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United is Giving Away a Billion Miles
JT Genter
Contributor
JT is a location-independent digital nomad traveling 250,000+ miles each year with his wife Katie.
July 29, 2016
•
2 min read
United is Giving Away a Billion Miles
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Update: Some offers mentioned below are no longer available – United MileagePlus Explorer Card
Finding that your United mileage balance is well short of what you need for a dream vacation? If you're lucky, you'll be one of the 100 MileagePlus members who end up with a seven-digit balance thanks to United's Billion Mile Giveaway.
Starting Monday, each eligible purchase made on a Chase-issued MileagePlus credit card will earn one entry into United's contest to give away a total of 1,000,000,000 miles. The contest runs through September 30, so you might want to make your United MileagePlus Explorer credit card your primary card for the next two months.
In total, there will be 140,100 prizes given away — with a combined total of 1,000,000,000 miles:
- 100 grand prizes of 1,000,000 United miles + $7,500 cash to cover taxes on the prize
- 10,000 first prizes of 25,000 United miles
- 130,000 second prizes of 5,000 United miles
Alternative Method
It's interesting to note that there's also an alternative method of entry, and it doesn't require mailing letters. Starting August 1, log onto the Billion Mile Giveaway website and manually fill-in your information to get a free entry into the contest. There's no limit to the number of free entries you can get, but you must be a United MileagePlus member to enter. Also, the terms & conditions require that "each entry must be manually key stroked."
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Not a cardholder? The current United MileagePlus Explorer sign-up bonus is currently 40,000 United miles after you spend $2,000 in the first three months. In the past, the sign-up bonus has jumped to 50,000 miles or even a targeted offer of 70,000 miles. However, if you've got an upcoming trip, the other cardholder benefits — such as free first checked bag, priority boarding and two free United Club passes — might make it worth applying now.
What would you do with 1,000,000 United miles?
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Apply for Capital One Venture X Business
at Capital One's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees
Best for businesses with high spending
TPG Editor‘s Rating
Go to reviewCard Rating is based on the opinion of TPG‘s editors and is not influenced by the card issuer.
Rewards Rate
| 2X miles | 2 miles per dollar on every purchase |
| 5X miles | 5 miles per dollar on flights and vacation rentals booked through Capital One Business Travel |
| 10X miles | 10 miles per dollar on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Business Travel |
Intro Offer
Earn 200K miles when you spend $30K in the first 3 months, and an additional 200K miles when you spend $150K in the first 6 monthsLIMITED-TIME OFFER: Earn up to 400K bonus milesAnnual Fee
$395Recommended Credit
Credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.740-850Excellent
Why We Chose It
The Capital One Venture X Business Card has all the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card has to offer and more. It offers an incredible welcome bonus and requires an equally impressive spend to qualify. In addition, the card comes with premium travel perks like annual travel credit. (Partner offer)Pros
- The Capital One Venture X business card has a very lucrative welcome offer.
- In addition, the card comes with many premium travel perks such as an annual $300 credit for bookings through Capital One Business Travel.
- Business owners are also able to add employee cards for free.
Cons
- The card requires significant spending to earn the welcome offer.
- Another drawback is that the annual travel credit can only be used on bookings made through Capital One Business Travel.
- LIMITED-TIME OFFER: Earn up to 400K bonus miles: 200K miles when you spend $30K in the first 3 months, and an additional 200k miles when you spend $150k in the first 6 months
- Earn unlimited 2X miles on every purchase, everywhere—with no limits or category restrictions
- Earn 10X miles on hotels and rental cars and 5X miles on flights and vacation rentals booked through Capital One Business Travel
- With no preset spending limit, enjoy big purchasing power that adapts so you can spend more and earn more rewards
- Empower your teams to make business purchases while earning rewards on their transactions, with free employee and virtual cards. Plus, automatically sync your transaction data with your accounting software and pay your vendors with ease
- Redeem your miles on flights, hotels and more. Plus, transfer your miles to any of the 15+ travel loyalty programs
- Every year, you'll get 10,000 bonus miles after your account anniversary date. Plus, receive an annual $300 credit for bookings made through Capital One Business Travel
- Receive up to a $120 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck®. Enjoy access to 1,300+ airport lounges worldwide, including Capital One Lounge locations and Priority Pass™ lounges, after enrollment
- Enjoy a $100 experience credit and other premium benefits with every hotel and vacation rental booked from the Premier Collection
- This is a pay-in-full card, so your balance is due in full every month
- Top rated mobile app