Joe McConnell
Editor’s Note: This is a recurring post, regularly updated with new information and offers.
United Airlines is hosting an award sale that lets United MileagePlus members win flights to a different destination every day through Friday.
The airline is now offering discounted economy fares to New Zealand, both in Auckland and Christchurch, starting at 45,000 miles (plus taxes and fees) each way.
If you have a United Chase card, your reward amount will drop to 40,000 miles (plus taxes and fees).
Keep in mind that United’s nonstop flights from the U.S. to New Zealand take about 13 hours; the flight time will be even longer if you have a connection. Some travelers may think that’s too long to sit in an economy seat.
Basics of today’s offer
Airline company: Airlines merged
Itineraries: Direct flight from San Francisco to New Zealand; other US airports available with connections
How to book: Directly through the United website
Book for: 6 August 2024
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Travel dates: 6 August 2024 to 31 March 2025
With this offer, United MileagePlus members will find flights from the U.S. to New Zealand for 45,000 miles (plus taxes and fees). United credit card holders can save even more, with options starting at 40,000 miles (plus taxes and fees).
Availability is wide on most routes, with the exception of travel between December 6, 2024 and January 18, 2025.
Sample flights
United flies nonstop to New Zealand between San Francisco International Airport (SFO) and Auckland Airport (AKL) or Christchurch International Airport (CHC).
You can also fly United to Auckland and Christchurch from other U.S. airports, with stops along the way.
Nonstop availability to Auckland from SFO is not as widespread as we saw yesterday with United’s award offerings to Australia. However, availability appears to be increasing as we get into October and November this year.
If you choose a direct flight, you usually board a Boeing 777-200 and the flight duration is just over 13 hours.
Flights from SFO to CHC had even less availability. For most months, the lowest award fares we found were for 60,500 miles. We didn’t see any deals for 45,000 miles until December. The flight is about 14 hours aboard a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner.
Maximize your purchase
For this particular rewards sale, you can get the best rewards rates if you’re a United Chase cardholder. United has several co-branded cards with Chase to choose from. Here are some of our favorites:
- United℠ Explorer Card: 2 miles for every dollar spent on United restaurants, hotel stays and purchases, plus 1 mile for every dollar spent on all other purchases
- United Club℠ Infinite Card: 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: 3 miles for every dollar spent on United purchases; 2 miles for every dollar spent on dining, select streaming services and other travel purchases; and 1 mile for every dollar spent on all other purchases
If you don’t have a United Chase credit card, you can maximize your points earnings by using another credit card that allows you to earn bonus points on airline purchases, such as:
Bottom line
Every day this week, United will post award fare offers for United MileagePlus members, with additional discounts available for United Chase cardholders.
The airline kicked things off with discounted economy fares to Australia and is now offering similar award fares to New Zealand. Fares start at 40,000 miles for United Chase cardholders or 45,000 miles for United MileagePlus cardholders without a United credit card. Keep an eye on this page for more deals throughout the week.
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