As best I can tell, the United offer is a cash plus miles deal. From their website:
Regular Price Discount % Price per week Miles Redeemed Your Total*
52 weeks
$195.00 60% $1.50 2000 Miles $78.00
So I'd be paying $78 plus 2000 miles. Now, despite that claiming that USA Today is normally $195 for an annual subscription, when I checked their website, it is $119/year. The 2000 miles gives a $40 discount - a reasonable use of miles, but I've got sufficient miles I'd prefer to find an offer that makes it completely free.