The United MileagePlus X App: the #1 Way to Earn a Free Flight
Looking for a way to earn free flights without opening new credit cards or spending a lot of money? The United MileagePlus X app is a powerful tool to rack up miles through everyday purchases (and in addition to the credit card points you’re already earning). For travelers, especially those flying out of United hubs like O’Hare in Chicago, this app can make a big difference in increasing your mileage balance. Here’s how the United MileagePlus X app works, and how you can turn routine spending into your next flight.
What is the United MileagePlus X App?
The United MileagePlus X app is a unique platform that lets United MileagePlus members earn miles when shopping with participating retailers. Unlike traditional shopping portals like Rakuten, this app grants miles on gift card purchases. Whether you’re reloading your Starbucks account or shopping for new workout gear at Under Armour, you can earn miles on top of your regular credit card points.
If you don’t already have a United MileagePlus account, you should create one – it’s free.
How the App Works
Getting started is simple. All you need is a United MileagePlus account to log into the app. Browse through the app’s list of partner retailers, purchase a gift card for the store of your choice, and use it online or in-store. Each gift card purchase earns you miles based on the retailer’s earning rate, which usually ranges from 0.5 to 5 miles per dollar spent.
A major perk of using this app is that any miles earned through the MileagePlus X app are in addition to any credit card rewards you’d typically receive. This makes it an excellent tool for doubling up on rewards.
Where You Can Earn Miles
There are dozens (if not hundreds) of retailers that partner with United MileagePlus X. Here are some popular retailers available on the MileagePlus X app, along with their earning rates:
- Airbnb: 2 miles per dollar
- Apple: 2 miles per dollar
- Athleta: 4 miles per dollar
- Banana Republic: 4 miles per dollar
- Carter’s: 5 miles per dollar
- Chipotle: 0.5 mile per dollar
- Gap: 4 miles per dollar
- Home Depot: 1 mile per dollar
- Instacart: 1 mile per dollar
- Old Navy: 4 miles per dollar
- REI: 4 miles per dollar
- Starbucks: 2 miles per dollar
- Under Armour: 5 miles per dollar
- Uber: 1 mile per dollar
With countless additional retailers available, you’re sure to find options that fit your regular spending habits.
Real-Life Example: Earning with Starbucks
You notice that your Starbucks balance is running low. You open the MileagePlus X app and see that buying a Starbucks gift card will earn you 2 miles per dollar. You reload your account with $25, earning 50 United miles.
If you have any United credit card, you’ll also get a 25% mileage bonus, adding 12 more miles for a total of 62 miles just for using the MileagePlus X app. You’ll receive the 25% bonus just for holding any United credit card – regardless of whether you use your United credit card on the MileagePlus X purchase. In fact, I rarely use my United Gateway credit card for my MileagePlus X purchases because I earn more points using other card.
Additionally, you can use a credit card like the Chase Sapphire Preferred to earn 3x points on dining purchases, stacking these rewards for maximum points and miles earning.
Maximizing Your Mileage Earnings
To get the most out of the MileagePlus X app:
- Use Chase credit cards: Chase credit cards categorize purchases based on the merchant, so you can earn additional points (e.g., dining, travel). I’ve made a purchase using my American Express Gold card (which earns 4x on dining) through the United MileagePlus X app for a restaurant. Unfortunately, it only earned me 1 mile per dollar as the retailer did not code as the merchant through MileagePlus X when paying with an American Express card.
2. Check the app before major purchases: Big-ticket items like electronics or travel gift cards can quickly boost your mileage balance. And, the app does occasionally offer elevated miles throughout the year – you may just happen upon a 10x miles purchase! We had a number of home improvement projects this year, and using MileagePlus X for Home Depot was an easy way to turn those projects into future travel.
3. Combine with a shopping portal: Use the gift cards purchased through the app on an airline shopping portal or through Rakuten to stack your earnings even further.
Why the MileagePlus X App is Worth It
In 2024, regular use of the MileagePlus X app helped me earn over 34,000 miles. With just the miles I earned from MileagePlus X, I could cover a round-trip from Chicago to LaGuardia Airport New York (LGA). Or, I could choose to use them on a one-way flight from Chicago to Paris. And no, I didn’t spend anywhere close to $34,000 to earn these miles.
In 2025, I’ve already earned more than 9,500 miles (on top of my credit card points and sometimes Rakuten points) from using the MileagePlus X app. That’s enough for a one-way flight from Chicago to a lot of major U.S. cities, or, if I time it right, a flight to Mexico. The amount spent for these 9,500 miles was nowhere close to $9,500. Many were earned on 4x or 5x retailers, and since I hold a United card, I earn an extra 25% miles on all purchases through MPX. For United hub travelers, this app is a game-changer, offering an easy way to rack up miles for quick getaways or extended vacations.
Summary and Final Thoughts
The United MileagePlus X app is an excellent way to earn miles without adding another credit card to your wallet or meeting steep spending thresholds. Whether you’re restocking on coffee or shopping for a special occasion, these small purchases can add up to free flights. Plus, with United’s membership in the Star Alliance, your miles can take you almost anywhere in the world.
Have you tried the MileagePlus X app? Share your experience in the comments below, and let us know how you’re earning miles toward your next adventure!