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Traveling is exciting, but it can also be expensive. That’s why many people turn to airline rewards programs to help offset the cost of flights. United Airlines offers one such program, but many participants wonder, do United Airlines points expire? It’s an important question to consider before signing up for the program, and we’re here to provide the answer.
In short, the answer is yes, United Airlines points do expire. However, there are a few important details to keep in mind. In this article, we’ll dive into the specifics of United Airlines’ rewards program and explore how to avoid losing your hard-earned points. So, let’s get started!
Do United Airlines Points Expire?
United Airlines is one of the most popular airlines in the world, known for its excellent service and frequent flyer program. United Airlines offers a loyalty program called MileagePlus, which allows customers to earn points and redeem them for flights, upgrades, and other rewards. However, many people wonder if these points expire, and if so, how long they have before they expire. This article will answer those questions and provide you with everything you need to know about United Airlines points.
How Do United Airlines Points Work?
United Airlines’ loyalty program, MileagePlus, rewards customers with points for every flight they take and for purchases made with the United Explorer Card or other partner cards. The number of points you earn depends on the distance of your flight, the fare class of your ticket, and your MileagePlus status.
Once you accumulate enough points, you can redeem them for flights, upgrades, hotel stays, rental cars, and other travel-related expenses. United Airlines also offers partnerships with several retail and dining partners, where you can earn additional points on your purchases.
The Expiration Policy
Unfortunately, United Airlines points do expire. The expiration policy for MileagePlus points is based on inactivity. If you do not earn or redeem any points for 18 months, your points will expire. This policy applies to all members, regardless of their status or the number of points they have accumulated.
How to Keep Your United Airlines Points Active?
To keep your United Airlines points active, you need to earn or redeem points at least once every 18 months. This can be done by taking a flight, using your United Explorer Card or other partner cards, or making a purchase with one of United Airlines’ retail or dining partners.
If you are close to the 18-month deadline and do not have any upcoming travel plans, you can also purchase a small number of points to reset the expiration clock.
Benefits of United Airlines Points
United Airlines points offer several benefits to their users. First and foremost, they can be redeemed for flights, which can save you a significant amount of money on your next trip. Additionally, United Airlines offers several other rewards, such as upgrades, hotel stays, and rental cars, which can enhance your travel experience.
Furthermore, United Airlines’ partnerships with several retail and dining partners allow you to earn additional points on your everyday purchases, providing you with even more opportunities to accumulate points.
United Airlines Points vs. Other Airline Loyalty Programs
Compared to other airline loyalty programs, United Airlines’ MileagePlus is one of the most generous. They offer several ways to earn points, including flights, credit card purchases, and partnerships with retail and dining partners. Additionally, they offer a wide range of rewards, including flights, upgrades, hotel stays, and rental cars.
However, the expiration policy for United Airlines points is stricter than some other programs. For example, Delta Airlines’ SkyMiles points do not expire, while American Airlines’ AAdvantage points expire after 18 months of inactivity for members with no elite status.
Conclusion
In conclusion, United Airlines points do expire, and the policy is based on inactivity. To keep your points active, you need to earn or redeem points at least once every 18 months. However, United Airlines’ MileagePlus program offers several benefits, including a wide range of ways to earn and redeem points, partnerships with retail and dining partners, and a generous rewards system. If you are a frequent traveler with United Airlines, it is definitely worth signing up for MileagePlus to start earning points today.
Contents
- Frequently Asked Questions
- 1. What is the policy for United Airlines points expiration?
- 2. How can I keep my United Airlines points from expiring?
- 3. What happens if my United Airlines points expire?
- 4. Do United Airlines Premier qualifying miles expire?
- 5. Can I transfer my United Airlines points to another account to prevent them from expiring?
- Don’t Buy Extra United Airlines Miles. Here’s Why
- What Is United Airlines Slogan?
- The Top 5 Destinations To Explore With United Airlines
- What Are United Regional Airlines?
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some common questions about United Airlines points and their expiration policies.
1. What is the policy for United Airlines points expiration?
United Airlines points do not expire as long as there is activity in your account within the last 18 months. This means you must earn or redeem miles or use a United MileagePlus credit card to keep your account active. If there is no activity for 18 months, your miles will expire.
It’s important to note that the expiration policy applies to all types of United Airlines points, including MileagePlus miles, Premier qualifying miles, and partner miles.
2. How can I keep my United Airlines points from expiring?
To prevent your United Airlines points from expiring, you can earn or redeem miles or use a United MileagePlus credit card. There are many ways to earn miles, such as booking flights with United Airlines, using United’s hotel and rental car partners, or shopping with United’s retail partners. You can also redeem miles for flights, hotel stays, car rentals, and more.
If you have a United MileagePlus credit card, using it for everyday purchases can help keep your account active and prevent your miles from expiring.
3. What happens if my United Airlines points expire?
If your United Airlines points expire, they are no longer available for use. This means you cannot redeem them for flights, hotel stays, or other rewards. However, you can still reactivate your account and restore your points by earning or redeeming miles or using a United MileagePlus credit card.
If you have a large number of expired miles, you may be able to reinstate them for a fee. United Airlines charges a fee of $50 per 5,000 miles, up to a maximum of $350, to reinstate expired miles.
4. Do United Airlines Premier qualifying miles expire?
Yes, United Airlines Premier qualifying miles (PQM) expire if there is no activity in your account within the last 18 months. This means you must earn or redeem PQM or use a United MileagePlus credit card to keep your account active and prevent your PQM from expiring.
If your PQM expire, they cannot be reinstated. You will need to earn new PQM to maintain your Premier status.
5. Can I transfer my United Airlines points to another account to prevent them from expiring?
No, United Airlines does not allow the transfer of points between accounts. You must earn or redeem miles or use a United MileagePlus credit card to keep your own account active and prevent your points from expiring.
However, if you have multiple United MileagePlus accounts, you can combine your points into one account to simplify your rewards management and keep all of your points active.
Don’t Buy Extra United Airlines Miles. Here’s Why
In conclusion, United Airlines points do expire, but the time frame varies depending on the activity in your account. If you earn or redeem points within an 18-month period, your points will remain active and valid. However, if there is no activity in your account for 18 months, your points will expire.
To avoid losing your hard-earned points, it is important to stay active in your United Airlines account. This can be achieved by simply earning or redeeming points within the 18-month time frame. Additionally, United Airlines offers various ways to earn points through their MileagePlus program, such as booking flights, using credit cards, and shopping with partners.
Overall, it’s important to keep track of your United Airlines points and stay active in your account. By doing so, you can maximize your rewards and avoid losing any valuable points. Happy travels!
