Star Alliance

If you’re a member of the United MileagePlus program, you likely received an email today stating that it’s your last chance to buy MP miles with a bonus. The amount of the bonus is targeted. The offer I received:

Buy 5,000 – 19,000 miles, save 15%
Buy 20,000 – 49,000 miles, save 25%
Buy 50,000 – 149,000 miles, save 35%
Buy 150,000 miles, save 50%

The offer expires at 23:59 US Central Time tonight and are non-refundable. These miles are redeemable miles and do not count towards elite status. Canadians will be charged GST/HST. It may take up to 48 hours for the miles to post.

This will show on your credit card as a charge by Points.com so it will not count as airline spend for credit card bonus categories.

Even with the 50% bonus, it’s not a terrific deal for those of us who like to use the points for premium cabin international travel. The 150K miles cost $2625 (before taxes, fees, processing charges, etc.) which is 1.75 cents per mile. At the present time Ben from One Mile at a Time values UA miles at 1.4 cents each while Brian, The Points Guy places their value at 1.5 cents apiece.

I’m giving this sale a pass as my present travel needs don’t call for travel on Star Alliance carriers.

United is offering a targeted bonus on purchased miles that could in an extra 20%, 30% or 50% miles.  I received an email from United and clicked on my link.  I was offered the 30% bonus, which works out to a price of 2.7 cents per mile.  With the recent devaluation of United miles on partner airlines (it now costs significantly more miles for award travel on Star Alliance partner airlines), Ben of One Mile At A Time values them at only 1.4 cents apiece while Brian, The Points Guy, values them at 1.5 cents apiece.  So 2.7 cents is not a particularly good price.  As usual, your situation may vary.  If you only need a few thousand miles to top off an award, now is as good a time as any to buy them.

Note that you may only purchase 150,000 miles per year and there are additional taxes and fees associated with the purchase, reducing their value even further.  Allow 48 hours for the miles to post to your account.  The purchase is processed through Points.com so it will not count as a United Airlines purchase for credit card category purposes.  The offer is valid until 11:59 PM Central Time on 23 March 2015.