Can I Book Premium Economy Seats With United Miles?
"Reader Questions" are now answered twice a week by TPG Associate Editor Brendan Dorsey.
Premium economy is becoming more widely available as an option for those who want a better experience than the main cabin but aren't willing to shell out the dollars or miles for business class. TPG reader Ken writes in asking if he can use his United miles to book premium economy tickets...
[pullquote source="TPG Reader Ken"]A number of airlines in the Star Alliance have premium economy (Lufthansa, Air Canada, etc.) but United does not. Is there a way to book premium economy using United miles?[/pullquote]
Unfortunately Ken, the short answer is no, you won't be able to book any sort of premium economy ticket with your United miles. United doesn't offer a premium economy product on its own aircraft, but plans on introducing it this fall.
When performing a search on United's website, say from New York (JFK) to Frankfurt (FRA), you'll see that Lufthansa and Singapore both come up as options, and both of those airlines have premium economy seats on that route. Yet, there are only options to book an economy, business or first-class award.
Even though it's not bookable online, is there a way to get around this and call in to United and book over the phone? No you won't be able to do that either. In fact, United doesn't even list premium economy as an option on its award chart.
Once United launches its own premium economy product, it will add this as an award booking option. Hopefully it will allow the ability to book partner airlines' premium economy products too.
It's still unclear what routes it plans to offer premium economy on, other that they'll be to international destinations. Cash and mileage prices will fall somewhere between the cost of an economy and business class ticket.
If you have points with a transferrable points program like Chase Ultimate Rewards, Starwood Preferred Guest, Citi ThankYou Points or Amex Membership Rewards, you'll have better luck transferring to an airline partner that allows premium economy award bookings — like Cathay Pacific's Asia Miles, British Airways' Executive Club or Air Canada's Aeroplan.
Thanks for the question, Ken, and if you're a TPG reader who'd like us to answer a question of your own, tweet us at @thepointsguy, message us on Facebook or email us at info@thepointsguy.com.
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- LIMITED-TIME OFFER: Earn up to 400K bonus miles: 200K miles when you spend $30K in the first 3 months, and an additional 200k miles when you spend $150k in the first 6 months
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- Earn 10X miles on hotels and rental cars and 5X miles on flights and vacation rentals booked through Capital One Business Travel
- With no preset spending limit, enjoy big purchasing power that adapts so you can spend more and earn more rewards
- Empower your teams to make business purchases while earning rewards on their transactions, with free employee and virtual cards. Plus, automatically sync your transaction data with your accounting software and pay your vendors with ease
- Redeem your miles on flights, hotels and more. Plus, transfer your miles to any of the 15+ travel loyalty programs
- Every year, you'll get 10,000 bonus miles after your account anniversary date. Plus, receive an annual $300 credit for bookings made through Capital One Business Travel
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- Enjoy a $100 experience credit and other premium benefits with every hotel and vacation rental booked from the Premier Collection
- This is a pay-in-full card, so your balance is due in full every month
Rewards Rate
| 2X miles | 2 miles per dollar on every purchase |
| 5X miles | 5 miles per dollar on flights and vacation rentals booked through Capital One Business Travel |
| 10X miles | 10 miles per dollar on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Business Travel |
Intro Offer
Earn 200K miles when you spend $30K in the first 3 months, and an additional 200K miles when you spend $150K in the first 6 monthsLIMITED-TIME OFFER: Earn up to 400K bonus milesAnnual Fee
$395Recommended Credit
Credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.740-850Excellent
Why We Chose It
The Capital One Venture X Business Card has all the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card has to offer and more. It offers an incredible welcome bonus and requires an equally impressive spend to qualify. In addition, the card comes with premium travel perks like annual travel credit. (Partner offer)Pros
- The Capital One Venture X business card has a very lucrative welcome offer.
- In addition, the card comes with many premium travel perks such as an annual $300 credit for bookings through Capital One Business Travel.
- Business owners are also able to add employee cards for free.
Cons
- The card requires significant spending to earn the welcome offer.
- Another drawback is that the annual travel credit can only be used on bookings made through Capital One Business Travel.
- LIMITED-TIME OFFER: Earn up to 400K bonus miles: 200K miles when you spend $30K in the first 3 months, and an additional 200k miles when you spend $150k in the first 6 months
- Earn unlimited 2X miles on every purchase, everywhere—with no limits or category restrictions
- Earn 10X miles on hotels and rental cars and 5X miles on flights and vacation rentals booked through Capital One Business Travel
- With no preset spending limit, enjoy big purchasing power that adapts so you can spend more and earn more rewards
- Empower your teams to make business purchases while earning rewards on their transactions, with free employee and virtual cards. Plus, automatically sync your transaction data with your accounting software and pay your vendors with ease
- Redeem your miles on flights, hotels and more. Plus, transfer your miles to any of the 15+ travel loyalty programs
- Every year, you'll get 10,000 bonus miles after your account anniversary date. Plus, receive an annual $300 credit for bookings made through Capital One Business Travel
- Receive up to a $120 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck®. Enjoy access to 1,300+ airport lounges worldwide, including Capital One Lounge locations and Priority Pass™ lounges, after enrollment
- Enjoy a $100 experience credit and other premium benefits with every hotel and vacation rental booked from the Premier Collection
- This is a pay-in-full card, so your balance is due in full every month