If you’re a frequent flyer who loves to travel with United Airlines, you might be wondering how you can use your American Express Membership Rewards points to book your flights. After all, United is not a direct transfer partner of Amex, so you can’t simply move your points to your United MileagePlus account and redeem them for award tickets.
But don’t worry, there are still ways to use your Amex points for United flights, and in some cases, you might even get a better value than using United miles. In this guide, I’ll show you how to use Amex points to fly on United by transferring them to three Star Alliance partners: Air Canada Aeroplan, ANA Mileage Club, and Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer. I’ll also compare these options with booking through the Amex Travel Portal or using United miles directly.
By the end of this guide, you’ll have a clear idea of how to use your Amex points for United flights, and how to maximize their value for your travel goals. Let’s get started!
What are American Express Membership Rewards points?
American Express Membership Rewards points are one of the most flexible and valuable types of travel rewards points. You can earn them by using eligible Amex cards for your everyday spending, such as the Platinum Card from American Express, the American Express Gold Card, or the American Express Green Card.
You can also earn bonus points by shopping through the Amex Offers program or the Amex Shop with Points portal. Plus, you can take advantage of occasional transfer bonuses that give you extra points when you move them to certain airline or hotel partners.
The best part about Amex points is that you can use them for a variety of travel options, such as:
- Booking flights, hotels, car rentals, cruises, or vacation packages through the Amex Travel Portal
- Transferring them to over 20 airline and hotel partners and redeeming them for award travel
- Paying with points at checkout with select merchants like Amazon or PayPal
- Redeeming them for gift cards, merchandise, statement credits, or charitable donations
However, not all of these options offer the same value for your points. Generally speaking, the best way to use your Amex points is to transfer them to airline partners and book award flights. This way, you can potentially get more than 2 cents per point in value, which is much higher than the average 1 cent per point that you get from other options.
Of course, the exact value of your points will depend on several factors, such as:
- The availability and cost of award flights
- The transfer ratio and fees of each partner
- The taxes and surcharges imposed by each airline
- The seasonality and demand of your travel destination
- The quality and comfort of your flight experience
That’s why it’s important to compare different options and do some math before you transfer or redeem your points. In this guide, I’ll help you do that by showing you how to use Amex points for United flights.
Why use Amex points for United flights?
United Airlines is one of the largest and most popular airlines in the world. It flies to over 350 destinations across 60 countries, including many domestic and international hubs. It also has a strong presence in Asia-Pacific, Europe, Latin America, and Africa.
As a member of Star Alliance, the world’s largest airline alliance, United also partners with 25 other airlines that cover more than 1,300 destinations in 195 countries. This means that you can use your United miles (or any Star Alliance miles) to book flights on any of these partner airlines.
Some of the benefits of flying with United or its partners include:
- Access to premium cabins like United Polaris Business Class or Singapore Airlines Suites Class
- Access to lounges and priority services at airports
- Free checked bags and seat selection on most flights
- Flexible change and cancellation policies
- No fuel surcharges on most award flights
If you’re a loyal United customer or live near a United hub, you might want to use your Amex points for United flights. However, as I mentioned earlier, United is not a direct transfer partner of Amex. So how can you use your Amex points for United flights? Here are three ways to do it.
Option 1: Transfer Amex points to Air Canada Aeroplan
Air Canada Aeroplan is one of the most popular Star Alliance partners for booking United flights. That’s because it has a distance-based award chart that can offer some great value for short-haul and long-haul flights. It also allows you to book one stopover or one open-jaw on round-trip flights, which means you can visit two destinations for the price of one.
You can transfer your Amex points to Aeroplan at a 1:1 ratio, with a minimum of 1,000 points per transfer. The transfer is usually instant, but it may take up to 24 hours in some cases. You’ll also pay a fee of $0.0006 per point (up to $99) to cover excise taxes.
To book a United flight with Aeroplan, you can use the online search tool on the Aeroplan website or app. You can filter your results by airline, cabin class, connection time, and more. You can also use the multi-city option to add a stopover or an open-jaw to your itinerary.
The number of points you’ll need for a United flight with Aeroplan will depend on the distance you fly and the zones you cross. Aeroplan divides the world into four zones: North America, Atlantic, Pacific, and South America.
