You can purchase United miles directly from United Airlines, and some United credit cards offer bonus miles or discounts when you buy
United Airlines sells miles through its MileagePlus program, and the purchase process is straightforward: you go to United's website, log into your MileagePlus account, select how many miles you want, and pay by credit card. The price per mile varies depending on how many you buy at once — buying in larger quantities usually costs less per mile. Some United credit cards, particularly the United Club Infinite Card and the United Business Infinite Card, offer discounts on mile purchases or bonus miles as a cardholder benefit.
The miles land in your account within 24 hours. You can then use them to book flights, upgrade cabin classes, or transfer them to United's partner airlines. There is no expiration date on miles as long as your account has activity at least once every 18 months — which includes earning, redeeming, or even just logging in.
Key Takeaways
- United miles are purchased directly through the MileagePlus website by logging in and selecting your desired quantity.
- The cost per mile decreases when you buy larger quantities, so buying 10,000 miles at once costs less per mile than buying 1,000.
- Some United credit cards offer discounts on mile purchases or bonus miles as a cardholder benefit, which can reduce your total cost.
- Miles appear in your account within 24 hours and do not expire as long as your account has at least one activity every 18 months.
How to purchase miles on the United website
Start by visiting United's MileagePlus website and signing into your account. If you do not have a MileagePlus account, you will need to create one first — this takes about five minutes and requires your name, email, date of birth, and a password. Once you are logged in, look for the "Buy Miles" option, which is usually found in the account menu or under the "Earn" section.
Select the number of miles you want to purchase. United typically offers preset packages (such as 5,000, 10,000, 25,000, or 50,000 miles), though you may also be able to enter a custom amount. The website will show you the total cost before you confirm. Enter your credit card information and complete the purchase. You will receive a confirmation email when ready, and the miles will post to your account within 24 hours.
Understanding the pricing structure for mile purchases
United does not publish a fixed price per mile. Instead, the cost varies based on the package size you choose. Generally, buying 50,000 miles at once costs less per mile than buying 5,000 miles. The exact price changes periodically and may vary based on promotions or demand.
Before you buy, compare the per-mile cost across different package sizes. If you are considering a purchase, check whether a larger package offers better value even if you do not need all those miles when ready — miles do not expire as long as your account stays active, so banking extra miles for a future trip can make sense.
Credit card discounts and bonuses on mile purchases
The United Club Infinite Card and United Business Infinite Card both offer a discount on mile purchases — typically 10 to 15 percent off the standard price. This benefit applies only to miles you purchase directly; it does not explore to miles earned through credit card sign-up bonuses or spending. If you hold one of these cards, the discount is automatically applied when you buy miles through your MileagePlus account.
Some United cards also offer periodic bonus mile promotions, where cardholders can earn extra miles on a mile purchase during a specific window. These promotions are announced to cardholders via email or appear in your account dashboard. Check your card's benefits guide or log into your account to see whether any current promotions explore to you.
When it makes sense to purchase miles
Buying miles is most useful when you are close to the mileage threshold for a flight you want but do not have enough miles to book it. For example, if a flight costs 25,000 miles and you have 20,000, purchasing 5,000 miles may be cheaper than paying cash for the ticket — though you should compare the mile purchase cost to the actual ticket price first.
Mile purchases can also make sense if you are a frequent United traveler and want to top up your account before a major trip. Because miles do not expire, you can buy them during promotional pricing periods and hold them for future use. However, if you are not a regular United flyer, earning miles through credit card sign-up bonuses or everyday spending is usually more cost-effective than purchasing them outright.
How to use your purchased miles
Once miles are in your account, you can use them to book flights on United or its partner airlines through the MileagePlus website. Log into your account, select "Book with Miles," and search for your desired flight. You can also use miles to upgrade an existing ticket from economy to business or first class, or to purchase additional baggage allowance or seat selections.
Miles can also be transferred to United's partner frequent flyer programs, though this is usually less valuable than redeeming them for flights. If you transfer miles to a partner program, you cannot transfer them back to United, so make sure a transfer makes sense for your travel plans before you proceed.
Keeping your miles active and avoiding expiration
United miles do not expire as long as your MileagePlus account has activity at least once every 18 months. Activity includes earning miles, redeeming miles, transferring miles, or even just logging into your account. If your account goes inactive for 18 months or longer, your miles will expire, though you may be able to reactivate them by contacting United.
If you purchase miles and then do not use them for a long time, make sure to log into your account periodically to keep the account active. You can also set a calendar reminder for every 12 months to log in and check your balance, which ensures your miles stay valid.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I buy miles as a gift for someone else?
United does not allow you to purchase miles directly into another person's account. However, you can purchase miles into your own account and then transfer them to a family member or friend's MileagePlus account. Transfers are free and take about 24 hours to process.
What happens if I buy miles and then find a cheaper flight?
If you purchase miles and then discover a lower-priced flight or a better deal, you can cancel the mile purchase within a certain timeframe and request a refund. Contact United customer service to ask about their refund policy for mile purchases, as the window for refunds may be limited.
Is there a limit to how many miles I can purchase at once?
United does not publish a specific maximum for mile purchases in a single transaction. However, if you are buying a very large quantity, you may want to contact United customer service to confirm the purchase can be processed, as extremely large transactions may require additional verification.
Do I pay taxes on purchased miles?
No, you do not pay sales tax on mile purchases. However, if you redeem miles for a flight, you are responsible for paying taxes and fees on that flight, which are added to the mile cost at booking.
Can I use a debit card to purchase miles?
United accepts major credit cards for mile purchases. Debit cards may work depending on your bank and whether they are processed as credit transactions, but credit cards are the standard payment method. Contact United if you have questions about payment options.