You can transfer points from most airline and travel credit cards directly to United Airlines, but the process and value depend on which card you hold

If you have a credit card that earns points or miles, you may be able to move those points into your United Airlines MileagePlus account. The card issuer — usually Chase, American Express, or Citi — runs the transfer, not United. The transfer itself is free and usually takes between one and five business days. However, not every card that earns travel points can transfer to United, and the exchange rate (how many points you need to send to get one mile) varies by card and by issuer.

The most common cards that transfer to United are Chase cards, particularly the United Explorer Card and the United Business Card. American Express Platinum and some Amex business cards also transfer to United. Citi Prestige and a few other Citi cards offer transfers as well. If you have a card from a different issuer or a card that earns generic "points" rather than airline miles, you may not have this option — you would need to check your card's terms or call the issuer to confirm.

Key Takeaways

  • Most transfers to United happen through your credit card issuer's online portal or mobile app, not through United's website.
  • Chase cards typically transfer at a 1:1 ratio (one point equals one mile), while American Express and Citi cards may have different rates depending on the specific card.
  • The transfer is free and usually completes within one to five business days, though some issuers process transfers when ready.
  • You must have an active MileagePlus account and know your United frequent flyer number before you start the transfer.
  • Some cards offer transfer bonuses during promotional periods, meaning you get extra miles for every point you transfer — check your card's current offers before moving points.

How to transfer points through your credit card issuer's website

Log into your credit card account on your issuer's website or app. Look for a section labeled "Rewards," "Points," "Transfer," or "Redeem." The exact name varies by issuer. Once you find it, you should see an option to transfer points to a partner program. Select United Airlines or MileagePlus from the list of partners.

Enter the number of points you want to transfer. The issuer will show you how many United miles you will receive based on that card's transfer rate. Enter your MileagePlus account number — you can find this on your United frequent flyer card, in the MileagePlus app, or by logging into your United account online. Confirm the transfer. Most issuers will send you a confirmation email when ready, and the miles will appear in your MileagePlus account within one to five business days.

If you cannot find the transfer option on the website, call the customer service number on the back of your card. The issuer can walk you through the process or complete the transfer over the phone. Some issuers also allow transfers through their mobile app, which is often faster than the website.

Understanding transfer rates and bonuses

The transfer rate is how many of your credit card points equal one United mile. Most Chase cards transfer at 1:1 — meaning 10,000 points become 10,000 miles. American Express Platinum transfers at 1:1 as well, but some other Amex cards may have different rates. Citi cards vary; check your specific card's terms to confirm the rate.

Many cards offer transfer bonuses during certain times of the year. A bonus might look like "Earn 25% extra miles on all transfers through the end of the month." If you transfer 10,000 points with a 25% bonus, you would receive 12,500 miles instead of 10,000. These bonuses are temporary and change frequently, so check your card issuer's website or app before you transfer. The bonus offer is usually displayed prominently in the rewards section.

Transfer bonuses are one of the reasons it can be worth holding points in your credit card account rather than when ready moving them to United. If you are not in a rush to use the miles, waiting for a bonus period can give you significantly more value.

What to do if your card does not transfer to United

If your card earns generic points (sometimes called "Ultimate Rewards," "Membership Rewards," or "ThankYou Points") but does not transfer to airlines, you have other options. Some issuers let you convert points to cash back, statement credits, or gift cards instead. You could also check whether your card transfers to a different airline and whether that airline has a partnership with United that lets you book United flights using their miles.

Another option is to look at your card's redemption rate for United flights booked directly through the card issuer's travel portal. Some cards let you redeem points for travel at a fixed rate — for example, 1 point per $0.01 of travel value. This is often less valuable than a direct transfer, but it may be your only option if transfers are not available.

If you are considering switching to a card that does transfer to United, compare the annual fee, sign-up bonus, and ongoing rewards rate against what you currently earn. A card with a higher annual fee might still be worth it if the transfer option and sign-up bonus give you enough extra miles to offset the cost.

Timing your transfer to maximize value

Before you transfer, think about when you plan to use the miles. United miles are most valuable when you redeem them for flights that would otherwise cost a lot in cash — typically long-haul international flights or peak-season domestic flights. If you know you want to book a specific flight in three months, transferring now gives you time to accumulate the miles and book before the flight fills up.

However, if you are not sure when you will travel, holding the points in your credit card account is often safer. Credit card points do not expire as long as your account remains open and in good standing. United miles, by contrast, can expire if your MileagePlus account has no activity for 18 months. If you transfer miles and then do not use them for a year and a half, they disappear. Keeping points in your card account until you have a specific trip in mind reduces this risk.

Check whether United is running any promotions that increase the value of miles during a particular period. For example, United occasionally offers "double miles" on certain routes or "bonus miles" for booking through their website. If a promotion is active, it might be worth transferring and booking sooner rather than waiting.

Combining transfers with other ways to earn United miles

Transferring credit card points is one way to build your United balance, but you can also earn miles by flying United, staying at United partner hotels, renting cars through United partners, or shopping through the United shopping portal. Some people combine all these methods to reach a specific mile goal faster.

If you are working toward a particular redemption — say, a business-class flight to Europe that costs 120,000 miles — you might transfer 80,000 points from your credit card and then earn the remaining 40,000 through flights and shopping over the next few months. This approach lets you use your credit card points strategically while also earning miles through your regular travel and spending.

Keep track of your mile balance in the MileagePlus app or on United's website. Some people set a target number and monitor their progress. This can help you decide whether to transfer more points or wait for a bonus promotion.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take for transferred miles to show up in my United account?

Most transfers complete within one to five business days. Some issuers, particularly Chase, process transfers when ready or within 24 hours. You will receive a confirmation email from your card issuer when the transfer is submitted, and you can check your MileagePlus balance online to see when the miles arrive. If more than five business days have passed, contact your card issuer's customer service.

Can I transfer United miles back to my credit card if I change my mind?

No. Once miles are in your MileagePlus account, they cannot be transferred back to your credit card. Make sure you want to move the points before you confirm the transfer. If you transferred by mistake, contact United customer service when ready — they may be able to reverse the transfer within a short window, but this is not may provide.

Do I lose value if I transfer points to United instead of redeeming them for cash back?

It depends on the card and the redemption. On some cards, transferring to United gives you more value per point than cash back. On others, cash back is worth more. Compare the value: if your card's cash back is worth $0.01 per point but United miles are worth $0.015 per point when redeemed for flights, transferring is better. Check your card issuer's website for the redemption value of each option.

What if I do not have a MileagePlus account yet?

You need to create a MileagePlus account before you transfer points. Go to United's website, click "Join MileagePlus," and follow the steps to set up an account. It takes a few minutes and is free. Once your account is active, you will receive a MileagePlus number that you can use for the transfer.

Are there any fees for transferring points to United?

No. The transfer itself is free. Your credit card issuer does not charge a fee, and United does not charge a fee. The only cost is the points themselves — you are trading points for miles at the card's transfer rate.