United Airlines has announced the launch of the MileagePlus Small Business Network, which the airline describes as "the first U.S. travel loyalty program that enables businesses to earn and redeem miles."
Participating businesses earn award miles by purchasing goods and services from more than a dozen of the program’s vendor partners, including providers of printing, shipping, credit card payment processing, office supplies and computing services.
United also launched a bonus offer through which companies can obtain 1,000 bonus miles for enrolling in the MileagePlus Small Business Network and conducting transactions that earn at least 100 miles. A list of participating vendor firms is available at http://smallbusiness.unitedmileageplus.com.
Businesses may use their earned miles to purchase travel awards and upgrades, bid for experiences through the MileagePlus Headliners auction program and shop for merchandise, newspaper and magazine subscriptions and dining awards. Companies can also buy, transfer or gift their miles or donate miles to a MileagePlus charity partner.
“Small businesses are a valued customer segment, and this unique program provides them more of what they need to operate efficiently,” said Praveen Sharma, United’s vice president of loyalty. “Our new Small Business Network offers great value to businesses of all sizes, from those just starting out to those that are well established.”