United Airlines passengers now have another option to cash in frequent flyer miles when traveling from the carrier’s Newark hub.
United customers at Newark Liberty Airport’s Terminal C will be able to pay for food and goods with loyalty program miles rather than cash.
The new payment option is already up and running at some airport restaurants and the carrier claims it is the first instance of an airport terminal allowing the use of frequent flyer miles for in-person purchases.
"We are always looking for new opportunities for our customers to use their miles,” said Gavin Molloy, United’s managing director of corporate real estate and airport affairs.
"People are waiting in the airport: We know they shop, we know they want food and beverages, and this is a great way of using miles.”
To use the system, customers have their boarding passes scanned or enter their frequent-flier details on an iPad.
This will display their United MileagePlus account, and show the cost of food and merchandise in dollars and equivalent miles.
