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You can now redeem United miles for onboard food and drinks — but it's a bad deal

Jan. 26, 2022
4 min read
You can now redeem United miles for onboard food and drinks — but it's a bad deal
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"That bottle of wine will cost you either $18 or 2,130 miles." That might be the phrase you hear the next time you're feeling peckish or looking for an alcoholic beverage on a United flight.

Whether you're craving a can of Pringles or a beer, United on Thursday will begin offering the ability to redeem miles for all inflight food and beverage purchases.

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United has already updated its online menu to reflect the prices for those redeeming miles for nosh — and it's far from a worthwhile redemption.

For reference, I've listed some of the items available in the table below.

ItemCost in USDCost in miles 
Tapas snackbox $101,180
Takeoff snackbox $101,180
Recline snackbox $8950
Pringles $4480
Tru Fru banana bites $5590
Anthem Peppered beef jerky $5590
GourmetNut trail mix $5590
Beer $8950
Spirits $91,070
Wine $91,070
Specialty wine $182,130
Premium spirits $101,180
Bistro on board breakfast $8950
Bistro on board lunch/dinner$101,180

In fact, the redemption rate is stable across all of the offerings — United is offering its food and beverage selections at a valuation of 0.8 cents per mile. Here at TPG, we value United's MileagePlus miles at 1.13 cents each, meaning that you'd be losing over 40% of the value from your miles if you choose to redeem them for food.

(Photo by Zach Griff/The Points Guy)

Of course, some travelers might have just a few orphaned miles in their accounts, in which case a redemption like this could make sense. But for the vast majority of travelers, it'd pay to use cash for inflight food purchases, and save the miles for flight rewards.

You can take a look at some of the best uses of United miles in our comprehensive guide.

Offering the ability to redeem miles for inflight purchases builds on the carrier's contactless payment technology that first rolled out in late 2020. Until now, flyers needed to store their payment information in the United mobile app or website before boarding in order to take advantage of contactless technology. (Those flyers who are PayPal members could alternatively pay using the financial company's mobile app.)

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(Photo courtesy of United)

While we wouldn't recommend redeeming your hard-earned miles for a snack item, it is interesting to see United expanding the uses for MileagePlus miles.

For instance, the carrier unveiled a new Money + Miles feature late last year, which allows flyers to use miles to offset the cost of a cash ticket, without outright redeeming for an award seat. (At 1 cent per mile, we'd recommend using Money + Miles before you consider using miles for snacks.)

As United continues to shift away from the historical model of redeeming miles exclusively for award seats, the airline seems to be taking a page from Delta's playbook.

Delta is unquestionably the leader when it comes to turning miles into a currency that can be used throughout the travel journey. Nowadays, you can redeem SkyMiles for a portion of your flight, an upgraded seat and even a premium beverage from the Sky Club.

In fact, one of the best uses of Delta miles continues to be purchasing a bottle of Dom Perignon in the Sky Club for 13,000 miles. Even though the Atlanta-based carrier recently devalued the redemption from 2 cents per mile to 1.5 cents each, it still remains a lucrative offer for those looking for some bubbly.

Editorial disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airline or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.

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TPG Editor‘s Rating
Card Rating is based on the opinion of TPG‘s editors and is not influenced by the card issuer.
3 / 5
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Rewards

1 - 3X points
3XEarn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and purchases made directly with hotels.
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Why We Chose It

Build your loyalty to Delta by applying for the carrier's mid-tier card option, the Delta SkyMiles Platinum card. The annual fee is quickly recouped by the card's travel perks, such as an application credit to Global Entry or TSA Precheck, annual companion certificate and so much more. Plus you can fast-track to elite status simply through card spend.

