If you have an unused gift card sitting around, it might just be your ticket to travel. United Airlines has introduced a Gift Card Exchange Program as part of its MileagePlus loyalty program, allowing members to convert gift card balances into miles. This means your forgotten or unwanted gift cards can now help you book your next getaway.
For every $25 on a gift card, you’ll receive 670 MileagePlus miles. That translates to 1,330 miles for a $50 card and 2,660 miles for a $100 card. To use the program, MileagePlus members simply log in to the “trade gift card” section on United’s website, select the retailer, and enter the gift card balance. Once the details are submitted, the program calculates the total miles you’ll earn, and after accepting the offer, the miles are deposited into your account.
There’s no limit to how many gift cards you can exchange, and you don’t need to mail in the physical card—everything is done electronically. While miles are typically deposited immediately, United advises that some transactions may take up to five business days to process.
To give some perspective, a one-way flight from New York (EWR) to Orlando (MCO) on United can cost as little as 9,100 MileagePlus miles, meaning a $350 gift card could help you book a ticket outright.
The program works with gift cards from a variety of major retailers, including Target, Walmart, Starbucks, Best Buy, Home Depot, Nordstrom, Pottery Barn, Urban Outfitters, and Cheesecake Factory. Even gift cards from competing airlines, like American Airlines and Southwest Airlines, can be exchanged for United miles.
United Airlines says this initiative is part of their ongoing efforts to enhance the MileagePlus program. The Gift Card Exchange Program joins other loyalty perks, such as Delta Air Lines’ SkyMiles Experiences, which offers members the chance to redeem miles for VIP access to concerts, sports events, and more.
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