Why the savviest travelers are quietly booking United’s best-ever award and upgrade space (and taking their entire baseball team) – while everyone else overpays
If you’ve spent any time searching for United MileagePlus awards to Europe lately, you know the drill: sky-high prices, endless “waitlist” upgrade purgatory, and the sinking feeling that your miles just aren’t worth what they used to be.
Most days, a “free” one-way Business Class seat to Europe clocks in at 150,000 to 200,000 miles – sometimes more.
Mileage upgrades? Good luck.
But what if I told you there are two routes where United is quietly releasing a flood of Business Class award seats at their absolute lowest price: 80,000 miles each way.
Not just for one or two seats, but for families, for solo travelers, for the spontaneous and the strategic. For your baseball team, up to 9 seats are available.
And here’s the kicker: This is also a rare occasion to get confirmable upgrades using miles or PlusPoints.
Where and When the Magic Happens
Let’s get specific. The two routes you need to know:
- Newark (EWR) to London (LHR)
- Newark (EWR) to Naples (NAP)
Don’t live in New York? Not Interested in London or Italy?
Use these routes for the long-haul flight that matters most. If available, United will give you free flights to Newark and free flights around Europe from London and Naples with its Star Alliance partners, often at no extra charge. Or consider positioning flights.
How Good Is the Availability?
For four to six months United is offering wide-open Business Class award space at 80,000 miles each way.
On many days, you’ll find nine seats available on a single flight. That’s enough for a family, a group of friends, or your baseball team.
FCF Treasure Map
New York > London > New York
FCF Treasure Map
New York – Naples, Italy > New York
Who Can LEVERAGE THE OPPORTUNITY?
> Chase points players can transfer to United miles.
> Amex points players can transfer to Air Canada, a United redemption partner.
> For United loyalists, it’s a rare chance to feel like the program is working for you, not against you.
The Upgrade Goldmine – Elite Status Pays Off
Here’s the secret sauce: when United releases a glut of award seats at the lowest level, it’s also about the only time you’ll see confirmable – at time of ticketing – upgrades using miles or PlusPoints.
No waitlist.
No anxiety.
What Mileage Upgrades Look Like
When You Know Where to Look
Don’t live in New York?
Live in Chicago?
Waitlist the two-hour flight if you have to
and confirm the nine-hour flight…
What United Availability Looks Like on Air Canada
(Amex points transfer partner)
When You Know Where to Look
Already Have a Ticket? Great.
Need a Ticket? Great.
Right now, there’s availability for six+ passengers as you can see below, close-in.
If you overspent because you needed to have a ticket in hand three or six months ago, cancel it and book one of these.
That’s what I call the Iterative Upgrade Strategy.
Don’t live in New York or Chicago?
What Six Seats From Houston Look Like
to the Amalfi Coast Right Now
The Window Is Open – Act Now
Whether you’re sitting on a pile of Chase points, a stash of United miles, or a stack of Amex points or PlusPoints,
Two routes. Over a thousand seats. The lowest prices you’ll ever see on United.
Don’t let this window close while you’re still searching for “someday.”
Book now, upgrade now, and enjoy Europe the way insiders do: in comfort, for less.
See you up front.