UAL Targets Small Businesses With Loyalty Plan

United Airlines launched the MileagePlus Small Business Network, a loyalty program that enables businesses to earn and redeem miles.

Businesses that participate in the network can earn award miles by purchasing goods and services from more than a dozen vendor partners that are popular with small businesses.

They include Dell, UPS, Staples, Chase Paymentech, Canon, McAfee and the Apple Online Store.

Companies can use their earned miles just as an individual can – for reward travel and upgrades and to shop for merchandise, newspaper and magazine subscriptions and dining awards. Businesses also can buy, give away or transfer miles or donate them to charity.

Although it’s called the Small Business Network, according to Praveen Sharma, United’s vice president of loyalty, the program “offers great value to businesses of all sizes.”