United unveils MileagePlus pooling for easy group travel

Friday, March 22, 2024

United has just unveiled a MileagePlus miles pooling feature, perfectly timed for summer travel preparations. This innovative service allows MileagePlus members to merge their miles into a shared account, facilitating groups of up to five individuals to pool and utilize miles collectively through United.com. MileagePlus members, including both family members and friends, are eligible to participate in this program, marking United as the pioneering major U.S. airline to introduce such an offering.

“We’re always looking for new ways to provide the most value to all of our loyalty members and are proud to be the first major U.S. airline to allow our members to pool their miles with their loved ones and friends,” said Luc Bondar, Chief Operating Officer of MileagePlus. “MileagePlus miles pooling further reinforces United’s position as the leader in family and group travel and gives our members more flexibility to use their miles while making it easier to connect to the destinations and moments that matter most, with the people that matter most.” 

Reflecting on data from the 2023 U.S. Family Travel Survey by the Family Travel Association, which indicates that 81% of parents are planning to travel with their kids within the year and nearly 60% are concerned about the costs of travel, MileagePlus miles pooling is designed to simplify travel for families or groups seeking a getaway. Notably, the program imposes no age restriction for MileagePlus membership, allowing even the youngest family members to contribute.

Access to MileagePlus miles pooling is granted upon logging into a MileagePlus account on United.com, and joining the program is complimentary.

How it Works

A MileagePlus member aged 18 or above can initiate a pool for no charge upon logging into their account on United.com.

The pool leader is entitled to extend invitations to up to four individuals, irrespective of their age, provided they possess an active MileagePlus account, to join their pool. Instructions for contributing to and utilizing the miles from the pool for award flights on United and United Express* will be available to members through United.com. The system imposes no cap on the number of miles that can be deposited into a miles pool, and pooled miles are redeemable for tickets via United.com or the United mobile app.

For instance, a group planning a summer trip can amalgamate their individual MileagePlus miles into a singular pool to cover flight expenses, enhancing the affordability of their journey.

Adding miles to a pool doesn’t influence a member’s Premier® status; only travelers using tickets bought with pooled miles qualify for Premier qualifying points (PQP). Pooling is not available for PQP, Premier qualifying flights (PQF), PlusPoints, or TravelBank cash.

The MileagePlus program stands out for offering the most extensive opportunities to earn and redeem miles among U.S. airlines. Miles, which do not expire, can be accrued through flights, spending with the United Family of Cards from Chase, purchases on MileagePlus ShoppingSM, and other avenues. Members have the option to fund their trips entirely with miles or use a mix of miles and cash to reduce travel expenses**.

« Back to Page