For many seniors, travel is about more than just seeing new places—it’s about connecting with loved ones. Maybe you’d like to gift your grandchild a ticket home for the holidays, help a friend join you on a trip, or surprise your spouse with an upgrade. The good news: United Airlines lets you use your miles for others.
In this guide, we’ll walk through how to do it, the best ways to share your miles, and real-world examples of seniors using MileagePlus to create meaningful experiences. If you’d prefer personal help, call 877-297-0699 and a United representative can assist.
Yes. As a United MileagePlus member, you can use your miles to book flights, upgrades, and even gift cards for anyone—not just yourself. There’s no fee to redeem miles for others.
💡 Think of it as a way to turn your travel rewards into a gift of time together.
Log in to your MileagePlus account on United.com.
Search for flights as usual.
At checkout, enter the traveler’s details (name and birthday must match their ID).
Complete the purchase with your miles.
If you’re not comfortable booking online, call 877-297-0699. A United agent can walk you through the process or even book the trip for you.
👵 Senior tip: Phone booking is a great way to avoid mistakes when entering traveler details.
Use your miles to upgrade someone else’s seat to Economy Plus, Business, or First Class.
Perfect for surprising a spouse or making a loved one’s journey more comfortable.
Redeem miles for e-gift cards or travel certificates to give as presents.
Flexible option if you’re not sure of someone’s schedule.
Earn extra miles by shopping or dining and then share the benefits indirectly with family members.
A grandmother used her miles to fly her college-aged granddaughter home for Thanksgiving, saving the family hundreds of dollars.
A retired couple used miles to upgrade their children’s seats for a family reunion trip, saying the smiles were worth every point.
One senior traveler shared that gifting a flight was “better than sending a present—it gave us time together.”
Double-check traveler names and birthdays—they must match government ID exactly.
Book early to secure award availability, especially around holidays.
Compare the value: sometimes paying cash is cheaper than using miles for domestic flights.
Senior-friendly reminder: Call 877-297-0699 if you’d like an agent to confirm the best redemption option.
Special occasions: Holidays, weddings, graduations, or family reunions.
Helping family: Covering travel costs for children or grandchildren.
Group trips: Making it easier for everyone to join in.
Meaningful gifts: Turning your unused miles into lasting memories.
So, can you use United miles for others? Absolutely. Whether booking a flight, upgrading a loved one’s seat, or gifting certificates, MileagePlus lets seniors turn miles into meaningful moments.
If you’d like to check availability or get step-by-step booking help, call 877-297-0699. Don’t let your miles sit unused—share them with the people who matter most.