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United Airlines is running an award sale that allows United MileagePlus members to score flights to a different destination every day through Friday.

The airline is kicking things off for Australia with economy award fares that start at 45,000 miles each way (plus taxes and fees). Award redemptions drop to 40,000 miles (plus taxes and fees) if you have a United Chase card.

Remember that nonstop flights from the US to Australia take over 15 hours; If you need to connect the journey time will be longer. Some travelers may feel that this is too long to sit in an economy seat.

That said, if you’re happy to fly economy, this isn’t a terrible deal — United redemptions in Australia typically cost around 80,000 miles. However, we expect you to see better deals for various destinations released throughout the week.

Today’s Trade Basics

Airline: United Airlines

ways: Los Angeles and San Francisco to Sydney or Melbourne, Australia; Houston to Sydney; Additional options with stops at most other US airports

How to book: Directly through United website

Book through: August 5, 2024

Dates of travel: From August 5, 2024 to March 31, 2025

With this deal, United MileagePlus members will get flights from the US to Australia for 45,000 miles (plus taxes and fees). United Credit Cardholders can save even more with options starting at 40,000 miles (plus taxes and fees).

Availability on most routes is wide except for travel between December 19, 2024 and January 9, 2025.

Sample flights

United flies the following nonstop routes from the US to Australia:

• Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) to Melbourne Airport (MEL) in Australia.
• LAX to Sydney Airport (SYD)
• San Francisco International Airport (SFO) to MEL
• SFO to SYD
• SYD from Houston’s George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH).

We are seeing good availability on each of these routes throughout the year.

Flights originating or connecting at LAX and SFO are the most widely available, while IAH flights are somewhat more limited through November.

It is also possible to fly from another US airport with a connecting flight at LAX, SFO or IAH for the same number of miles.

Maximize your purchases

For this particular award sale, you can get the best award fares if you’re a United Chase cardholder. United has several cobranded cards with Chase to choose from. Here are some of our favorites:

• United℠ Explorer Card: Earn 2 miles per dollar spent on dining, hotel stays and United purchases, plus 1 mile per dollar spent on all other purchases
• United Club℠ Infinity Card: Earn 4 miles per dollar spent on United purchases, 2 miles per dollar spent on all other travel and dining purchases, and 1 mile per dollar spent on all other purchases.
• United Quest℠ Card: Earn 3 miles per dollar spent on United purchases; 2 miles per dollar spent on dining, select streaming services and other travel purchases; And 1 mile per dollar spent on all other purchases

If you don’t have a United Chase credit card, you can also increase your points earnings by using other credit cards that earn bonus points on airfare purchases, such as:

Bottom line

United is releasing award fare deals this week for United MileagePlus members, with additional discounts available for United Chase Cardmembers. The carrier kicked things off for Australia with discounted economy award fares starting at 40,000 miles for United Chase card members or 45,000 miles for United MileagePlus members without a United credit card. Keep an eye on this page for more deals throughout the week.

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