Category Archives: United

United Adventure Bear Program- Bring Smiles To Children In Need

Charity, United
a stuffed bear wearing a vest

United Airlines is running a very nice program to help children in need around the world. 

The United Adventure Bear Program’s mission is to “bring smiles to children in need across the globe”. This year the program will benefit the American Cancer Society and Make-A-Wish America.

There are a couple of ways to participate:

  1. Give a bear, get a bear– With each $50 donation you receive a 2014 bear and United sends another to a child in need.
  2. Make a 100% tax deductible contribution in any amount- Choose how much you want to give to the United Airlines Foundation and help support the Adventure Bear Program.
About the program:
  • Bear design and naming– United works with Gund to create a limited edition bear each year. United co-workers then participate in a contest to name the bear.
  • Fundraising– takes place in May & June with proceeds going to organizations that help children and their families during health struggles or economic hardship.
  • Bear deliveries– In January & February bears are delivered to children around the globe. Bears have been delivered around the U.S. and to countries like Austria, China, Germany, Ireland, Israel, Portugal and Vietnam.
Find out more about the United Adventure Bear Program and make a donation HERE.

And The Winner of 2 United Club Passes Is…

Giveaway, United
a blue wallet and credit cards
The Prize

My United giveaway has come to a close and it’s time to announce the winner!

 The prize: 2 United Club Passes and 1 Luggage Handle Cover (see photo above)

 A couple of ways to enter were by following me on Facebook, Google+ and Twitter. I want to thank everyone that signed up. (Thanks to everyone following me prior to the contest too!)


Another way to gain entries was by leaving a comment answering the question:
What airport do you plan to visit a United Club at if you win this prize?
There weren’t a lot of entries this way but I wanted to share which location got the most comments. The airport (city) with the most comments was Chicago (3), followed by Newark (2).
a piece of cardboard with writing on it
image found in google search

And now for the winner…
I want to congratulate Joe C. for winning the prize by liking Michael W Travels on Facebook.

 Thanks to everyone that entered. Make sure to keep checking back each day. 
Another giveaway should be coming up in the near future!
a Rafflecopter giveaway

United On Track to Save 85 Million Gallons Of Fuel in 2013

Environment, Green, KLM, United
a blue and white logo

It’s always nice to hear about ways that the airlines are trying to make changes to help lessen their impact on the environment. 

When I think of airlines and green initiatives, KLM comes to mind. 
I wrote about a couple of environmentally friendly things they’ve done in recent months.

A couple of days back I was happy to come across an article on United Hub related to a change which can have a positive impact on the environment. 

United is on track to save 85 million gallons of fuel in 2013.
The article states that fuel is the “airline’s single largest expense and it’s primary focus environmentally”. They have several initiatives in place that will allow it to achieve it’s fuel efficiency goal.

United has improved it’s fuel efficiency by 32% since 1994 with improved flight planning, single engine taxiing, lighter products on board and the use of ground power instead of an onboard auxiliary unit.

They also invested in a new, fuel efficient fleet. In 2012 United ordered 150 new Boeing 737 narrow- body aircraft powered by fuel efficient engines.

United is committed to environmental sustainability with it’s Eco- Skies Program.
Some highlights:

  • Operated the first U.S. passenger bio-fuel flight
  • Provided $50,000 grants to 10 local environmental organizations 
  • Over the last six years, United recycled over 20 million pounds of cans, paper and plastic from flights and at their facilities
Find out more about United’s environmentally friendly initiatives HERE.

Earn Up To 4500 United Miles For Switching Insurance

Allstate, Insurance, Miles, United
a man and child spraying a water hose

Here is another way to earn some United miles and possibly save some money too.

Allstate is offering United members bonus miles for switching their auto and/ or homeowners insurance. According to the e-mail “People who switched to Allstate saved an average of $375”.

It’s definitely worth getting a quote to see if you could save some money. A few months back I got an offer in the mail from Allstate. I called up and found out that if I switched, I would’ve saved about $300 on my car insurance. I then decided to call up my current insurance company- Geico. I told them how I was thinking of switching and they offered me an even better price to stick with them. Either way it can be a win- win situation!

If you switch to Allstate:

  • Earn 2,500 United miles for switching your auto insurance 
  • Earn an additional 2,000 miles for switching your homeowners insurance

Bonus miles limited to one auto insurance and/ or home insurance quote per customer or household.

To find out more about these United- Allstate Insurance offers Click Here

Win The Vacation of a Lifetime from Marriott Vacation Club

Marriott Vacation Club, Sweepstakes, United, United MileagePlus, Win
a bridge and a building

Marriott Vacation Club is giving away an amazing trip for two. The prize includes a flight in business class, spending money and a trip of your choice- choose from four options.

The Prizes:

Grand Prize:

  • United MileagePlus Miles For Two Business Class Tickets 
  • $2500 Visa Gift Card
  • Choice of One Experience: 1- Country Roads of Tuscany & Umbria Tour 2- Australia and New Zealand South Pacific Wonder Tour 3- Experience Beijing Tour 4- Hawaii Adventure Tour
Monthly Prizes: (Only one left from six)

  • 50,000 United Miles
  • $500 Visa Gift Card
  • Choice of one vacation (check out the choices here)
Some Rules:
  • Open to legal residents of the 50 United State & D.C. (excluding N.J., U.S. possessions, territories, overseas military installations in foreign countries and Puerto Rico)
  • One Sweepstakes entry per person, per day is allowed

Sweepstakes ends March 31, 2013

Enter for your chance to win one of these amazing trips HERE

An Interesting Offer for United Mastercard Members

Gift Card, MileagePlus, Miles, Neiman Marcus, New Jersey, United
a blue and white logo
I received an e-mail from United about an interesting event coming up that United MileagePlus Mastercard holders could attend and pay for by using a small amount of miles.

