Many of us have already requalified for our airline statuses, so it's the perfect time to break away from the "hamster wheel" and finally redeem some of those hard-earned miles.
LOT Polish Airlines has widespread business-class awards available, even during peak times this summer. As LOT is a Star Alliance member, you can book these seats using a number of points currencies, including United MileagePlus, Air Canada Aeroplan and Avianca LifeMiles. For the lowest award rates, I suggest checking out our guide on Star Alliance award tickets.
Because LOT flies to more than 100 destinations, know that you can transit on to a number of destinations throughout Europe, including France, Italy and Greece, after flying into Warsaw Chopin Airport (WAW), John Paul II Kraków-Balice International Airport (KRK) or Budapest Airport (BUD).
Deal basics
Airline: LOT Polish Airlines.
Routes: New York City, Newark and Chicago to Warsaw and Krakow, Poland, and Budapest, Hungary, plus other destinations in Europe via connections.
How to book: With your preferred Star Alliance currency.
Travel dates: July through November 2022.
Sample flights
- New York's John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) to Budapest Airport for 63,000 LifeMiles, 70,000 Aeroplan miles or 80,500 MileagePlus miles.
- Chicago's O'Hare International Airport (ORD) to John Paul II Kraków-Balice International Airport for 63,000 LifeMiles, 70,000 Aeroplan miles or 77,000 MileagePlus miles.
- Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) to Warsaw Chopin Airport for 63,000 LifeMiles, 70,000 Aeroplan miles or 80,500 MileagePlus miles.
On all of these itineraries, the taxes and fees fall below $50 per person one-way.
Between Aeroplan, LifeMiles and MileagePlus, Avianca LifeMiles offers the lowest award rates. You can transfer credit card points to LifeMiles from every major transferable points program, with the exception of Chase Ultimate Rewards. In other words, you can transfer points at a 1:1 ratio from American Express Membership Rewards, Capital One and Citi ThankYou Rewards.
Another option would be to buy Avianca miles, which can currently be done with a 145% bonus.
This promotion effectively allows you to purchase 127,400 LifeMiles for $1,716, which is enough for a round-trip business-class award.
The same seat would cost $4,237 using cash.
Related: Flying a month-old Dreamliner: LOT Polish’s business class on the 787-9
Bottom line
With LOT's widespread business-class space during peak travel dates, updated fleet and expansive network throughout Europe, now is the time to lock in an award flight.
While LOT doesn't operate the most modern transatlantic business-class hard product out there, TPG points and miles editor Andrew Kunesh has had positive experiences traveling with the carrier. Kunesh has often found the service and catering on board to be excellent, especially in business class.
Even if you don't have enough miles, now's a great time to get to Europe by taking advantage of the current Avianca LifeMiles sale.
