Skip to main content

United Airlines lets passengers pool frequent flyer miles

United Airlines is changing the rules of its frequent flyer program and will now let family members and close friends combine their miles to book travel.

United Airlines is letting its most loyal passengers combine their airline miles with friends and family members.

Groups of up to five MileagePlus members can now share and redeem miles into one linked account, according to United. 

JetBlue, Frontier and Spirit already have pooling programs available to customers.

United cited data from the Family Travel Association indicating that a majority of parents are concerned about travel affordability, given the current economy. 

UNITED AIRLINES OFFERS 30,000 MILES TO PASSENGERS AFFECTED BY RECENT FLIGHT DISRUPTIONS

While 81% of parents said they are likely to travel in 2024, nearly 60% say affordability is an ongoing challenge to family travel, according to the 2023 Family Travel Association annual family travel survey.

The new "pooling" rule aims to take some of the financial burden away, United said, adding that even the youngest family members can contribute. 

UNITED AIRLINES CEO ADDRESSES STRING OF INCIDENTS, TELLS PASSENGERS CARRIER IS SAFE

For instance, if a group of friends is planning a summer trip, and each of them has a MileagePlus account, they can combine their miles or "select amount of their personal miles into one central 'pool' that can be used to purchase flights and offset the cost of ticket prices," the carrier said.

It's another way to encourage flyers to join its loyalty program right before the chaotic summer travel season kicks off. 

GET FOX BUSINESS ON THE GO BY CLICKING HERE

The program is free to join, and it rewards passengers when they fly or partake in certain activities and experiences. Pooling will not affect an individual's Premier status, United said.

The announcement comes after United Airlines CEO Scott Kirby attempted to reassure flyers in a letter that the carrier is looking into the string of incidents that have recently involved its planes, from engine and structural issues to a wheel falling off during takeoff.  

Data & News supplied by www.cloudquote.io
Stock quotes supplied by Barchart
Quotes delayed at least 20 minutes.
By accessing this page, you agree to the following
Privacy Policy and Terms and Conditions.