✈ 3 Airline Award Deals I’d Book Right Now, Carnival’s New Loyalty Program & More From TPG ✈

September 2, 2026

Business class to Europe from 32K points

by Summer Hull, Senior Director of Content

Right now is a pretty great time to book flights … if you’re using miles, that is.

Between better award availability, improved flight search tools or nice transfer bonuses, the pickings are pretty good for some of our favorite airline sweet spots — especially if you have even a smidge of flexibility.

Here are a few of the awards I’d prioritize booking right now.

United business class to Europe next summer from 68,000 miles

When United Airlines’ MileagePlus revamped how it priced awards a few months ago, with bigger discounts going to elite members and United cardholders, I’d have never guessed prices would go down on routes I actually wanted — but they absolutely did.

I’ve recently seen (and even booked) business-class awards to Europe well into next summer for just 68,000 United miles plus taxes and fees as a United elite member with a United credit card — including some routes with the all-new business-class seats. Even if you only have a United card and no status, your cost should start at just a few thousand miles higher than mine.

Here are our tips for finding the best award flights — though with United specifically, the best way is to use its 30-day flexible date search, since it shows prices specifically available to you.

Book 60,000-mile Flying Blue business-class awards before Sept. 8

I’m not seeing a ton of 60,000-mile business-class awards on Air France and KLM to Europe available via Flying Blue right now, but I do see some to Paris and Amsterdam from various U.S. cities, especially this fall.

Here’s the trick for easily seeing this award space.

And if you do find something that works, I’d book ASAP since the rules around these awards are about to get much more restrictive beginning Sept. 8.

Fly lie-flat business class to Europe from 32,000 transferred points

Want to fly from select U.S. cities to Dublin in economy on Aer Lingus from 10,000 points or across the ocean to Madrid in lie-flat business class from just 32,000 points plus reasonable taxes and fees?

Both of those routes, and many more, are essentially discounted right now thanks to the pretty rare 30% transfer bonus from Amex Membership Rewards to multiple Avios programs when you transfer points from eligible Amex cards to Avios by Sept. 27.

Here are some of our favorite sweet spots you can book with that transfer bonus.

While cash fares may be giving us some heart palpitations right now, points and miles are still going very strong — if you know where and how to look for the best awards. But, like with everything, the best deals often don’t last long, so grab a flight if you see one you like — but know the rules to change or cancel just in case.

Check out these articles for more award booking tips:

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Photo Credit: Sean Cudahy/The Points Guy.

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