What are United MileagePlus points worth in 2026?
United MileagePlus has solid average value through their partner award pricing and saver Polaris space. The Excursionist Perk adds genuine value for round-trip travelers.
Our valuation: 1.4¢ per point · Conservative: 1.0¢ · Best-case: 2.5¢+
Example redemptions and CPP calculations
| Redemption scenario | CPP value |
|---|---|
| Polaris 60K US-Europe saver ($4,500 cash) | ($4,500 - $0) ÷ 60,000 × 100 = 7.5¢ per point |
| Excursionist Perk: free segment on round-trip in same region | Effectively saves the segment cost |
| Domestic short-haul 12K one-way ($300 cash) | $300 ÷ 12,000 × 100 = 2.5¢ per point |
How to earn United MileagePlus points
- Chase Ultimate Rewards: 1:1 transfer
- Bilt Rewards: 1:1 transfer
- Marriott Bonvoy: 3:1 transfer
- United co-brand cards (Explorer, Quest, Club Infinite)
Best uses for United MileagePlus points
- Polaris US-Europe saver (60-77K)
- Star Alliance partner awards (ANA, Lufthansa, Swiss, Singapore)
- Excursionist Perk for additional region segment
- Domestic flash sales
Why per-point value varies
United's per-point value depends on whether you find saver pricing (60-77K Polaris) vs dynamic peak pricing (100K+). The Excursionist Perk adds significant marginal value to round-trip awards.
FAQ
What are United miles worth?
Realistically 1-2¢ per point at typical redemptions. Best-case 5-8¢ for Polaris saver business class with Excursionist Perk.
Calculate your own redemption value
Use our free CPP calculator to grade any award redemption against benchmarks.
Open CPP calculator →