United MileagePlus Shopping portal: How you can earn bonus miles
Editor's Note
One of the best ways to earn airline miles is by leveraging shopping portals to earn miles on your everyday spending. All you have to do is click through the portal before you shop or install the browser extension, and you're on your way to earning points from the comfort of your desk.
Most major airlines have their own shopping portal — so in this guide, we'll take a closer look at United MileagePlus Shopping and how you can use it to earn United miles.
What is United MileagePlus Shopping?
Online shopping portals partner with many retailers to reward you for purchases you already make. MileagePlus Shopping currently offers over 1,100 merchants, so chances are your favorite store participates.
The amount of miles you earn is based on the merchant you shop with and how much you spend. Earning rates can change day to day, and they may vary depending on what you buy.
For example, at the time of writing, Macy's offers 1 mile per dollar on furniture, lighting, mattresses and products sold by third-party sellers and 3 miles per dollar on everything else. However, some categories are excluded from earning miles, like gift wrapping and purchases made through the app.
That means if you purchase a new shirt for $25, you'll earn 75 miles toward your next trip.
Sometimes you can earn far more. Take FTD.com Flowers & Gifts, whose current offer through the portal is 20 miles per dollar.
If you order flowers online for birthdays, graduations or other special events, you could rack up some serious miles with this offer. Spending $100 on flowers would yield 1,500 United miles, worth $20.25 per TPG's April 2025 valuations.
However, it's important to note that retailers on the MileagePlus Shopping portal have their own restrictions on what purchases earn miles through the portal. Make sure to check these terms and conditions to ensure the items you are purchasing are eligible for the promotion. For example, Apple often restricts its newest devices from earning miles through shopping portals until a few months after launch.
Getting started with MileagePlus Shopping
Ready to start earning miles? All you need is a United MileagePlus account.
Sign up for MileagePlus Shopping
MileagePlus Shopping is integrated with United's MileagePlus loyalty program, so there's no separate registration required for the portal. Just head to the MileagePlus Shopping website and click the "Sign in" button at the top of the page.
Then, sign in using your United frequent flyer credentials. If you don't have a MileagePlus account, you can create one through the link at the bottom.
Shop through the portal or browser extension
Once logged in, you'll be greeted with thousands of offers from various retailers. You can search for your merchant of choice using the search bar at the top of the screen or click "Explore stores and more" to browse by category or offer. You can also click the heart icon on a merchant to save it as a favorite.
Click on the retailer you want, then click "Shop now" to be redirected to the merchant's website. From there, you can log into the merchant's site, fill your cart and check out. But if you navigate away from the merchant's site at any point before making your purchase, you'll need to revisit the MileagePlus portal to reactivate mileage earnings.
If this is your preferred shopping portal, you may want to install the MileagePlus Shopping browser extension to make mileage-earning more seamless. Once you add it to Google Chrome, a pop-up will appear whenever you are on a website that participates in MileagePlus Shopping. Just click the "Activate" button before you check out.
Related: Download these 4 shopping portal buttons to amplify your earnings
Earn more miles with promotions
Shopping portals sometimes offer spending-based bonuses, especially around holidays. These are often based on your cumulative spending across all merchants by a certain date. For example, you might be able to earn 500 bonus miles when you spend at least $100 in 14 days.
These promotions can be extremely lucrative. For instance, going back to our Macy's example, let's say you spent $100 on clothing. You'd earn 300 miles (3 miles per dollar) plus 500 bonus miles for a total of 800 miles. That's an excellent return of 8 miles per dollar. And don't forget you'll earn additional rewards when you pay with a rewards credit card.
Related: How to get maximum value from the United MileagePlus program
Link your card to earn miles in-store
Earning extra miles isn't limited to online shopping. United MileagePlus Shopping partners with select retailers for in-store earnings, too.
To see where you can earn miles in-store, click "Explore stores and more," then under "Shop by offer," click "In store offers." You can browse featured offers or enter your location to search for nearby stores.
To earn miles in-store, you must click "Link offer" and shop within the specified time frame. You must also pay with the credit card linked to your MileagePlus Shopping account. To add a credit card, head to "My account," scroll down and click "Manage your in-store credit cards."
When it comes to in-store shopping with United MileagePlus, your options are much more limited, but it's worth checking to see if you can earn some miles on your next store visit.
Related: The best store credit cards
Tips and reminders
Although using MileagePlus Shopping is fairly simple, it can take a few tries to use the portal seamlessly. Keep the following in mind:
- If using the portal on a laptop or mobile device, make sure to click "Shop now." Visiting the retailer's website directly will cause you to miss out on miles.
- Similarly, when using the Google Chrome plug-in, be sure to click "Activate" when alerted by the pop-up.
- Only use promo codes listed on the MileagePlus Shopping portal; others may make your purchase ineligible for miles.
- Browsing in "incognito mode" or "private browsing" won't allow purchases to be tracked because cookies are disabled. Additionally, incognito mode on Google Chrome doesn't display extensions such as the shopping button.
- Only one shopping portal can be used at a time. For example, you cannot earn miles with MileagePlus Shopping and AAdvantage eShopping at the same time. Doing so will activate one portal while deactivating the other.
- To find the best rate across your favorite portals, we recommend using a shopping portal aggregator.
Related: The best credit cards for United Airlines flyers
Bottom line
Using the MileagePlus Shopping portal is an effortless way to rack up United miles on your everyday purchases. You can maximize your earnings by taking advantage of shopping portal promotions, linking in-store offers and stacking rewards with what you earn on your credit card.
There are several other creative ways to earn United miles, like trading in unwanted gift cards and shopping through the MileagePlus X app. The more miles you earn, the sooner you can redeem them for free United flights.
TPG featured card
Rewards
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro offer
Annual Fee
Recommended Credit
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits.Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.
Rewards Rate
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro Offer
You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.Annual Fee
$325Recommended 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.Excellent to Good
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits.Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.