United Airlines has been on a mission to reconfigure its diverse fleet of aircraft with its Polaris business class product. Today, United no longer offers an international Global First product — Polaris is the new flagship.
Not to worry, though, because Polaris business class is much better than what was previously offered — the sooner it can complete its Polaris rollout, the better.
Let’s take a look at how you can book United’s new Polaris business class product with your points and miles!
A Look Inside United Airlines Polaris Business Class
![Best Ways To Book United Polaris Business Class Using Points [Step-by-Step] (1)](https://i0.wp.com/upgradedpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/United-Polaris-Business-Class-Seat-on-Boeing-787-9-Dreamliner.jpeg?auto=webp&disable=upscale&width=1200 "Best Ways To Book United Polaris Business Class Using Points [Step-by-Step] (1)")
For years, United Airlines‘ business class product was considered subpar — at best. With the launch of its Polaris business class product in 2016, though, its reputation has changed for the better. Currently, United is in the process of retrofitting a number of its older aircraft with the new product.
You’ll find Polaris on select 767-300s, select 767-400s, select 777-200s, 777-300ERs, 787-8 Dreamliners, select 787-9 Dreamliners, and 787-10s. The 767-400ERs will be retrofitted by summer 2023.
Keep in mind that these planes are deployed on the airline’s premium/flagship routes, so you’ll need to confirm that the brand-new Polaris product is available on your particular flight when searching.
Unlike United’s old business class product, all Polaris seats are lie-flat with direct aisle access, making your long-haul flight much more comfortable.
Hot Tip: If you’re traveling alone, odd-numbered seats by the windows will give you the most privacy. If you are traveling with someone, even-numbered seats in the middle section are your best bet.
![Best Ways To Book United Polaris Business Class Using Points [Step-by-Step] (2)](https://i0.wp.com/upgradedpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/IMG_8545.jpg?auto=webp&disable=upscale&width=1200 "Best Ways To Book United Polaris Business Class Using Points [Step-by-Step] (2)")
Polaris Lounges are found in several of the airport’s largest hubs. If you aren’t departing from a location with a Polaris Lounge (such as Chicago O’Hare), you can still access United Clubs and other Star Alliance business class lounges.
These lounges have showers, blazing-fast Wi-Fi, hot food options, à la carte dining service, and so much more! It’s a big step-up from the United Club experience, so you definitely don’t want to skip out on this.
Unfortunately, you won’t be able to access any of these lounges with cards such as The Platinum Card® from American Express. However, various United co-branded credit cards offer access to “regular” United Clubs.
How To Fly United Airlines Polaris Business Class Using Points
Star Alliance has 26 member airlines, which means there are plenty of programs you can use to book a United flight.
United Airlines MileagePlus
You can book business class flights on United Airlines through its MileagePlus program. All you have to do is find award space online and you can take care of the whole booking process right there.
This is our top way to book United Polaris business class flights because you can access the largest swath of award availability. Other partners only have access to a fraction of the total award tickets available.
You can book your flight online by following these steps:
- Visit United’s website.
- Sign in to your account.
- Select Search for award travel.
- Select your travel dates and your desired route.
- Select Business as your cabin
- Select your flight (make sure it is operated by United!).
- Review your flight choice.
The program is a Chase airline partner at a 1:1 ratioand are your best option when you need more United miles.Before you transfer your Ultimate Rewards points, make sure there is award space.
Hot Tip: There are tons of ways to redeem United miles, so make sure you check out the other fun ways United miles can help you travel.
Earning United MileagePlus Miles
United MileagePlus is a 1:1 transfer partner with Chase Ultimate Rewards, and transfers are processed almost instantly.
In addition, you can transfer Marriott Bonvoy points at a 3:1 ratio to United MileagePlus. If you transfer 60,000 Marriott points at once to United, you’ll get a bonus of 10,000 United miles! Finally, you can also use any of United’s co-branded credit cards to earn United miles directly.
Recommended Chase Cards (Personal)
POPULAR FIRST CARD
Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
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The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the in's and out's of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.
