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United.com is offering cheaper prices for partner Business Class award award bookings than what United’s chart says the price is. This sale is unannounced and could end at any time.
In February 2014, United went to two charts: a cheaper one for flights on United and a more expensive one for partner flights–way more expensive in Business and First Class.
Last month, there were unannounced sales in partner Business Class to Europe, the Middle East, and India. These sales were restricted to off peak times though–January, February, and March. Last sale:
March 31 from JFK to Delhi, India: 70,000 United miles in Lufthansa Business Class (discount in March)
April 1 from Newark to Delhi, India: 80,000 United miles in Air India Business Class (no discount in April
These new unannounced sales are to more regions and can be booked for all of the current schedule–basically until the end of 2015. One way partner Business Class is pricing out at the United prices:
- Between the US and Europe for 57,500 United miles (normally 70k)
- Between the US and North Asia for 70,000 United miles (normally 80k)
- Between the US and Central Asia for 70,000 United miles (normally 80k)
- Between the US and South Asia for 70,000 United miles (normally 80k)
- Between Europe and Middle East for 35,000 United miles (normally 45k)
Example 1: Boston to Zurich in Swiss Business Class this summer for 57,500 United miles
Example 2: Los Angeles to Bangkok in Asiana Business Class on the A380 this summer for 70,000 United miles
Combined, the three Asia regions on sale from the United States include all of Asia except Japan, which costs 75,000 miles one way in partner Business Class, and the Middle East. The Middle East is Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Egypt, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Syria, United Arab Emirates, Yemen. The Middle East is on sale from Europe.
What is United Thinking with this Sale?
I have no idea. Its on-again-off-again nature and the fact that only some regions are affected tells me this is not a glitch. United is intentionally holding this sale.
It seems to indicate that they overreached with their partner award devaluation, and they know it.
But why the secrecy? Why is this sale not trumpeted in a press release? As it is, the only people who will take advantage are lucky people who were just searching for an award to these regions and people who read miles blogs.
I’d love theories on why United is having these sales–and having them secretly at that–in the comments.
How Long Will the Sale Last?
Probably not long. The last secret sales lasted about a month. Book now if you want to take advantage.
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Very nice!
Any chance they’ll reprice an award we already have at the 80k-level? Biz class on that a380 would be even sweeter for a few less miles..
Cheers!
Try to change the flight online…to the exact same flight. See what happens. I’d experiment online with changes, and see if I could do it for free and get miles back. I’d call in if necessary and explain the situation.
We swooped up the last available seats, so were unable to change/rebook the flight online. The (surprisingly helpful) Twitter team at UA was able to reprice the itin at the lower 70k/pp price. He/she was confused about the (+1 day) on flying, so it was an interesting discussion (trying to make him/her understand I’d not be on the ground for 24+ hours, but rather 2 hours).
Thanks SO much for this.. You just helped me recoup enough miles to fly for my best friends wedding this summer!
Very nice!
Any chance they’ll reprice an award we already have at the 80k-level? Biz class on that a380 would be even sweeter for a few less miles..
Cheers!
Try to change the flight online…to the exact same flight. See what happens. I’d experiment online with changes, and see if I could do it for free and get miles back. I’d call in if necessary and explain the situation.
We swooped up the last available seats, so were unable to change/rebook the flight online. The (surprisingly helpful) Twitter team at UA was able to reprice the itin at the lower 70k/pp price. He/she was confused about the (+1 day) on flying, so it was an interesting discussion (trying to make him/her understand I’d not be on the ground for 24+ hours, but rather 2 hours).
Thanks SO much for this.. You just helped me recoup enough miles to fly for my best friends wedding this summer!
We may make a trip to Denmark in summer.
I noticed the reduced points on a route from San Diego to Copenhagen.
It was all on Air Canada including a 787 Dreamliner between Toronto and Copenhagen.
Fantastic!
We may make a trip to Denmark in summer.
I noticed the reduced points on a route from San Diego to Copenhagen.
It was all on Air Canada including a 787 Dreamliner between Toronto and Copenhagen.
Fantastic!
Yea, I notice it yesterday when I was searching for Europe destinations for friends. I hope it last.
Yea, I notice it yesterday when I was searching for Europe destinations for friends. I hope it last.
[…] 57,500 miles one way in United Business (and for a limited time in partner Business) […]
[…] 57,500 miles one way in United Business (and for a limited time in partner Business) […]
Have been planning a May SE Asia trip for a month or so, and stumbled upon this sale Sunday. When I went to book yesterday, my luck was even better than imagined! I got the following itinerary for 150k miles + $67:
Outbound: ORD-ICN, ICN-HAN on Asiana business class
Return: BKK-NRT on ANA business; NRT-ORD on United FIRST
The return flight showed up with no saver business class available, but the first class saver was priced at only 80k — was shocked to see it. Booked it and was confirmed today.
Yes, United First is only 80k. It is very similar to United Business. Enjoy the trip!
[…] You know those “secret” sales United has been having where they discount a lot of partner Business Class awards? Partner Business Class awards have cost more than United Business Class awards for a year now, but with these sales, both are the same price. […]