Transferring United miles to another person can be a great way to help out a friend or family member who is short on miles for an upcoming trip. Or, if you have too many miles and don’t know what to do with them, transferring them to someone else can be a great way to put them to good use. In this article, we will go over how to transfer United miles to another person, providing step-by-step instructions and discussing the terms and conditions associated with mile transfers. So, if you’re ready to start transferring your United miles, keep reading!
Before you can transfer United miles to another person, you need to make sure that you have a United MileagePlus account. If you don’t have an account, you can sign up for one at the United website. Once you have an account, you can log in and go to the “MileagePlus” tab. From there, you can click on the “Transfer Miles” link. On the next page, you will need to enter the recipient’s MileagePlus account number and the number of miles that you want to transfer. You can also include a message to the recipient.
Once you have entered all of the required information, you can click on the “Transfer Miles” button. United will then process your request and the miles will be transferred to the recipient’s account within 24 hours. However, there are some things to keep in mind when transferring United miles. First, there is a fee of $30 for each transfer, regardless of the number of miles transferred. Second, you can only transfer miles to another person who has a United MileagePlus account. Third, you can only transfer a maximum of 100,000 miles per calendar year. Finally, miles transferred to another person cannot be returned to your account.
Understanding Miles Transfer Eligibility
Conditions and Limitations
United Airlines restricts the transferability of miles to certain individuals and purposes. Here’s a breakdown of the eligibility criteria:
Eligible Recipients
- Family Members: Spouses, domestic partners, parents, children, siblings, and grandparents who reside at the same address.
- Business Partners: Employees, contractors, or clients who are part of a business arrangement with the account holder.
- Non-Profit Organizations: Eligible non-profit organizations may receive miles for charitable purposes.
Transfer Limitations
There are certain limitations and restrictions that apply to mile transfers:
- Minimum Transfer Amount: The minimum number of miles that can be transferred is 1,000.
- Maximum Transfer Amount: The maximum number of miles that can be transferred in a calendar year is 500,000.
- Transfer Fees: United Airlines charges a processing fee of $30 for each transfer, except for transfers of 25,000 miles or more.
Account Status Requirements
To be eligible to transfer miles, the account holder must:
- Have a United MileagePlus account in good standing.
- Have earned at least 5,000 miles within the past 12 months.
- Not have any outstanding debt or rewards redemptions penalties on their account.
Recipient Account Requirements
To successfully transfer United miles to another person, the recipient must meet certain account requirements. These criteria ensure that the miles are transferred securely and used appropriately.
Eligible United MileagePlus Accounts
The recipient must have an active United MileagePlus account. This account must be in good standing, with no reported fraudulent activity or outstanding balances. The recipient’s account must also have been open for at least 30 days before the transfer can be processed. Additionally, the recipient’s account must not be on hold or restricted due to security concerns.
Mileage Transfer Limits
United has established limits on the number of miles that can be transferred between accounts. These limits are designed to prevent excessive mileage hoarding and abuse. The maximum amount of miles that can be transferred per transaction is 50,000 miles. The maximum amount of miles that can be transferred per rolling 12-month period is 100,000 miles. These limits apply to all transfers, regardless of the sender’s and recipient’s account balances.
Mileage Transfer Limit | |
---|---|
Per transaction | 50,000 miles |
Per rolling 12-month period | 100,000 miles |
Determining Transfer Fees
The transfer fees for United miles vary depending on the number of miles transferred and the status of the account holder. Here’s a detailed breakdown of the fees:
Number of Miles Transferred | Standard Fee | Premier Silver/Gold Fee | Premier Platinum/1K Fee |
---|---|---|---|
1,000 – 2,000 | $12.50 | $10.00 | $7.50 |
2,001 – 4,000 | $25.00 | $20.00 | $15.00 |
4,001 – 6,000 | $35.00 | $30.00 | $25.00 |
6,001 – 8,000 | $45.00 | $40.00 | $35.00 |
8,001+ | 5¢ per mile | 4¢ per mile | 3¢ per mile |
Note:
- Fees are charged per transaction, not per mile.
- Miles transferred to United MileagePlus Premier members who hold a qualifying United Airlines Chase credit card are not subject to transfer fees.
- The maximum number of miles that can be transferred in a single transaction is 200,000.
- Log in to your United MileagePlus account.
- Click on the “MileagePlus” tab.
- Select “Transfer Miles”.
- Enter the recipient’s MileagePlus account number and the number of Miles you want to transfer.
- Review the transfer details and click “Submit”.
- Log in to your MileagePlus account.
- Click on the “Miles” tab.
- Click on the “Transfer Miles” link.
