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Can I Use Partners To Book United's Expanded Award Availability?

July 07, 2017
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4 min read
United Club LAX Review
Can I Use Partners To Book United's Expanded Award Availability?
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"Reader Questions" are answered three days a week — Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays — by TPG Senior Writer Julian Mark Kheel.

One of the best and most unique features of the United credit cards is expanded award availability. But TPG reader Christopher wants to know if it might be possible to book that extra space using miles from someone else...

[pullquote source="TPG Reader Christopher"]If I have a United credit card which opens up more award options, will I be able to use Singapore KrisFlyer miles to book that space?[/pullquote]

Unlike some credit card perks which might not be as good as advertised, United honestly does open up more award space to elite members and people who carry either the United MileagePlus Explorer Card or the United MileagePlus Explorer Business Card, and sometimes in significant amounts. If you have one of these two United credit cards, you can easily see the difference by doing the same award search at united.com twice — the first time not signed into your MileagePlus account and then a second time while signed in. The increased space on United flights is thanks to your United card.

So how can you book this space? Obviously you can use miles in your United MileagePlus account, or since United is one of Chase's 11 travel partners, you can instantly transfer points from Ultimate Rewards to your MileagePlus account and book an expanded award that way. But since the extra space shows up as additional "Saver" level award space, you would think you should be able to book those seats with miles from any of United's Star Alliance partners as well, right?

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The X fare class is the economy-class Saver award space open to everyone, while the XN fare class is only visible to United credit card holders and Premier elites.

Unfortunately, though, that isn't the case. Even though United's expanded award space looks like it's coming from the same fare bucket, it's actually loaded into a separate fare bucket (which you can see using United's "expert mode"). For instance, regular United economy award space is in the "X" fare class, while the expanded economy award space is in the "XN" fare class.

What this means is that when you go to book an award on United using another airline's miles, not only can that airline only book awards using United's low-level award space, it can only book into United's regular low-level award space. So any extra space you see when you're searching on United while signed into your MileagePlus account can only be booked with United MileagePlus miles.

So if you're searching United for award space with the intention of booking using another airline's miles and you have one of the United credit cards, it's important to make sure you are not signed into your MileagePlus account. That way you'll know you're only seeing space that is actually bookable by the partner airline.

Sorry for the bad news, Christopher, but hopefully this helps you avoid chasing space you can't use. Thanks for the question, and if you're a TPG reader who'd like us to answer a question of your own, tweet us at @thepointsguy, message us on Facebook or email us at info@thepointsguy.com.

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Apply for American Express® Gold Card
at American Express's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees
Best for dining at restaurants

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TPG Editor‘s Rating
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Go to review

Rewards Rate

4XEarn 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.
4XEarn 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.
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  • Intro Offer

    As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.

  • Annual Fee

    $325

  • Recommended Credit

    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. (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.