united.com/chase
Yesterday I shared all about my (re)discovered love of MileagePlus Choices, and today I’m demonstrating how you can use the program for almost a 50% discount on United revenue tickets. There is an element of manufactured spend (using a credit card to buy stuff while finding a way to get most or all of your money back), so if that doesn’t sound like your cup of tea, you can skip this post. However, after the big announcement that you can use a Chase co-branded credit card to get around some of the new spending requirements for United Premiers, I figured there might just be a few more people interested in the subject. $25,000 worth of spend can easily be manufactured for less than $200 using Vanilla Reloads (50 x $3.95 = $197.50) then cashed out over a 5 month period using American Express Bluebird. Alternatively, you can always use gift cards with a PIN to buy money orders or fund Bluebird. After that, as long as you aren’t trying for 1K, it’s back to business as usual for those of us looking to save money on airfare.
Chase United Explorer Card + Vanilla Reload
- A $500 Vanilla Reload costs $3.95
- Cost per $1000 (2 Vanilla reloads) = $7.90 earning 1007 miles
- 1007 miles = $10.07 worth of statement credits using MileagePlus Choices
- $7.90/$10.07 = 22% discount
Chase United MileagePlus Select Visa* + $500 Visa Gift Card
- The MileagePlus Select Visa earns a 2xs category bonus at the grocery store
- A $500 Visa Gift Card sells for $5.95 at Safeway (and other retailers)
- Cost per $1000 = $11.90 for 2022 miles (505.95 x2,x2)
- 2022 miles = $20.22 statement credit
- $11.90/$20.22 = 41% discount
Chase United Club Card + Vanilla Reload
- The Chase United Club Card earns a 50% bonus on all purchases
- $500 Vanilla Reload costs $3.95
- Cost per $1000 = $7.90 for 1511 miles
- 1511 miles = $15.11 statement credit
- $7.90/$15.11 = 48% discount
Any Chase United Credit Card + Chase Visa Gift Card
- Fees temporarily waived on Visa Gift Cards purchased directly from Chase
- 100% return = 100% discount
- Tread lightly and proceed with caution, DO NOT ABUSE
- Chase will ask for a SSN when placing an order
- Best used to supplement other methods of manufactured spend
*The MileagePlus Select Visa is a product no longer offered from Chase, but if you already have one, hang on to it!
The above examples are just a few of the many ways you can combine manufactured spend with MileagePlus Choices for a significant discount on United airfare. Of course your individual success is limited only by how far you want to take it. Hopefully the information I’ve provided will serve as inspiration as you figure out what works best for you. That said, credit card spending isn’t for everyone, and I strongly advocate starting slowly until you get the hang of things. As always, keep good records, pay off your bills in full every month, and be responsible. Finally, have fun, good luck, and Happy Spending!