- Enter the MileagePlus number of the person you want to transfer miles to.
- Enter the number of miles you want to transfer.
- Click on the “Transfer Miles” button.
- You’ll be asked to confirm the transfer. Once you confirm, the miles will be transferred to the other person’s account.
Initiating a Miles Transfer
Initiating a Miles transfer is a straightforward process that can be completed online or via phone. Here’s a detailed guide to initiating the transfer:
Step 1: Log in to Your United Account
Visit the United Airlines website and sign in to your MileagePlus account. You can also use the United app to initiate the transfer.
Step 2: Navigate to the Miles Transfer Page
Once you’re logged in, click on the “MileagePlus” tab. From there, select “Transfer Miles” to access the Miles Transfer page.
Step 3: Enter Recipient Information
On the Transfer Miles page, enter the recipient’s first and last name, as well as their MileagePlus number or email address.
Step 4: Specify Transfer Details
Next, specify the number of miles you wish to transfer. You can choose to transfer miles from your Regular MileagePlus balance, Elite Qualifying Miles balance, or a combination of both. Once you’ve entered the transfer amount, review the transfer details and confirm the recipient can accept miles from your account.
Transfer Type | Description |
---|---|
Regular Miles | Miles earned through flights, purchases, and other activities. |
Elite Qualifying Miles | Miles used to qualify for United elite status. |
Step 5: Verify and Submit
Once you’ve filled out all the necessary details, verify the transfer information and click “Submit.” United will send you a confirmation email when the transfer is complete. The recipient should receive the miles within 72 hours.
Identifying Transfer Options
Transferring United Miles to another person can be a convenient way to help friends or family redeem for flights, upgrades, or other rewards. There are two main options for transferring United Miles: through the United website or by calling MileagePlus Customer Service.
Transferring Online
To transfer Miles online, follow these steps:
Transferring by Phone
To transfer Miles by phone, call MileagePlus Customer Service at 1-800-421-4655.
You will need to provide the recipient’s MileagePlus account number and the number of Miles you want to transfer. A customer service representative will assist you with the transfer.
Transfer Fees
United charges a transfer fee of $30 for each transfer of up to 20,000 Miles. For transfers of more than 20,000 Miles, the transfer fee is $30 plus $0.015 per additional Mile.
Transfer Limits
United allows members to transfer a maximum of 500,000 Miles per calendar year. There is no minimum transfer amount.
Transfer Processing Time
Miles transfers are typically processed within 24 hours. However, during peak periods, it may take up to 48 hours for Miles to be transferred.
Transfer Method | Transfer Fee | Transfer Limit |
---|---|---|
Online | $30 for up to 20,000 Miles, $30 + $0.015 per additional Mile for more than 20,000 Miles | 500,000 Miles per calendar year |
By Phone | $30 for up to 20,000 Miles, $30 + $0.015 per additional Mile for more than 20,000 Miles | 500,000 Miles per calendar year |
Completing the Transfer Process
Once you verify the transferor and transferee information, ensure the mileage amount and fees are correct, and accept the terms and conditions, you can move on to the final stage of the transfer process.
6. Authorization and Confirmation
For security reasons, United requires authorization before completing the transfer. This involves entering a verification code sent to the transferor’s registered phone number or email address. Enter the code into the designated field and click “Submit”.
Upon successful authorization, United will initiate the transfer process. The miles will be deducted from the transferor’s account and added to the transferee’s account within 24 hours. Once complete, both parties will receive an email confirmation with details of the transaction.
Here’s a table summarizing the authorization and confirmation steps:
Step | Description |
---|---|
1 | Enter the verification code sent to the transferor. |
2 | Click “Submit”. |
3 | United will initiate the transfer process. |
4 | The transferor’s miles will be deducted. |
5 | The transferee’s miles will be added. |
6 | Both parties will receive an email confirmation. |
Verifying Transfer Success
Once you have completed the transfer process, it is important to verify its success to ensure that the miles were transferred as intended. You can check the transfer status through the following methods:
Online
Log in to your United MileagePlus account and navigate to the “Transfer Miles” section. Here, you can view the history of recent transfers, including the date, amount, and recipient.
Phone
Contact United Customer Service at 1-800-421-4655 and provide your account information. A representative can confirm the transfer status and provide details if necessary.
Send an email to United Customer Service at mileageplus@united.com with the subject line “Miles Transfer Inquiry.” Include your account details, the recipient’s name, and the date of the transfer. United will investigate and respond to your inquiry within 24-48 hours.
