Flying from the United States to the Marshall Islands typically costs $2,000 to $2,500 roundtrip in economy. But travelers who understand United’s miles-purchase promotions can cut that cost by $800 or more—not through credit card churning or complex routing, but by buying the airline’s currency when it’s on sale.
The strategy hinges on a quirk of airline pricing: United periodically sells MileagePlus miles at steep discounts, while cash fares to remote Pacific destinations remain stubbornly high. When these two conditions align, purchasing miles directly becomes cheaper than buying the ticket.
The math behind the arbitrage
During United’s recurring 100% bonus promotions, miles cost approximately $1.88 per mile including the 7.5% US excise tax. A roundtrip Saver award from San Francisco to Majuro (MAJ) requires 70,000 miles. At promotional rates, that’s $1,316 in purchased miles.
The same route in cash? United typically prices SFO-MAJ at $2,200 during peak season (November through March). The difference: $884 in your pocket.
| Origin | Cash Fare (Peak) | Miles Required | Miles Cost @1.88¢ | Savings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SFO | $2,200 | 70,000 | $1,316 | $884 (40%) |
| IAH | $2,400 | 80,000 | $1,504 | $896 (37%) |
| LAX | $2,100 | 70,000 | $1,316 | $784 (37%) |
| ORD | $2,500 | 90,000 | $1,692 | $808 (32%) |
These savings assume Saver-level award space exists. Without it, the strategy collapses entirely.
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The critical step most travelers skip
Here’s where the strategy fails for the unprepared: United miles purchases are non-refundable once processed. Buy 70,000 miles expecting to book Majuro, discover no award space, and you’ve just spent $1,316 on currency you can’t use for your trip.
Before purchasing a single mile, verify Saver award availability. Log into united.com, select “Book with miles,” and search your dates. Look specifically for X class (Economy Saver) or I class (Premium Saver) inventory. These fare classes indicate discounted award pricing. If you only see “Everyday” awards at 100,000+ miles, the math no longer works.
Why Marshall Islands fares stay high
United operates the only US carrier service to Majuro, routing through Guam on island-hopper flights that serve multiple Micronesian destinations. This monopoly position, combined with thin demand and operational complexity, keeps cash fares elevated year-round—creating the exact conditions where miles arbitrage thrives.
SFO and IAH show the most consistent Saver space, with 5-10 seats per month typically available. LAX availability runs seasonal, concentrated around the Guam connection schedule. Mid-week departures (Tuesday through Thursday) historically show better inventory than weekend flights.
Timing the purchase
United runs miles-purchase promotions four to six times annually. The January 2026 promotion offered 100% bonus miles through January 26—yielding that $1.88 per mile rate. Outside promotional windows, base pricing jumps to 3.5 cents per mile, making 70,000 miles cost $2,450. At that rate, you’d pay more for miles than the cash ticket.
The 2026 program caps purchases at 50,000 miles (including bonus) per 90-day period, with a 200,000-mile annual maximum. For a 70,000-mile roundtrip, you’ll need either an existing miles balance to supplement or multiple purchase windows.
One workaround: purchase 25,000 base miles during a 100% promotion (receiving 50,000 total), then top up the remaining 20,000 through Chase Ultimate Rewards transfers at 1:1 ratio. This hybrid approach works around the cap while maintaining favorable economics.
When this strategy breaks down
Five scenarios undermine the arbitrage:
- No Saver space available: If United only shows “Everyday” dynamic pricing at 100,000+ miles, the math inverts. Cash becomes cheaper.
- Promo not targeted to you: United’s bonus offers are often personalized. If you’re only offered 75% bonus (2.15¢/mile), savings shrink but remain viable on $2,000+ fares.
- Partner-operated flights: Booking on Star Alliance partners like Air New Zealand through Guam may incur $200+ fuel surcharges, eroding your savings significantly.
- Non-US residents: The 7.5% excise tax applies only to US purchasers. International buyers face different fee structures that can push effective costs to 2.1¢/mile or higher.
- 90-day cap conflict: If you’ve purchased miles recently, you may hit the 50,000-mile quarterly limit before accumulating enough for your booking.
The verification sequence
Execute this strategy in order:
- Search award space first: Check united.com for X/I class availability on your exact dates. Screenshot the results.
- Calculate the cash baseline: Price the same itinerary as a revenue ticket. Note the total including taxes.
- Confirm active promotion: Visit united.com/promotions to verify current bonus rates. Targeted offers appear after login.
- Run the math: Multiply required miles by effective cost per mile (including tax). Compare to cash fare. Proceed only if savings exceed $500.
- Purchase and book immediately: Award space can disappear within hours. Complete both transactions in the same session.
United award bookings open 337 days in advance. For peak-season Marshall Islands travel, checking availability 10-11 months out typically yields the best Saver inventory.
Questions? Answers.
How do I check Saver award space for Marshall Islands flights?
Log into united.com, select “Book with miles,” and search your dates for MAJ (Majuro). Filter results to show only X class (Economy Saver) or I class (Premium Saver) inventory using the calendar view. Cross-check the Star Alliance award booking tool for partner availability. Space typically peaks mid-week.
What if United’s 100% bonus isn’t offered to me?
Accept a 75% bonus if offered—it yields approximately 2.15¢ per mile, still viable for 35-40% savings on $2,000+ fares. Alternatively, wait 30 days and check again, as targeted offers refresh regularly. The base rate of 3.5¢ per mile rarely beats cash pricing.
Can I use purchased miles on Star Alliance partners to Majuro?
Yes, you can book United-operated flights or partners like ANA and Asiana via Guam. However, only United-metal flights guarantee no fuel surcharges. Partner bookings may add $200+ in carrier-imposed fees. Book through united.com up to 337 days in advance.
Are there cheaper ways to accumulate United miles than buying?
Transfer from Chase Ultimate Rewards at 1:1 ratio if you value those points at 1.5¢ or less. Card spending bonuses (such as 3,000 miles for $1,000 spend) yield approximately 1.5¢ effective cost. However, for immediate large-balance needs, promotional purchases often beat gradual accumulation.
Does this work for business class to the Marshall Islands?
Business class Saver awards require 80,000+ miles one-way with significantly rarer availability. However, cash business fares often exceed $5,000 roundtrip, creating even larger arbitrage potential when space exists. Check the premium cabin filter on United’s award calendar.
Which US gateways have the best award space to Majuro?
San Francisco and Houston show the most consistent X-class inventory, with 5-10 Saver seats available monthly. Los Angeles availability runs seasonal, concentrated around Guam connection schedules. Consider setting ExpertFlyer alerts for your preferred routing.
