How to redeem 100K United MileagePlus miles for maximum value

Though United Airlines uses dynamic award pricing, you can still find great value when redeeming your United miles through the MileagePlus program, especially if you find saver-level fares. Since United is a member of Star Alliance, you can redeem United miles on domestic and international flights, including on partner airlines such as Japan’s All Nippon Airways, Turkish Airlines and Ethiopian Airlines.

And if you don’t have a sizable chunk of United miles stashed in your account, the [applyLink pid=”7752″ overridetext=”United Quest℠ Card”] (see [termsConditions pid=”7752″ overridetext=”rates and fees”]) just launched its best-ever welcome bonus of 100,000 United MileagePlus miles and 3,000 Premier qualifying points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening. Based on TPG’s June 2025 valuations, these bonus miles are worth an impressive $1,350.

There are so many ways you can redeem 100,000 United miles. However, some redemptions will give you better value for your rewards than others. Keep reading to find out some of the best ways you can redeem 100,000 United miles.

Note that availability was accurate at the time of publication and is subject to change.

Book lie-flat business-class flights to Asia

You can fly from the West Coast gateways of Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), San Francisco International Airport (SFO) and Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA) to Japan, Taiwan, South Korea and the Philippines starting at 100,000 United miles in lie-flat business class on nonstop flights operated by United Airlines, as well as Taiwanese carrier EVA Airways and Japan’s ANA.

All three carriers offer great premium products, especially EVA, which TPG recently discovered features numerous first-class touches like quality Champagne, restaurant-quality meals, pajamas even on daytime flights and personalized service with attention to detail.

Related: Feels more like first class: A review of EVA Airways business class on the 777-300ER

Fly Polaris business class to Europe and return in economy

While 100,000 miles won’t be enough for a round-trip flight to Europe in business class, a savvy way of redeeming United miles is to book a lie-flat seat on the overnight flight to Europe, and return in economy class as all United flights from Europe to the United States operate during the day, when there is less of a need to lie flat.

United has a comprehensive European route network from its various hubs, especially during summer, and there are plenty of fantastic destinations you can fly to from 80,000 miles outbound in Polaris business class, and 20,000 miles inbound in economy class, including:

• London
• Paris
• Amsterdam
• Madrid
• Rome
• Munich
• Edinburgh
• Geneva
• Porto, Portugal
• Dublin
• Venice, Italy
• Lisbon

Book 20 short-haul flights around the United States

If you would rather stay closer to home, United offers domestic flights from as little as 5,000 miles on shorter routes, such as from Denver International Airport (DEN) to Cheyenne Regional Airport (CYS) in Wyoming, from San Diego International Airport (SAN) to SFO, from John Wayne Airport (SNA) in California to SFO, and from LAX to Harry Reid International Airport (LAS) in Las Vegas.

With 100,000 United miles from the [applyLink pid=”7752″ overridetext=”United Quest Card”], you could book 20 individual flights, or fly 10 people round-trip.

Related: United adds 4 new domestic routes, including 1 new destination

Book long-haul business-class flights to Turkey

While United does not fly to Turkey itself, the airline’s Star Alliance partner, Turkish Airlines, flies from the following cities to its megahub at Istanbul Airport (IST):

• Boston Logan International Airport (BOS)
• Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL)
• Denver International Airport (DEN)
• Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport (DTW)
• Dulles International Airport (IAD)
• Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR)
• George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH)
• Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)
• O’Hare International Airport (ORD)
• Miami International Airport (MIA)
• Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA)
• San Francisco International Airport (SFO)

With most of these flights stretching to over 12 hours in length, booking a lie-flat seat is a great idea for extra space and comfort. Plus, Turkish Airlines is also known for its onboard cuisine and lavish lounges.

You can book Turkish Airlines business class to Istanbul for just 88,000 United miles each way.

Book round-trip flights to Australia

Australia is a bucket-list destination for many travelers, though cash fares can be expensive, especially over peak periods. It’s a great destination to redeem points and miles. United operates flights to Sydney Airport (SYD) from LAX and SFO, as well as a seasonal service from IAH, to Brisbane Airport (BNE) from SFO, and to Melbourne Airport (MEL) from LAX and SFO.

With United’s dynamically priced redemptions, flights to Melbourne and Brisbane will require more miles, but there are great prices to fly to Sydney right now.

If you fancy a trip Down Under, you can book nonstop round-trip flights from LAX to SYD in economy class from as little as 95,000 United miles.

This is a terrific deal for flights of 13-plus hours each way.

Related: Sydney Opera House views from 30,000 Marriott points: A review of Pier One Sydney Harbour

Fly business class across Africa

United does not have an extensive route network in Africa; however, its Star Alliance partner, Ethiopian Airlines, does.

Via its hub at Addis Ababa Bole International Airport (ADD) in Ethiopia, you can connect to Kenya, Nigeria, Zimbabwe, South Africa, Ghana, Namibia and many more. Some of these remote destinations can be pricey when booking cash fares, particularly in premium cabins.

MileagePlus offers business-class awards to Africa for 88,000 miles each way, a great price and way to visit some of the lesser-served airports on the continent.

Related: The most underrated vacation destinations in Africa

Book round-trip flights to the Caribbean or Central America

United’s vast global route network includes various beautiful destinations in the Caribbean and Central America, ideal for escaping the winter chill.

From a range of United airport hubs across the U.S., you can fly four people round-trip to these destinations for the following MileagePlus miles:

• Dominican Republic: Starting at 65,600 miles
• Puerto Rico: Starting at 62,800 miles
• Costa Rica: Starting at 78,400 miles
• Barbados: Starting at 90,400 miles
• Belize: Starting at 98,400 miles
• Aruba: Starting at 97,600 miles

Note that prices will vary by destination.

Related: Best overwater bungalows in the Caribbean

Book round-trip flights to South Africa

Three of United’s longest routes are from EWR and IAD to Cape Town International Airport (CPT) and from EWR to O.R. Tambo International Airport (JNB) in Johannesburg. Both cities are incredible destinations to visit during the U.S. winter months, with astonishing affordability, fantastic wineries and bucket-list safaris. It’s fairly easy to see the Big Five during a safari in Kruger National Park.

You can fly round-trip to Cape Town from only 83,800 miles or to Johannesburg from just 89,700 United miles in economy class, and there’s plenty of availability on nonstop flights.

Related: This is the best time to take an African safari

Bottom line

There are so many ways to redeem 100,000 United miles, whether you want to fly in a lie-flat seat to Asia or Europe, take the whole family to the Caribbean, or take up to 20 short flights around the United States.

With the [applyLink pid=”7752″ overridetext=”United Quest Card”] offering a best-ever welcome bonus of 100,000 bonus miles and 3,000 Premier qualifying points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first three months your account is open, it’s easy to earn a lot of United miles for your next vacation.

Related reading:

• A review of United Airlines in first class on the Airbus A320 from Seattle to Los Angeles
• First look at United Airlines’ all-new Polaris, economy seats
• United unveils revamped Polaris experience with new sleep-focused amenities
• Is United Airlines premium economy worth it to Europe?