Here’s a summary of the award chart for flights between these zones:
| Distance (miles) | Economy | Premium Economy | Business | First |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0 – 500 | 6,000 – 10,000 pts | 10,000 – 20,000 pts | 15,000 – 25,000 pts | N/A |
| 501 – 1,500 | 10,000 – 15,000 pts | 15,000 – 25,000 pts | 20,000 – 35,000 pts | N/A |
| 1,501 – 2,750 | 12,500 – 17,500 pts | 20,000 – 35,000 pts | 25,000 – 60,000 pts | N/A |
| 2,751 + | 17,500 – 25,000 pts | 30,000 – 45,000 pts | 35,000 – 70,000 pts | N/A |
The points displayed are estimated ranges for one-way travel. The exact number of points will vary depending on the demand and availability of each flight. You can also use fewer points by combining them with cash using the Points + Cash option.
In addition to the points required for your flight, you’ll also pay taxes and fees that vary depending on your departure and destination countries. However, one of the advantages of booking with Aeroplan is that you won’t pay any fuel surcharges on United flights.
To give you an example of how to use Amex points for United flights with Aeroplan, let’s say you want to fly from New York (JFK) to Los Angeles (LAX) in economy class. This is a distance of about 2,475 miles, which falls into the third distance band on the award chart.
If you book directly with United using United miles, you’ll need either 12,500 miles or 32,500 miles for a one-way saver award ticket (depending on availability), plus $5.60 in taxes and fees.
If you book through the Amex Travel Portal using Amex points, you’ll need either 20,000 points or 32,000 points for a one-way ticket (depending on your card type), plus $5.60 in taxes and fees.
If you book with Aeroplan using Amex points, you’ll need between 12,500 and 17,500 points for a one-way ticket, plus $5.60 in taxes and fees. That’s a potential saving of up to 20,000 points compared to using United miles or booking through the Amex Travel Portal.
Of course, this is just one example and the value of your points will vary depending on your specific route and dates. But as you can see, booking with Aeroplan can be a great way to use your Amex points for United flights.
Option 2: Transfer Amex points to ANA Mileage Club
Another Star Alliance partner that you can transfer your Amex points to is ANA Mileage Club, the loyalty program of All Nippon Airways. ANA has a region-based award chart that can offer some amazing value for long-haul flights, especially in premium cabins. It also allows you to book one stopover and one open-jaw on round-trip flights.
You can transfer your Amex points to ANA at a 1:1 ratio, with a minimum of 1,000 points per transfer. The transfer can take up to 48 hours, so you’ll need to plan ahead if you want to book a United flight with ANA. You’ll also pay a fee of $0.0006 per point (up to $99) to cover excise taxes.
To book a United flight with ANA, you can use the online search tool on the ANA website or app. You can filter your results by airline, cabin class, connection time, and more. You can also use the multi-city option to add a stopover or an open-jaw to your itinerary.
The number of points you’ll need for a United flight with ANA will depend on the regions you fly between and the cabin class you choose. ANA divides the world into 11 regions: Japan, Hawaii, North America (excluding Hawaii), Central America/Caribbean/South America, Europe/Middle East/Africa, Asia 1 (China/Korea/Taiwan/Hong Kong/Macau/Mongolia), Asia 2 (Bangladesh/India/Maldives/Nepal/Pakistan/Sri Lanka), Oceania (Australia/New Zealand/Guam/Saipan/Palau), Southeast Asia (Brunei/Cambodia/Indonesia/Laos/Malaysia/Myanmar/Philippines/Singapore/Thailand/Vietnam), South Asia (Bhutan/Kazakhstan/Kyrgyzstan/Tajikistan/Turkmenistan/Uzbekistan), and Japan Domestic.
