Have you ever been just a few miles short of booking a free flight? It can be frustrating, especially when you’ve found the perfect trip to visit family or take that long-awaited vacation. The good news: United Airlines gives you the option to buy miles through their MileagePlus program. This can be a smart, stress-free way for seniors to top up their accounts and unlock travel rewards.
In this guide, we’ll explain how to buy United miles, when it makes sense, and alternatives you might consider. If you’d prefer to have someone walk you through the process, you can always call 877-297-0699 and get direct help from United.
Buying miles means you purchase additional MileagePlus miles directly from United. These are added to your account balance, making it easier to reach the number of miles needed for an award flight or upgrade.
💡 Think of it like topping off your gas tank—you’re just filling your mileage balance enough to get where you need to go.
Log in to your MileagePlus account at United.com.
Go to the “Buy Miles” option under your account menu.
Select the number of miles you’d like to purchase (they’re sold in increments).
Enter your payment details and complete checkout.
Miles are usually credited instantly, but it may take up to 48 hours.
👵 Senior tip: If you’re not comfortable buying online, call 877-297-0699 and a United agent can complete the purchase for you.
Standard price: about 3.5 cents per mile + tax.
Example: 10,000 miles usually cost around $350.
United often runs promotions:
“Buy 20,000 miles, get 5,000 bonus miles.”
“30% discount on purchased miles.”
📊 Suggestion: Watch for these promotions, as they make buying miles much more cost-effective.
Buying miles isn’t always the cheapest option—but it can be smart in certain cases:
✅ When you’re just short of an award ticket.
✅ During promotional offers with discounts or bonus miles.
✅ For premium redemptions (e.g., international business class), where the value per mile is higher.
👩 Example: A grandmother from Florida needed 5,000 extra miles to book a trip to see her grandchildren in Chicago. Instead of paying cash for a $400 ticket, she bought the miles for under $200 and still flew for free.
❌ If you don’t have a specific trip in mind.
❌ For cheap domestic tickets—cash fares are often lower than buying enough miles.
❌ If you need a large number of miles, as costs add up quickly.
👉 Senior tip: Always compare the cash price of a ticket versus the cost of buying miles before deciding.
If buying doesn’t make sense, you can still earn miles easily:
Use a United credit card (Explorer, Gateway, or Club Infinite) to earn miles on groceries, dining, and travel.
MileagePlus Shopping portal: Shop online at partner stores to earn bonus miles.
MileagePlus Dining program: Link your credit card and earn miles when eating at participating restaurants.
Travel partners: Book hotels, car rentals, or cruises through United partners.
👴 Example: A retired couple earned enough miles for a one-way flight just by doing their weekly grocery shopping with their United Explorer Card.
Avoids the stress of missing out on a desired flight.
Offers flexibility for last-minute trips to see family.
Provides peace of mind—you don’t have to wait months to earn enough miles.
Friendly support is available by phone at 877-297-0699.
Buying United Airlines miles isn’t always the cheapest choice, but it’s a helpful tool when you’re just short of what you need for a flight. For seniors, it’s especially useful when planning family visits or big trips without worrying about rising ticket prices.
To check current promotions or buy safely, call 877-297-0699 before making your purchase. With the right strategy, you’ll stretch your miles further and travel with confidence.