Deal alert: Australia and New Zealand in business class for as low as 75,000 points each way

There are some incredible deals right now to Australia and New Zealand for those with United MileagePlus miles or Air Canada Aeroplan points — if you don’t mind planning a last-minute trip.

You can book United Airlines flights from Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) or San Francisco International Airport (SFO) to Australia or New Zealand for as little as 100,000 United miles each way or as few as 75,000 Aeroplan points each way.

There is availability for scattered dates in December and into early 2024 for business class on United and Air New Zealand from both Los Angeles and San Francisco to Auckland, New Zealand, starting as early as Dec. 13.

Deal basics

United Airlines planes parked at SFO — KYLE OLSEN/THE POINTS GUY

Airlines: United Airlines and Air New Zealand
Routes: From Houston, Los Angeles and San Francisco to Auckland and Sydney
How to book: Through united.com after logging in to your MileagePlus account or through Aeroplan.com
Travel dates: From December through February
Price: As few as 75,000 points each way in business class
Book by: While discounted tickets are available

Let’s take a look at a few of the flights we found with available award space. You may have access to expanded award availability if you have a United cobranded credit card or MileagePlus elite status.

Sample flights

San Francisco to Auckland using Aeroplan points

The best value can likely be found by booking via Air Canada’s Aeroplan program. If you have Aeroplan points, you can book one-way business-class seats on United or Air New Zealand for as low as 75,000 Aeroplan points each way. It’s one of the most valuable Star Alliance airline programs, and you should learn about it even if you don’t ever fly Air Canada because it’s easy to earn and redeem Aeroplan points. They can really come in handy, as this deal illustrates.

Auckland to San Francisco and Houston using Aeroplan points

Aeroplan AKL to SFO award. AEROPLAN — AEROPLAN.COM

There are also great deals using Aeroplan points to and from San Francisco. We found one-way business-class flights on United for as low as 75,000 Aeroplan points.

Booking screen using Aeroplan miles from Auckland to Houston. — AEROPLAN.COM

We even found some dates from other gateways. This flight from Auckland to Houston was also just 75,000 Aeroplan points one-way.

Los Angeles to Sydney using United miles

If you don’t have Aeroplan miles and want to book via United, there are deals there, too. We managed to find some sweet deals to Sydney. You can fly one-way from Los Angeles for as little as 100,000 United MileagePlus miles.

San Francisco to Auckland using United miles

If you can travel the last week of December and are looking to depart from San Francisco, there are round-trip flights to Auckland in business class for as low as 210,000 United miles.

Los Angeles to Auckland using United miles

There are similar deals from Los Angeles to Auckland for as little as 110,000 United miles each way. Note that some of these flights are operated by Air New Zealand, which has a business-class cabin that not everyone loves.

Maximize your purchase

For taxes and fees, use a credit card that earns bonus points on airfare purchases, such as:

The Platinum Card® from American Express: 5 points per dollar spent on airfare booked directly with the airline or through American Express Travel (on up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year, then 1 point per dollar)
Citi Premier® Card (see rates and fees): 3 points per dollar spent on airfare
Chase Sapphire Reserve: 3 points per dollar spent on airfare
American Express® Gold Card: 3 points per dollar spent on airfare when booked directly with the airline or through Amex Travel
Chase Sapphire Preferred Card: 2 points per dollar spent on travel

Bottom line

Here at TPG, we highlight many deal alerts, but they are usually for cash discounts. If you can make a last-minute trip to Australia or New Zealand work, this is a great mileage sale.

Don’t wait. We don’t expect these deals to last long.

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