Book by Saturday: United offers Pacific award sale with flights starting at 40,000 miles

Editor’s note: This is a recurring post, regularly updated with new information and offers.

Looking for the perfect fall getaway to Australia, French Polynesia, Japan, New Zealand, Singapore or Taiwan?

United Airlines just launched a Pacific award sale. For the next three days, you can book transpacific economy flights starting at just 40,000 miles each way (plus taxes and fees starting at $38.95 round trip).

Deal basics

Airline: United

Routes: All mainland U.S. airports to Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne, Australia; Tahiti, French Polynesia; Tokyo and Osaka, Japan; Auckland; Singapore; and Taiwan

How to book: Directly with the airline

Travel dates: Select travel dates between Aug. 17 and Dec. 10

Book by: Aug. 19 by 11:59 p.m. CT

Unfortunately, the carrier’s highest anticipated new Pacific routes, including San Francisco International Airport (SFO) to Manila’s Ninoy Aquino International Airport (MNL), have been excluded from the sale.

Sample flights

Before the worldwide United MileagePlus devaluation earlier this year, the airline charged 40,000 miles for these one-way saver economy-class awards. However, the devaluation increased these rates to 55,000 miles without notice.

The promotion allows you to book the pre-devaluation award rate of 40,000 miles one-way in economy class, which saves 30,000 miles off the price of the post-devaluation, round-trip awards.

Now, here’s a look at the award space. If you’re wondering about special member pricing, refer to this post.

Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) to Tahiti’s Faa’a International Airport (PPT)

Washington D.C.’s Dulles International Airport (IAD) to Melbourne Airport (MEL)

Orlando International Airport (MCO) to Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport (TPE)

Denver International Airport (DEN) to Singapore Changi Airport (SIN)

Maximize your purchase

Use a credit card that earns bonus points on airfare purchases, such as:

The Platinum Card® from American Express: 5 points per dollar on airfare booked directly with the airline or through American Express Travel, on up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year
Citi Prestige® Card: 5 points per dollar on airfare
Citi Premier® Card (see rates and fees): 3 points per dollar on airfare
Chase Sapphire Reserve: 3 points per dollar on airfare
American Express® Gold Card: 3 points per dollar on airfare when booked directly with the airline or through Amex Travel
Chase Sapphire Preferred Card: 2 points per dollar on travel

See this post for more on maximizing airfare purchases.

The information for the Citi Prestige Card has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.

Bottom line

If you’re ready to plan a trip across the Pacific by Dec. 10, this award sale can be a great way to maximize United miles.

For reference, the round-trip East Coast to Australia flights cost around $3,000. By using 80,000 United miles, you’ll be getting close to 4 cents per mile — roughly quadruple our valuation of United miles. You can always cancel and redeposit your miles if something comes up, but just be sure to make your flight reservations by Saturday.

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