United Airlines and Turo Launch Miles Partnership Earn 5x Miles on Your First Car Rental
United Airlines and Turo Launch Miles Partnership Earn 5x Miles on Your First Car Rental - United MileagePlus Teams Up with Car Sharing Platform Turo for Miles Earning
United's MileagePlus is now working with Turo, a car-sharing platform, letting members accrue miles on rentals. For the initial booking, the earning rate is set at five miles for every dollar spent, which could be a good option for some. However, the ongoing rate drops to just one mile per dollar after that initial rental. To earn these miles, users will need to connect their Turo and MileagePlus accounts. This partnership seems to be another push by United to potentially attract more program engagement through non-traditional avenues. The collaboration could also entice people who like the peer-to-peer car sharing model.
United's MileagePlus program has extended its reach into the car-sharing market, now allowing members to accrue miles via Turo, a peer-to-peer car rental platform. This move seems like a way to expand the earning potential for frequent flyers, as the first Turo booking comes with a 5x mile bonus—which can be a decent incentive. This partnership indicates an airline initiative to diversify the ways customers interact with loyalty programs beyond simple flight purchases, venturing into transportation services.
Turo's expansive inventory of 450,000 vehicles globally suggests an appealing array for those seeking to use different car types. There is an argument that suggests peer-to-peer rentals, in many locations, offer cost reductions when compared with conventional car rental operators. By connecting loyalty program members with various transport options it is possible to build on existing loyalty with further offerings. There is a view that shows individual owners who list cars can benefit by making a larger percentage of the rental revenues compared to traditional car rentals. The growth in hybrid work/leisure travel means flexible rental car options for extended stays could be valuable.
From a financial standpoint, combining flight and car-sharing services is presented as a path to lower travel costs, especially if flight miles/reward programs are considered. It is claimed that this move may be indicative of a broader trend among airlines seeking to deliver "value-added services," with loyalty programs encompassing various forms of everyday spending. Turo's app interface and pricing might offer a more budget-friendly path to the renting of vehicles for price conscious travelers, and offer a different approach to traditional car rental.
What else is in this post?
- United Airlines and Turo Launch Miles Partnership Earn 5x Miles on Your First Car Rental - United MileagePlus Teams Up with Car Sharing Platform Turo for Miles Earning
- United Airlines and Turo Launch Miles Partnership Earn 5x Miles on Your First Car Rental - How the 5x Miles Bonus Works on Your First Turo Rental
- United Airlines and Turo Launch Miles Partnership Earn 5x Miles on Your First Car Rental - Steps to Link Your United and Turo Accounts for Miles Earning
- United Airlines and Turo Launch Miles Partnership Earn 5x Miles on Your First Car Rental - Comparing United Turo Partnership with Delta SkyMiles Car Share Benefits
- United Airlines and Turo Launch Miles Partnership Earn 5x Miles on Your First Car Rental - Alternative Car Rental Options for United MileagePlus Members
- United Airlines and Turo Launch Miles Partnership Earn 5x Miles on Your First Car Rental - Latest Airline Loyalty Programs Adding Car Sharing Benefits in 2025
United Airlines and Turo Launch Miles Partnership Earn 5x Miles on Your First Car Rental - How the 5x Miles Bonus Works on Your First Turo Rental
United Airlines' new partnership with Turo provides MileagePlus members with an initial benefit of 5x miles for the first rental, a move that could appeal to travelers looking to try out peer-to-peer car rentals. Starting December 4, 2023, travelers need to link their Turo and MileagePlus accounts to receive these extra miles when they first rent a car. The promotional offer, designed to bring new users to Turo, might attract some. However, after this one-time bonus, the rate declines significantly to just 1x mile per dollar spent. This reduction could make some question the value for repeat rentals. This tie-up suggests a move by United and potentially others to incorporate different types of transportation into loyalty schemes which may allow customers to select different styles of rental cars that best fit their needs. As people re-evaluate travel habits, integrating peer-to-peer car services could make things easier for United customers who seek a flexible approach.
The initial 5x miles incentive on a first Turo rental is a substantial increase over normal airline miles earning. It's a way to quickly boost your account compared to usual flight earning. To get this bonus, though, you have to connect your accounts—a step needed to record your activity. However, after that first transaction the rate then reduces to a single mile per dollar, which makes you wonder about ongoing advantages for repeat Turo users who might not frequently book. Turo claims a vast array of over 450,000 cars around the globe, offering variety, whereas traditional companies often have a narrower range. The assertion is sometimes that rentals via these peer-to-peer platforms can be cheaper, particularly in some areas, though not always. The premise is that Turo owners are getting a larger portion of revenue compared to traditional car hire, which could be a reason for greater inventory. Because of the recent blurring of work and vacations many travelers could be interested in the model Turo uses that is more adaptable than traditional approaches, especially for long periods. United's loyalty programs are evolving to include various daily activities and could indicate an intent to get more people involved and engage with the program in a variety of ways, even if you're not someone who flies frequently, that could be interesting. Turo's cost model is designed to be responsive, allowing for changing rates, based on demand, which implies that for price sensitive individuals, some level of flexibility in booking date may be beneficial.
