I downloaded the United MileagePlus X app last year but never really used it since it was all the way on the second page of my phone screen. I’m not a big shopper and prefer to buy things online, where I make use of shopping portals to earn extra miles on my purchases.
This weekend I had to go to the mall – something I dread. There was just no way around it, so I was determined to at least earn lots of points and miles. The MileagePlus X app helped me earn over 1,000 bonus miles. While these miles won’t get me to Bali, every mile counts.
How does the MileagePlus X app work?
The app works a little different from traditional shopping portals. I assumed it would work like a dining rewards program: Register your credit card, shop at a participating merchant, earn bonus miles.
Instead, you buy a merchant gift card through the MileagePlus X app and then use that towards your purchase. To give you a better idea of how this works, here’s a visual example:
Step 1: Open the MileagePlus X app
Either scroll through the list of merchants or type your merchant name into the search box. When you’re ready to pay for your purchase, select “Pay now”.
Step 2: Find the Store
You’ll find a brief summary with a profile of the merchant, including location. There is an option to change the store location if it isn’t set correctly. I don’t know if it makes a difference, but I still recommend changing it, just to be safe.
Step 3: Specify the gift card amount
Type the total amount of your purchase and choose your payment option. You can even redeem United miles for gift card purchases, but that is a terrible value (and counterproductive, since you’re trying to earn more miles for travel).
Again, you’re purchasing a gift card through the app. Make sure it reflects the total amount for your merchandise purchase.
Step 4: Scan the gift card code
After you buy a gift card through MileagePlus X, you will receive a code and PIN number. Show the code to the cashier so they can type or scan it. You can also use the gift card number and PIN for online purchases.
During almost every transaction, the cashiers simply scanned the barcode. At HomeGoods, the scanner didn’t work, so the cashier typed in the gift card number.
Step 5: Mark your balance redeemed
Your gift card will be stored in the app for future use. If you’ve used the balance, simply mark it as redeemed. You’ll also receive an email receipt for the gift card, containing your gift card number and PIN.
The downside of using the MileagePlus X app
The downside of using the MileagePlus X app? If you return an item, your refund will be issued in the form of a store gift card.
How long does it take for your miles to post?
The great thing about using the MileagePlus X app is that the miles post to your account almost immediately. The MileagePlus X app FAQ does state that with certain merchants, the miles don’t appear until after you actually use the gift card for a purchase.
In my case, when I logged into my United MileagePlus account at the end of the same day I used the app, my miles had already posted. That’s incredibly fast!
If your United miles are ever on the verge of expiring, using the United MileagePlus X app is a great way to keep your account active on short notice.
United MileagePlus credit cardholders earn a 25% bonus
In addition to miles earned from the app, United MileagePlus credit cardholders are eligible for a 25% bonus. This bonus can be combined with the United MileagePlus X app and MileagePlus shopping portal to generate even more miles. Factor in the 1-1.5 miles per $1 earned through the United credit cards and you’re looking at a major point haul.
That’s pretty much all there is to the United MileagePlus X app. It’s an easy way to generate extra United miles on everyday shopping. All you have to do is make it a habit and remember to use it consistently in-store and online.
While the earnings may not seem substantial, when combined with credit card category bonuses and online shopping portals, the app can make a substantial contribution towards your mile-earning goals.
Have you used the United MileagePlus X app yet? How many miles have you earned by using it?
There are some stores that are BOTH on the United Milage X app AND on the shopping portal so an extra dip that way too! I use it during Christmas when Sephora is 5x miles on the app and 21x miles on the portal. Plus I use my United credit card so I get the miles for the purchase and get the 25% bonus. Quadruple dip!
I love the idea of ‘quadruple dip’. I’m going to be using this a lot as I just downloaded the app and all of the stores I usually go to around me, showed up as being part of it. I’m pretty excited!
How did I miss the 21x bonus at Sephora?!?!? A lot of portals also offer spending bonuses during the holidays, so you can earn even more miles on those purchases.
You have to be careful to always use the United app as a gift card; the first time I used it at Staples, the clerk told me that lots of customers use it, and to just hold my phone near the credit card swipe, like Apple Pay. That charged not only the Ink Bold card I wanted to use, but also my Freedom Unlimited card. I had to jump through a lot of hoops with Chase to get that squared away. It’s a great app; I hate shopping too, but when I do, I get a my United points!
Thanks for the tip. I haven’t used it at Staples and had no idea that would happen. So far, cashiers have simply used the scanner (the one they use for merchandise) to scan the gift card. Or entered the numbers manually.