Here’s a summary of the award chart for flights between these regions:
| Region | Economy | Business | First |
|---|---|---|---|
| Japan Domestic | 5,000 – 15,000 pts | 10,000 – 30,000 pts | N/A |
| Japan – Hawaii | 43,000 pts | 68,000 pts | N/A |
| Japan – North America | 55,000 pts | 85,000 pts | N/A |
| Japan – Central America/Caribbean/South America | 65,000 pts | 95,000 pts | N/A |
| Japan – Europe/Middle East/Africa | 55,000 pts | 88,000 pts | N/A |
| Japan – Asia 1 | 25,000 pts | 40,000 pts | N/A |
| Japan – Asia 2 | 30,000 pts | 45,000 pts | N/A |
| Japan – Oceania | 55,000 pts | 80,000 pts | N/A |
| Japan – Southeast Asia | 40,000 pts | 65,000 pts | N/A |
| Japan – South Asia | 40,000 pts | 65,000 pts | N/A |
| Hawaii – North America/Central America/Caribbean/South America/Europe/Middle East/Africa/Oceania/Southeast Asia/South Asia/Asia 1/Asia 2 | Same as North America – corresponding region |
The points displayed are for round-trip travel. You can also book one-way travel for half the number of points. However, you’ll need to pay some fees when you book with ANA, such as:
- A $25 phone booking fee for award tickets issued in the US
- A partner booking fee of 1,000 yen (about $9) per sector for flights operated by partner airlines
- Taxes and surcharges that vary depending on your departure and destination countries
To give you an example of how to use Amex points for United flights with ANA, let’s say you want to fly from Los Angeles (LAX) to Tokyo (NRT) in business class. This is a distance of about 5,450 miles, which falls into the second region on the award chart.
If you book directly with United using United miles, you’ll need either 70,000 miles or 175,000 miles for a one-way saver award ticket (depending on availability), plus $5.60 in taxes and fees.
If you book through the Amex Travel Portal using Amex points, you’ll need either 80,000 points or 128,000 points for a one-way ticket (depending on your card type), plus $5.60 in taxes and fees.
If you book with ANA using Amex points, you’ll need 85,000 points for a round-trip ticket (or 42,500 points for a one-way ticket), plus about $300 in taxes and fees. That’s a potential saving of up to 132,500 points compared to using United miles or booking through the Amex Travel Portal.
Of course, this is just one example and the value of your points will vary depending on your specific route and dates. But as you can see, booking with ANA can be a great way to use your Amex points for United flights.
Option 3: Transfer Amex points to Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer
The third Star Alliance partner that you can transfer your Amex points to is Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer, the loyalty program of Singapore Airlines. Singapore Airlines has a region-based award chart that can offer some good value for medium-haul and long-haul flights, especially in premium cabins. It also allows you to book one stopover on round-trip flights or one stopover on one-way flights for a fee of $100.
You can transfer your Amex points to KrisFlyer at a 1:1 ratio, with a minimum of 1,000 points per transfer. The transfer can take up to 24 hours, so you’ll need to plan ahead if you want to book a United flight with KrisFlyer. You’ll also pay a fee of $0.0006 per point (up to $99) to cover excise taxes.
To book a United flight with KrisFlyer, you can use the online search tool on the KrisFlyer website or app. You can filter your results by airline, cabin class, connection time, and more. You can also use the multi-city option to add a stopover to your itinerary.
The number of points you’ll need for a United flight with KrisFlyer will depend on the regions you fly between and the cabin class you choose. KrisFlyer divides the world into seven regions: North America (excluding Hawaii), Hawaii/Caribbean/Central America/South America/Middle East/Africa/Europe/Oceania/Southwest Pacific/Asia/North Asia/South Asia.
Here’s a summary of the award chart for flights between these regions:
| Region | Economy | Premium Economy | Business | First |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| North America | 12,500 – 40,000 pts | N/A | 23,000 – 95,000 pts | N/A |
| Hawaii | 17,500 pts | N/A | 30,000 pts | N/A |
| Caribbean/Central America/South America/Middle East/Africa/Europe/Oceania/Southwest Pacific/Asia/North Asia/South Asia | Same as North America – corresponding region |
The points displayed are for one-way travel. You can also book round-trip travel for twice the number of points.
In addition to the points required for your flight, you’ll also pay taxes and fees that vary depending on your departure and destination countries. However, one of the disadvantages of booking with KrisFlyer is that you’ll pay fuel surcharges on United flights, which can add up to hundreds of dollars.
To give you an example of how to use Amex points for United flights with KrisFlyer, let’s say you want to fly from San Francisco (SFO) to Frankfurt (FRA) in business class. This is a distance of about 5,700 miles, which falls into the Europe region on the award chart.
If you book directly with United using United miles, you’ll need either 70,000 miles or 175,000 miles for a one-way saver award ticket (depending on availability), plus $5.60 in taxes and fees.
