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How to Enter United's Million Mile Sweepstakes Without Buying Miles

Jan. 09, 2019
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3 min read
United 777-200 772 Polaris business class window seats in the forward cabin
How to Enter United's Million Mile Sweepstakes Without Buying Miles
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On Tuesday, United launched a new buy miles promotion with a catch. Instead of just getting bonus miles, you'd also get entries into a sweepstakes offering 1,000,000 bonus United miles plus $10,000 cash. That's a nice little prize, and it probably caught a bunch of eyes when United sent out the promotion email.

Here's the catch: there are cheaper ways of getting United miles than 2.21 cents per mile, and you don't have to buy miles to enter the sweepstakes.

If you're interested in entering the sweepstakes without buying miles, here's how to do so:

  • Write out a "page or postcard" with your:
    • first and last name
    • mailing address
    • phone number
    • email address
    • date of birth
    • reference to the "MileagePlus Miles Sweepstakes"
  • Address an envelope to:

MileagePlus Miles Sweepstakes

Dept 4003, PO Box 23806

Rochester, NY, 14692-3806

  • Stamp the envelope with a traditional stamp. The terms note that "no metered mail will be accepted."
  • Make sure that the envelope is postmarked by Feb. 1. Entries must be received by Feb. 7, so you'll won't want to mail it too close to the deadline in case of a delay in the mail.
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The terms note that "no copies, facsimiles or mechanical reproductions will be accepted." I'd recommend writing both the page/postcard and the envelope by hand.

There's a "limit of two (2) entries per person regardless of method of entry." And since "each page/postcard will receive two (2) entries into the grand prize draw," it seems each member only needs to send one postcard.

While each page/postcard gets you two entries, there's a "limit one (1) entry per outer mailing envelope." This verbiage makes it seem unclear whether you'll actually get two entries into the sweepstakes from one page/postcard. It's likely that the sweepstakes lawyers meant that only one page/postcard can be included in each envelope. To be safe, I'd recommend sending each member's entry in a separate envelope.

The grand prize winner will be selected "on or about March 7, 2019" and notified by email or telephone "approximately one (1) day after the drawing."

The winner will be responsible for tax on the $30,000 estimated retail value of the grand prize of $10,000 cash and 1,000,000 United miles. That values United miles at 2.0 cents per mile -- and yes, that's less than the 2.21 cents per mile rate for buying miles through the current promotion. You may be able to challenge this 2.0 cents per mile valuation. But, you'll want to speak with a tax professional about the process to do that if you're the winner.

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  • Recommended Credit

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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. (Partner offer)

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.