Earn 10 Miles per Dollar in the United MileagePlus X App
Update: Some offers mentioned below are no longer available. View the current offers here.
United's MileagePlus X app is running what looks to be a Back to School promotion offering up to 10 miles per dollar on a variety of retailers that sell clothes and the sort of food that a back-to-college 'kid' may be after. The end date on this bonus isn't posted, so it might not last for long. For now, the following merchants are participating in the 10 miles per dollar promotion:
- Chili's
- Old Navy
- Athleta
- Banana Republic
- Columbia Sportswear
- Cold Stone Creamery
- Dave and Buster's
- Express
- Domino's Pizza
At 10 United miles per dollar spent — based on TPG's latest valuation of 1.4 cents per United mile— you're getting a solid return of 14 cents per dollar spent at some merchants.
If you have the United Explorer Card, or another co-branded United credit card, you can get a 25% bonus on any earnings through the app — even if you don't use your United card to make the purchase. That'll bring your bonus up to 12.5 miles per dollar for some purchases.
Increase Everyday Earnings With United MileagePlus X App
I have been a fan of the United MileagePlus X app for maximizing earnings on purchases since the app launched in 2014. Before using it, keep in mind that what you are effectively purchasing in the app is an electronic gift card for whatever amount you enter. This means you won't have the normal purchase protections from paying for the merchandise directly with a credit card. However, for some purchases — like at restaurants — that doesn't matter very much.
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We pick up meals from Panera a few times a month, and the MileagePlus X app is currently offering 5 miles per dollar at the restaurant. Today's Panera order was $61.21 (don't judge), but I earned 382 United miles at 5x + a 25% bonus for having a United credit card attached to my profile. I actually paid with my Chase Sapphire Reserve, so I will also earn 3x points per dollar by using that card for the dining charge.
All in, that comes to 565 miles and points earned on one food order that we were going to make anyway. Doing that sort of thing on a regular basis adds up to more award flights each year. If you increase the earnings from the 5 miles per dollar I earned at Panera to the 10 miles per dollar currently being offered at restaurants like Domino's or Chili's, obviously your mileage total will increase even faster.
How to Use the MileagePlus X App
To use the MileagePlus X app, download the iOS app from the App Store or the Android app from Google Play. Then, at participating merchants, use the MileagePlus X app to buy an electronic gift card — typically right before you check out so you know the amount. Once the app charges your credit card, it'll generate a bar code that the cashier will scan to pay for your purchases. In my case, I purchased the Panera gift card in the MileagePlus X app as soon as my online order total was finalized. I then used the gift card number generated in the app to pay for my family's online order.
When it comes time to check out, you can select from your list of linked cards. While United presumably wants you to use a MileagePlus-branded credit card in the app, you can link any of your credit cards. The purchase should be assigned the same merchant code that the store has if you paid directly, although that may not always be the case.
If you don't have the United Explorer Card already, sign up now and earn 40,000 bonus United miles after spending $2,000 on purchases in the first three months.
Along with the bonus on the MPX app, the card's travel perks are especially nice when flying on United: free checked bags, priority boarding, two lounge passes per year and expanded United award availability — earning this card a "keep forever" rating, even in TPG's own United Million Mile editor's wallets.
Have you used the MileagePlus X app?
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| 3X | Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases. |
Pros
- Delta SkyClub access when flying Delta
- Annual companion ticket for travel on Delta (upon renewal)
- Ability to earn MQDs through spending
- Various statement credits for eligible purchases
Cons
- Steep annual fee of $650
- Other Delta cobranded cards offer superior earning categories
- Earn 100,000 Bonus Miles after you spend $6,000 or more in purchases with your new Card within the first 6 months of Card Membership and an additional 25,000 bonus miles after you make an additional $3,000 in purchases on the Card within your first 6 months, starting from the date that your account is opened. Offer Ends 04/01/2026.
- Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card Members receive 15 Visits per Medallion® Year to the Delta Sky Club® when flying Delta and can unlock an unlimited number of Visits after spending $75,000 in purchases on your Card in a calendar year. Plus, you’ll receive four One-Time Guest Passes each Medallion Year so you can share the experience with family and friends when traveling Delta together.
- Enjoy complimentary access to The Centurion® Lounge in the U.S. and select international locations (as set forth on the Centurion Lounge Website), Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge in the U.S. (see the Centurion Lounge Website for more information on Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge availability), and Escape Lounges when flying on a Delta flight booked with the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card. § To access Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge, Card Members must arrive within 90 minutes of their departing flight (including layovers). To access The Centurion® Lounge, Card Members must arrive within 3 hours of their departing flight. Effective July 8, 2026, during a layover, Card Members must arrive within 5 hours of the connecting flight.
- Receive $2,500 Medallion® Qualification Dollars with MQD Headstart each Medallion Qualification Year and earn $1 MQD for each $10 in purchases on your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card with MQD Boost to get closer to Status next Medallion Year.
- Enjoy a Companion Certificate on a Delta First, Delta Comfort, or Delta Main round-trip flight to select destinations each year after renewal of your Card. The Companion Certificate requires payment of government-imposed taxes and fees of between $22 and $250 (for itineraries with up to four flight segments). Baggage charges and other restrictions apply. Delta Basic experiences are not eligible for this benefit.
- $240 Resy Credit: When you use your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card for eligible purchases with U.S. Resy restaurants, you can earn up to $20 each month in statement credits. Enrollment required.
- $120 Rideshare Credit: Earn up to $10 back in statement credits each month after you use your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card to pay for U.S. rideshare purchases with select providers. Enrollment required.
- Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card Members get 15% off when using miles to book Award Travel on Delta flights through delta.com and the Fly Delta app. Discount not applicable to partner-operated flights or to taxes and fees.
- With your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card, receive upgrade priority over others with the same Medallion tier, product and fare experience purchased, and Million Miler milestone when you fly with Delta.
- Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees. Enjoy international travel without additional fees on purchases made abroad.
- $650 Annual Fee.
- Apply with confidence. Know if you're approved for a Card with no impact to your credit score. If you're approved and you choose to accept this Card, your credit score may be impacted.
- Terms Apply.
- See Rates & Fees