If you book through the Amex Travel Portal using Amex points, you’ll need either 80,000 points or 128,000 points for a one-way ticket (depending on your card type), plus $5.60 in taxes and fees.
If you book with KrisFlyer using Amex points, you’ll need 72,000 points for a one-way ticket, plus about $300 in taxes and fees. That’s a potential saving of up to 103,000 points compared to using United miles or booking through the Amex Travel Portal.
Of course, this is just one example and the value of your points will vary depending on your specific route and dates. But as you can see, booking with KrisFlyer can be a good way to use your Amex points for United flights.
What are the benefits and drawbacks of using American Express points for United flights?
Using American Express Membership Rewards points for United flights can be a smart way to save money and enjoy more travel options. However, it also comes with some challenges and limitations that you should be aware of before you book your trip.
Here are some of the benefits and drawbacks of using American Express points for United flights:
Benefits:
- You can access more award availability and lower prices by transferring your points to United’s Star Alliance partners, such as Air Canada Aeroplan, ANA Mileage Club, or Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer. These partners often have different award charts and availability than United, which can work in your favor.
- You can enjoy more flexibility and creativity by booking with United’s Star Alliance partners. Some of them allow you to book one or more stopovers or open-jaws on your itinerary, which means you can visit multiple destinations for the price of one award ticket. You can also mix and match different airlines and cabins to suit your preferences and budget.
- You can earn more points by using the best Amex cards for travel purchases. Some of these cards offer bonus points for spending on airfare, hotels, car rentals, dining, and more. You can also take advantage of Amex Offers, which give you discounts or extra points at select merchants.
- You can redeem your points for other travel expenses besides flights. You can use your points to book prepaid hotels, car rentals, cruises, or vacation packages through the Amex Travel Portal. You can also transfer your points to other hotel or airline partners that are not affiliated with United.
Drawbacks:
- You cannot transfer your points directly to United. This means you have to go through a third-party partner, which can add extra steps and fees to your booking process. You also have to deal with different rules and policies of each partner, which can vary widely.
- You may pay higher taxes and fees when booking with United’s Star Alliance partners. Some of them impose fuel surcharges on United flights, which can add up to hundreds of dollars. Others charge booking fees, cancellation fees, or change fees that may be higher than United’s own fees.
- You may not get the same benefits and services when booking with United’s Star Alliance partners. Some of them may not offer seat selection, priority boarding, baggage allowance, lounge access, or elite status recognition when flying on United. You may also have to contact the partner airline directly for any issues or changes to your reservation.
- You may not get the best value for your points when booking through the Amex Travel Portal. The portal usually offers a fixed value of 1 cent per point for flights (unless you have The Business Platinum Card® from American Express), which may be lower than what you can get by transferring your points to a partner airline. You also may not earn frequent flyer miles or elite status credits when booking through the portal.
The best option for you will depend on your travel goals, preferences, and budget. You’ll need to compare different factors, such as the availability and cost of award flights, the transfer ratio and fees of each partner, the taxes and surcharges imposed by each airline, the benefits and services offered by each airline, and the value of your points.
How to choose the best option for your United flight?
As you can see, there are three ways to use your Amex points for United flights: transferring them to Air Canada Aeroplan, ANA Mileage Club, or Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer. Each option has its pros and cons, and the best one for you will depend on your travel preferences and goals.
Here are some factors to consider when choosing the best option for your United flight:
- The availability and cost of award flights: You’ll need to check the availability and cost of award flights on each partner’s website or app. You’ll also need to compare them with booking directly with United or through the Amex Travel Portal. Sometimes, you might find better availability or lower prices with one option over another.
- The transfer ratio and fees of each partner: You’ll need to check the transfer ratio and fees of each partner. You’ll also need to factor in the excise tax fee that applies when you transfer your Amex points to any partner. Sometimes, you might find better value with one option over another.
- The taxes and surcharges imposed by each airline: You’ll need to check the taxes and surcharges imposed by each airline. You’ll also need to factor in the fuel surcharges that apply when you book with KrisFlyer. Sometimes, you might find lower costs with one option over another.
- The seasonality and demand of your travel destination: You’ll need to check the seasonality and demand of your travel destination. You’ll also need to factor in the dynamic pricing that applies when you book with Aeroplan or directly with United. Sometimes, you might find lower or higher prices with one option over another depending on the time of year or popularity of your destination.
