If you have a stash of airline miles and you’re thinking about turning them into cash, you might be wondering: should I sell American Airlines miles or United Airlines miles first?
Both programs have strong value, loyal members, and global flight networks—but when it comes to resale, not all miles are created equal. In this article, we’ll break down the differences in value, demand, flexibility, and resale potential to help you decide which airline miles to sell first in 2025.
American Airlines Miles: High Demand, High Value
American Airlines miles continue to be one of the most in-demand mileage currencies on the resale market. With a huge domestic and international route network, and membership in the Oneworld alliance, these miles offer strong redemption opportunities—especially for travelers looking to fly business or first class on partners like Qatar Airways or Japan Airlines.
However, American Airlines has made award pricing more dynamic in recent years, meaning the number of miles needed for a flight can vary wildly. This unpredictability has made some frequent flyers prefer buying extra miles instead of hunting for deals—keeping demand strong.
When it comes to resale, American Airlines miles consistently offer some of the best payouts, making them a top choice for sellers. If you’re sitting on a large balance, selling now while demand remains high can be a smart move.
United Airlines Miles: Flexible, But Slightly Less Lucrative
United Airlines miles—also known as MileagePlus miles—are valuable for travelers who prefer flexibility. United doesn’t pass on fuel surcharges for international award tickets (a big plus), and they’re part of the Star Alliance, giving access to flights on Lufthansa, Swiss, ANA, and many more top-tier carriers.
MileagePlus also uses dynamic pricing, which makes some redemptions unpredictable, but the lack of close-in booking fees and easier booking experience keeps their miles attractive to buyers.
That said, United miles tend to sell for slightly less than American miles. The demand is solid, but not quite as high—mainly because AA miles have more high-value redemption opportunities through Oneworld partners.
So, Which Should You Sell First?
Here’s the bottom line:
- Sell American Airlines miles first if you’re looking for the highest payout and want to take advantage of strong demand in early 2025.
- Sell United miles if you’re looking to liquidate multiple accounts or if you’ve already used or sold your AA miles. They’re still valuable—just slightly less so.
If you have both types of miles, start by requesting quotes for each. At Miles123, we provide free, no-obligation quotes so you can compare the value before you make a decision.
Turn Your Miles Into Cash
Whether you’re holding onto American Airlines or United Airlines miles, the most important thing is not letting them sit unused. Loyalty programs continue to change—often without notice—which can reduce the value of your miles over time.
If you’re ready to sell, Miles123 makes the process simple, safe, and fast. Just request a quote, verify your miles, and get paid—before you even transfer them. Start today and turn your miles into money, risk-free.
