Major US airline United Airlines has allowed customers to cash in their frequent flyer miles for more than just flights to many of the airline’s destinations.  The airline’s frequent flyer program Mileage Plus, now enables members to use the airline to book a hire car or hotel room at any location in North America.

The new scheme was implemented earlier this week, with Mileage Plus vice president Robert Sahadevan commenting that the airline had decided to expand its frequent flyer program to include car hire and hotel reservations, as customers wanted to use their air mile allocations to go further.  He continued by saying that by giving people the ability to plan and book all aspects of their journey through the rewards system is another way that United was able to recognise the loyalty of customers.

All hotel and car hire bookings will be non-refundable and the airline warns customers that they would be charged if any changes were made to the booking.  Participating car hire firms in the scheme include Budget, Alamo and Dollar.  Hire prices would also vary according to the location, the car hire company and the type of car rented.  Cars usually can be hired for redeeming between 10,000 miles and 42,000 miles.

United has also withdrawn all charges for customers wishing to make a last minute booking with their frequent flyers miles.