How To Use the United MileagePlus Shopping Portal to Maximize Points [2017]
If you’re planning to shop online, what would you say if I told you how to earn extra miles just for clicking a few extra buttons? Pretty sweet, huh?
This article will teach you how to use the United shopping portal to do just that!
How To Log in & Basics of Using Program
You can view the bonus miles offered for shopping at various retailers without logging in, but you will need to log in to actually earn rewards when you’re ready to shop.
If you already have a frequent flyer account with United, you’re in luck! You won’t need to create a new account to log in and start shopping. The United shopping portal uses your frequent flyer information as login information.
Once you are logged in to the shopping mall, you just need to search for the retailer you want to shop with to see the number of bonus miles you can earn for purchases!
Let’s say you are interested in shopping at Macy’s. At the time of writing, we found a bonus of 2 extra United miles for each dollar spent on Macys.com purchases.
In order to earn the bonus points, click “Shop now” to be redirected to Macy’s online store, and then complete your purchase in the new window. You don’t need to do anything else to earn the bonus!
Special Shopping Offers
Occasionally the MileagePlus Shopping portal will offer bonus miles for spending various amounts of money. These offers come and go throughout the year.
You should keep an eye out for United’s special shopping mall bonuses; they make easy ways to earn even more points! Here are some examples of past bonuses to be on the lookout for:
- Spring 2017 Bonus: Spend $150, Earn 300 Bonus Miles; Spend $350, Earn 1,000 Bonus Miles
- Holiday 2016 Bonus: Spend $150, Earn 500 Bonus Miles; Spend $350, Earn 1,500 Bonus Miles; Spend $650, Earn 3,000 Bonus Miles; Spend $1,250, Earn 6,000 Bonus Miles
Example Retailers
The number of miles earned through the online shop and the available retailers change regularly. At the time of writing, here are some of the better bonuses being offered through United Airlines Shopping!
- 1-800-Flowers.com: 15 mi/$1
- Saks OFF Fifth: 10 mi/$1
- JCPenney: 8 mi/$1
- Coursera: 5 mi/$1
- eBags: 4 mi/$1
- …and many more!
Using Credit Cards To Earn Extra Points
Even though you’ll be earning bonuses through the shopping portal, that isn’t an excuse to put your charges on a debit card! You’ll want to make sure you’re paying with a credit card that will give you rewards for spending too.
If your main focus is earning United miles, you should use cards that earn United miles directly or cards that earn Ultimate Rewards points, which can be transferred to United at a 1:1 ratio.
Consider whether your earnings can be multiplied further by taking advantage of a specific credit card’s category bonuses too!
Below you’ll find rewards cards that earn United miles as well as Ultimate Rewards points.
Chase Ultimate Rewards Cards
Recommended Chase Cards (Personal)
| CREDIT CARD | CARD INFO |
|---|---|
| Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card (Our #1 rewards card). |
|
| Chase Sapphire Reserve℠ Card |
|
| Chase Freedom® |
|
| Chase Freedom Unlimited℠ |
|
Recommended Chase Cards (Business)
| CREDIT CARD | CARD INFO |
|---|---|
| Ink Business Preferred℠ Credit Card |
|
| Chase Ink Business Cash℠ Credit Card |
|
United MileagePlus Cards
| CREDIT CARD | CARD INFO |
|---|---|
| United MileagePlus® Explorer Card | Earn 2 miles per $1 spent on tickets purchased from United, and 1 mile per $1 spent on all other purchases Annual Fee: $95 Full Review |
| Chase United MileagePlus® Club Card | Earn 2 miles per $1 spent on tickets purchased from United. Annual Fee: $450. |
| United MileagePlus® Explorer Business Card | Earn 2 miles per $1 spent on business purchases in select categories, including restaurants, gas stations, and office supply stores. Annual Fee: $0 intro annual fee for the first year, then $95. Full Review |
| Chase United MileagePlus® Club Business Card | Earn 1.5 miles per $1 spent on purchases Annual Fee: $450. |
Final Thoughts
Utilizing United Shopping is an easy way to earn an extra mile or more per dollar spent on most of the purchases you’ve already made online. You may also want to check out their dining program to really maximize your awards.
The more rewards you earn, the closer you will get to redeeming your United miles for a much deserved vacation!
