Can You Make Mileage Go To Another User In United Airlines? Yes, Here’s How!

Have you ever thought of sharing your United Airlines miles with a friend or family member? You may have more miles than you need or want to help someone else book their trip as a gift. A common question among travelers is: Can you make mileage go to another user United Airlines? The answer is yes! This airline allows you to transfer your MileagePlus miles to another account, but there are some important things you need to know first.  

This article will inform you about the entire process, explaining exactly how to transfer United miles, what fees are involved, and any limitations you might face. You will also know about everything from eligibility to procedures. So, if you’re looking to gift miles, help someone reach their travel goals, or simply learn more about managing your MileagePlus account, you’ve come to the right place. Read more to catch all the details!

The Basics of United Mile Transfers

You can definitely share your United Airlines miles. It lets you move your miles to another person. You can give your miles to friends, family, or anyone you want. Keep in mind, though, that transferring miles costs money. 

Why Do People Transfer Miles?

People transfer airline miles for lots of reasons. 

• Sometimes, you want to give a trip as a gift, but you don’t know when or where the person wants to go. Transferring miles lets them choose their own trip.  
• Other times, someone you know might be almost ready for a free flight, and your miles can help them get it.  
• If two people are traveling together, and one needs more miles, they can transfer some from the other person.  
• Also, if someone has miles about to expire, they can share them with someone else so they don’t go to waste.  
• Sometimes, transferring miles makes sense to get the most bang for your buck, mainly if special deals or bonuses exist.

Who Can Transfer and Receive Miles?

Almost all United MileagePlus members with active accounts can send and get miles.  

• Sometimes, though, your account’s recent activity or your member status can affect this.  To be absolutely sure, it’s best to look at the official website or talk to their customer service.  
• Usually, if you’re giving miles away, you need to have earned them fairly, like by flying, using a credit card, or working with a United partner. The person getting the miles must have their own active MileagePlus account.

How to Transfer United Miles?

Sending your United miles to someone else is easy, but you need to follow a few steps. This section will show you how.

• Go to the United Website– First, open your web browser and go to united.com.  Double-check that it’s the United website, so you don’t get scammed.
• Log in to Your MileagePlus Account- Look for the “Sign In” button, usually at the top right of the page. Click it. Then, type in your MileagePlus number or username and your password.
• Find the “MileagePlus” Section- After logging in, look in the “Account” section. It says “MileagePlus.” Click it.
• Look for “Transfer Miles” or “Share Miles.”- Inside your MileagePlus area, look for where you can send or give away miles. It is named “Buy, transfer, or give miles.” Click here.
• Enter Recipient Information- Next, tell them who’s getting the miles. You’ll need their name and MileagePlus number.
• Enter the Number of Miles to Transfer- Enter how many miles you want to send.  United might have limits on the fewest and most miles you can transfer at once, so check those first.
• Review and Confirm- Before you finish, double-check everything you typed in.  Look at the person’s name and MileagePlus number, the number of miles you’re sending, and the fee.
• Pay the Transfer Fee- Transferring United miles costs money. You can pay this fee with a credit card or another United-accepted method. The website will show you how to make the payment.
• Confirmation- After you pay, you’ll get a message saying the transfer is happening.  The miles usually appear in the other person’s account soon after, but sometimes it might take longer.
• Check Your Email- Check your email for United’s confirmation about the transfer.  These emails are your proof of what happened.

How Much Does It Cost To Transfer United Miles?

Transferring United miles costs money. There is a fee, so it’s important to know the price before you transfer. Check out the fees below:

Per-Mile Transfer Fee

United charges a fee to transfer miles to another person. 

• For every 500 miles you want to send, they will charge you $7.50. 
• This fee applies to each 500-mile increment you transfer.

Processing Fee

In addition to the fee for each mile, United charges a $30 processing fee each time you transfer miles. You cannot get this fee back, and it’s the same, no matter how many miles you transfer.

Calculating the Total Cost

To figure out the total cost of transferring United miles, you need to think about two things: The fee for the miles themselves and a separate processing fee.  

• First, decide how many miles you want to send. 
• Then, divide that number by 500 to see how many “chunks” of 500 miles you have. 
• Next, multiply that number by $7.50 to find the total cost of the miles. 
• Lastly, add a $30 processing fee to that amount.  
• The result is the total cost to transfer your miles.

