TAP Portugal currently flies from Lisbon to three different destinations in the United States: Miami, Newark, and most recently to Boston. July 1, 2016 they will launch one more route that will fly between Lisbon and New York (JFK).

What's interesting about the two newest routes is that they are flying different planes than the old routes, with an enhanced Business Class product-- fully lie-flat beds and direct aisle access for every passenger.

We have seen a ton of cheap fares to Europe lately, like the $414 roundtrips to Zurich and Frankfurt at the beginning of the month. Now Star Alliance airlines are also running fantastic sales on roundtrip flights to Europe to keep up with the fare war.

United has announced a 25% discount on roundtrip economy class awards between the United States and Europe. That means your trip to Europe would cost 45,000 miles roundtrip instead of the normal 60,000.

Details:

Only valid when booked by June 28, 2016
For flights flown:

between the United States + Canada (not Hawaii) and Europe
between August 23, 2016 and March 31, 2017
on United planes only

Blackout dates on which you cannot book with the discounted price: December 15, 2016, to January 8, 2017
Roundtrip only, one ways will maintain the normal price of 30,000 United

I just emailed two winners. If either doesn't reply within 24 hours, I will pick a new winner.

Generous reader Eugene is donating four United Club passes that expire June 30, 2016–in three weeks--to two lucky winners (one pair to each winner.)

If you have a use for the passes between the 16th (to allow time for them to be mailed to you) and 30th of this month, comment on this post for a chance to win the passes. Include your real email address while commenting, so I can contact the winner.

Starting December 1, 2016 United's new Business Class product Polaris will begin service, eventually flying to 330 destinations in more than 50 countries, on the following aircraft:

Boeing 777-300ER
Boeing 787-10
Airbus A350-1000
Retrofitted Boeing 767-300's and 777-200's.

The first to be updated will be the 777-300ER's and the rest will follow. Polaris will be standard on all international Business Class routes.
The Old Business Class
It is a big pet peeve of mine when a Business Class product has a seat layout that doesn't provide aisle access to all passengers.

Through Friday (May 27, 2016) at 11:59 CT, United is offering a 100% bonus on purchased miles. The size of the bonus depends on the number of miles you buy, with the largest 100% bonus kicking in at 40,000 miles purchased.

United miles normally cost 3.5 cents per mile plus a 7.5% tax, bringing the full price to 3.76 cents each.

Download a free app and get 1,000 free United miles in a few weeks.

There are three steps:

Register for the promotion here. (The promotion is that if you download a personal finance app called Prosper Daily and register your account, you get 1,000 free United miles.

I know most people just want to go somewhere and come back with their miles, but I am biased toward BIG trips. For the most part, the best way to book such big trips is as a series of one way awards with many different types of miles, taking advantage of the sweet spots with each program.

Last week my friend flew 24 hours of Lufthansa First Class and had a 3.5 hour layover in the famous Lufthansa First Class Terminal, which he booked for 125,000 United miles and $58.

Elite members of United’s MileagePlus frequent flyer program get access to extra Saver award seats in economy class. (Platinum and higher members also get extra business and first class seat availability.)

United credit card holders also get the extra Saver economy award space set aside for elites. That includes people with the United Explorer, Business Explorer, and Club cards.

I consider this one of the biggest benefits of the cards, and, oddly, it is a benefit that is completely unadvertised and possibly unintentional.
Recent Example
I have the United Business Explorer card and no elite status with United.