It is essential to note that miles transfers may take up to 72 hours to reflect in the recipient’s account. During this period, you can continue to monitor the transfer status through the methods described above. If the miles do not appear after 72 hours, contact United Customer Service for assistance.
For your convenience, here is a summary of the verification methods:
Method | Verification Time |
---|---|
Online | Immediate |
Phone | Immediate |
Within 24-48 hours |
Exploring Alternative Methods of Miles Redistribution
While the aforementioned methods provide direct ways to transfer miles, there are alternative approaches to consider for miles redistribution.
9. Credit Card Miles Pooling
Some credit card issuers offer pooling programs that allow members of the same household to combine their miles. This can be a convenient option for families or couples who frequently travel together and want to accumulate miles faster. However, it’s important to check the terms and conditions of the pooling program to ensure eligibility and any restrictions on mile transferability.
Credit Card Issuer | Pooling Program | Eligibility Requirements | Mile Transferability Restrictions |
---|---|---|---|
American Express | American Express Membership Rewards Points Pooling | Same household address | Only primary cardholder can transfer miles |
Chase | Chase Ultimate Rewards Points Pooling | Same household address or joint cardholder | Unlimited transfers between household members |
Citi | Citi ThankYou Points Pooling | Same household address | Primary cardholder transfers up to 100,000 points per year |
By understanding and utilizing these alternative methods, you can effectively redistribute United miles to your desired recipient and maximize the value of your miles. Remember to carefully consider the limitations of each method and choose the approach that best aligns with your needs.
Utilizing Third-Party Services for Miles Transfer
Traveling can be an expensive endeavor, and frequent flyers often take advantage of loyalty programs to make their experiences more affordable. United Miles is one such program, allowing members to earn and redeem miles for flights, upgrades, and other travel perks. However, sometimes it’s necessary or beneficial to transfer miles to another person. Here’s how to do it using third-party services:
1. Choose a reputable third-party service: Several companies offer miles transfer services, such as Points.com and AwardWallet. Research and compare their fees, terms, and customer support to find the best fit for your needs.
2. Initiate the transfer: Once you’ve chosen a service, visit their website or app and follow the instructions to initiate the transfer. You’ll need to provide information about both your account and the recipient’s account.
3. Pay the transfer fee: Most third-party services charge a fee for each miles transfer. The fee varies depending on the service and the amount of miles being transferred.
4. Confirm the details: Before finalizing the transfer, carefully review the transfer details, including the amount of miles, the recipient’s name, and the transfer fee. Ensure all the information is correct to avoid any errors.
5. Track the status: After submitting the transfer request, you can track its status on the third-party service’s website or app. The transfer process typically takes a few days to complete.
6. Consider transfer limitations: Some restrictions apply to miles transfers, such as minimum and maximum transfer amounts and transfer limits per year. Check the terms of your loyalty program and the third-party service to ensure you comply with these limitations.
7. Understand the tax implications: Transferring miles may have tax implications depending on the laws of your jurisdiction. Consult with a tax advisor if necessary to determine the potential tax consequences.
8. Benefits of using third-party services: Third-party services provide several benefits, including the ability to transfer miles to anyone, even non-United members, and the convenience of handling the transfer process online.
9. Drawbacks of using third-party services: The main drawback of using third-party services is the additional fees they charge for the transfer. Additionally, some services may not support all airline loyalty programs.
10. Third-Party Transfer Services Comparison:
Service | Transfer Fee | Transfer Limits |
---|---|---|
Points.com | $15 per 1,000 miles | Minimum 2,500 miles, maximum 100,000 miles per year |
AwardWallet | $6.95 per transfer, plus $0.06 per mile | Minimum 2,000 miles, maximum 250,000 miles per year |
ExpertFlyer | $3.99 per transfer, plus $0.05 per mile | Minimum 1,000 miles, maximum 2 million miles per year |
How To Transfer United Miles To Another Person
United Airlines allows you to transfer your MileagePlus miles to another person, which can be helpful if you’re looking to give a gift or help out a friend or family member. There are a few things to keep in mind when transferring miles, including the fact that you can only transfer miles to another MileagePlus member and that there is a 5,000-mile minimum transfer amount. You’ll also need to pay a transfer fee of $15 per transaction.
To transfer miles, follow these steps:
People also ask about How To Transfer United Miles To Another Person
Can I transfer United miles to anyone?
No, you can only transfer United miles to another MileagePlus member.
Is there a fee to transfer United miles?
Yes, there is a $15 fee to transfer United miles.
What is the minimum number of miles I can transfer?
The minimum number of miles you can transfer is 5,000 miles.
How long does it take to transfer United miles?
United miles are typically transferred within 24 hours.