No matter whether you're flying for a weekend jaunt or a month-long journey abroad, staying in touch while on the road is essential. But rather than frantically seeking out local SIM cards or fighting costly international roaming charges, the smart traveler is now using eSIMs and now there's an even better incentive to get in on the action.

Thanks to a partnership between Airalo, the world's leading eSIM supplier, and United Airlines' MileagePlus program, travelers can now earn five miles for every dollar spent buying an eSIM. That's correct your travel connectivity will now help pay for your next flight.

But there's more to it. There's an intuitive way to earn even more rewards with a couple of extra clicks. Let's dive into it.

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What's the Deal?

In a win-win for occasional travelers and digital nomads alike, United Airlines and Airalo have introduced a promotion that will reward you with 5 United MileagePlus miles for each $1 spent on Airalo's eSIMs. There is no reported end date on this offer, so it should be a long-term (if not perpetual) benefit.
The only catch? You need to buy via Airalo's special United MileagePlus page (more on how below).

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First, What Is Airalo, Exactly?

Airalo is an online eSIM marketplace the new-age equivalent of a SIM card that you activate on your phone digitally. No more small plastic cards, no more struggling at airport terminals to get activated. It's all done within minutes from your phone.

Airalo allows you to purchase eSIMs that provide:

• Data-only plans (for individuals who simply want internet only)
• All-inclusive plans with voice, text, and data
• Coverage for a single nation, regional areas, or even globally in 200+ countries and territories

It's perfect for visitors who require solid internet for maps, ride-hailing apps, translation features, and communication without the inconvenience or markup of roaming packages.

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How the United Miles Partnership Works

This is how you can accumulate United miles just by purchasing an eSIM:

• Earning Rate: You earn 5 MileagePlus miles per $1 USD in Airalo eSIM purchases.
• Eligible Purchases: Redeems on all eSIM varieties local, regional, and worldwide.
• How to Get the Bonus: Shop through the special Airalo x United Airlines shopping link where the mileage promotion is automatically recorded.
• Tracking Your Rewards: Airalo explicitly indicates how many miles you'll earn per product on the checkout page, so you'll always be in the know.

Whether you're grabbing a 3GB domestic plan for a spontaneous Italian vacation or a 20GB international eSIM for continent-hopping on the cheap, those United miles will add up quickly.

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But Wait, There's a Way to Earn Even More

If you're already accumulating United miles and possibly rewards on your credit card (such as Chase Sapphire or Amex), you can triple-dip with a savvy extra step:

Use a cashback portal such as Rakuten.

Here's How the Triple-Dip Works:

1. Begin at Rakuten (or one of its cashback sister sites such as TopCashback or Mr. Rebates)
2. Look up Airalo it frequently appears at 4% cash back or 4x Amex Membership Rewards
3. Click through the Rakuten link to Airalo's site
4. Make your buy via the United MileagePlus offer page

If all tracks properly, you'll be earning:

1. 5x United miles through the MileagePlus/Airalo deal
2. Credit card points or miles on your buy
3. Cash back or Membership Rewards via Rakuten

Even for tiny eSIM buys, that's a whole lot of value for something you'd be buying anyway.

eSIM Options to Consider (and How to Pick)

Airalo has a huge range of eSIMs to choose from, and how much you get paid depends on what you purchase. For instance:

• Local eSIMs (e.g., Japan, Italy, Mexico) – ideal for temporary travel
• Regional eSIMs (e.g., Europe, Asia, Africa) – ideal for multi-country trips
• Global eSIMs – great for extended travelers, digital nomads, or those traveling to several continents

All three display how many United miles you'll earn next to the cost. So if you're deciding between a $15 or $30 plan, you'll immediately know which one earns you more rewards.

And as Airalo's prices are already competitive frequently much lower than international data plans available from the big carriers it's a cost and reward winner.

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Real-World Example: What You Could Earn

Suppose you're traveling to Europe for two weeks and buy a $40 Europe regional eSIM:

• United Miles: 5 miles per $1 = 200 MileagePlus miles
• Rakuten (4%): $40 x 4% = $1.60 cash back or 160 Amex MR points
• Credit Card Points: 2x on travel = 80 points (if you're using a travel card)

It's not a lot of dough in rewards but if you travel frequently or purchase larger packages, it adds up. For digital nomads or extended-stay travelers, this is a simple passive income stream.

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Why This Matters for Frequent Flyers

United's MileagePlus program has reasonable redemption rates particularly on partner airlines within the Star Alliance (such as Lufthansa, Turkish Airlines, and Singapore Airlines). Even if you are not committed to United, miles are redeemable for:

• Upgrades
• Award flights
• Hotel nights

By piling on everyday buys such as eSIMs into your flight miles plan, you're accumulating points to apply later without extra cost.

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No Expiration Date But Don't Wait

There’s no official end date announced for this promotion, but that doesn’t mean it’ll last forever. Reward partnerships like this are often pulled or adjusted without notice.

If you’re planning any travel now or later this year it’s worth buying a plan early and locking in your United miles while the promo is active.

Final Thoughts: Travel Smarter, Earn More

In a world where travel costs continue to climb, every opportunity to earn rewards on necessary purchases is worth exploring. With Airalo and United’s 5x mileage offer, you’re turning a travel necessity (staying connected abroad) into a tool for your next adventure.

Add in a cashback portal like Rakuten and your favorite rewards credit card, and suddenly you’re racking up miles, points, and cashback from a single transaction.

If you're a convenience-seeker, despise roaming fees, and adore reward travel this is a no-brainer.

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