Alternatives To Transferring United miles

Transferring United Miles costs money because of the fees. Luckily, you have other choices to help someone use your miles without paying those fees.

Book a Flight for Someone Else

The easiest way to use your miles for someone else is to just book their flight for them. Use your MileagePlus account to do this, and enter their name and details when you buy the ticket. They can then travel without needing their own miles. This method also gives you control; you get to pick the flight and use your miles wisely to get the best deal.

United MileagePlus Pooling

This airline lets you combine your miles with up to four other people who have MileagePlus accounts, like family or friends. It is a helpful way to put smaller amounts of miles together into a bigger pile, which you can use to book award flights. But remember that you can only use these combined miles for flights on United and United Express.

Consider Other Redemption Options

Besides flights, you can use your United miles for other things that someone else might enjoy. You could use your miles to upgrade your existing United flight to a fancier seat. You can also book hotels or rental cars for them with your miles. You could even use your miles for special experiences or events.

Explore Partner Airlines

United belongs to the Star Alliance, a big group of airlines. This means you can often use your miles to book flights for someone else on these partner airlines, giving them more choices for where to fly.  Besides the Star Alliance, this airline also works with other airlines.  Check out these partnerships, too; they might have just the right flight for the person you’re helping.

Credit Card Options

Some credit cards let you earn points that you can transfer to different airline programs, like United MileagePlus. If your card has this feature, you can transfer the points to your account and then use them to book a flight for someone else. Consider getting a credit card. These cards often offer perks, like free checked bags or priority boarding, that can be helpful for another person, even if you’re the one booking the ticket.

Pros & Cons Of Transferring Miles

Think carefully about the good and bad points before you decide. Check out the breakdown to help you decide if it’s the right choice for you:

Pros	Cons
Ease- Sending miles to someone is fast and easy when needed.	Cost- It costs money to send miles to someone else, so it’s pricey.
Flexibility- Sometimes, someone might have almost enough miles for a free flight.  You could send them a few of your miles to help them get that complimentary flight.	Depreciation– Airline miles can lose value over time due to inflation and program changes. Transferring might lock you into using them sooner rather than later.
Gifting– A straightforward way to gift someone travel opportunities.	Alternatives- Usually, booking a flight directly for someone else using your miles is cheaper.
Urgency– If someone needs miles right now, transferring them can help.	Transfer Limits– There might be a limit to the number of miles you can send at one time or in a certain period, like a year.
It’s useful for small top-ups. If someone almost has enough miles for a free trip, giving them a few extra miles might be a good idea.	Irreversible- After you send miles to someone, you usually can’t get them back.
	Pooling Might Be Better– Sharing miles with family or friends in a group might be cheaper than transferring them.
	Taxes and Fees– The person who gets the miles might have to pay some extra money, like taxes or fees when they use them.

Common Errors in United Mileage Transfers

Sharing United miles can be a nice way to help someone out, but it’s also easy to make mistakes, waste money, or get frustrated. You must be aware of these common mistakes.

• Not Calculating the Total Cost- The biggest problem is not knowing all the costs. United charges two fees: one for the miles and another just for processing the transfer.  Many people only see the mile fee and are shocked by the extra charge. Always add up both fees before you transfer any miles.
• Transferring Too Many Miles- Figure out exactly how many miles the other person needs. Don’t send extra miles because you pay for each one. It’s usually cheaper to just book the flight for them yourself using your miles.
• Transferring Unnecessarily- It’s usually best to use your miles to book a flight for someone yourself.  Transferring miles only makes sense if they’re almost enough for a reward or if they need the miles in their own account for something else (like adding to their miles).
• Entering Incorrect Information- Carefully check the person’s mile number and name. A small mistake can send your miles to the wrong place, and it might be very hard or impossible to get them back.
• Ignoring Transfer Limits- United might say you can only transfer a certain number of miles at a time. If you want to send many miles, check these rules first and plan ahead.
• Not Considering Alternatives- Before you transfer miles, look at other ways to save money. You could combine miles with others or just book the flight for them yourself.
• Assuming Miles Are Instantaneously Available– While transfers usually happen quickly, delays can sometimes occur. Don’t assume the miles will be available instantly, especially if you’re dealing with a time-sensitive booking.

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