Can’t find United business class awards to Europe? Here are 7 routes with good availability
Finding good business class rewards is often the hardest part of the points and miles game. There are a number of tools that can help you find rewards more easily than before. However, the options are still limited with many airlines and routes when it comes to getting good international business class rewards.
If you’re having trouble finding the business class award you want on United Airlines or another Star Alliance airline, know that some routes have more awards available than others.
If you can’t find the flight you want to your desired European destination, you might consider checking out award flights from some of United’s hubs like Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR), Dulles International Airport (IAD), and O’Hare International Airport (ORD). They have flights to many European destinations like Amsterdam, Munich, and Frankfurt. The chances of getting a business class economy class fare can be significantly better to and from those destinations.
If you can fly through or from Newark en route to London, there are plenty of options for dates; there are many business class award flights available for 80,000 to 88,000 MileagePlus miles one-way on many dates.
Pro Tip: Here are some favorite tool for self-finding awards.
Here are some routes to search if you want to find more Star Alliance business class availability (with data sourced from Goodbye) that you can book with United MileagePlus miles — or sometimes through better-priced Star Alliance programs such as Air Canada’s Aeroplan.
Related: These Are the Best Rewards Card Welcome Offers of the Month
Great business class available to Amsterdam until April 2025
Chicago to Amsterdam
We’re seeing a number of award flights available starting at 80,000 miles plus fees and taxes from ORD to Amsterdam Schiphol Airport (AMS) as early as 2025. This nonstop round-trip in January is an example. The cost is 160,000 miles plus $101.60 in taxes.
Houston to Amsterdam
There’s also a good one-stop flight from Houston to Amsterdam in February 2025. You can fly round-trip (with stops each way) from George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) to AMS for 160,000 MileagePlus miles, plus $107.20 in taxes.
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If you have a good amount of accumulated points as a Star Alliance member Air Canada Aeroplan program, you can book business class from Houston to Amsterdam via Munich or Frankfurt in November. Fares start at 70,000 miles, plus taxes.
Washington, DC, to Amsterdam
You can also book a round-trip business class flight from IAD to AMS on United in March for 160,000 miles plus $101.60 in fees. Again, some of these flights are direct and some are connecting (usually via the aforementioned cities like Frankfurt and Munich).
Related: The best way to travel to Europe with points and miles
Great business class available to Munich and Frankfurt until April 2025
Los Angeles to Munich
In the spring, you can find many business class flights from Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) to Munich International Airport (MUC). Airfares start at just 88,000 miles each way.
Chicago and Detroit to Frankfurt
There are some great awards in February for flights from ORD to FRA at similar award prices.
By April 2025, there will be business class seats available between 80,000 and 88,000 miles from Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport (DTW) to FRA on Lufthansa-operated flights. These same flights can often be booked with 70,000 Air Canada Aeroplan miles. (Remember, many credit card points Switch to Air Canada’s Aeroplan.)
Related: Best websites to search for Star Alliance award availability
Good business class available from Newark to London
It can be difficult to find great business class seats on United flights to London from some of the airline’s hub cities. Flying from (or via) Newark can make things much easier. We found good seats until April 2025 on this route.
Sometimes the flight with the most empty seats is one of our favorites: the one that leaves very late at night. This flight is ideal if you have a lie-flat seat and can sleep straight.
Another thing you may notice is that prices for United cardholders are sometimes much lower than for non-cardholders. This is a good reason to make sure you have United Credit Card in your wallet.
Related: These are the best hotels in London
The last line
While these availability trends are generally true, they can of course fluctuate. If a deal catches your eye, it’s always a good idea to go ahead and close the deal. This is especially true if you’re booking with a program like United that makes Easily change or resend flight awards.
Earning points and miles is fun, but turning them into your dream business class award flight is even better. With this list of routes as a good starting point, you’ll be on your way to Europe (in comfort) in no time.
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