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So far, 2025 has been full of devaluations. Airline programs such as Avianca LifeMiles, Lufthansa Miles & More, and most recently Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer have all increased award flight costs — much to the chagrin of travelers. United Airlines, however, has some positive news. We are now seeing a de-devaluation (or is it re-valuation?) of awards when using United MileagePlus miles on Star Alliance partners.
United raised partner prices back in 2024, but now we are seeing the award costs returning to previous numbers — and for plenty of partner flights. Here's what to know.
United Drops Rates on Some Partner Business Class Awards
To make this digestible, we'll take a look at where United's partner business class award costs now sit to travel around the globe.
Europe
Europe is served by a ton of Star Alliance partners, such as Lufthansa, SWISS, TAP Portugal, and Austrian Airlines. Those prices had consistently been 88,000 United miles for business class, but now we are seeing a return to 80,000 miles. This Chicago (ORD) to Vienna (VIE) flight on Austrian Airlines is just one of many examples.
Even flights from the West coast price out at 80,000 miles, such as this Los Angeles (LAX) to Warsaw (WAW) flight on LOT Polish Airlines.
You can even connect throughout Europe on partners for the same 80,000 miles, which doesn't limit your destinations to major European hub airports. For example, you could fly from Washington, D.C. (IAD) to Malta (MLA) on Lufthansa and perhaps check out the Hyatt Centric Malta.
Like business class awards, economy flights have generally dropped from the recent rate of 44,000 miles to 40,000 miles each way.
But with a plethora of partners to Europe, these business-class prices can be a great way to travel in comfort across the Atlantic. Partner prices are now matching the cost to fly United's own planes to Europe, but the prices still exceed booking with another program.
For example, the same Vienna flight we looked at above would cost 70,000 miles in business class through Air Canada Aeroplan and 50,000 miles via ANA Mileage Club. Just watch out for the offensively high taxes and fees on certain partners:
Plus, keep in mind that both programs have more punitive change and cancellation policies and fees than United. So, all these factors should be considered when choosing which program to book through. United dropping its miles cost by 9% definitely makes it a program worth taking a hard look at when booking Star Alliance partners.
Related: The Cheapest Award Flights to Europe With Points and Miles
Asia
United has dropped partner flights across the Pacific, too. Flying ANA to Japan previously cost 110,000 miles in business class — and now we are seeing flights at 100,000 miles. This San Francisco (SFO) to Tokyo Narita (NRT) is just one such example.
This if definitely better than before but still pales in comparison to booking through Virgin Atlantic Flying Club for 52,500 Virgin points from the U.S. West coast to Japan. Note Virgin Atlantic may not have access to premium ANA seats within two weeks of travel, so that cheaper booking option can be hit and miss.
Flying partner EVA, a Taiwanese airline, also has seen reductions, coming in at 100,000 as well. This Seattle (SEA) to Taipei (TPE) is evidence of the new price.
Oceania
Flying partner Air New Zealand from the United States can be an0other good use of United miles — if you can find award space available. This flight from Honolulu (HNL) to Auckland (AKL) comes in at 100,000 miles also, down from 110,000.
Related: The Best Point and Miles Flights to Australia and New Zealand
Bottom Line
If you fell out of your seat when reading the headline that award prices went down, we can't blame you. A rarity these days, it's nice to see a program saving flyers miles. Whether these changes remain for any length of time is anyone's guess, but United's reduction of business class award rates on partners is exciting news.
Although booking with United may not be the cheapest option, its flexible change and cancellation policies make it very attractive. Plus, you can transfer points from Chase Ultimate Rewards and Bilt Rewards to pad your stash of United miles. Or, you could apply for one of several United credit cards to earn a welcome bonus that will get you well on your way to booking these business-class flights around the world.
- 2X miles per $1 spent on purchases from United®
- 2X miles per $1 spent on dining and hotel stays when booked with the hotel
- 1X mile per $1 spent on all other purchases
- 5 miles per $1 spent at Renowned Hotels and Resorts
- 3 miles per $1 spent on United® purchases
- 2 miles per $1 spent on all other travel
- 2 miles per $1 spent at restaurants
- 2 miles per $1 spent on select streaming services
- 1 mile per $1 spent on all other purchases
- 2x on United® purchases
- 2x on local transit and commuting — including train tickets, taxicabs, mass transit, tolls and ride share services
- 2x at gas stations, restaurants and office supply stores
- 1x on all other purchases
For rates and fees of the cards mentioned in this post, please visit the following links: The New United℠ Explorer Card (Rates & Fees), The New United Quest℠ Card (Rates & Fees), and The New United℠ Business Card (Rates & Fees)
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