What is a good and exceptional rate to buy UA miles?
#16
Join Date: Dec 2011
Programs: CX MPC GO; Golden Circle nobody!
Posts: 249
I'm doing a leap from oneworld to United because there is just no good option. I have a newbie really nooob question so please no flaming please!
How long does it take for United to credit the miles you've purchased from their shop?
How long does it take for United to credit the miles you've purchased from their shop?
#17
Moderator: United Airlines
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: SFO
Programs: UA Plat 1.99MM, Hyatt Discoverist, Marriott Plat/LT Gold, Hilton Silver, IHG Plat
Posts: 66,580
Personal Miles -- can take 48 hours and is relatively expensive ( 3.5 cpm) but frequently sales / discounts bring the price to 2 to 2.5 cpm
Award Accelerator -- post nearly immediate (hours), a bit more complex to use but regularly in the 2 to 2.5 cpm range
#18
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2015
Posts: 11,358
#19
Join Date: Dec 2011
Programs: CX MPC GO; Golden Circle nobody!
Posts: 249
Hi, I am actually just trying to purchase miles so I can just redeem an emergency ticket because there is no good oneworld option out of LAX. I've tried to move my Marriott points to United but they are taking forever. So then I have gone ahead and bought the miles from the UA Miles shop (with bonus miles) thinking that they will be credited instantaneously. Turns out they do not. I have been trying to ask them to expedite the miles transfer but they cannot. So feeling a bit lost.
Very grateful for WinteCountryUA and fumje for your answers. I am not at that point yet but I might be soon!!!
Very grateful for WinteCountryUA and fumje for your answers. I am not at that point yet but I might be soon!!!
Last edited by nsolitude; Aug 20, 2019 at 1:25 pm
#20
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Austin, TX
Posts: 21,186
Hi, I am actually just trying to purchase miles so I can just redeem an emergency ticket because there is no good oneworld option out of LAX. I've tried to move my Marriott points to United but they are taking forever. So then I have gone ahead and bought the miles from the UA Miles shop (with bonus miles) thinking that they will be credited instantaneously. Turns out they do not. I have been trying to ask them to expedite the miles transfer but they cannot. So feeling a bit lost.
Very grateful for WinteCountryUA and fumje for your answers. I am not at that point yet but I might be soon!!!
Very grateful for WinteCountryUA and fumje for your answers. I am not at that point yet but I might be soon!!!
If you only need a small number of miles to complete your purchase, it will offer to sell them to you during checkout; those should post immediately. I think it'll sell you up to 15K at that point; it might be more.
#21
Join Date: Dec 2011
Programs: CX MPC GO; Golden Circle nobody!
Posts: 249
Chase Ultimate Rewards points, if you happen to have them, transfer instantly. Marriott Rewards points take ~48 hours.
If you only need a small number of miles to complete your purchase, it will offer to sell them to you during checkout; those should post immediately. I think it'll sell you up to 15K at that point; it might be more.
If you only need a small number of miles to complete your purchase, it will offer to sell them to you during checkout; those should post immediately. I think it'll sell you up to 15K at that point; it might be more.
#23
Moderator: United Airlines
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: SFO
Programs: UA Plat 1.99MM, Hyatt Discoverist, Marriott Plat/LT Gold, Hilton Silver, IHG Plat
Posts: 66,580
Yes
Is FareLock available for award reservations using miles?
Yes. FareLock is offered for both Saver and Standard Award tickets on United- and United Express-operated flights.
Yes. FareLock is offered for both Saver and Standard Award tickets on United- and United Express-operated flights.
#24
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: Delaware
Programs: UA Mileage Plus, Amtrak Guest Rewards
Posts: 1,386
Pending when the flight is, if saver space is available, and how full the plane is, OP may want to consider using Farelock to protect himself for a few days until the miles post to his account.
#27
Join Date: Apr 2003
Programs: UA *G 1MM LT United Club & Global Entry
Posts: 2,756
Time for a UA miles sale?
i understand the principle: airline miles lose value over time. I understand the rule: dont purchase miles unless you intend to use them right away. I understand the risks: devaluation, and decreased redemption options. I understand the best way to purchase miles: award accelerator using a United Airlines branded credit card can get your price under 2 cents per mile.
All that said: is it time for United to consider putting on a down and dirty mileage sale? The buymiles site is still at 3.5 cents, and even their occasional 85% bonus is still not compelling enough to buy and hold.
At what price would you balance the risks, and bite on a miles purchase that was not for an immediate redemption? Sometimes I think close to 1 cpm might move me, but then I sober up. 😀
SL
All that said: is it time for United to consider putting on a down and dirty mileage sale? The buymiles site is still at 3.5 cents, and even their occasional 85% bonus is still not compelling enough to buy and hold.
At what price would you balance the risks, and bite on a miles purchase that was not for an immediate redemption? Sometimes I think close to 1 cpm might move me, but then I sober up. 😀
SL
#29
Suspended
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: DCA
Programs: UA US CO AA DL FL
Posts: 50,262
Kind of doubt that the solution is to generate a bunch of cheap tickets by selling miles for nothing.
The 2008 mistake of dropping fares to fill planes isn't being repeated this time.
UA will cut capacity.
The 2008 mistake of dropping fares to fill planes isn't being repeated this time.
UA will cut capacity.