United Miles Sale: Up to 95% Bonus Until 31 Oct, Worth It?

Updated as of 23 Oct 2026 (some members now see a 100% bonus). The sale runs until 31 Oct 2026. US$1 = ₹94.97 (20 Oct 2026). United miles valued at ₹1.10 (DealUni Program Values sheet, last verified 26 Sep 2026).

United’s buy-miles sale is back, with up to a 95% bonus until 31 October. It sounds big. From India, it’s only worth it in one situation: you’ve found an award seat and you’re a few thousand miles short.

The offer

Bonus	Up to 95% on the public page; some members report up to 100% for larger purchases after logging in. The bigger your purchase, the bigger the bonus, and offers vary by account, so check yours
Base price	US$35 per 1,000 miles, plus taxes and fees
Minimum	2,000 miles
Ends	31 Oct 2026
Also on sale	Gifting miles to another member

What a mile costs you in rupees

Your bonus	Cost per mile	With about 7.5% US tax
50%	₹2.22	₹2.38
75%	₹1.90	₹2.04
95%	₹1.70	₹1.83
100% (some accounts)	₹1.66	₹1.79

We value a United mile at about ₹1.10. Even at the full 95% bonus, you’re paying around 65% more than that, and about 60% more at 100%. Buying United miles “to have them” loses you money.

When it does make sense

A top-up for a seat you’ve already found. Say a business-class award costs 80,000 miles and you have 65,000. Buying the 15,000 you need costs about ₹27,500 at the full bonus, and much less than paying cash for that seat. Find the seat on united.com first, then buy, then book the same day.

You are…	What to do
Short on miles for a seat you can see right now	✅ Buy only what you need, before 31 Oct
Building a balance “for later”	❌ Skip. You’re paying ₹1.83 for a ₹1.10 mile
Flying business class out of India	⚠️ Compare first. Aeroplan or KrisFlyer is usually cheaper for Star Alliance from India
Paying with a high-forex card	⚠️ Use a low-forex card; 3.5% plus GST eats into the bonus

New to United? Read our United MileagePlus guide for Indians and what changes in 2027.

DealUni take: a top-up tool, not an investment. Find the seat first, buy exactly what’s missing, and book the same day. Seat pehle, miles baad mein. (Seat first, miles later.)

Source: United MileagePlus: buy miles. Checked 22 Oct 2026; 100% bonus reports checked 23 Oct 2026.