United Airlines Partners with Instacart for MileagePlus Rewards

United Airlines and Instacart have announced a new partnership that enables MileagePlus members to link their accounts and earn miles through everyday grocery purchases. The collaboration is designed to provide travelers with greater convenience and additional ways to accumulate rewards beyond air travel, reflecting both companies’ efforts to integrate lifestyle and loyalty benefits.

Through the partnership, MileagePlus members can earn United miles for qualifying orders placed on Instacart. Customers who connect their accounts will receive personalized offers, exclusive promotions, and opportunities to boost their mileage balance when shopping online for groceries, household essentials, and travel-related items. The initiative is particularly appealing for frequent travelers seeking to maximize rewards in between trips.

United and Instacart have previously worked together on select promotions, but this latest integration represents their most comprehensive collaboration to date. According to the companies, the goal is to merge the convenience of Instacart’s on-demand delivery service with the long-term value of United’s loyalty program, encouraging customers to engage with both platforms more frequently.

MileagePlus members will be able to view and activate offers directly through their United or Instacart accounts, making it easier to earn miles without changing their usual shopping habits. Special promotions will also be made available to travelers booking domestic flights with United, offering additional incentives such as bonus miles or discount codes for future grocery orders.

For United Airlines, the partnership aligns with its broader strategy of expanding MileagePlus into a lifestyle rewards ecosystem. The airline has been actively pursuing collaborations that extend the value of its loyalty program beyond flights, including partnerships in dining, retail, and financial services.

Instacart, meanwhile, continues to strengthen its relationships with major brands to attract frequent travelers and premium customers. By connecting with United’s vast membership base, Instacart gains access to millions of potential users who value convenience and reward-driven experiences.

The partnership underscores a growing trend among airlines and tech-driven consumer brands to merge digital commerce with travel loyalty programs. For MileagePlus members, it means that even routine grocery runs can now help them earn miles toward their next vacation, upgrade, or premium travel experience—bringing everyday convenience closer to the skies.

Sources: AirGuide Business airguide.info, bing.com