How does United Frequent Flyer Program work?

I've never been to loyal to any one airline but, since moving to NJ I have, to my dismay, taken a few too many trips on United and racked up some frequent flyer miles. This being United, I have not been able to find a simple explanation on there website regarding how one converts these miles into tickets. Can someone explain this too me? I don't want to waste the miles I have but I would like to put them to some use.

when you search a flight open the little tab that say -search with miles( or something like that)

the flights will populate withe the price and # of miles needed.

this is on the united app. may be a little different on the web site.

oots

Oots--it is the same on the main website. You don't even need to be logged in to check availability for MileagePlus award travel. Enter theoretical trip info in the "reservations" box on the top left of the page and near the bottom you will see a box to check for "Award Travel."

Also, there are several websites that specialize in explaining points/award travel. See below:

http://thepointsguy.com/2015/04/how-to-book-awards-with-united-mileageplus-miles/

It Doesn't! United SUCKS!

I was a frequent United/Contenental flyer for work, and used my One Pass card a lot to get upgrades, etc. Well, I changed jobs and did not fly for 1 year. I went to use my rewards miles for a flight home to Pittsburgh, (my SO's mom passed away), and they had closed my account due to inactivity and STOLE my miles I accumulated! I will NEVER fly United again! THIEVES! They would reinstate my miles if I paid them $150.00!!!

The acct has to be active....this doesn't mean you necessarily have to fly. I am a miles junkie. One of my favorite ways to keep earning points / keep the acct activeis through their mileage plus dining program. If you register your credit cards with them, any time you use it at one of the restaurants on the list you get 5x points. And if you go over 10 visits to any of your restaurants within a calendar year, the multiple increases to 10x. You can register through united's site or through the link here:

https://m.mpdining.rewardsnetwork.com/#

My husband told me that United One Pass (Continental) just changed the mileage accrual rules so that you get miles not based on how far you travel, but how much you pay for your ticket. So, if you luck into a discounted flight to London you won't get the same amount of miles that someone who paid a higher price.

Most airlines (and hotel programs) do this. To retain one's miles, one needs to have ANY mileage program activity whatsoever - it doesn't need to be a flight. I haven't flown American for years, but once every year I choose to earn AAdvantage points on one of my car rentals so that I keep active and retain my miles. Ever major airline's website will indicate the date one's miles will expire and be forfeited unless there is activity prior to that date. Terms are clearly stated, it's hardly thievery, and miles which convert to free things are a perk they don't need to offer.

maplewoody said:
It Doesn't! United SUCKS!
I was a frequent United/Contenental flyer for work, and used my One Pass card a lot to get upgrades, etc. Well, I changed jobs and did not fly for 1 year. I went to use my rewards miles for a flight home to Pittsburgh, (my SO's mom passed away), and they had closed my account due to inactivity and STOLE my miles I accumulated! I will NEVER fly United again! THIEVES! They would reinstate my miles if I paid them $150.00!!!

It's fairly straightforward - select your destination, dates and # of travelers on the homepage on the left - check the "Award Travel" box and submit. From there you will be taken to a page which shows all the different flight options and a two-month look forward calendar indicating by color which days have the flights available for the lowest miles.