Skip to content
Go to Home Page
Reviews

Bid Miles for Two Seats on United's 777-300ER Polaris Preview Flight

Jan. 30, 2017
•
3 min read
United 777-300ER handout
Bid Miles for Two Seats on United's 777-300ER Polaris Preview Flight
The cards we feature here are from partners who compensate us when you are approved through our site, and this may impact how or where these products appear. We don’t cover all available credit cards, but our analysis, reviews, and opinions are entirely from our editorial team. Terms apply to the offers listed on this page. Please view our advertising policy and product review methodology for more information.

Two weeks from today, on Monday, February 13, United will operate its very first flight with the brand-new 777-300ER. It's a charter, so you can't purchase tickets directly, unfortunately, but the airline is giving two lucky MileagePlus members a chance to join — in Polaris business class, no less.

The new plane has 60 business-class seats in a modified 1-2-1 configuration, but while there will normally be plenty to go around (thank goodness, considering the super-dense 3-4-3 coach), this particular flight will carry a handful of airline employees and journalists — including myself and TPG! These passengers will be seated in one of two Polaris business-class cabins — that makes this is a very hot ticket, so the airline's letting customers bid for these seats in a MileagePlus auction (link here).

Winners will be among the first to travel in United's new Polaris business seats.

Winners will receive:

  • Two tickets to experience United Polaris business class on United's first Boeing 777-300ER aircraft
  • Depart Chicago O'Hare on Monday, February 13, 2017 at 3:00pm central time
  • One night hotel stay in San Francisco (double occupancy)
    • Check in: Monday, February 13, 2017
    • Check out: Tuesday, February 14, 2017
  • United Economy domestic airfare for two to Chicago O'Hare on Monday, February 13, 2017
  • United Economy domestic airfare for two from San Francisco on Tuesday, February 14, 2017

There are a few limitations to keep in mind as well:

  • United Polaris business class flight is only from Chicago O'Hare to San Francisco on Monday, February 13, 2017
  • No checked bags permitted. Carry-on bags only.
  • MileagePlus members will not receive miles or Premier qualifying credits for this experience.
  • Only MileagePlus members age 21 and older are eligible to bid on and/or win this auction item. Bids from ineligible members will be disqualified. Potential auction winner will be subject to age verification before being confirmed as the winner.

The auction runs through 9:00am CT on Monday, February 6 — the starting bid appears to be 100,000 miles, but I wouldn't be surprised to see this climb into the seven figures given how much excitement there seems to be around this rollout. If you aren't lucky enough to win, you'll still be able to join us on board via Facebook Live. Stay tuned for more content on the site as well, along with TPG's Instagram and Twitter accounts (and my own Instagram and Twitter) beginning early afternoon on February 13.

Daily Newsletter
Reward your inbox with the TPG Daily newsletter
Join over 700,000 readers for breaking news, in-depth guides and exclusive deals from TPG’s experts
Featured image by Wayne Slezak

TPG featured card

American Express® Gold Card

4 / 5
Go to review
Apply for American Express® Gold Card
Apply now
for American Express® Gold Card

at American Express's secure site

Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees.

Rewards rate
4XEarn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
4XEarn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
5XNew! Earn 5X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid hotel stays booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App.
3XEarn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked through AmexTravel.com, the Amex Travel App, or purchased directly from airlines.
2XEarn 2X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid car rentals booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App and cruises booked and paid through AmexTravel.com.
1XEarn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
Intro offer
Open Intro bonus
As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.
Annual fee
$325
Regular APR
See Pay Over Time APR
Recommended credit
Open Credit score description
Excellent to Good

Pros

  • Valuable dining and food-related credits
  • Flexible rewards with airline and hotel transfer partners
  • Multiple travel and purchase protections
  • No foreign transaction fees
  • Access to Amex Offers for additional savings (enrollment required)

Cons

  • Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
  • Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
  • You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $8,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
  • Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
  • Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
  • New! Earn 5X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid hotel stays booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App.
  • Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked through AmexTravel.com, the Amex Travel App, or purchased directly from airlines.
  • Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid car rentals booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App and cruises booked and paid through AmexTravel.com.
  • Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
  • Pay It® lets you tap in the American Express® App to quickly pay for small purchase amounts throughout the month and still earn rewards the way you usually do. Plan It® gives you the option to split up big purchases into equal monthly payments with a fixed fee. You’ll know upfront exactly how much you’ll pay.
  • Updated! $120 Dining Credit: Earn up to a total of $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the Gold Card at Grubhub (including Seamless), Buffalo Wild Wings, Five Guys, The Cheesecake Factory, and Wonder. This can be an annual savings of up to $120. Enrollment required.
  • $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year at over 10,000 qualifying U.S. Resy restaurants after you pay for eligible purchases with the American Express® Gold Card. That’s up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
  • $84 Dunkin' Credit: Earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin’ locations. Enrollment required.
  • $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Enjoy up to $120 in Uber Cash annually with your Gold Card. Just add your Card to your Uber account and you'll get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an Amex Card for your transaction.
  • New! As an American Express® Gold Card Member, you can enjoy complimentary Hertz Five Star® Status. Enjoy benefits like skipping the counter at select locations, adding an additional driver at no additional cost*, and vehicle upgrades**. Benefit enrollment and Hertz Gold+ registration are required. *Additional drivers must meet standard rental qualifications and must be a spouse or domestic partner to qualify as complimentary. Other additional drivers subject to fees. **Benefits are subject to availability and vary by location. Additional Hertz program Terms and Conditions including age restrictions apply.
  • Take advantage of a $100 credit towards eligible charges* at over 1,300 upscale hotels worldwide when you book The Hotel Collection through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App **. *Eligible charges vary by property. **The Hotel Collection requires a two-night minimum stay.
  • Book your travel through the Amex Travel App with added peace of mind – backed by American Express® service and support. Only for American Express® Card Members.
  • Whenever you need us, we're here. Our Member Services team will ensure you are taken care of. From lost Card replacement to statement questions, we are available to help 24/7.
  • No Foreign Transaction Fees.
  • Annual Fee is $325.
  • Terms Apply.