A First Among Major US Carriers
United Airlines has pioneered a new feature within its loyalty programme, MileagePlus, that allows members to combine their miles with family and friends. This innovative initiative simplifies travel planning and enhances accessibility to award travel for groups of all sizes.
Effective immediately, MileagePlus miles pooling is accessible through united.com, facilitating the consolidation and utilisation of miles for up to five members within a joint account.
United is the largest airline in the world, as measured by the number of available seat miles. It is the inaugural primary US carrier to offer this collaborative feature, underscoring its commitment to customer satisfaction and flexibility.
Luc Bondar, MileagePlus’s Chief Operating Officer, expressed the airline’s dedication to enhancing its members’ travel experiences.
Sharing Miles
He stressed the significance of empowering customers to share miles with their loved ones, reaffirming United’s leadership in family and group travel arrangements.
The introduction of MileagePlus miles pooling coincides with a growing trend in family travel, as evidenced by the findings of a 2023 US Family Travel Survey conducted by the Family Travel Association.
With 81% of parents expressing a desire to travel with their children in the coming year and concerns regarding travel affordability among 60% of respondents, United’s initiative aims to alleviate financial constraints and facilitate memorable experiences for families and groups.
The process of participating in MileagePlus miles pooling is straightforward.
Any MileagePlus member aged 18 or above can initiate a pool and invite up to four individuals, regardless of age, to join.
Contributions to the pool are unrestricted, and members can utilise pooled miles to book flights via united.com or the United mobile app.
Significantly, participation in MileagePlus miles pooling does not impact individual Premier status.
While only members travelling on tickets utilising pooled miles will accrue eligible Premier qualifying points (PQP), the programme ensures equitable benefits for all participants.
United Airlines’ MileagePlus programme offers unparalleled opportunities for earning and redeeming miles, reinforcing its position as a leading provider of customer-centric travel solutions.
United Airlines operates the most comprehensive global route network among North American carriers with hubs in Chicago, Denver, Houston, Los Angeles, New York/Newark, San Francisco and Washington, DC.
Featured image: MileagePlus members can now combine their miles with family and friends. Credit: United Airlines