A fantastic travel card with a huge welcome offer, good benefits, and perks for a moderate annual fee.
(at Chase's secure site)
Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
A fantastic travel card with a huge welcome offer, good benefits, and perks for a moderate annual fee.
Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $750 when you redeem through Chase Ultimate Rewards®.
60,000 points
$1,200
$95
Upgraded Points credit ranges are a variation of FICO®Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit cardapplication.
Good to Excellent (670-850)
The Chase Sapphire Preferred® card is one of the best travel rewards cards on the market. Its bonus categories include travel, dining, online grocery purchases, and streaming services, which gives you the opportunity to earn lots of bonus points on these purchases.
Additionally, it offers flexible point redemption options, no foreign transaction fees, and excellent travel insurance coverage including primary car rental insurance. With benefits like these, it’s easy to see why this card is an excellent choice for any traveler.
Pros
- 5x points on all travel booked via the Chase Ultimate Rewards portal
- 5x points on select Peloton purchases over $150 (through March 31, 2025)
- 5x points on Lyft purchases (through March 31, 2025)
- 3x points on dining purchases, online grocery purchases, and select streaming services
- 2x points on all other travel worldwide
- $50 annual credit on hotel stays booked through the Chase Ultimate Rewards portal
- 6 months of complimentary Instacart+ (activate by July 31, 2024), plus up to $15 in statement credits each quarter through July 2024
- Excellent travel and car rental insurance
- 10% annual bonus points
- No foreigntransaction fees
- 1:1 point transfer to leading airline and hotel loyalty programs like United MileagePlus and World of Hyatt
Cons
- $95annual fee
- No elite benefits like airport lounge access orhotel elite status
- Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $750 when you redeem through Chase Ultimate Rewards®.
- Enjoy benefits such as 5x on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards®, 3x on dining, select streaming services and online groceries, 2x on all other travel purchases, 1x on all other purchases, and $50 annual Ultimate Rewards Hotel Credit, plus more.
- Get 25% more value when you redeem for airfare, hotels, car rentals and cruises through Chase Ultimate Rewards®. For example, 60,000 points are worth $750 toward travel.
- Count on Trip Cancellation/Interruption Insurance, Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver, Lost Luggage Insurance and more.
- Get complimentary access to DashPass which unlocks $0 delivery fees and lower service fees for a minimum of one year when you activate by December 31, 2024.
- Member FDIC
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Chase Sapphire Reserve®
U.P. Rating
The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the in's and out's of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.
A top player in the high-end premium travel credit card space that earns 3x points on travel and dining while offering top luxury perks.
(at Chase's secure site)
Chase Sapphire Reserve®
A top player in the high-end premium travel credit card space that earns 3x points on travel and dining while offering top luxury perks.
Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
60,000 points
$1,200
$550
Upgraded Points credit ranges are a variation of FICO®Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit cardapplication.
Excellent (740-850)
If you’re looking for an all-around excellent travel rewards card, the Chase Sapphire Reserve®is one of the best options out there.
The card combines elite travel benefits and perks like airport lounge access, with excellent point earning and redemption options. Plus it offers top-notch travel insurance protections to keep you covered whether you’re at home or on the road.
Don’t forget the $300 annual travel credit which really helps to reduce the annual fee!
Pros
- 10x points on car rentals, hotels, and dining booked via the Chase Ultimate Rewards portal
- 10x points on Lyft purchases March 31, 2025
- 10x points on Peloton equipment and accessory purchases over $250 through March 31, 2025
- 5x points on airfare booked via the Chase Ultimate Rewards portal
- 3x points on all other travel and dining purchases; 1x point on all other purchases
- $300 annual travel credit
- Priority Pass airport lounge access
- TSA PreCheck, Global Entry, or NEXUS credit
- Access to Chase Luxury Hotel and Resort Collection
- Rental car elite status with National and Avis
Cons
- $550annual fee
- Does not offer any sort of hotel elite status
- Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $900 toward travel when you redeem through Chase Ultimate Rewards®
- $300 Annual Travel Credit as reimbursem*nt for travel purchases charged to your card each account anniversary year.
