How much are United MileagePlus miles worth?
1.20¢ to 1.30¢ per mile across 5 published valuations in September 2026, a typical 1.24¢. That makes 100,000 miles worth about $1,240 in flights when used well.
Written and reviewed by the Points Plug team. Last reviewed .
What are your United MileagePlus miles worth?
Enter a balance to see its value at the low, typical and high ends of published valuations.
- Low · 1.20¢
- $1,200
- Typical · 1.24¢
- $1,240
- High · 1.30¢
- $1,300
These are redemption values, what the miles save you on flights when used well. A cash offer is certain money now. Get an instant quote for 100,000 miles.
What common balances are worth
| Balance | Low (1.20¢) | Typical (1.24¢) | High (1.30¢) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 50,000 miles | $600 | $620 | $650 |
| 100,000 miles | $1,200 | $1,240 | $1,300 |
| 250,000 miles | $3,000 | $3,100 | $3,250 |
| 500,000 miles | $6,000 | $6,200 | $6,500 |
Published valuations, September 2026
- The Points Guy1.20¢
- Upgraded Points1.20¢
- Frequent Miler1.30¢
- One Mile at a Time1.30¢
- NerdWallet1.20¢
- AwardWallet (member-reported average)Skewed toward premium-cabin awards; not included in the range.2.09¢
What redemptions actually return
- Domestic economy1.0¢ to 1.40¢
NerdWallet found a median of 1.2 cents across 80 main-cabin awards, with the best value on international routes booked about two weeks out.
- Star Alliance partner business class2.50¢ to 5.0¢
Lufthansa, SWISS, ANA and EVA business class to Europe or Asia, priced without fuel surcharges.
- Merchandise, gift cards, upgrades on cheap fares0.50¢ to 0.90¢
Why United MileagePlus miles are worth what they are
United MileagePlus miles are valued at 1.2 to 1.3 cents each by the major points publishers in September 2026, with The Points Guy trimming its figure from 1.25 to 1.2 this year. That is a middle-of-the-pack number for a US airline: below American AAdvantage and Alaska Atmos Rewards, level with Delta, and well below the 1.5 to 2 cents that transferable bank points command.
The gap between the published figure and what members actually get is wide. United prices its own flights dynamically, so a domestic economy award returns about a cent per mile on average and sometimes less on peak dates. Star Alliance partner awards in business class, which United still prices from a table and without surcharges, are where the miles return two to four times the headline value. Members who can plan international premium-cabin trips months ahead are the ones the 1.3-cent figure describes.
Because MileagePlus miles never expire, there is no deadline pushing a decision. The trade-off is that award prices tend to rise each year, so a balance held for years buys less over time. Compare the redemption value above with a cash quote for United miles, and read the United MileagePlus program guide for the full picture.
Ways to add miles
Chase Ultimate Rewards (1:1), Bilt Rewards (1:1), Marriott Bonvoy (3:1) transfer into United MileagePlus. The program is in Star Alliance. See the transfer partner matrix.
United MileagePlus value FAQ
- How much are 100,000 United miles worth?
- At the September 2026 published valuations of 1.2 to 1.3 cents per mile, 100,000 United miles are worth roughly $1,200 to $1,300 in flights. A well-chosen Star Alliance business class award can return $2,500 or more, while domestic economy on peak dates can return under $1,000.
- Are United miles worth more than Delta SkyMiles?
- Publishers value them about the same, 1.2 to 1.3 cents for United against 1.1 to 1.2 cents for Delta. United has the edge for partner business class awards, which it prices from a table without surcharges, while Delta prices everything dynamically.