You can use your United MileagePlus miles to book an award flight for anyone. The booking process is the same as if you were purchasing the award for yourself, but you will need to know the traveler's details (i.e., first and last name, date of birth and other relevant details depending on the origin/destination).

Yes, you can absolutely book a flight for someone else using your United MileagePlus miles in 2026. United Airlines allows members to redeem miles for award tickets in any name, not just their own. To do this, you simply log into your account, search for "Book with Miles," and enter the traveler's legal name and details during the checkout process instead of your own. There is no requirement for you to be traveling with them. However, it is important to note that while the ticket is free in terms of miles, you will still be responsible for paying the associated taxes and fees (which start at $5.60 for domestic U.S. flights) using a credit card. In 2026, if the passenger needs to change or cancel the flight, the miles will be redeposited into your account, not theirs. This makes it a popular way for families to pool resources or for frequent flyers to gift travel to friends without having to navigate the expensive process of "transferring" miles between accounts.