- Earn 5x total points on flights and 10x total points on hotels and car rentals when you purchase travel through Chase Ultimate Rewards® immediately after the first $300 is spent on travel purchases annually. Earn 3x points on other travel and dining & 1 point per $1 spent on all other purchases
- Get 50% more value when you redeem your points for travel through Chase Ultimate Rewards®. For example, 60,000 points are worth $900 toward travel
- 1:1 point transfer to leading airline and hotel loyalty programs
- Access to 1,300+ airport lounges worldwide after an easy, one-time enrollment in Priority Pass™ Select and up to $100 application fee credit every four years for Global Entry, NEXUS, or TSA PreCheck®
- Count on Trip Cancellation/Interruption Insurance, Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver, Lost Luggage Insurance and more
- Member FDIC
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Business Owner?Read our article on the bestChase business cardsthat earn Ultimate Rewards.
Air Canada Aeroplan
While United is the most obvious choice for booking a business class award, don’t forget to check Air Canada Aeroplan as you might find an even better redemption.
Aeroplan uses a hybrid award chart with regions, distance bands, and more. The price you’ll pay depends on the route you’re flying, the distance you fly, and the cabin class you book.
Here’s the award chart for flights between the U.S. and the Atlantic region (including flights from the U.S. to Europe):
![Best Ways To Book United Polaris Business Class Using Points [Step-by-Step] (5)](https://i0.wp.com/upgradedpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/Aeroplan-North-America-Atlantic-Award-Chart.png?auto=webp&disable=upscale&width=1200 "Best Ways To Book United Polaris Business Class Using Points [Step-by-Step] (5)")
And here’s the award chart for flights between the U.S. and the Pacific region (including flights from the U.S. to Asia):
![Best Ways To Book United Polaris Business Class Using Points [Step-by-Step] (6)](https://i0.wp.com/upgradedpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/Aeroplan-North-America-Pacific-Award-Chart.png?auto=webp&disable=upscale&width=1200 "Best Ways To Book United Polaris Business Class Using Points [Step-by-Step] (6)")
You can book United awards online through Air Canada’s website.
- Make your way toAir Canada’s homepage.
- In the top-right corner, clickSign inby hovering over the button that saysSign in.
- Log in using your Aeroplan number and password.
- On the homepage’s search box, remember to toggle the slider that saysPoints.
- SelectRound-triporOne-wayfor the trip, fill in the search box, and clickFind.
- Find a suitable flight, redeem your Aeroplan points, and use a credit card to book your United flight.
Aeroplan doesn’t impose carrier-imposed surcharges. Thisis great news, especially if you book a flight on United Airlines to Europe. This can really help keep the cash component of your booking to a minimum.
Hot Tip: Aeroplan allows you to add a stopover for 5,000 miles extra, so you can actually spend a few days in an intermediate destination before proceeding to your endpoint! You’ll want to call Aeroplan directly at 800-361-5373 to book your itinerary with a stopover.
Earning Air Canada Aeroplan Points
Air Canada Aeroplan is transfer partners with Amex Membership Rewards, Bilt Rewards, Capital One Miles, Chase Ultimate Rewards, and Marriott Bonvoy.
Amex, Bilt, Capital One, and Chase transfer at a 1:1 ratio almost instantly. Marriott Bonvoy points transfer at a 3:1 ratio in around 5 business days. When you transfer 60,000 Marriott points to Aeroplan, you will get a bonus of 5,000 extra Aeroplan points!
Recommended American Express Cards (Personal)
BEST LOUNGE ACCESS
The Platinum Card® from American Express
U.P. Rating
The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the in's and out's of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.
The Amex Platinum reigns supreme for luxury travel, offering the best airport lounge access plus generous statement credits, and complimentary elite status.
(at Amex's secure site)
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The Platinum Card® from American Express
The Amex Platinum reigns supreme for luxury travel, offering the best airport lounge access plus generous statement credits, and complimentary elite status.
Earn 80,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $8,000 on purchases on the Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership.
