Save a form of payment to buy snacks and drinks

To make your trip safer and more enjoyable, all inflight purchases on our flights must be completed with contactless payments instead of physical cards or cash. To buy snacks and drinks on board, you’ll need to save a form of payment before your flight. You can do this easily using the United app or using PayPal (only for registered PayPal users on select flights). If you’re a MileagePlus member, you can even redeem miles for inflight purchases.

Whether you are using the United app or PayPal, be sure to save or verify your United MileagePlus® Chase Card as your primary form of payment before traveling. When you pay with your card, you’ll receive 25% back on inflight purchases of food, beverages and Wi-Fi. To pay with miles, make sure your MileagePlus number is added to your reservation.

How to save a form of payment before your flight

There are multiple ways to save a form of payment for inflight purchases using the United app or on united.com:

All day

Flights scheduled over 4 hours

Within the United States, including to/from Hawaii

Ability to purchase with miles may not be available onboard all aircrafts

Snacks

Image of Pringle chios snack size, Original Potato Crisps

Pringles®

Original Potato Crisps.

$5 or 590 miles

symbol representing this as a vegetarian menu optionsymbol representing this as a vegan menu option

Kosher

Tru Fru Banana Bites

Hyper-dried bananas in dark chocolate

$5 or 590 miles

green circle with a v denotes a vegetarian menu optionpurple circle with a g and a f denotes a gluten free menu optionlight blue circle with a k denotes a kosher menu option

Field Trip Everything Bagel Jerky

Field Trip Carne Asada Jerky

100% grass fed beef jerky with hints of garlic, onion, green bell peppers and a splash of lime. The perfect sweet and savory treat plus 10g of protein.

$6 or 710 miles

dark purple circle with a g and a f denotes a gluten free menu option

GourmetNut Mega Omega Trail Mix

Walnuts, dried mango, almonds, cranberries, pumpkin seeds

$5 or 590 miles

dark green circle with a v denotes a vegetarian menu optionlight green circle with a v and a g denotes a vegan menu optionlight green circle with a v denotes a vegetarian menu optionlight blue circle with a k denotes a kosher menu option

Snackboxes

Tapas Snackbox

Traditional hummus, pita chips, asiago cheese spread, La Panzanella® crackers, cracked black pepper almonds, pitted snack olives, Daelmans® Mini Stroopwafel.

$10 or 1180 miles

dark green circle with a v denotes a vegetarian menu option

Takeoff Snackbox

Beef salami, Mediterranean apricots, gouda cheese spread, fig spread, cream crackers, Italian breadsticks, hickory smoked almonds, Toblerone®, Daelmans® Mini Stroopwafel.

$10 or 1180 miles

Recline Snackbox

Lesser Evil® Himalayan Gold popcorn, Pretzel Pete® honey mustard & onion mini twists, OREO® cookies, Albanese® gummi bears, Daelmans® Mini Stroopwafel, Fun Size M&M’s®.

$10 or 1180 miles

 


a carrot in a green circle denotes a vegetarian menu option Vegetarian

a carrot in a green circle denotes a vegetarian menu option Vegan

a carrot in a green circle denotes a vegetarian menu option Gluten Free

a carrot in a green circle denotes a vegetarian menu option Kosher

Products may contain allergens, such as dairy, sesame, shellfish, soy, tree nuts and wheat.

Then, save your form of payment; here’s how:

There are a few easy ways to save a form of payment before your flight so you can buy snacks and drinks while in the air.



At check-in on united.com

  1. When reviewing your reservation details, select “Add credit card”
  2. Fill out information and select “Save”

At check-in on united.com

  1. When reviewing your reservation details, select “Add credit card”
  2. Fill out information and select “Save”

 

Download a version of the United app:

Frequently asked questions

  • No. You’ll only be able to buy something on board with a saved form of payment. We don’t accept physical credit cards or cash on board.

  • Even if you plan to check in at the airport, you can save your card for your flight on united.com or the United app. If you’ve already checked in, download the latest version of the United app to your phone or other smart device. Under the “My Trips” section, you can find a trip using your confirmation number and last name. Save that trip and you should see a prompt on the home screen allowing you to save your credit card information.

  • If you save your form of payment on your MileagePlus profile, you can use it on all future trips when this type of payment is available.

    If you save your form of payment at check-in, we’ll only apply it for the specific trip you’re checking in for. If your travel plans are spread across multiple reservations, you’ll need to add your card separately for each trip. We’ll remove your saved form of payment within 12 hours of arriving at your final destination.

  • Nope – you can keep your credit card in your wallet or purse. If you choose to buy something, the flight attendant may ask for you to confirm the name on the card you have on file. Once you confirm, you’ll be charged for what you receive. As always, you can retrieve any receipts through the email you have on file or by visiting our website.

  • Yes. Eligible Premier members will once again receive a complimentary Choice Menu item and/or alcoholic beverage when traveling on an eligible flight segment.

  • Yes, MileagePlus members can redeem award miles to pay for inflight purchases as long as they have enough miles available in their account. To use your miles on board, just ask your flight attendant when you make your food or drink selection.