United's Still Selling International Polaris First Class
As part of its process to add the new Polaris business-class seats to older 777-200s, United's always planned to phase out international first class.
Last year, the carrier confirmed that May 1, 2018, would be the final day you could book a seat in the F cabin, though 3-cabin aircraft (the only planes that offer first class) would continue to operate on some flights. While it wouldn't be possible to book a paid or award seat after that date, upgrades would be processed on the day of departure, once the older 777 version was assigned to operate a flight.
Then, the airline pushed out the end date to June 20, 2018 — two days ago. Following that announcement, I booked one final flight in UA's long-haul first-class cabin, from Chicago (ORD) to Shanghai (PVG) in late May.
Well, as it turns out, the airline's since decided to extend Polaris first bookings yet again, this time pushing out the deadline to August 19 or August 20, depending on the route. An airline spokesperson wasn't able to comment on the second date change, but it could indicate that United expects to consistently operate its 3-class plane for longer than expected, perhaps signaling a delay in the retrofit process. Note that this only applies to flights operated by United's 3-cabin 777-200s — first class is already blocked for sale on 3-cabin 767s.
So, with that in mind, the routes that will offer first class through August include:
- Chicago (ORD) to Beijing (PEK)
- Chicago (ORD) to Brussels (BRU)
- Chicago (ORD) to Frankfurt (FRA)
- Chicago (ORD) to Hong Kong (HKG)
- Chicago (ORD) to Munich (MUC)
- Chicago (ORD) to Sao Paulo (GRU)
- Chicago (ORD) to Shanghai (PVG)
- Chicago (ORD) to Tokyo (NRT)
- Newark (EWR) to Sao Paulo (GRU)
- San Francisco (SFO) to London (LHR)
- San Francisco (SFO) to Paris (CDG)
- Washington, DC (IAD) to Brussels (BRU)
- Washington, DC (IAD) to Frankfurt (FRA)
- Washington, DC (IAD) to London (LHR)
- Washington, DC (IAD) to Munich (MUC)
- Washington, DC (IAD) to Paris (CDG)
Additionally, Chicago (ORD) to Paris (CDG) is available through the end of July.
If you're hoping to get one more Polaris first flight in — perhaps just for fun — your only real option is to pay cash. The cheapest fares I've found are actually on one of United's longest flights, the same 14-hour journey I flew from Chicago to Shanghai. First class is available for about $3,000 one-way, which isn't terrible — it's priced $750 higher than business class, though, and unless you specifically want to fly the airline's original 1-2-1 seat one more time, I wouldn't spend the extra money to move up from biz.
As for awards, I haven't been able to find any dates with saver award space — while United's "First Everyday Award" is open every day, you'll need to redeem an obscene 200,000 miles one-way to China. Considering that business-class saver awards are open on a handful of dates, there's no world in which it makes sense to spend an extra 130,000 miles for a seat up front.
While first class remains for sale, it's possible that a refreshed 2-cabin aircraft will be subbed in at the last minute. I'd actually hope to snag the retrofitted plane, even if you've paid for a first-class ticket. While it's a bit more compact, I find the new Polaris business seat to be far more private than the old first class, and if you happen to be booked in first on a flight ends up being operated by a retrofitted aircraft, you can contact United for a refund of the difference in cost between first and biz.
TPG featured card
at American Express's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees.
| 3X | Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases. |
Pros
- Delta SkyClub access when flying Delta
- Annual companion ticket for travel on Delta (upon renewal)
- Ability to earn MQDs through spending
- Various statement credits for eligible purchases
Cons
- Steep annual fee of $650
- Other Delta cobranded cards offer superior earning categories
- Earn 100,000 Bonus Miles after you spend $6,000 or more in purchases with your new Card within the first 6 months of Card Membership and an additional 25,000 bonus miles after you make an additional $3,000 in purchases on the Card within your first 6 months, starting from the date that your account is opened. Offer Ends 04/01/2026.
- Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card Members receive 15 Visits per Medallion® Year to the Delta Sky Club® when flying Delta and can unlock an unlimited number of Visits after spending $75,000 in purchases on your Card in a calendar year. Plus, you’ll receive four One-Time Guest Passes each Medallion Year so you can share the experience with family and friends when traveling Delta together.
- Enjoy complimentary access to The Centurion® Lounge in the U.S. and select international locations (as set forth on the Centurion Lounge Website), Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge in the U.S. (see the Centurion Lounge Website for more information on Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge availability), and Escape Lounges when flying on a Delta flight booked with the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card. § To access Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge, Card Members must arrive within 90 minutes of their departing flight (including layovers). To access The Centurion® Lounge, Card Members must arrive within 3 hours of their departing flight. Effective July 8, 2026, during a layover, Card Members must arrive within 5 hours of the connecting flight.
- Receive $2,500 Medallion® Qualification Dollars with MQD Headstart each Medallion Qualification Year and earn $1 MQD for each $10 in purchases on your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card with MQD Boost to get closer to Status next Medallion Year.
- Enjoy a Companion Certificate on a Delta First, Delta Comfort, or Delta Main round-trip flight to select destinations each year after renewal of your Card. The Companion Certificate requires payment of government-imposed taxes and fees of between $22 and $250 (for itineraries with up to four flight segments). Baggage charges and other restrictions apply. Delta Basic experiences are not eligible for this benefit.
- $240 Resy Credit: When you use your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card for eligible purchases with U.S. Resy restaurants, you can earn up to $20 each month in statement credits. Enrollment required.
- $120 Rideshare Credit: Earn up to $10 back in statement credits each month after you use your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card to pay for U.S. rideshare purchases with select providers. Enrollment required.
- Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card Members get 15% off when using miles to book Award Travel on Delta flights through delta.com and the Fly Delta app. Discount not applicable to partner-operated flights or to taxes and fees.
- With your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card, receive upgrade priority over others with the same Medallion tier, product and fare experience purchased, and Million Miler milestone when you fly with Delta.
- Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees. Enjoy international travel without additional fees on purchases made abroad.
- $650 Annual Fee.
- Apply with confidence. Know if you're approved for a Card with no impact to your credit score. If you're approved and you choose to accept this Card, your credit score may be impacted.
- Terms Apply.
- See Rates & Fees