- The quality and comfort of your flight experience: You’ll need to check the quality and comfort of your flight experience. You’ll also need to factor in the benefits and drawbacks of flying with United or its partners. Sometimes, you might find better or worse service, amenities, seats, food, entertainment, lounges, or priority services with one option over another.
To help you choose the best option for your United flight, here are some general tips and recommendations:
- If you want to fly short-haul or long-haul within North America in economy class, transferring your Amex points to Aeroplan might be your best bet. You can potentially save a lot of points compared to using United miles or booking through the Amex Travel Portal.
- If you want to fly long-haul between North America and other regions in business class or first class, transferring your Amex points to ANA might be your best bet. You can potentially save a lot of points compared to using United miles or booking through the Amex Travel Portal. You can also enjoy access to premium cabins like United Polaris Business Class or Singapore Airlines Suites Class.
- If you want to fly medium-haul between North America and other regions in economy class or business class, transferring your Amex points to KrisFlyer might be your best bet. You can potentially save some points compared to using United miles or booking through the Amex Travel Portal. However, you’ll need to factor in the fuel surcharges that apply when you book with KrisFlyer.
How does United compare with other airlines?
If you’re not sure whether you want to fly with United or one of its competitors, you might want to compare some of the features and benefits of each airline. Here are some of the main competitors of United and how they stack up against it:
- Southwest Airlines (LUV): Southwest is one of the largest domestic airlines in the US, with a network of over 100 destinations. It offers low fares, free checked bags, no change or cancellation fees, and a generous loyalty program. However, it does not fly to any international destinations (except Mexico and the Caribbean), it does not offer any premium cabins or lounges, and it does not have assigned seating or boarding groups.
- Delta Air Lines (DAL): Delta is one of the largest and most popular airlines in the world, with a network of over 300 destinations across 60 countries. It offers high-quality service, comfortable seats, modern amenities, and a wide range of partner airlines. However, it can be expensive, it charges for checked bags and seat selection on most flights, and it has a dynamic award pricing system that can make it hard to find good value for your miles.
- Alaska Air Group (ALK): Alaska is one of the leading regional airlines in the US, with a network of over 100 destinations across North America. It offers low fares, free checked bags for elite members and cardholders, free inflight entertainment and Wi-Fi, and a flexible loyalty program. However, it does not fly to any international destinations (except Canada and Mexico), it does not offer any premium cabins or lounges, and it has limited partner airlines.
- American Airlines Group (AAL): American is one of the largest and most popular airlines in the world, with a network of over 350 destinations across 50 countries. It offers a variety of cabin classes, lounges, and partner airlines. However, it can be expensive, it charges for checked bags and seat selection on most flights, and it has a dynamic award pricing system that can make it hard to find good value for your miles.
As you can see, each airline has its pros and cons, and the best one for you will depend on your travel preferences and goals. You’ll need to compare different factors, such as the fares, fees, routes, schedules, cabins, amenities, lounges, partners, and loyalty programs of each airline.
By following this guide, you’ll have a clear idea of how United compares with other airlines, and how to choose the best one for your travel goals.
How has United evolved over time?
United Airlines has a long and rich history that spans over a century. It started as a small mail carrier in 1926 and grew into one of the largest and most popular airlines in the world. Along the way, it has faced many challenges and opportunities, and has constantly adapted and innovated to meet the changing needs and expectations of its customers.
Here are some of the major milestones and achievements of United Airlines over time:
- In 1927, United hired Ellen Church, the first female flight attendant in history. She helped to improve the safety and comfort of passengers, as well as to attract more female travelers.
- In 1933, United became the first airline to fly a Boeing 247, a twin-engine plane that was faster and more reliable than previous models. It also introduced features such as autopilot, de-icing equipment, and retractable landing gear.
- In 1936, United became the first airline to offer onboard meals, served by registered dietitians. It also launched its first loyalty program, called Mileage Plus, which rewarded frequent flyers with free tickets and upgrades.
- In 1955, United became the first airline to operate a coast-to-coast jet service, using a Boeing 707. It also introduced inflight entertainment, such as movies and music.
- In 1961, United became the first airline to use a computerized reservation system, called Apollo. It allowed agents to book flights faster and more accurately, and also enabled customers to check flight status and availability online.
