United MileagePlus Once Again Offering TAP and Thai Awards
Update 2/28/19: United has confirmed that ANA awards have returned to the website and mobile app as well.
After an unexplained weeks-long absence, two unavailable United partners have returned. You can once again book awards on TAP Air Portugal and Thai Airways both online and over the phone. ANA awards have returned to United's online platforms as well, though Singapore Airlines awards remain unavailable for now.
Of the two airlines that are once again available through United's call center and online platforms, TAP is likely the most useful, because the carrier actually flies from the US. In addition to existing flights from Miami (MIA), Newark (EWR) and New York-JFK, TAP plans to add nonstops from Chicago (ORD), Washington, DC (IAD) and San Francisco (SFO) in June. TAP flights to Europe will run you 30,000 United miles in economy or 70,000 miles in business class.
Thai awards require a bit more effort to utilize, since the airline doesn't offer US flights. There's some great value to be had elsewhere in the world, however, including an opportunity to fly the carrier's excellent first-class product between Australia and Southeast Asia for just 65,000 miles each way.
If you've been hoping to book a TAP or Thai award, I wouldn't delay pulling the trigger. While both carriers are up and running right now, there's always a chance United's still working out some kinks, which could mean having them disappear — if only temporarily — once again.
