Passengers check in for United Airlines flights at O’Hare International Airport in Chicago, Illinois, Dec. 13, 2022.
Scott Olson | Getty Images
Here’s a friendship test: Would you share your frequent flyer miles with your pals? United Airlines is betting customers will be open to it.
The airline on Thursday started allowing members of its MileagePlus loyalty program to pool their frequent flyer miles and tap into that stash for trips on United.
A “pool leader” can pick up to four other family members or friends to participate in the joint account. The leader has to be at least 18 years old, but pool members can be any age, so families can use their children’s miles piles toward tickets.
Customers will still retain their own MileagePlus accounts and can decide how much they want to contribute to the pool. Those miles can be redeemed for flights and other products on United’s site or app.
Individuals can decide how much to contribute to the pool, and there’s a commitment: “Once those miles…