If you have miles sitting in your United MileagePlus or Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan account, you might be thinking about turning them into cash—especially as the busy fall travel season approaches. But which program offers better resale value right now? Should you sell your United miles or your Alaska miles first?
In this article, we’ll compare resale demand, average payouts, and program flexibility to help you decide which miles to sell in late 2025—and how to do it securely with Miles123.
United Airlines Miles: Reliable Demand, Broad Reach
United’s MileagePlus program continues to be one of the most popular frequent flyer programs, thanks in part to its extensive domestic and international network. As a member of the Star Alliance, United miles can be used for flights on dozens of global partners, including Lufthansa, ANA, and Turkish Airlines.
- Resale Demand: United miles consistently perform well on the resale market. Frequent travelers and travel agencies often look to buy MileagePlus miles to book last-minute flights or international business class redemptions.
- Average Payout: United miles tend to offer moderate resale rates—solid, but not the highest. Their widespread usability keeps demand steady, but dynamic pricing has made some redemptions less valuable.
- Flexibility: United miles are flexible in terms of usage, with fewer blackout dates and no close-in booking fees. However, partner availability can be limited during peak periods.
Alaska Airlines Miles: High Value, Niche Demand
Alaska’s Mileage Plan continues to punch above its weight. While the airline has a smaller route network, its membership in the Oneworld alliance gives Alaska members access to top-tier redemption partners like Qatar Airways, Japan Airlines, and British Airways.
- Resale Demand: Alaska miles are in high demand among savvy international travelers, especially those booking premium cabin flights. Because Mileage Plan still uses award charts in many cases, buyers can find excellent value when booking through partners.
- Average Payout: Alaska miles often offer slightly higher resale value than United miles, especially when demand is strong for international redemptions.
- Flexibility: While Alaska miles are incredibly valuable for certain bookings, their limited domestic network and less familiar program structure mean they aren’t as widely used as United miles.
Fall Travel Trends: What to Know
Heading into fall 2025, the travel industry remains active—particularly for international business and leisure travel. Many travelers are looking to lock in Q4 holiday flights, which increases demand for both United and Alaska miles.
- United miles may be easier to sell quickly due to a larger customer base.
- Alaska miles, while more niche, often yield higher payouts per mile, especially for long-haul bookings.
Which Miles Should You Sell First?
Here’s how to decide:
- Sell United miles if you want a fast sale, have a large balance, or won’t travel in the next few months.
- Sell Alaska miles if you’re looking for a higher payout, especially if you have enough miles for premium award bookings.
You can also request quotes for both to compare your options side by side.
How Miles123 Helps You Sell Both Securely
At Miles123, you can get quotes for both United and Alaska miles—quickly and with no obligation:
- Visit Miles123.com
- Choose the mileage program (or both)
- Receive a quote
- Get paid first, before you transfer any miles
It’s fast, secure, and backed by years of experience in mileage resale.
Late 2025 is a great time to sell your airline miles, especially with fall travel demand heating up. Whether you choose United or Alaska miles, selling through Miles123 ensures you get the best value—without the hassle.
Get your free quote today and find out what your miles are worth.
