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United MileagePlus has launched a ‘Flash Sale’, offering a 100% bonus on miles purchases.
For four days only, earn up to 100% bonus miles when you buy miles. Hurry, this offer ends June 13, 2019.
Buy 5,000 – 14,000 miles | Get 40% bonus miles
Buy 15,000 – 39,000 miles | Get 60% bonus miles
Buy 40,000+ miles | Get 100% bonus miles
If you maxed out the bonus, you could purchase a total of 175,000 miles for ~£2,600 ($3,292.19), which means you’d be paying just under 1.5p per United MileagePlus Mile:
1.5p per mile is still quite expensive, but it’s about as good as United ever sells them for.
Why would I want United Miles?
United MileagePlus offers something called the ‘Excursionist Perk‘, which allows you to create some unbelievably good value redemptions, particularly in Business Class.
For example, it’s possible to to book two 4-6 hour Business Class flights and a short Economy flight for as little as 30,000 miles in total – which would cost about £450 when paying 1.5p per mile. Check out the latest details about the Excursionist Perk here.
Bottom line
1.5p per mile is a little too expensive to tempt me to top up my United account at the moment, given that I have no immediate plans for a high-value redemption and that I don’t trust United not to devalue its programme with little or no notice.
On the other hand, if you know how to make the most of the Excursionist Perk and have some suitable trips lined up, it’s definitely worth checking to see if taking advantage of the sale could save you money.
So tell us how to…….
“On the other hand, if you know how to make the most of the Excursionist Perk and have some suitable trips lined up, it’s definitely worth checking to see if taking advantage of the sale could save you money.”
Hi James – apologies for not signposting the relevant link clearly enough. This is the bit you want to have a read of to understand the latest details re the Excursionist Perk: https://insideflyer.co.uk/2019/04/can-dynamic-pricing-good-thing-initial-impressions-new-united-airlines-mileage-plus/.
I’d also recommend having a read through the 3 Part series I did a while ago too:
https://insideflyer.co.uk/2017/11/united-mileageplus-sweetspots-aka-exploiting-excursionist-perk-part-1/
https://insideflyer.co.uk/2017/11/united-mileageplus-sweetspots-part-2-intermediate-level-excursionist-tips/
https://insideflyer.co.uk/2018/03/united-mileageplus-sweetspots-part-3-advanced-excursionist-tricks/
Hope that helps – if you have any questions about it at all though, don’t hesitate to ask (it can be a bit tricky to get your head around to begin with, but can lead to some great redemptions)!
Im not too sure why, but it seems like I cant buy the points with the bonus flash sale offer. If i were to select 40,000 miles, it’s $1400 plus $105 for tax recovery fee. No bonus miles shown when checking out.
Hi Kaylee,
Really sorry to hear that – and unfortunately I’m not sure what might be causing the issue. I thought that there might possibly be some sort of restriction on new accounts, but I’ve had a look through the terms and can’t seen anything:
“Promotional offer valid until 11:59 p.m. CT on June 13, 2019.
Miles are available in increments of 1,000 up to a maximum of 87,500 miles.
Bonuses will be calculated on a per transaction basis only. The bonus amount applicable to a transaction is shown in the chart. Transactions may not be aggregated to calculate the bonus.
Bonus Miles will generally be credited to the recipient’s MileagePlus account when the transaction is complete; provided that certain transactions may take up to 48 hours.
Bonus miles count towards the 175,000 mile annual limit per account.
Purchase up to 175,000 miles per account per calendar year.
Credit card will be billed immediately upon purchase.
Mileage rates and other fees and offer terms are subject to change.
Pricing is only available for purchases made through buymiles.mileageplus.com
Miles are nonrefundable.
Purchased miles do not count toward MileagePlus Premier® status.
All MileagePlus Program Rules and terms and conditions apply.
GST/HST is charged to Canadian residents.
Powered by Points to purchase United MileagePlus miles. Transaction will appear as ‘Points United Miles’.”
The only thing I can think of is to contact MileagePlus (maybe on twitter or fb) and ask them if they can take a look. Good luck!