Help!! Mileage plus for dummies?
 

Hi,

I'm brand-new to the Mileage Plus program and have tried to figure out the program through the united website but i find it really confusing. I fly back and forth from college and so I've been building up some miles that way. But how do I know when I have enough miles to reimburse them? I think they use the term "redeem" ? I'm sorry to ask such a stupid question but I'm really confused! Im planning on travelling to Europe and Korea within the next year so I'd like to figure this out before I miss out on any opportunites.

Thanks!
Rachel

Welcome to FT!

You can find an overview of UA's award redemption policies at: http://www.united.com/page/article/0,6722,1140,00.html

When you log into your mileage plus account, your account summary will show you how many redeemable miles you have.

There is also a very helpful FAQ at the top of this thread with good information: http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/unite...lines-faq.html

If you have not already done so, go to the United website and set up your account, using your MP number. Then you can log in to your account. When you log in, select the drop down box for "My Mileage Summary." That page will show details of your mileage totals. Redeemable Miles is the total of what you have available for award tickets. Also on the United website, from the main home page, you can select the drop down menu for "Mileage Plus" and then "Redeem Miles." Find the link for "Saver/Star Alliance Awards" and you can find the chart telling you how many MP miles you need for an award ticket to various areas. For example, an economy class award ticket within the 48 states "costs" 25,000 miles. Hawaii is 40,000, and so on.

Back on the "Mileage Plus" menu, selecting "Earn Miles" will take you to a page listing ways to earn and accumulate more miles other than flying.

Welcome to Flyer Talk and the United Mileage Plus forum.

Just for a quick reference, you earn one mile for every mile you fly. Flying round-trip from Chicago to San Francisco is about 3,700 miles. You can also earn bonus miles by getting credit cards, flying 25,000+ miles a year, and signing up for occasional special offers.

It takes 25,000 miles to book a free coach ticket within the US and Canada. However, there are very few seats available at this "saver" price. It takes 50,000 miles for a "standard" award, where you're guaranteed a seat as long as there are still some for sale. Saver tickets to Europe are 55,000 miles, and getting to most of Asia takes 65,000. All of this can be found here: http://www.united.com/page/article/0,6722,1142,00.html and http://www.united.com/page/article/0,6722,59,00.html (you have to scroll down to see the charts).

And be sure to sign up for United College Plus.
http://www.united.com/page/article/0,6722,3106,00.html

10,000 bonus miles upon graduation.