- In 1970, United became the first airline to launch a shuttle service, called United Express. It offered frequent and convenient flights between major cities and smaller markets, using regional jets and turboprops.
- In 1982, United became the first airline to fly a Boeing 767, a wide-body plane that offered more comfort and capacity than previous models. It also introduced Economy Plus seats, which offered more legroom for a small fee.
- In 1995, United became one of the founding members of Star Alliance, the world’s largest airline alliance. It allowed customers to enjoy seamless travel across 26 partner airlines, covering more than 1,300 destinations in 195 countries.
- In 2004, United became the first airline to offer wireless internet access on its flights, using a service called Connexion by Boeing. It also launched Ted, a low-cost subsidiary that offered cheaper fares and fewer amenities than United.
- In 2010, United merged with Continental Airlines, creating the world’s largest airline by passenger traffic. The merger combined the strengths and assets of both airlines, such as route networks, fleets, hubs, lounges, and loyalty programs.
- In 2016, United introduced Polaris Business Class, a premium cabin that offered lie-flat seats, luxury bedding, elevated service, and access to exclusive lounges. It also launched Basic Economy fares, which offered lower prices but fewer benefits than regular Economy fares.
- In 2020, United became the first US airline to offer COVID-19 testing for passengers traveling to Hawaii. It also became the first US airline to fly a Boeing 737 MAX after its grounding in 2019.
Some of the recent innovations and improvements that United Airlines has introduced or announced in 2021 include:
- United Airlines Ventures: A new corporate venture fund that aims to invest in emerging technologies and sustainable solutions that can improve the travel experience for customers and reduce the environmental impact of aviation. Some of the areas of interest include sustainable aviation fuel, carbon capture and sequestration, electric aircraft, and digital technologies.
- Sustainable Flight Fund: A first-of-its-kind investment fund that supports start-ups working on sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) research, production, and technology. The fund was launched with more than $100 million in investments from United and its partners, such as Air Canada, Boeing, JPMorgan Chase, Honeywell, and GE Aviation. SAF is an alternative to conventional jet fuel that reduces greenhouse gas emissions compared to regular jet fuel. It is made from renewable sources such as used cooking oil, agricultural waste, or household trash.
- Electric aircraft: United has announced plans to buy 100 electric aircraft from Swedish start-up Heart Aerospace. The aircraft, called ES-19, can seat 19 passengers and fly up to 250 miles on a single charge. They are expected to enter service by 2026 and operate on regional routes. United has also invested in another electric aircraft start-up, Archer Aviation, which is developing a vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) vehicle that can carry four passengers and fly up to 60 miles at 150 mph.
- COVID-19 testing: United was the first US airline to offer COVID-19 testing for passengers traveling to Hawaii. It also became the first US airline to fly a Boeing 737 MAX after its grounding in 2019. United has implemented strict safety and cleanliness protocols to protect its customers and employees from the coronavirus pandemic. These include mandatory face masks, enhanced disinfection procedures, contactless check-in and boarding, social distancing measures, air filtration systems, and health screening tools.
Conclusion
Using your Amex points for United flights can be a great way to travel the world with one of the largest and most popular airlines. However, since United is not a direct transfer partner of Amex, you’ll need to use one of these three options: transferring them to Air Canada Aeroplan, ANA Mileage Club, or Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer.
Each option has its pros and cons, and the best one for you will depend on your travel preferences and goals. You’ll need to compare different factors, such as the availability and cost of award flights, the transfer ratio and fees of each partner, the taxes and surcharges imposed by each airline, the seasonality and demand of your travel destination, and the quality and comfort of your flight experience.
By following this guide, you’ll have a clear idea of how to use your Amex points for United flights, and how to maximize their value for your travel goals. Happy travels!
Useful resources for using American Express points for United flights?
If you want to learn more about how to use American Express points for United flights, or compare different options and prices, here are some useful resources and multiple sellers that you can check out:
- Million Mile Secrets: This is a travel blog that offers tips and tricks on how to earn and use miles and points for travel. It has a detailed guide on how to use Amex points to fly on United, with examples and screenshots of different scenarios and options. You can also find reviews of different Amex cards and United flights, as well as the latest news and deals on both programs.