80,000 points
$1,760
$695
See Pay Over Time APR
Upgraded Points credit ranges are a variation of FICO®Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit cardapplication.
Good to Excellent (670-850)
When it comes to cards that offer top-notch benefits, you’d be hard-pressed to find a better card out there than The Platinum Card® from American Express.
Make no mistake — the Amex Platinum cardis a premium card with a premium price tag. With amazing benefits like best-in-class airport lounge access, hotel elite status, and tremendous value in annual statement credits, it can easily prove to be one of the most lucrative cards in your wallet year after year.
Pros
- The best airport lounge access out of any card (by far) — enjoy access to over 1,400 worldwide lounges, including the luxurious Amex Centurion Lounges, Priority Pass lounges, Plaza Premium Lounges, and many more!
- 5x points per dollar spent on flights purchased directly with the airline or with American Express Travel (up to $500,000 per year)
- 5x points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel
- Annual and monthly statement credits upon enrollment (airline credit, Uber Cash credit, Saks Fifth Avenue credit, streaming credit, prepaid hotel credit on eligible stays, Walmart+ credit, CLEAR credit, and Equinox credit)
- TSA PreCheck or Global Entry credit
- Access to American Express Fine Hotels and Resorts
- Access to Amex International Airline Program
- No foreign transaction fees (rates and fees)
Cons
- $695 annual fee (rates and fees)
- Airline credit does not cover airfare (only incidentals like checked bags)
- Earn 80,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $8,000 on purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Apply and select your preferred metal Card design: classic Platinum Card®, Platinum x Kehinde Wiley, or Platinum x Julie Mehretu.
- Earn 5X Membership Rewards® Points for flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year and earn 5X Membership Rewards® Points on prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel.
- $200 Hotel Credit: Get up to $200 back in statement credits each year on prepaid Fine Hotels + Resorts® or The Hotel Collection bookings with American Express Travel when you pay with your Platinum Card®. The Hotel Collection requires a minimum two-night stay.
- $240 Digital Entertainment Credit: Get up to $20 back in statement credits each month on eligible purchases made with your Platinum Card® on one or more of the following: Disney+, a Disney Bundle, ESPN+, Hulu, The New York Times, Peaco*ck, SiriusXM, and The Wall Street Journal. Enrollment required.
- $155 Walmart+ Credit: Cover the cost of a $12.95 monthly Walmart+ membership (subject to auto-renewal) with a statement credit after you pay for Walmart+ each month with your Platinum Card®. Cost includes $12.95 plus applicable local sales tax. Plus Up Benefits are excluded.
- $200 Airline Fee Credit: Select one qualifying airline and then receive up to $200 in statement credits per calendar year when incidental fees are charged by the airline to your Platinum Card®.
- $200 Uber Cash: Enjoy Uber VIP status and up to $200 in Uber savings on rides or eats orders in the US annually. Uber Cash and Uber VIP status is available to Basic Card Member only.
- $300 Equinox Credit: Get up to $300 back in statement credits per calendar year on an Equinox membership, or an Equinox club membership (subject to auto-renewal) when you pay with your Platinum Card®. Enrollment required. Visit https://platinum.equinox.com/ to enroll.
- $189 CLEAR® Plus Credit: Breeze through security with CLEAR Plus at 100+ airports, stadiums, and entertainment venues nationwide and get up to $189 back per calendar year on your Membership (subject to auto-renewal) when you use your Platinum Card®. Learn more.
- $100 Global Entry Credit: Receive either a $100 statement credit every 4 years for a Global Entry application fee or a statement credit up to $85 every 4.5 years for a TSA PreCheck® (through a TSA official enrollment provider) application fee, when charged to your Platinum Card®. Card Members approved for Global Entry will also receive access to TSA PreCheck at no additional cost.
- Shop Saks with Platinum: Get up to $100 in statement credits annually for purchases in Saks Fifth Avenue stores or at saks.com on your Platinum Card®. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $300 SoulCycle At-Home Bike Credit: Get a $300 statement credit for the purchase of a SoulCycle at-home bike with your Platinum Card®. An Equinox+ subscription is required to purchase a SoulCycle at-home bike and access SoulCycle content. Must charge full price of bike in one transaction. Shipping available in the contiguous U.S. only. Enrollment Required.