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  • Earn bonus Medallion® Qualification Miles (MQMs) and an Medallion Qualifying Dollar (MQD) waiver when you hit specific spending thresholds with your card within a calendar year
  • Receive a Domestic Main Cabin round-trip companion certificate each year
  • Statement credit for TSA PreCheck/Global Entry fee (up to $100)
  • First checked bag free

Cons

  • Doesn't make sense if you don't fly Delta
  • SkyMiles aren't the most valuable airline currency
  • Earn 90,000 bonus miles after you spend $4,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months.
  • Receive a Domestic Main Cabin round-trip companion certificate each year upon renewal of your Card. Payment of the government imposed taxes and fees of no more than $80 for roundtrip domestic flights (for itineraries with up to four flight segments) is required. Baggage charges and other restrictions apply. See terms and conditions for details.
  • Enjoy your first checked bag free on Delta flights. Plus enjoy Main Cabin 1 Priority Boarding and settle into your seat sooner.
  • New: 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.
  • Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and purchases made directly with hotels.
  • Earn 2X Miles at restaurants worldwide including takeout and delivery in the U.S., and at U.S. supermarkets.
  • Earn 1X Mile on all other eligible purchases.
  • Enjoy a per-visit rate of $50 per person for Card Members and up to two guests to enter the Delta Sky Club when traveling on a Delta flight.
  • Fee Credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck® after you apply through any Authorized Enrollment Provider. If approved for Global Entry, at no additional charge, you will receive access to TSA PreCheck.
  • Earn up to 20,000 Medallion® Qualification Miles (MQMs) with Status Boost® per year. After you spend $25,000 in purchases on your Card in a calendar year, you can earn 10,000 MQMs up to two times per year, getting you closer to Medallion® Status. MQMs are used to determine Medallion® Status and are different than miles you earn toward flights.
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TPG Editor‘s Rating
Card Rating is based on the opinion of TPG‘s editors and is not influenced by the card issuer.
3 / 5
Go to review

Rewards Rate

3XEarn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and purchases made directly with hotels.
2XEarn 2X Miles at restaurants worldwide, including takeout and delivery in the U.S. and at U.S. supermarkets.
1XEarn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases.
  • Intro Offer
    Earn 90,000 bonus miles after you spend $4,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months.

    Earn 90,000 Bonus Miles
    50,000 Bonus Miles
  • Annual Fee

    $250
  • Recommended 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.

    670-850
    Excellent/Good

Why We Chose It

Build your loyalty to Delta by applying for the carrier's mid-tier card option, the Delta SkyMiles Platinum card. The annual fee is quickly recouped by the card's travel perks, such as an application credit to Global Entry or TSA Precheck, annual companion certificate and so much more. Plus you can fast-track to elite status simply through card spend.

Pros

  • Earn bonus Medallion® Qualification Miles (MQMs) and an Medallion Qualifying Dollar (MQD) waiver when you hit specific spending thresholds with your card within a calendar year
  • Receive a Domestic Main Cabin round-trip companion certificate each year
  • Statement credit for TSA PreCheck/Global Entry fee (up to $100)
  • First checked bag free

Cons

  • Doesn't make sense if you don't fly Delta
  • SkyMiles aren't the most valuable airline currency
  • Earn 90,000 bonus miles after you spend $4,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months.
  • Receive a Domestic Main Cabin round-trip companion certificate each year upon renewal of your Card. Payment of the government imposed taxes and fees of no more than $80 for roundtrip domestic flights (for itineraries with up to four flight segments) is required. Baggage charges and other restrictions apply. See terms and conditions for details.
  • Enjoy your first checked bag free on Delta flights. Plus enjoy Main Cabin 1 Priority Boarding and settle into your seat sooner.
  • New: 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.
  • Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and purchases made directly with hotels.
  • Earn 2X Miles at restaurants worldwide including takeout and delivery in the U.S., and at U.S. supermarkets.
  • Earn 1X Mile on all other eligible purchases.
  • Enjoy a per-visit rate of $50 per person for Card Members and up to two guests to enter the Delta Sky Club when traveling on a Delta flight.
  • Fee Credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck® after you apply through any Authorized Enrollment Provider. If approved for Global Entry, at no additional charge, you will receive access to TSA PreCheck.
  • Earn up to 20,000 Medallion® Qualification Miles (MQMs) with Status Boost® per year. After you spend $25,000 in purchases on your Card in a calendar year, you can earn 10,000 MQMs up to two times per year, getting you closer to Medallion® Status. MQMs are used to determine Medallion® Status and are different than miles you earn toward flights.
  • No Foreign Transaction Fees.
  • $250 Annual Fee.
  • Terms Apply.
  • See Rates & Fees