United Airlines and Turo Launch Miles Partnership Earn 5x Miles on Your First Car Rental - Steps to Link Your United and Turo Accounts for Miles Earning
Linking your United MileagePlus account to your Turo account is a key step in accessing the miles-earning benefits of this partnership. To do this, navigate to your account 'Settings' within the Turo platform. There you'll locate an option to input your United MileagePlus account number, effectively linking the two accounts. With the connection in place, you'll be eligible for 5x miles on your first Turo rental. This is an offer aimed at attracting new Turo customers, but keep in mind that there is only one Turo account to be linked to a specific United account. While the initial bonus is an obvious perk, the earning potential is greatly reduced on subsequent rentals, which might influence how much value travelers find in this for the long haul.
The process to start accruing United miles with Turo begins on the Turo platform, where a direct link to a user’s MileagePlus account must be established. This connection is not just a convenience; it is fundamental for properly tracking rentals and ensuring miles are added without error. The initial 5x mile bonus offered for the very first Turo booking has the potential to be a fairly valuable points increase. For example, one could imagine a scenario where a $100 rental could result in 500 miles, which is often a higher accrual rate than regular flight earnings. This partnership between United and Turo also reflects a subtle, but important, shift within the travel industry, where airlines are actively looking to broaden loyalty programs outside the confines of air travel, and increasingly include different services.
While it is often stated that Turo offers better pricing than standard car rental companies this claim is worth closer scrutiny. The potential cost savings are not always universal and should always be verified independently by the traveler, especially in high demand periods. Owners of vehicles that are listed on Turo often receive more of the revenue than traditional outlets allow. This different distribution method creates an environment where a wider choice of rentals could be available. This could provide additional value to the traveler. However, after the first use of Turo via this arrangement the amount of miles earned goes down, with only 1 mile per dollar then being credited. The significant reduction in value of this method should cause a traveler to carefully consider whether this type of rental is the best value for repeat rentals after the initial booking incentive is spent.
Current shifts in travel habits could mean that many will find the more flexible rental agreements offered by Turo to be more advantageous than those offered by conventional operators. This is often seen in a blurring of work and leisure trips that may result in the need for extended stays. The fact Turo offers 450,000 vehicles is compelling because it includes many high-end vehicles and speciality vehicles that traditional rental outlets may not offer. Additionally, Turo employs dynamic pricing which has the potential to make it better value for people with the ability to alter booking dates. This type of business model may redefine loyalty within the travel sector. As airlines start to explore more points earning opportunities in a variety of areas outside of the flight ticket, it may draw in new customers who might not always be a frequent flyer and who may value the rewards earned from more travel-related spending.
United Airlines and Turo Launch Miles Partnership Earn 5x Miles on Your First Car Rental - Comparing United Turo Partnership with Delta SkyMiles Car Share Benefits
The recent launch of the United Airlines and Turo partnership gives a different way to look at car rental benefits, in contrast to the already established Delta SkyMiles car share. United's MileagePlus members now get a substantial 5 miles for every dollar they spend on their first Turo booking. This is very different from Delta's deal, which gives 2,000 SkyMiles on the first rental. This approach from United is meant to catch the attention of new users. But, the rate goes down to only 1 mile per dollar spent for every booking after that initial one. Delta also offers points for ongoing bookings at 500 SkyMiles per booking. The initial higher earning from United seems much better, but its worth considering if the lower but consistent earnings from Delta may be better for those who rent a lot. Travelers will need to carefully compare these offers and figure out which partnership suits them better based on how often they rent and what they value in a loyalty scheme.
Diving deeper, the United-Turo tie-up is just one example of how airlines are exploring avenues to diversify their loyalty programs, the main goal appears to be more engagement with travelers, possibly by creating a more full-spectrum travel experience through integration. While the lure of 5x miles on a first Turo rental certainly grabs attention, it’s important to consider that the reward for subsequent rentals drops to a single mile per dollar, and so might not provide long term value. The business side of Turo is a peer-to-peer approach, where vehicle owners seemingly pocket more of the rental fee, than with traditional agencies and could cause a more competitive environment on price, this will depend on location and fluctuating demand. Pricing is dynamic, potentially leading to savings if you can be flexible, contrasting to the rigid cost structures of other rental companies. Turo also provides access to over 450,000 cars, often including specialist and upmarket options that regular rental locations may lack which could be useful for some. For airlines, this may shift the typical approach of airline reward programs as they begin to involve rewards from non-flight activites. Although the company claims its prices are less than traditional car rentals, that is not a guaranteed truth and requires individual scrutiny. With the lines blurring between work and leisure, Turo’s longer term more flexible approach to rental may provide value. Using Turo’s interface is designed to be intuitive and should be user friendly. Ultimately, with United and others looking to car-share platforms, there may be an overall shift in travel with potentially improved offers for the consumer.
