What the United Saver Award is and how to use it
The United Saver Award is a discounted award ticket you can book with miles on a United Airlines credit card. It costs fewer miles than a standard award ticket on the same route, but it comes with restrictions: you can only book it during specific windows, the available flights are limited, and you cannot change or cancel it without losing the miles.
United Saver Awards are most useful if you have flexible travel dates and know your destination weeks in advance. If you need to fly soon, want to change your plans, or prefer premium cabin seats, a standard award ticket or paid ticket may work better for you.
The number of miles required varies by distance and route. A short domestic flight might cost 7,500 to 12,500 miles as a Saver Award, while a long international flight could cost 50,000 miles or more. United publishes its award chart, so you can look up the exact cost for your route before you decide whether the discount is worth the restrictions.
Key Takeaways
- United Saver Awards cost fewer miles than standard awards on the same route, but you can only book them during limited windows and on limited flights.
- You cannot change or cancel a Saver Award without forfeiting your miles, so book only if your travel dates are firm.
- Saver Awards are released in waves; United typically opens bookings 330 days before departure, but availability drops quickly.
- You can check the United award chart on the United website to see the exact mile cost for your route before you book.
- If you need flexibility or premium cabin seats, a standard award ticket or paid ticket may give you better value.
When Saver Awards become available to book
United releases Saver Awards in stages. The first wave opens 330 days before the flight date, which is the earliest you can book any award on United. If seats are still available, additional Saver Awards may open closer to the departure date, though availability typically shrinks as the flight approaches.
Because Saver Awards are limited and popular, the best seats and times often disappear within hours of release. If you are flexible about which flight you take, checking multiple times per day during the first week after release increases your chances of finding availability.
United does not announce exactly when each wave of Saver Awards will open. The timing depends on how many seats the airline has allocated to awards that day. You can set up alerts on the United website or use third-party tools to notify you when new Saver Awards appear on your route.
How to book a United Saver Award with your credit card miles
Log into your United MileagePlus account on the United website or mobile app. Search for your flight using the award booking tool, entering your departure city, destination, and travel dates. The search results will show both Saver Awards and standard awards, labeled separately, with the mile cost for each.
Click on the Saver Award flight you want. Review the details: the departure time, any connections, and the total miles required. Note that Saver Awards are non-refundable and cannot be changed or cancelled, even if you pay a fee. If you are certain about your plans, proceed to checkout and confirm the booking with your miles.
Your confirmation will appear in your MileagePlus account when ready. United will send you a confirmation email with your booking reference and flight details. You can check in online 24 hours before departure or at the airport.
Restrictions that come with Saver Awards
Saver Awards cannot be changed or cancelled under any circumstances. If your plans change, you lose the miles you spent. This is the biggest trade-off for the lower mile cost. If there is any chance your travel dates might shift, book a standard award instead, even though it costs more miles.
Saver Awards are available only in economy cabin on most routes. Premium cabin seats (business, first class) are rarely or never offered as Saver Awards. If you want to fly premium, you will need to book a standard award or pay for a ticket.
Saver Awards cannot be combined with other promotions or discounts. You pay the full Saver Award mile cost; there is no way to reduce it further. You also cannot use a Saver Award as part of a multi-city trip that includes paid segments.
Comparing Saver Awards to standard awards and paid tickets
A standard award ticket costs more miles but offers flexibility. You can change or cancel a standard award and redeposit the miles into your account, though you may pay a change fee depending on your MileagePlus status. Standard awards also include premium cabin options on many routes.
A paid ticket gives you the most flexibility and the widest choice of flights and seats. You can change or cancel a paid ticket and receive a refund or credit, depending on the fare type. For short notice travel or frequent changes, a paid ticket often makes more sense than either award type.
The decision depends on your situation. If you know your dates are fixed and you want to save miles, a Saver Award is the best value. If you might need to change your plans or want premium seating, a standard award or paid ticket is worth the extra cost.
What to do if no Saver Awards are available on your route
Check back frequently during the first week after the 330-day release window opens. Additional Saver Awards sometimes appear as United updates its inventory. Set up a price alert on the United website or use a third-party tool to notify you automatically.
If Saver Awards remain unavailable, book a standard award instead. Standard awards are almost always available on the same routes, though they cost more miles. You also gain the flexibility to change or cancel if your plans shift.
Consider flying on a different date or through a different hub. Saver Awards on Tuesday or Wednesday flights are often more plentiful than weekend flights. Routing through a United hub like Denver, Houston, or Newark may also show more availability than direct routes.
How Saver Awards affect your credit card rewards strategy
Saver Awards make it easier to stretch your miles further, which can be valuable if you earn miles slowly or travel infrequently. Booking a Saver Award instead of a standard award can save you 25 to 50 percent of the miles you would normally spend, depending on the route.
However, the restrictions mean Saver Awards work best as part of a longer-term plan. If you know you want to take a specific trip three to six months from now and your dates are unlikely to change, start saving miles toward a Saver Award. If you travel on short notice or change plans often, standard awards or paid tickets will give you better value despite the higher cost.
Many people use a mix of both. They book Saver Awards for planned trips with firm dates and save standard awards for last-minute travel or trips where flexibility matters.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I upgrade a Saver Award to a premium cabin seat?
No. Saver Awards are locked into economy cabin and cannot be upgraded using miles or cash. You can purchase a paid upgrade at the airport if one is available, but this is not may provide. If premium seating is important, book a standard award instead.
What happens if my flight is cancelled and I booked a Saver Award?
If United cancels your flight, you can rebook on another United flight at no additional cost. If no other flights work for you, United will refund your miles. This is one of the few situations where a Saver Award can be changed without losing your miles.
Do I earn miles or elite may have access to miles when I fly on a Saver Award?
Yes. You earn miles based on the distance flown, not the number of miles you spent to book the ticket. Elite may have access to miles and segments also count toward your MileagePlus status, just as they do on paid tickets and standard awards.
Can I book a Saver Award for someone else using my miles?
Yes. You can book a Saver Award for any passenger on your MileagePlus account. The passenger does not need to be a family member or have their own account. However, you cannot transfer the Saver Award to another person after it is booked.
Is a Saver Award worth it if I only fly once or twice a year?
It depends on how certain you are about your travel dates. If you book three to six months in advance and your plans rarely change, a Saver Award saves you enough miles to make the restrictions worthwhile. If you tend to shift your dates or book on short notice, the lack of flexibility will cost you more than you save.