Earlier today, United unveiled a handful of new flights to London. The expansion added new frequencies to London-Heathrow (LHR) from key United hubs like Denver (DEN), Newark (EWR) and San Francisco (SFO). Further, the Chicago-based airline will resume daily flights to London from Los Angeles (LAX) and start previously announced flights from Boston (BOS).
Some of these new flights are chock-full of open business class award space that's bookable with United MileagePlus and partner miles, presenting a great way to book an early 2022 trip to Europe. Specifically, flights from Boston have plentiful award space starting in March. We've also had some look snagging some out of Newark. You'll find more limited award space on other routes.
Let's take a closer look at what flights have award space and how to book it with your airline miles or transferable points.
The deal
Airline: United Airlines
Routes: Most award space on BOS-LHR, limited space on EWR-LHR and others
Cost: 120,000 United MileagePlus miles roundtrip and $335.57 in taxes and fees; various pricing with Star Alliance partners like ANA Mileage Club, Air Canada Aeroplan and Avianca LifeMiles. One-way overnight flights from the U.S. to LHR will price at 60,000 miles and $5.60.
Dates: March to May 2022
Pay with: The Platinum Card® from American Express (5x on airfare booked directly with the airline or through Amex Travel, on up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year), Citi Premier® Card (see rates and fees) (3x on air travel ), Chase Sapphire Reserve (3x on travel), American Express® Gold Card (3x on airfare when booked directly with the airline or through Amex Travel) or Chase Sapphire Preferred Card (2x on travel).
Open business class award space to London
We're currently finding award space on most of United's new London flights from Boston, starting in March 2022 and continuing through the spring.
That said, some of this pricing isn't initially displaying on United's search tool. United typically charges 60,000 miles one-way for saver business class flights from the U.S. to Europe, but the United search engine is showing moderately higher pricing on some routes. Don't fret — this is an error on many flights.
Saver award pricing should show once you select an individual flight fand start the booking process. This may not be the case on all dates, but there's plenty of business class award space out there on some of these routes.
We're also able to find this saver award space on partner websites, like Air Canada.
While most of the award space we found was from Boston, you'll also find some award space on other United flights to London. Alternatively, you may be able to book connecting flights from your home airport to London via Boston at the saver rates. Run your own searches and see if there's open award space on the flights you'd like to book.
How to book
You can book these flights online — just log into the Star Alliance loyalty program you'd like to use to book and run a search.
Then, follow the on-screen prompt when you find a flight you'd like to book. If you're transferring points, make sure to find award space first before you transfer so you're not stuck with airline miles you can't use.
Related: The best websites for searching Star Alliance award availability
Maximize your purchase
Don’t forget to use a card that earns additional points on airfare purchases, such as The Platinum Card from American Express (5x on airfare booked directly with the airline or through Amex Travel, on up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year), Citi Premier Card (3x on air travel), Chase Sapphire Reserve (3x on travel), American Express Gold Card (3x on airfare when booked directly with the airline or through Amex Travel) or Chase Sapphire Preferred Card (2x on travel).
This won't matter much if you are only booking the flight there but when booking a round-trip the taxes and fees add up. Also remember, if you are booking these flights with United miles, you can change or cancel your award flight 31 or more days before departure for no fee and even change an award flight originating in the U.S. for free less than 30 days from departure. Essentially, this means you can book now and change your mind later.
Feature photo by S-F/Shutterstock.com
