As you look ahead to winter travel, United Airlines and its MileagePlus loyalty program introduced MileagePlus miles pooling, which allows members to contribute and combine miles into a joint account. Groups of up to five members can now share and redeem miles in one linked account. As the first and only major U.S. airline to offer this feature, United also allows any MileagePlus member, whether relatives or close friends, to be in a pool with other members.

With the introduction of MileagePlus miles pooling, travel is easier than ever for families or groups. Even the youngest members of your family can contribute, with no minimum age to become a MileagePlus member.

Here’s a look at how MileagePlus miles pooling works:

• Any MileagePlus member over 18 years of age can become the pool leader and create a pool for free on united.com
• Pool leaders can invite up to four other MileagePlus members (family, friends or close travel companions) of any age to join
• When logged in, members receive instructions on how to add miles to the pool and how to redeem pooled miles for award flights on United and United Express
• There is no limit to the number of miles that may can be contributed to an active miles pool
• Pooled miles can be used to book a ticket on United.com or the United mobile app

“We’re always looking for new ways to provide the most value to all of our loyalty members and are proud to be the first major U.S. airline to allow our members to pool their miles with their loved ones and friends,” said Luc Bondar, chief operating officer, MileagePlus. “MileagePlus miles pooling further reinforces United’s position as the leader in family and group travel and gives our members more flexibility to use their miles while making it easier to connect to the destinations and moments that matter most, with the people that matter most.”

When members contribute their miles to a pool, they don’t need to worry as their individual Premier status is not affected. Only members who travel on a ticket using pooled miles earn eligible Premier qualifying points (PQP), not all contributing members. PQP, Premier qualifying flights (PQF), PlusPoints or TravelBank cash cannot be pooled.

Sign up for the MileagePlus program here and start your miles pool today.