If you’ve been dreaming of Paris during the holiday season, you’ll want to take advantage of this business-class bargain on United Airlines flights between the New York City area and Paris.
Several dates in December, January and February display availability for business-class flights for as few as 80,000 United MileagePlus miles. If you redeem your miles through another Star Alliance carrier — like Air Canada, Avianca or Singapore Airlines — there are numerous alternative booking options for as few as 60,000 miles on the same United-operated flights.
Here’s how to book this deal so you can see the City of Light in a whole new light this winter:
Deal basics
Airline: United Airlines
Routes: From Newark to Paris
How to book: Directly with your preferred Star Alliance airline, such as Air Canada, All Nippon Airways, Avianca, Singapore Airlines or United Airlines
Book by: ASAP for the best availability
Travel dates: December 2024 through February 2025
This deal was first spotted by The Premium Passport on Instagram.
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Sample flights
Let’s start by looking at booking this deal directly with United Airlines. You can book a one-way nonstop flight Dec. 31 between Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) and Paris-Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG). Your seat will be in United Polaris business class and will cost 80,000 MileagePlus miles and $5.60 in taxes and fees.
Based on TPG’s August 2024 valuations, United MileagePlus miles are worth 1.35 cents each, making this redemption worth $1,080. When you consider that the cash price for a business-class seat on this flight is $3,033, this is certainly a deal.
If you would rather spend your stash of Air Canada Aeroplan points for this deal, we found availability on the same United-operated flight Dec. 31; it costs 60,000 Aeroplan points and $78 Canadian dollars (about $57) in taxes and fees. TPG values Aeroplan points at 1.5 cents a piece, giving this a redemption value of $900 (or $957 when you factor in taxes and fees).
It’s clear that booking this deal through Air Canada instead of United offers an even better value, but your mileage may be limited by where your miles are stashed.
Your best bet is to search for which Star Alliance carrier is offering the best redemption value and transfer points from a program like American Express Membership Rewards, Chase Ultimate Rewards, Citi ThankYou Rewards, Capital One or Marriott Bonvoy. In the above example, you would get a much better value by transferring miles to Air Canada versus United.
Maximize your purchase
If you book this deal directly with United, you can enjoy perks like free checked bags and lounge access as a United cardholder:
- United℠ Explorer Card: 2 miles per dollar spent on United purchases, plus the first checked bag free for the cardholder and a companion and two one-time United Club passes annually, among other benefits.
- United Club℠ Infinite Card: 4 miles per dollar spent on United purchases, plus up to two free checked bags and access to United Club and select Star Alliance lounges for the cardholder and a companion, among other benefits.
- United Quest℠ Card: 3 miles per dollar spent on United purchases, plus up to two free checked bags for the cardholder and a companion and a $125 annual United purchase credit, among other perks.
If you book the flight through Air Canada, however, your United cardholder benefits may not apply. If you have the Aeroplan® Credit Card, you can get two one-time passes to Air Canada’s Maple Leaf lounges, automatic Star Alliance Silver elite status and other travel perks.
Bottom line
This deal can potentially save you thousands of dollars on your next business-class flight to Paris. Since it’s available through multiple Star Alliance carriers, you also have the flexibility to maximize your purchase by booking through your preferred carrier.
No matter how you choose to book, don’t delay. This availability is likely to fill up quickly, and Paris awaits.
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