- The Points Guy: This is another travel blog that covers everything related to miles and points. It has a comprehensive guide on the best credit cards for United flyers, with comparisons and recommendations of different cards that earn Amex points or United miles. It also has reviews of different Amex cards and United flights, as well as the latest news and deals on both programs.
- American Express Travel: This is the official travel portal of American Express, where you can book flights, hotels, car rentals, cruises, or vacation packages using your Amex points or card. You can also find exclusive offers and benefits for Amex cardholders, such as discounts, upgrades, or extra points. You can search for United flights by entering your origin, destination, dates, and preferred cabin class. You can then filter your results by airline, price, duration, or departure time. You can also see how many points you need to pay for your flight, or how many points you can earn by paying with your card.
- Air Canada Aeroplan: This is the official website of Air Canada’s loyalty program, where you can transfer your Amex points and book United flights. You can search for United flights by entering your origin, destination, dates, and preferred cabin class. You can then filter your results by airline, price, duration, or departure time. You can also see how many points you need to pay for your flight, or how many points you can earn by flying with United. You can also book stopovers or open-jaws on your itinerary for a small fee.
- ANA Mileage Club: This is the official website of ANA’s loyalty program, where you can transfer your Amex points and book United flights. You can search for United flights by entering your origin, destination, dates, and preferred cabin class. You can then filter your results by airline, price, duration, or departure time. You can also see how many points you need to pay for your flight, or how many points you can earn by flying with United. You can also book stopovers or open-jaws on your itinerary for free.
- Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer: This is the official website of Singapore Airlines’ loyalty program, where you can transfer your Amex points and book United flights. You can search for United flights by entering your origin, destination, dates, and preferred cabin class. You can then filter your results by airline, price, duration, or departure time. You can also see how many points you need to pay for your flight, or how many points you can earn by flying with United. You can also book a stopover on your itinerary for a fee of $100.
These are some of the useful resources that you can use to learn more about how to use American Express points for United flights, or compare different options and prices. You can also find other blogs, forums, podcasts, or videos that offer tips and reviews on this topic. You can also consult with a travel agent or a credit card expert for more personalized advice and guidance.
FAQ
Here are some of the common questions and answers that you may have about using American Express points for United flights:
Can I transfer my Amex points directly to United?
No, you cannot transfer your Amex points directly to United, as United is not a direct transfer partner of Amex. However, you can transfer your Amex points to one of United’s Star Alliance partners, such as Air Canada Aeroplan, ANA Mileage Club, or Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer. You can then use those points to book United flights through the partner’s website or app.
How many Amex points do I need to fly on United?
The number of Amex points you need to fly on United will depend on which partner you transfer your points to, and how many points they charge for the flight you want. You can use the partner’s award chart or online search tool to find out how many points you need for your desired flight. You can also use the Amex Travel Portal to book United flights with your points, but you may not get the best value for your points this way.
How long does it take to transfer my Amex points to a partner?
The transfer time of your Amex points to a partner will vary depending on the partner. Some transfers are instant, while others may take up to a few days. You can check the transfer time of each partner on the Amex website or app before you initiate the transfer. You should also check the availability of your desired flight before you transfer your points, as it may change or sell out while you wait for the transfer to complete.
What are the fees and taxes involved in booking United flights with Amex points?
The fees and taxes involved in booking United flights with Amex points will depend on which partner you book with, and where you fly to and from. Some partners charge booking fees, cancellation fees, or change fees that may be higher than United’s own fees. Some partners also impose fuel surcharges on United flights, which can add up to hundreds of dollars. You should check the fees and taxes of each partner on their website or app before you book your flight. You should also factor in the excise tax fee that applies when you transfer your Amex points to any partner, which is $0.0006 per point (up to $99).
What are the benefits and drawbacks of booking United flights with Amex points?
The benefits and drawbacks of booking United flights with Amex points will depend on your travel preferences and goals. Some of the benefits include accessing more award availability and lower prices by transferring your points to a partner, enjoying more flexibility and creativity by booking with a partner, earning more points by using the best Amex cards for travel purchases, and redeeming your points for other travel expenses besides flights. Some of the drawbacks include not being able to transfer your points directly to United, paying higher taxes and fees when booking with a partner, not getting the same benefits and services when booking with a partner, and not getting the best value for your points when booking through the Amex Travel Portal.
