Travel on United, Lufthansa, SwissAir and more!
The suite of United MileagePlus Cards offer several benefits, which can vary depending on the specific version of the card you have (e.g., the United MileagePlus Explorer Card, United MileagePlus Club Card, etc.).
If you don’t live near a United hub city, then you might overlook this card. The hidden value for those that are not United frequent fliers is this-you can use your miles to book flights on Lufthansa, SwissAir and other members of the Star Alliance!
And doing so is simple. You log in to your United account and search for availability. For example, Boston to Frankfurt. You will see United flights, but also several options for other carriers. You can select any one of them and use your United miles to buy the tickets, but you’ll actually be flying on the other carriers “metal”. In this example, you can get a one-way coach ticket for as low as 37,000 miles and Business class for 80,000 (with taxes usually under $100pp). And with some sign up bonuses running 60,000-80,000 miles you can get a lot of travel with just 1 card!
Don’t forget, this card will take up a Chase 5/24 slot, so choose wisely! If you’re not sure what I mean, check out our article on the deets or better yet, listen to our podcast episode that covers it.
Here are some common benefits associated with United cards:
Mileage Earning: You earn miles for every dollar spent on the card, with higher earning rates for purchases made with United Airlines and certain travel categories.
Travel Benefits:
- Priority Boarding: Some versions of the card offer priority boarding on United flights.
- Free Checked Bags: Certain cards provide one or more free checked bags for you and your companions on United flights.
Airport Lounge Access: Higher-tier cards, like the United MileagePlus Club Card, offer access to United Club lounges, which can enhance your airport experience with amenities like complimentary snacks and beverages.
Travel Insurance: The card often includes travel insurance benefits such as trip cancellation/interruption insurance, travel accident insurance, and rental car insurance.
No Foreign Transaction Fees: This benefit can save you money when making purchases abroad, as you won’t incur extra charges for foreign transactions.
Bonus Miles and Sign-Up Offers: Many versions of the card come with a sign-up bonus, which can significantly boost your mileage balance when you meet certain spending requirements within the first few months.
Purchase Protection: Cardholders often enjoy protection on eligible purchases, including extended warranty coverage and purchase security.
Exclusive Travel Discounts: Some cards offer access to exclusive travel deals and discounts, including special offers on United flights and services. If you are a card holder, you’ll get even lower mileage requirements for your flights. You’ll even find space that non-cardholders won’t even see!
MileagePlus Status: Certain cards can help you achieve or maintain United MileagePlus elite status by offering qualifying miles or segments.
Travel and Emergency Assistance Services: Access to 24/7 emergency assistance services for travel-related issues.
The specific benefits can vary, so it’s a good idea to review the details of your particular card version to understand all the perks and how to make the most of them.
Take a look at what options you have. And if you’re planning a trip to Europe, or just across the country, your United miles can take you places….lots of places!
Miles and Points Travel 
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