You cannot transfer United miles directly to another person through a standard transfer process

United Airlines does not allow you to move miles from your account to someone else's account as a gift or personal transfer. The airline's frequent flyer program, MileagePlus, treats miles as non-transferable property tied to the account holder. If you want another person to use your miles, you have a few actual options, but none of them involve moving the miles themselves into their account.

The paths available depend on whether you want to help someone book a flight now, preserve miles for a family member after you die, or let someone use miles while you still control the account. Each has different rules and different outcomes.

Key Takeaways

  • United does not allow you to transfer miles to another person's account, but you can book a flight ticket for someone else using your own miles.
  • If you die, your miles can pass to a beneficiary through your will or estate, but United requires a death certificate and legal documentation to release them.
  • You can add an authorized user to your MileagePlus account, but they cannot spend miles without your permission — you remain the account owner.
  • Some third-party websites claim to broker mile transfers, but United does not recognize these transactions and may close accounts involved in them.

Booking a ticket for someone else using your miles

The most straightforward way to let another person fly on your miles is to book the ticket yourself and put their name on it. You log into your MileagePlus account, search for a flight, and during checkout you enter the passenger's name, date of birth, and contact information. The ticket is issued in their name, and they can check in and fly using that reservation.

You pay the miles from your account balance, and the other person does not need a MileagePlus account at all. This works for one-time gifts or helping a family member travel. The ticket is non-refundable in miles once issued, so if the passenger cancels, you lose the miles — they do not return to your account.

United allows you to book for anyone, not just family members. There is no limit on how many tickets you can purchase this way in a single year, though each booking uses miles from your balance.

Adding an authorized user to your account

You can designate another person as an authorized user on your MileagePlus account through the United website. This person can view your account balance, see your miles history, and check your upcoming reservations. However, they cannot spend your miles or make changes to the account without your explicit permission for each transaction.

To add an authorized user, log into MileagePlus, go to Account Settings, and select Manage Authorized Users. You provide the person's name and email address. United sends them an invitation, and once they accept, they can access a read-only view of your account. If you want them to book a flight using your miles, you must approve the booking yourself — they cannot initiate it independently.

This option is useful if you want to give someone visibility into your account or help manage it, but you retain full control over the miles. The authorized user cannot transfer miles, change your password, or make any changes without your approval.

What happens to your miles if you die

United allows your miles to pass to a beneficiary after your death, but the process requires legal documentation. Your miles do not automatically go to the person named in your will — United must receive proof that you have designated them as a beneficiary and proof of your death.

To name a beneficiary while you are alive, contact United MileagePlus customer service by phone at 1-800-421-4655. You can designate one person or multiple people to receive your miles. United will ask for the beneficiary's name, relationship to you, and contact information. There is no fee to name a beneficiary, and you can change it at any time.

After you die, the person handling your estate (your executor or administrator) must contact United with a certified copy of your death certificate and proof that they have the legal authority to manage your affairs. United will then transfer the miles to the beneficiary you named. This process typically takes several weeks. If you did not name a beneficiary, the miles may be forfeited, or they may pass through your estate according to your will — but United will not release them without legal documentation.

Why you should avoid third-party mile transfer services

Several websites advertise the ability to buy, sell, or transfer airline miles on your behalf. These services do not have any partnership with United and operate in a legal gray area. United's terms of service prohibit the sale or transfer of miles to anyone other than a family member traveling with you, and the airline actively monitors for unauthorized transfers.

If United detects that your account has been involved in a third-party mile sale or transfer, the airline may freeze your account, cancel your miles, or close your MileagePlus membership entirely. You would have no recourse to recover the miles or the money you paid. The risk is not worth the convenience, especially since you can book tickets for others directly using your own account.

Gifting miles through a co-branded credit card

If you have a United co-branded credit card (issued by Chase), you can sometimes transfer bonus miles or promotional miles to another person's account during the sign-up period. This applies only to new cardholders and only to the bonus miles offered as part of the card promotion — not to miles you have already earned and accumulated.

When you explore for a United credit card, you can request that the bonus miles be posted to someone else's MileagePlus account instead of your own. This must be done at the time of process, and the other person must have an active MileagePlus account. Once the bonus is posted to their account, those miles belong to them and cannot be moved back to you.

This option is limited and applies only to new card sign-ups, not to existing cardholders transferring their own miles. It is not a general solution for gifting miles you have already earned.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I transfer miles to my spouse or family member?

No, United does not allow direct transfers of miles between accounts, even for spouses or family members. Your only option is to book a flight ticket for them using your miles, which puts the ticket in their name. If you want them to have miles in their own account permanently, you can name them as a beneficiary to receive your miles after you die.

What if I want to sell my miles to someone?

United prohibits the sale of miles to anyone outside your when ready family traveling with you. If United detects that you have sold miles through a third-party broker, the airline may cancel your account and forfeit all your miles. The risk of losing your entire balance is much higher than any money you would receive from a sale.

Can someone else use my MileagePlus account to book their own flight?

No. Only you can log into your account and make bookings. If you want someone else to fly on your miles, you must book the ticket yourself and enter their name as the passenger. They cannot access your account or initiate bookings, even if you give them your password.

Do I lose my miles if I don't name a beneficiary?

United's policy on unclaimed miles after death varies. Your miles may be forfeited, or they may pass through your estate if you have a will. To may support your miles go to the person you choose, contact United and name a beneficiary while you are alive. This takes a few minutes and costs nothing.

Can I transfer miles earned from a credit card to someone else?

Miles posted to your account after you earn them cannot be transferred. However, if you are explore for a new United credit card, you can request that the sign-up bonus be posted to someone else's MileagePlus account instead of yours — but only at the time you explore for the card.