As flagged by Tim at Roame, and reported over the weekend in our Frequent Miler Insiders Facebook group and on several blogs, United is making much more saver business class award pricing available to United cardholders on premium transcontinental routes at 27,000 United MileagePlus miles each way. I’m not sure how much availability is left, but this could be a great deal for those able to take advantage.
The standard price for transcontinental “First Class” Awards would be 35,000 United MileagePlus miles if and when United made awards available to general members. However, we don’t frequently see awards widely available in United premium cabins for reasonable prices, particularly on premium Polaris transcontinental routes.
However, particularly for travel in August and September, a glut of availability opened for United cardholders to book United premium cabin flights, including those Polaris cabins, for 27,000 miles one way. That includes routes like Newark to and from San Francisco or Los Angeles, at least some of which are operated non-stop in flatbed Polaris seats.
That said, you’ll want to check the aircraft type and itinerary carefully, as there are many awards priced at that low level that include a connection and recliner seats. Some of the non-stop options may also be operated with recliner seats, so check the details carefully before you book. This is good news for anybody with a United credit card, and prices could be even lower if you have United elite status as well.
I hadn’t really attributed much benefit to the United cardholder discounts, but if they start regularly making additional space like this available and discounted, then that’ll certainly be a strong benefit to holding a United card. Gary at View from the Wing points out that the transcontinental Polaris tickets between Newark and San Francisco or Los Angeles would additionally come with Polaris lounge access, which is something you don’t typically get with domestic first class awards, but you do on those premium transcon routes. If you’ve got a United card and you’re located on one of the coasts and you’d like to travel in August or September, it is worth a look to see if you can find availability and it is worth keeping an eye out for similar opportunities moving forward.
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These deals have been awesome! You have to get a little creative, but there’s still availability. Sometimes just 1 seat, other dates multiple. Great that United now includes Polaris lounge access with premium transcons. (Used to only be American Flagship and DeltaOne doing that). For those who partake, enjoy!