United’s double miles promo – with a catch


Want double miles on United Airlines for the next month? You might be in luck. There’s a promo which launched today offering double award miles on most domestic routes through 21 November 2013, mostly matching the Southwest double points promo for the similar period. There are, of course, a few limitations which may make it less than a spectacular promotion – like only tickets purchased in the promo window count and only mid-level fares or higher – but it is pretty nice if you’re buying new tickets right now.

UA-Double MIles

Here are the most important bits of fine print I’m seeing:

  • Offer is valid for segments with an origin and destination within the 48 continental U.S. states on flights marketed and operated by United and United Express, which includes domestic travel within international itineraries. Offer excludes travel to or from Alaska or Hawaii.
  • Offer is valid on tickets purchased between October 21, 2013, and November 21, 2013.
  • Offer is valid on travel completed between October 21, 2013, and November 21, 2013.
  • Members can earn double award miles on base miles earned for travel in F, A, J, C, D, Z, P, Y, B, M, E, U, H, Q, V, W and S fare classes.

So, not cheap fares and no previously purchased tickets. On the plus side, the domestic segments of international itineraries are included so that’s a win.

Registration is required.

Compared to the current Southwest Double RR points promo the exclusion of the lower fares is a bummer. The new purchases only bit is similar, though with Southwest if the fares are similar you could easily exchange the old for new thanks to their lack of fees on such transactions.

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Seth Miller

I'm Seth, also known as the Wandering Aramean. I was bit by the travel bug 30 years ago and there's no sign of a cure. I fly ~200,000 miles annually; these are my stories. You can connect with me on Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn.