United Airlines Is First Major U.S. Airline To Offer Miles Pooling

22.03.2024 - 01:19 / forbes.com / Airlines / Luc Bondar

United Airlines is the first major U.S. airline to offer miles pooling between family, friends, and close travel companions. This perk is available to all MileagePlus members, including the youngest members. The program can add even more value to your travels.

MileagePlus miles pooling is a free loyalty benefit for all existing and new United MileagePlus accounts. Beginning March 21, 2024, you can start pooling miles between loyalty accounts. There is no minimum age to join this airline program.

“We’re always looking for new ways to provide the most value to all of our loyalty members and are proud to be the first major U.S. airline to allow our members to pool their miles with their loved ones and friends,” says Luc Bondar, Chief Operating Officer of MileagePlus.

The pooling feature rolls out in time for booking summer flights when school is out of session. A pool leader must be 18 years old and can create a free pool by inviting up to four accounts of any age at United.com.

For example, parents can pool miles from their children to redeem an award ticket for at least one passenger. Up to four accounts can join a pool. Pooling miles is also an effective way to use the earnings from infrequent travelers who may struggle to book award flights in reasonable increments.

Invitees will receive instructions on contributing miles to the group pool. Miles can be redeemed for United and United Express award flights from the airline website or app.

There are no contribution limits per member, and contributions will not impact a member’s Premier elite status. However, only those traveling on pooled miles will earn eligible Premier qualifying points (PQP) instead of the contributing members.

Further, this program only facilitates the pooling of United Airlines miles. It’s not possible to pool PQP, Premier qualifying flights (PQF), PlusPoints, or TravelBank cash.

Being able to pool United miles makes family travel more accessible and more affordable. This is a valuable addition to the award travel space for procuring domestic and international flights. Being strategic about redemptions can also make it easier to earn airline elite status.