Forums › Frequent flyer programs › Other frequent flyer schemes › United Airlines – best way to redeem points for it
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Hi all,
Apologies if this is a super dumb question. But what is the best way (if any) to get a redemption via points on United Airlines? Obviously Avios are out of the question, but is there any way to utilize Amex MR or Virgin points?
I can only think of transferring them from Amex to Marriott and then out to United. You get 25k United miles for every 60k Marriott plus there is an offer at the moment where you get an extra 10%.
I believe you can also go Amex to Singapore and redeem on United. This might loose less value than going via Marriott, but it has different availability, prices off a different award chart, and, if you cancel, your refunded Krisflyer miles have a three year expiry.
If you have an Amex ICC card, or the HSBC Premier, the Singapore transfer rate was better than UK MR last time I did a transfer.
Singapore Airlines and SAS are Amex partners and, as Star Alliance members, allow redemptions on United. You need to look at transfer rates and redemption charts carefully first.
Or, as above, go to Marriott and then into United.
Turkish Airlines via Marriot is another option and their award chart for some routings is very good relative to say Singapore Airlines
HOWEVER booking is pretty painful, their *A online booking system wasn’t working (not sure if fixed now) and the call centre often can’t seem to see what you see on United.com. They can only book what partners can see, to be absolutely sure I’d recommend creating an account and searching via ANA to verify. You can get a ticket office to create the reservation via email (I find the ones in Asia most responsive) and then call in to ticket it
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