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No-notice devaluations are a frustrating thing. And if you've been stockpiling United MileagePlus miles to make an international first-class redemption on ANA or Lufthansa, we regret to inform you that these awards now command several thousand more miles. When taken as a percentage of cost increase, the numbers are even more depressing.
Here's what we know about United's no-notice partner devaluation that comes less than a year after a devaluation of awards between the U.S. and Europe.
International First Class Awards Now Require More United MileagePlus Miles
If you've checked United's going rates for ANA and Lufthansa first class recently, you might have noticed they're higher now than in the past. As first noted in a FlyerTalk thread, aspirational Lufthansa awards ring up at 154,000 miles each way — a 27% increase over the now-old sticker price of 121,000 MileagePlus miles.
ANA first-class awards from the lower 48 states fare even worse, now costing 242,000 miles — double the previous cost.
Routes between Tokyo and Hawaii jumped from 93,500 miles to 181,500 miles — a 94% increase.
For those keeping score at home, not only are these awards increasingly difficult to book (given ever-tightening restrictions), but they're also that much more expensive. Couple all that with the most recent devaluation being of the no-notice variety and the value proposition for holding six figures of United miles to make one of these bookings nearly disappears.
If anything, United's latest exploitation of its MileagePlus program is yet another ringing endorsement for earning transferable rewards so you're not tied to one “loyalty” program. It's also an encouragement to familiarize yourself with other ways to book awards for ANA and Lufthansa first class. Without defined award charts in United's program, it's not a matter of “if” United will take aim at redemption rates again but “when.”
Other ways to book ANA and Lufthansa first class
There are other ways to book ANA and Lufthansa awards that don't require earning United MileagePlus miles. But we'll be clear: These awards aren't the easiest to book, no matter how many avenues exist with which to book them. With Lufthansa, in particular, you're relegated to booking awards within three days of departure — assuming the airline even releases space to its partners. For most people, it's hard to plan a vacation with that short notice. ANA isn't much better, given the rare availability of its most premium cabins to begin with.
But if you're chasing an aspirational redemption, you can leverage other Star Alliance programs like Air Canada Aeroplan or Avianca LifeMiles to book. Generally speaking, these two programs are some of the most accessible, given long lists of transfer partners. You also can book ANA awards through Virgin Atlantic Flying Club, which presents fantastic value when you find award space.
Related: How To Book Lufthansa First Class Using Miles
Final Thoughts
Without notice, United Airlines made it far more expensive to book ANA and Lufthansa first-class awards with MileagePlus miles. The latest devaluation is just as disappointing as all the others. Thankfully, there are other ways to book these aspirational award tickets without resorting to MileagePlus.
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