased |
Bonus Percentage |
Total Miles Received |
|---|
2,000 - 4,000 |
30% |
2,600 - 5,200 |
5,000 - 14,000 |
60% |
8,000 - 22,400 |
15,000 - 60,000 |
100% |
30,000 - 120,000 |
As you can see, purchasing between 15,000 and 60,000 miles in this scenario would net you a 100% bonus, effectively doubling your MileagePlus miles. Remember, this is just an example; your individual offer may differ.
Is Buying Miles Worth It? Factors to Consider
The big question is: should you take advantage of this United miles bonus? The answer depends on your individual circumstances. Here are several factors to consider:
Your Redemption Goals: What are you hoping to redeem your miles for? Are you eyeing a specific award flight or a particular class of service? If you have a well-defined redemption goal, it's easier to determine if buying miles makes sense.
Award Availability: Check for award availability on your desired flights before purchasing miles. There's no point in buying miles if you can't actually use them for your intended travel dates. Look for saver award availability, which offers the best value for your miles.
Cost Per Mile (CPM): Calculate the cost per mile (CPM) after factoring in the bonus. Divide the total cost of the miles purchased by the total number of miles received (including the bonus). Aim for a CPM that's lower than the value you expect to get from redeeming the miles.
Alternatives: Are there other ways to earn the miles you need, such as through credit card spending, flying on United or partner airlines, or transferring points from other programs? Explore these options before resorting to buying miles.
Expiration Policy: United MileagePlus miles do not expire as long as you have qualifying activity in your account every 18 months. Qualifying activity includes earning or redeeming miles.
Calculating the Cost Per Mile
Let's say you're offered a 100% bonus and you decide to buy 30,000 miles for $1,050. With the bonus, you'll receive a total of 60,000 miles. To calculate the CPM, divide $1,050 by 60,000, which gives you a CPM of approximately 1.75 cents per mile. This is just an example, and the exact cost may vary.
When Buying Miles Makes Sense
Here are a few scenarios where buying bonus United miles might be a good idea:
Topping Off an Account: If you're just a few thousand miles short of an award, buying miles can be a quick and easy way to bridge the gap.
Premium Cabin Redemptions: Redeeming miles for business or first-class flights can offer excellent value, often exceeding the cost of buying the miles, especially with a significant bonus.
Specific Award Opportunities: Sometimes, you might find a specific award redemption that offers exceptional value, making it worthwhile to buy miles to secure it.
Potential Drawbacks
While buying United miles can be beneficial, it's important to be aware of the potential downsides:
Devaluation Risk: Airline programs can devalue their miles, meaning you'll need more miles to redeem for the same award in the future.
Award Availability Limitations: Award availability can be limited, especially during peak travel times.
Opportunity Cost: The money you spend on miles could be used for other travel expenses or investments.
Key Takeaways
Before you buy United MileagePlus miles with a bonus, carefully consider your redemption goals, calculate the cost per mile, and explore alternative ways to earn miles. If you have a specific award in mind and the numbers work in your favor, this promotion can be a valuable opportunity to save money on premium travel. Always remember to check the terms and conditions of the offer before making a purchase. Don’t purchase miles speculatively. Have a plan to use them.
