which programs convert to UAL miles?

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Aug 30, 2008 | 1:25 pm
  #1  
First time posting. I have looked in the United FAQ and searched on-line. I need 8k more miles to book a two award trip to Hawaii. I have various other miles/points through other programs and I cant figure out which ones convert to UAL. I wish I could use my Hilton points, but it only seems to work one way. Anyone know which programs convert to UAL miles so I dont have to buy miles? Thanks.
Aug 30, 2008 | 2:10 pm
  #2  
The only transfer option I can think of is SPG.

http://www.starwoodhotels.com/prefer...nerCode=UNITED

There probably are better ways to get 8,000 miles, though. Netflix, Visa sign-up bonus, ....

Welcome to FT!
Aug 30, 2008 | 2:17 pm
  #3  
Others also, such as Marriott Rewards -- althought the conversion rates are not great

try WebFlyer Mileage Converter

Aims1111, welcome to FT!
Aug 30, 2008 | 2:30 pm
  #4  
thank you. I already get the Grocery points. Already a Netflix member and if I sign up again, it will take 8-10 weeks for miles to post. uh! I was trying to avoid signing up for a cc. Any other ideas, keep them coming. Thanks again.
Aug 30, 2008 | 2:34 pm
  #5  
500 points for every Hilton stay if you pick the double-dip. Less for most other partner properties though but they post quickly.
Aug 30, 2008 | 2:44 pm
  #6  
You can get 10k or 25k miles by opening an account with Fidelity Investments.
You will need some liquid funds or seccurities to do this and then keep them on deposit for a while. One offer per lifetime. The miles posted fairly quickly for me.
Aug 30, 2008 | 3:30 pm
  #7  
Quote: try WebFlyer Mileage Converter
Is that converter reliable/up to date? It claims one can convert 10,000 HHonors points into 1,000 UA MP miles. I don't think (from reading HHonors' website) that that's possible.
Aug 31, 2008 | 12:33 am
  #8  
Quote: Is that converter reliable/up to date? It claims one can convert 10,000 HHonors points into 1,000 UA MP miles. I don't think (from reading HHonors' website) that that's possible.

All major hotel chains have an option to transfer miles to UA at exuberant rates... (SPG is kind of included)

The page that you linked to above converts Airline Miles into Hilton Points - the opposite of what you are asking (there are very few of those). Here is the right link: http://hhonors1.hilton.com/en_US/hh/...ntsformiles.do

It'll cost you 80K HHonors to get 8K UA miles.
Aug 31, 2008 | 9:40 am
  #9  
Open a United Visa from Chase. Often banner ads that help Flyertalk here, plus links on united.com. Bonus offers vary, but 20000 mile offers almost always, 21000 common, 25000 was around a lot this summer. Don't be skunked by the "17500 free miles" offers in the airports and on the boarding passes; there's always something better than that.

Bonus miles post a couple of days after your first statement cycle from Chase, as do the purchase miles. Common offers usually require a purchase, sometimes $250 in purchases, before the bonus miles post. Most offers waive the first year's fee.

More miles than you need (unless you want to book a higher class of service, or have to use a Standard award instead of Saver for the dates you want), but perhaps the quickest and easiest way, assuming acceptable credit.
Aug 31, 2008 | 1:12 pm
  #10  
Quote: The page that you linked to above converts Airline Miles into Hilton Points - the opposite of what you are asking (there are very few of those). Here is the right link: http://hhonors1.hilton.com/en_US/hh/...ntsformiles.do
Arghh. I read "Miles for Points" as "Get Miles for Points" (along the lines of "Magazines for Miles" on some other sites). Thanks for the correction.
Aug 31, 2008 | 2:54 pm
  #11  
Buying UA miles at 3.5 cpm is not very economically appealing, but if one doesn't have to buy too many in order to top off for an award, then it may be a reasonable option. It makes better sense than does giving a great deal of value in one "collectible" (e.g., HH) to get into UA at some unfavorable exchange rate (10:1?).
Aug 31, 2008 | 2:59 pm
  #12  
thank you all! I am still searching...I really dont want to open a cc. The Fidelity thing required a large amount of $$ to get the 8k miles. I did, however, find something last night on this forum that gives you miles for purchasing wine through a site. I can not find it now It was like 20 miles/per dollar. I told my hubby that I would rather purchase a few hundred in wine and get miles vs. just buying miles. ha ha

If anyone knows what website I am talking about could you pass it on. Thanks again.
Aug 31, 2008 | 3:18 pm
  #13  
Quote: thank you all! I am still searching...I really dont want to open a cc. The Fidelity thing required a large amount of $$ to get the 8k miles. I did, however, find something last night on this forum that gives you miles for purchasing wine through a site. I can not find it now It was like 20 miles/per dollar. I told my hubby that I would rather purchase a few hundred in wine and get miles vs. just buying miles. ha ha

If anyone knows what website I am talking about could you pass it on. Thanks again.
Why are you so loathe to opening a credit card account?

If you go the wine purchase route to get the additional miles, please come back and tell us whether the mark-ups and delivery charges on the wine aren't enough to make it a costly way to achieve your ends. (I have no knowledge/experience of wine purchases to earn miles, so can't say whether it is a good or not so good deal. I am skeptical, but would be happy to learn the skepticism was unwarranted.)
Aug 31, 2008 | 3:36 pm
  #14  
Quote: I did, however, find something last night on this forum that gives you miles for purchasing wine through a site. I can not find it now It was like 20 miles/per dollar. I told my hubby that I would rather purchase a few hundred in wine and get miles vs. just buying miles. ha ha

If anyone knows what website I am talking about could you pass it on. Thanks again.
Try:
http://www.hartwickandgrove.com/
UAL site says you get 10 miles/$, the H & G site says 5 miles/$. I occasionally get emailed specials but I'm not sure if they are for 20 miles/$.

There's shopping via the UAL MP Mall: http://mponlinemall.com
And don't forget MyPoints.
Aug 31, 2008 | 7:13 pm
  #15  
A number of retial purchase options for miles
Retail, Gifts and Grocery
http://www.united.com/page/article/0,6722,51356,00.html

15 and up to 20 miles/dollar for flowers

The wine site is here also