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In October 2024, United shared that PlusPoints were going to become more flexible and that members would have more ways to use them besides upgrades starting the following year (something Premier members have been rightfully moaning about for years). These options were updated in June and have been live for redemption since August. While PlusPoints are valid for the entire program year, if you want to exchange them for things other than upgrades you must do so before March 31st.
What Can You do With PlusPoints?
PlusPoints have historically been used for upgrades from Economy to Premium Plus, United Business®, United First®, or United Polaris®. The amounts needed varied by route and fare class booked.
What Can You do Now With PlusPoints?
You can now use PlusPoints for much more than upgrades. I’m excited about this because I inevitably have a good number expire each year. Options include:
- Gifting Premier status (all the way through Premier 1K®): Premier Silver® can be had for 40 PlusPoints, Premier Gold® for 100 PlusPoints, Premier Platinum® for 440 PlusPoints, and Premier 1K® for 600 PlusPoints
- TravelBank Cash: Up to 100 PlusPoints can be redeemed for $200 (max)
- Bonus Miles: Up to 100 PlusPoints can be redeemed for15,000 miles (max)
- Premier Qualifying Flights (PQF): 2 at 160 and 4 at 330
- Premier Qualifying Points (PQP): 1,600 max
More information can be found here.
How do You Exchange PlusPoints?
PlusPoints can be easily exchanged within the United app. Under MileagePlus you’ll see a link labeled “Exchange” (this is seen below your Miles and PlusPoints balances).
Click the link and you’re taken to a screen to exchange them. Click again and you’re presented with all of the options.
Anthony’s Take: I need to figure out what I’m exchanging this month. If you feel like you won’t be able to use all of yours for upgrades, I suggest making some choices while you can this month.
(Image Credits: United Airlines.)
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Advertiser & Editorial Disclosure: The Bulkhead Seat earns an affiliate commission for anyone approved through the links above This compensation may impact how and where links appear on this site. We work to provide the best publicly available offers to our readers. We frequently update them, but this site does not include all available offers. Opinions, reviews, analyses & recommendations are the author’s alone, and have not been reviewed, endorsed, or approved by any of these entities.
