Yes, you can rent a car using United MileagePlus miles, but it is generally considered one of the poorest value redemptions available. You will typically get a value of around 0.8 to 1.2 cents per mile, which is significantly lower than the value you can get from redeeming for international business class flights (often 5-10+ cents per mile). The process is handled through a travel portal on the United website, where miles are used as a form of currency to book directly with rental partners.
The primary advantage is convenience. If you have a small number of miles expiring soon and no travel plans, it's a way to use them. However, the major drawback is the low redemption value. Furthermore, booking with miles often means you may not earn rental car loyalty points or be eligible for certain member rates.
Here is a sample of the mileage requirements you might encounter for a standard rental car category for a one-day rental:
| Rental Car Category | Estimated Mileage Cost (One Day) | Estimated Cash Equivalent | Value per Mile (Cents) |
|---|
| Economy | 3,500 - 4,500 miles | ~$35 - $45 | 1.0 |
| Compact | 4,000 - 5,000 miles | ~$40 - $50 | 1.0 |
| Intermediate | 4,500 - 5,500 miles | ~$45 - $55 | 1.0 |
| Standard | 5,000 - 6,500 miles | ~$50 - $65 | 1.0 |
| Full-size | 6,000 - 7,500 miles | ~$60 - $75 | 1.0 |
Before you redeem, always compare the cash price of the rental directly on the rental company’s website. You are almost always better off paying cash for the rental and saving your miles for a high-value flight redemption. If you do proceed, log into your MileagePlus account, navigate to "Car" on the booking engine, search for your rental, and select the option to pay with miles during checkout.
