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Best Ways to Buy Airline Miles in 2026
Topping up miles to book a specific award
Closing a points gap on a Southwest flight
Topping up Etihad Guest balances
Our Top Picks
Ranked on the criteria below, with ratings, standout features and current pricing.
01
United MileagePlus (Points.com)
Good
Topping up miles to book a specific award
- Buy or gift miles online
- Promotions can lower the cost per mile
- Transfer between accounts
02
Southwest Rapid Rewards (Points.com)
Good
Closing a points gap on a Southwest flight
- Buy or gift points
- Occasional promotions
- Simple Rapid Rewards link
Best Overall Pick
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Feature | United MileagePlus (Points.com) | Southwest Rapid Rewards (Points.com) | Etihad Guest (Points.com) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rating | 3.7 | 3.7 | 3.7 |
| Best For | Topping up miles to book a specific award | Closing a points gap on a Southwest flight | Topping up Etihad Guest balances |
| Program | United MileagePlus | Southwest Rapid Rewards | Etihad Guest |
| Pros | 3 pros | 3 pros | 3 pros |
| Cons | 3 cons | 3 cons | 3 cons |
| Visit Site | Visit Site | Visit Site |
How We Evaluate & Rank
Our rankings are editorially independent. Recommendations are based on transparent, disclosed criteria — never on who pays the most. We weigh real-world trade-offs and update our research as the market changes.
Total cost, not the headline
We compare the numbers that actually move your bottom line — effective price, fees and the fine print — rather than the figure in the advertisement.
Real-world fit
The best pick for one reader is rarely the best for another. We weigh how each option performs for different budgets, situations and needs.
Transparency and terms
What a provider discloses up front, how clear its terms are, and whether the trade-offs are stated plainly or buried.
Service and support
Speed, responsiveness and the quality of help when something goes wrong — the difference a comparison chart rarely captures.
Track record
Reputation, longevity and verifiable customer experience, checked against independent sources rather than the marketing.
Overall value
How the total package stacks up at the tier you would realistically choose — not the cheapest one advertised.
ExpertPicked may earn a commission when you buy through our links, which never affects how providers are ranked. Details change frequently — always confirm current pricing and terms on the provider’s own site before you buy.
Full Analysis & Buying Guide
Buying airline miles rarely makes sense at list price, but during promotions or to top up a nearly complete award, it can. Points.com handles purchases for United MileagePlus, Southwest Rapid Rewards and Etihad Guest. Here is how to judge the value.
What to Look for
Cost per mile
Divide the price by the miles. Compare to the value you would get from the redemption.
Cash fare comparison
If the cash fare is cheaper than the purchase plus taxes, pay cash.
Taxes and fees on awards
Award tickets carry taxes and surcharges that vary by program.
Promotions
Discount offers appear periodically; waiting can save money.
Program risk
Miles can be devalued, so buy only for planned redemptions.
How the Picks Compare
United MileagePlus (Points.com) — 3.7/5
Points.com lets members buy, gift and transfer United MileagePlus miles, typically useful during promotions when the price per mile is attractive.
Best for: Topping up miles to book a specific award.
What we like:
- Buy or gift miles online
- Promotions can lower the cost per mile
- Transfer between accounts
What to watch:
- Standard pricing is often poor value
- Miles can be devalued
Points.com operates the mileage purchasing platforms for many loyalty programs. For United, it handles buy, gift and transfer transactions.
It usually makes sense only when you are short a small number of miles or during a sale.
How it works:
- Log in. Enter your MileagePlus account.
- Choose miles. Buy or gift.
- Check price per mile. Compare to the ticket cost.
Calculate the cost per mile before buying; buying speculatively can lose value.
Terms for each program apply.
A good fit if you:
- You are short on miles for a specific award
Look elsewhere if you:
- You want to stockpile miles
Pricing snapshot: Miles purchase: Priced per thousand, varies by promotion. Prices vary; compare with cash fares.
Read our full United MileagePlus (Points.com) review · Visit United MileagePlus (Points.com)
Southwest Rapid Rewards (Points.com) — 3.7/5
Points.com offers buying, gifting and transferring of Southwest Rapid Rewards points, useful when you are slightly short of a flight redemption.
Best for: Closing a points gap on a Southwest flight.
What we like:
- Buy or gift points
- Occasional promotions
- Simple Rapid Rewards link
What to watch:
- Standard pricing rarely beats cash fares
- Terms apply
Southwest points are tied to fare prices, so the value of purchased points depends on what the flight costs in cash.
Points.com handles the transaction for the program.
How it works:
- Log in. Link Rapid Rewards.
- Buy or gift. Choose points.
- Redeem. Book your flight.
Compare the cost of buying points with simply paying the fare.
Review non-refundable terms.
A good fit if you:
- You need a small top-up
Look elsewhere if you:
- You can pay cash for less
Pricing snapshot: Points: Priced by quantity and promotion. Check current pricing.
Read our full Southwest Rapid Rewards (Points.com) review · Visit Southwest Rapid Rewards (Points.com)
Etihad Guest (Points.com) — 3.7/5
Points.com supports buying, gifting and transferring Etihad Guest miles for award flights on Etihad and partners.
Best for: Topping up Etihad Guest balances.
What we like:
- Buy or gift miles
- Useful for Etihad and partner awards
- Promotions occur
What to watch:
- Regular prices can be steep
- Taxes and fees apply on awards
Etihad Guest miles can be redeemed on Etihad and partner airlines. Points.com provides the purchase tool.
Award taxes and surcharges can be significant, so compare totals.
How it works:
- Log in. Link your Etihad Guest account.
- Buy miles. Choose quantity.
- Book. Redeem on a flight.
Check the total award cost including taxes.
Only buy when the redemption is booked or clearly valuable.
A good fit if you:
- You plan a specific Etihad award
Look elsewhere if you:
- You are speculating on future use
Pricing snapshot: Miles: Priced by quantity and promotion. Verify current pricing.
Read our full Etihad Guest (Points.com) review · Visit Etihad Guest (Points.com)
Which One Should You Choose?
- Buy a small top-up when you are short for a specific booking.
- Avoid buying miles speculatively.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Buying without checking award availability first.
- Ignoring the cash price.
The Bottom Line
Our highest-rated pick here is United MileagePlus (Points.com) at 3.7 out of 5, but the right choice depends on the use cases above. Terms, prices and features change often, so confirm current details on the provider’s site before you buy. ExpertPicked may earn a commission from links on this page; this never changes our ratings.
Frequently Asked Questions
Reviewed by
James OkaforSenior Technology Reviewer
James Okafor is a technology journalist and former CNET contributor with 9 years of experience reviewing consumer tech, cybersecurity software, and digital privacy tools. He has a computer science degree from MIT and has reviewed over 400 tech products. James runs his own home lab for testing VPNs, security software, and smart home devices under real-world conditions.
Editorial independence & disclosure. ExpertPicked is reader-supported and may earn a commission on purchases made through our links. This never affects our rankings or recommendations, which are based solely on the disclosed criteria above. Read our full editorial policy.