For 2,500 miles, United is offering the chance to reserve a spot at a private fashion show featuring men’s and women’s apparel at the The Mall at Short Hills in New Jersey. The event takes place inside Neiman Marcus on April 3.

No, I wasn’t interested but I have to say the offer sounded pretty fair and might be of interest to some of you. 


Please keep in mind once again that this offer is only open to United MileagePlus Mastercard members.
a couple holding a baby
In addition to the fashion show, the event includes drinks, hors d’oeuvres and a $50 Neiman Marcus gift card. This sounds like a pretty fair value if you are into fashion. 
The $50 gift card alone makes this offer a decent one.

You can reserve up to four tickets to the show. 

To save a spot, send an e-mail with your name, guest’s names, the last 4 digits of your MileagePlus account and your address & phone number to unitedmp-cardevent@united.com. You will be contacted within a few days by phone or e-mail to complete your reservation. 

A Reminder From United: Book Flights With Your Explorer Card

Chase, Credit Cards, Fees, MileagePlus, Save, United
a blue luggage on a green surface

United sent out a friendly and useful postcard reminder in the mail:

To save on checked bags, always purchase your tickets with your MileagePlus Explorer Card.

I thought the information on the postcard could be a useful reminder for many and could also save you some money when flying with United.

A nice benefit you receive for paying for a flight with your Chase United MileagePlus Explorer Card is getting your first checked bag free as well as one for a companion traveling on the same reservation. You can save up to $100 for each round trip.

a white card with black text

For our trip to South Dakota we booked an award flight from NYC using Kim’s United miles. Kim paid the taxes, $20 total with one of her cards. 
We made the mistake of not using my United Explorer Card. We figured since Kim’s miles were being used, one of her cards should be used to pay the taxes. I also thought that since I was flying on the itinerary and had my Explorer card linked to my account, our checked luggage would be free.

Boy was I wrong!

When we got to the check-in counter, we were told each checked bag would be $25. I mentioned that I had the United Explorer card and was immediately told the rules. You must pay for your flight using the card to get the free checked bag benefit. This meant that our free award flight + tax was now going to cost us an additional $50 each. Not cool!

I quickly came up with a plan. I’d pay for our baggage fees with my Chase Ritz Carlton card. The card came with a very useful benefit, a $200 annual credit meant to be used for checked bags or other incidental airline fees. This softened the blow.

The lesson to be learned here is be sure to fully understand the benefits of your credit cards. It can definitely save you some money. 

Had I realized that I needed to use my Explorer card to qualify for free checked luggage, I could have saved my $100 Ritz Carlton benefit for something else! 

Thank you United for the reminder.

Earn Up to 12500 United Miles With Energy Plus

Energy Plus, MileagePlus, Miles, United
a blue text with a yellow line

Here is an offer to earn some United miles for signing up with Energy Plus. 

The offer is of no use to me since my maintenance includes gas and electric. 
However, it might be a great way for some of you to earn a bunch of easy miles.

If you have the United MileagePlus credit card there are additional earning opportunities.

a blue sky over a beach

The Offer:

  • Earn 10,000 MileagePlus award miles after your second month as an Energy Plus customer. 
  • MileagePlus credit cardmembers earn an additional bonus of 2,500 miles
  • Earn award miles every month- 2 miles for every $1 you spend automatically, 3 miles for every $1 you spend if you are a MileagePlus credit cardmember
  • Cancel at any time without a fee
Bonus miles should post 6-8 weeks after completed qualifying activity.

Energy Plus is available in Connecticut, Illinois, Massachusetts, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania & Texas.

Find out more about the United- Energy Plus offer HERE

Get In Shape And Earn 2000 United Miles

Gym, MileagePlus, Miles, United
a screenshot of a website

While skimming through Twitter on Sunday morning I came across an interesting tweet from United that involved working out and earning miles.

Here is the tweet:

Have you resolved to start a workout routine this year? Join a gym with MileagePlus Fitness and earn 2,000 miles.

I am already a member of a gym but I thought that this offer might be of interest to some.

United is using a third party provider- GlobalFit to “host” MileagePlus Fitness. 
MileagePlus Fitness is a fitness discount program that offers United miles for every purchase. The program guarantees the lowest price at more than 10,000 gyms in its nationwide network.
I did a quick search of my area and there were lots of participating gyms nearby including the one I am a member of. Some participating gyms are Ballys, Curves, New York Sports Club, 24 Hour Fitness and many more.

Here are some details about MileagePlus Fitness:

  • Earn 2,000 miles
  • Lowest price guarantee on all memberships
  • 10,000 gyms nationwide
You must sign up directly through MileagePlus Fitness and not at the gym
A one time processing fee of $39 is added to all purchases with MileagePlus Fitness

If you’re thinking about joining a gym then you might as well save some money and earn some miles. 

Check out MileagePlus Fitness HERE