Looking to book flight with miles or money&miles for a May trip Newark-Vienna and then return Budapest-Newark. Why is United not showing available for premium economy or even business class? Miles are with Chase and I could use if book with them but not on United sites itself.
Posted by
Minneapolis
1405 posts
Hi. Can you further describe your situation and what you have tried on United site? To see miles options on United site, you must be signed in to your United acct. Are you? What specific flights and dates have you tried to view?
Posted by
Chicago
1515 posts
The answer to your question is that United does not offer a full flight connection between
either of these city pairs, thus requires connections between other airlines in Star
Alliance, and United is at the mercy of those other airlines to release award availability
to United. That availability will depend on those other airlines looking at their yield
and occupancy predictions.
For instance, PE and Biz availability between BUD and EWR is available on May 14th
for some segments. Business class intra-Europe is kind of pointless (the middle seat
is left empty), PE doesn't exist on short flights, so all you are really going to get for your
miles is PE or Biz for the transatlantic part. To Newark (a relatlvely short flight), if the
increment is large, I'd consider just sticking with economy.
You might look at Air Canada award availability if you are willing to transfer your points
to AC instead of United. It will not be the same.
Posted by
Chicago, IL, USA
765 posts
One workaround I have used on other airlines is to try a 4 segment multicity booking. That sometimes opens up availability and can let you choose different classes different segments. You just have to know the connection cities the airline likely uses and attempt using that.
Posted by
OP
10 posts
I am going to keep monitoring flights. I have the choice to book thru Chase using money & Points. My preference is a direct flight in premium economy from Newark to Vienna which probably will be a code share with Lufthansa. I know it will be big bucks for 2 travelers but we are 80 and deserve better seats. Going back to Newark from Budapest will require 2 flights and 'Ill have to see which European airport and length of layover. I could transfer the points to my United Mileage Plus account but I am not confident that seats will be "available". I would have preferred booking thru United rather then Chase in the event I would need to make a change but it may not be possible.
Posted by
Virginia, USA
6873 posts
My preference is a direct flight in premium economy from Newark to Vienna which probably will be a code share with Lufthansa
The non-stop flight between Newark and Vienna is operated by Austrian Airlines.
It is very hard to find reward flights in business or premium economy on partner airlines. You might search other dates to see if you ever see availability for business seats on that route. You might check one-stop flights where the transatlantic leg is operated by United. Sometimes you can find reward flights where the United transatlantic leg is business/PE but the shorter intra-European leg on a partner is economy.
Posted by
Portland, OR
142 posts
I've had good luck with Chase points and Air France/Flying Blue transfers. Twice I have flown to Europe in business class booked through them. Both times it was on partners, Virgin and KLM. You just need to create an account with Flying Blue and watch for a good deal, the Chase points transfer nearly instantly.
Also, British Airways charges high fees, but usually has capacity in upgraded cabins for less points. Of course, you would have to change at LHR. I have never had issues there, but others say I have been lucky. Same thing, you would have to create an account with BA and keep checking.
I have transferred from Chase into United, but have only ever flown in economy.
I don't ever recommend booking through the Chase portal as cash, it just isn't a good deal.