United Airlines and Turo Launch Miles Partnership Earn 5x Miles on Your First Car Rental - Alternative Car Rental Options for United MileagePlus Members
United Airlines has expanded car rental options for its MileagePlus members by teaming up with Turo, a peer-to-peer car sharing marketplace. This partnership gives members the chance to earn five times the standard miles on their initial Turo rental, which is obviously designed to draw new users. The earning rate drops considerably to one mile per dollar spent on any further rentals which reduces the potential overall value. While Turo's diverse vehicle offerings may attract those looking for specific models, it's advised that members still double-check prices against those from traditional rental outlets. This collaboration could signify a general move in the airline industry to diversify how loyalty programs can engage their users through non-flight related travel spending.
Turo's pricing structure operates on a dynamic model, where the costs vary with demand, a concept that might remind one of flight ticket pricing systems. This characteristic offers an opportunity for travelers who have flexibility in their booking schedule to find more affordable rentals at quieter times. Also, Turo provides a selection of car types, which can extend far beyond what typical rental companies can offer, including high-end cars or specialized vehicles for specific requirements.
It is claimed that those who list their cars on the Turo platform potentially gain a higher portion of the rental payment than their equivalents with a traditional hire company, this might explain the wide inventory of cars available. Turo also lists cars across many international locations, which expands earning opportunities for MileagePlus members even when not in the US, that is useful for those who do a lot of overseas travel. The initial 5x mile rate on your first Turo rental, could have a real effect on your MileagePlus account, for example a rental costing a couple of hundred dollars might earn a thousand miles which is usually a lot more than what you get on a similar valued airfare. However this higher rate is for one time only. Once the initial rental is complete, the rewards are decreased to just one mile for every dollar. Frequent renters may need to factor in how beneficial this is for any further bookings.
Due to the fact that Turo is a peer-to-peer setup there is always an issue of variable reliability of the cars and the owners who list them. Always check reviews to help mitigate possible risks that may occur in such arrangements. This recent push to merge airline points and alternative transport options may show that airline loyalty programs are attempting to find different ways to engage their customers, even when the customers aren't flying, which is an interesting change. There may be a market disruption from platforms like Turo, and traditional companies may find a need to innovate. Turo does limit your linking options, and it should be noted that only one MileagePlus account can be tied to a single Turo account. This might create booking issues with joint family or friends' trips if you all wish to utilize the partnership.
United Airlines and Turo Launch Miles Partnership Earn 5x Miles on Your First Car Rental - Latest Airline Loyalty Programs Adding Car Sharing Benefits in 2025
In 2025, airline loyalty schemes are increasingly looking at including car-sharing options, and United Airlines' recent collaboration with Turo is a good example of this. MileagePlus members now have the opportunity to get five miles for each dollar spent on their first Turo rental, which is interesting in that it incentivizes non-flight expenditure. However, it’s important to note that later rentals earn only one mile per dollar, causing you to question the long term worth of this deal if you're a frequent renter. The alliance with Turo does demonstrate a tendency to provide more flexible transport options as airlines seek to improve their rewards and offers to their customers, which goes beyond just typical flight rewards. This is a move that shows the direction airline loyalty programs are evolving, indicating an attempt to engage travelers in different ways that go past just the usual flight point earning.
In early 2025, a developing trend in airline loyalty programs is the incorporation of car-sharing partnerships. This latest move by United Airlines and Turo, in particular, underscores this change. The tie-up gives MileagePlus members five times the miles on their initial car rental with Turo; a potential incentive to test this platform. This integration represents a push to offer travel related services in a more varied fashion.
This approach signals more than just a partnership, as airlines appear to be seeking ways to expand loyalty by adding benefits that extend beyond standard flight-related rewards. The fact that Turo has many vehicles available and can provide a different type of car hire choice, that differs from the usual company, should attract many users. However, the real value is in the 5x offer because the ongoing earning is only one mile per dollar. So, whilst tempting for the first booking, the continued benefit is clearly less. As travel continues to change this could be seen as another way to entice customers to remain loyal, particularly as many people combine work with their travel.
This evolution, where various travel facets merge under an airline’s loyalty program umbrella, raises some questions about the long term approach that some companies are now pursuing. The large fleet of available cars on Turo is a very different offering to traditional outlets, in some situations, there may be a cost saving in some locations using this system, but this is not a given. The fact that vehicle owners who list cars often get the lion's share of revenue seems like a potential value proposition for renters seeking cost-effective options. The blurring of work and vacation travel creates demand for flexibility, something that this type of car rental model can address for extended trips, which might make it a compelling value proposition for those who have changing travel arrangements.