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How to get MR pts to United Mileage Program?

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gpfirestone
New Contributor

How to get MR pts to United Mileage Program?

Since Amex doesn't let me transfer points to United mileage, whats the best way to book a United flight with miles using MR points?  If I transfer to a star alliance partner will they allow me to book through them?  If so should Aeroplan work?  Any tips are greatly appreciated.  I want to book 2 flights to Koror, Palau from Denver which would normally cost $2000-$2500 each for 70,000 miles per ticket.  Debated getting business class tickets but its not worth it to me to waste the extra miles when I'll just be sleeping on the plane.

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gpfirestone
New Contributor

Re: How to get MR pts to United Mileage Program?

bump, really could use some help here

 

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Message 2 of 8
nada9188
Frequent Contributor

Re: How to get MR pts to United Mileage Program?

Yes your best bet is to transfer to a star alliance and book through them. We don't recommend paying with points.
Message 3 of 8
Cdnewmanpac
Established Contributor

Re: How to get MR pts to United Mileage Program?

Or, if you are a member of starwood preferred guest, you can transfer from MR to SPG 1:1, then SPG to either aeroplan or US airways (maybe more, but I know those are both star alliance). If you do increments of 20, you get a 5k bonus. So 20k MR=20kSPG=25kUSAirways or Aeroplan. 

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Message 4 of 8
nada9188
Frequent Contributor

Re: How to get MR pts to United Mileage Program?

Mr--->spg is 3.33:1. Unless there is some promo I don't know about.
Message 5 of 8
Open123
Super Contributor

Re: How to get MR pts to United Mileage Program?

Unfortunately, can't think of a good way to transfer from MR or SPG (2:1 - not worth it) to UA.  

 

UA miles are pretty exclusive and tend to have a pretty high value for this reason.

Message 6 of 8
gpfirestone
New Contributor

Re: How to get MR pts to United Mileage Program?

It is a bit frustrating.  It takes 90,000 aero plan miles to book a flight on united that costs 70,000 united miles.  The fees are higher too.  Do you have any idea how often amex runs the bonuses for transfering points to miles?  I didn't transfer to aeroplan back in december when they ran a pretty nice bonus and want to get in on the next one.

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CreditScholar
Valued Contributor

Re: How to get MR pts to United Mileage Program?


@gpfirestone wrote:

It is a bit frustrating.  It takes 90,000 aero plan miles to book a flight on united that costs 70,000 united miles.  The fees are higher too.  Do you have any idea how often amex runs the bonuses for transfering points to miles?  I didn't transfer to aeroplan back in december when they ran a pretty nice bonus and want to get in on the next one.


From what I've seen they seem to run transfer bonuses 1-2 times per year. Others may have better info on this.

 

If you're purely trying to redeem for a flight on UA metal, then transferring to any star alliance partner will work. You should have a look at who will cost the least, since they charge different amounts for the same flight (90k vs 70k).

 

Besides Aeroplan, other options to look into would be NH and SQ. I am skeptical that the latter will yield a good value, but the previous is definitely worth looking into.

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