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Before the emergence of Bitcoin and other such alternative currencies, people collected and traded airline miles. Many still do, which is what United Airlines and OTG Management, an operator of restaurants in 10 North American airports, are counting on.
The two companies on Monday announced holders of United frequent-flyer miles will be able to spend them using specially equipped iPads installed at restaurants and bars in Terminal C of Newark, N.J.’s Newark Liberty International airport. The program, available now at select restaurants, will ultimately include 6,000 iPads in the terminal, which is undergoing a $120 million renovation.
Users can redeem their miles by scanning their boarding passes or entering their Mileage Plus numbers at the tablets. Mileage Plus is the brand name of United’s frequent-flyer program, which has an estimated 95 million members.
When activated by a boarding pass, the iPad screens show the passenger’s flight information along with food and beverage choices, with prices stated in dollars and miles. They also show the passenger’s current mileage balance.
Users can also use their United miles at the devices to order items for delivery to their seat on the plane, such as neck pillows or ear buds.
Some 20 million passengers use Terminal C every year. The overhaul of the facility, expected to be complete by 2016, will feature more than 55 new restaurants. Indeed, when done, the new terminal will have more iPads for customer use under one roof than any building in the world, according to New York City-based OTG.
