Exchange Your Unwanted Gift Cards for United Miles — Here’s How

An unwanted gift card could be your ticket to travel. 

With Americans spending over $29 billion annually on gift cards, according to the National Retail Federation, the piece of plastic has become a go-to gift for last minute shoppers. However, a gift card can often sit unused and be subject to hidden fees, or for a retailer that isn’t a shopper’s first choice. 

United Airlines offers a helpful program that will convert unwanted gift cards into points with their frequent flyer program, MileagePlus. The Gift Card Exchange Program provides 670 miles for every $25 on a card balance, which means 1,330 miles for a $50 card, and 2,660 miles for a $100 card. 

Once a traveler logs into the “trade gift card section” of United’s website, they select the merchant’s name, and the card balance. Once the details are submitted, the service presents an offer of the total miles which can be applied in exchange for the gift card’s value.

Best of all, there is no limit to the number of gift cards that can be exchanged for points, and there is no requirement to mail in the gift card after the transaction, as everything is done electronically, according to the MileagePlus website. 

For context, a flight from New York, NY (EWR) to Orlando, FL (MCO) can cost as low as 9,100 United MileagePlus miles, therefore a gift card with $350 value could help pay for the ticket. 

The gift card retailer list spans many popular brands including American Eagle, Armani Exchange, Bass Pro Shops, Best Buy, Cheesecake Factory, GameStop, Home Depot, Nordstrom, Pottery Barn, Starbucks, Target, Walmart, and Urban Outfitters. Travelers can even submit gift cards from American Airlines and Southwest Airlines to exchange for United points. 

The service shares that miles are deposited immediately after the transaction. However,  it can take up to five business days for some transactions to process. 

The United MileagePlus gift card exchange is the latest way that airlines are evolving their loyalty program to provide new perks and benefits. For example, Delta Air Lines recently launched SkyMiles Experiences which provides VIP access and tickets to sports events, concerts, and more.