- Unlock access to exclusive reservations and special dining experiences with Global Dining Access by Resy when you add your Platinum Card® to your Resy profile.
- $695 annual fee.
- Terms Apply.
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BEST FOR DINING
American Express® Gold Card
U.P. Rating
The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the in's and out's of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.
This is the best card for food lovers who dine out at restaurants (worldwide), order take-out and want big rewards at U.S. supermarkets!
(at Amex's secure site)
Apply With Confidence
Know if you're approved with no credit score impact
If you're approved and accept this Card, your credit score may be impacted.
American Express® Gold Card
This is the best card for food lovers who dine out at restaurants (worldwide), order take-out and want big rewards at U.S. supermarkets!
Earn 60,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 on eligible purchases with your new Card within the first 6 months.
60,000 points
$1,320
$250
See Pay Over Time APR
Upgraded Points credit ranges are a variation of FICO®Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit cardapplication.
Good to Excellent (670-850)
The American Express® Gold Cardis a game-changer.
With this card, you can earn 4x Membership Rewards points at restaurants and you’ll also earn 4x Membership Rewards points at U.S. supermarkets on up to $25,000 per calendar year in purchases, then 1x.
There isn’t another card on the market that offers a 1-2 punch like this. Of course, there are several other benefits of the Gold Card as well, including extra monthly dining rewards and more.
Pros
- 4x points per dollar at restaurants, plus takeout and delivery in the U.S.
- 4x points per dollar at U.S. supermarkets, up to $25,000 per calendar year in purchases; and 1x thereafter
- 3x points per dollar on flights purchased directly from airlines or at Amex Travel
- Up to $120 annual dining credit: up to $10 monthly statement credit when you pay with the Amex Gold card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, Milk Bar and select Shake Shack locations
- Up to $120 in annual Uber Cash: get $10 monthly in Uber Cash for Uber Eats orders or Uber rides in the U.S. when you add your Gold Card to your Uber account
- No foreign transaction fees (see rates and fees)
- Access to Amex’s The Hotel Collection
- Access to American Express transfer partners
Cons
- $250 annual fee (see rates and fees)
- No lounge access
- Earn 60,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $6,000 on eligible purchases with your new Card within the first 6 months of Card Membership.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® Points at Restaurants, plus takeout and delivery in the U.S., and earn 4X Membership Rewards® points at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $25,000 per calendar year in purchases, then 1X).
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked directly with airlines or on amextravel.com.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and each month automatically get $10 in Uber Cash for Uber Eats orders or Uber rides in the U.S., totaling up to $120 per year.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings and earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, Milk Bar and select Shake Shack locations. Enrollment required.
- Get a $100 experience credit with a minimum two-night stay when you book The Hotel Collection through American Express Travel. Experience credit varies by property.
- Choose the color that suits your style. Gold or Rose Gold.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $250.
- Terms Apply.
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Business Owner?Check out our article on the bestAmex business cardsthat earn Membership Rewards.
Hot Tip:Check out our Aeroplan region definition guide to find out how many points you need to book your award.
Asiana Club
Using Asiana Club miles to book United award flights isn’t what comes to mind first for many people, but it’s an option that shouldn’t be overlooked.
Booking award flights on Asiana’s partners requires a call to Asiana. You must reserve and have your ticket issued 3 days prior to departure, which prevents snagging last-minute awards.
Follow these steps to make booking easy.
- Search for award space using United’s site (follow the steps under the United booking instructions above).
- Call Asiana at 800-227-4262 (the U.S. call center is open on weekdays from 7 a.m. to 12 a.m. and weekends/holidays from 8 a.m. to 12 a.m.).
- Tell the phone agent that you’d like to book an award on United Airlines.
- Provide your desired travel dates and flight numbers.
- Once you confirm space, you’ll be prompted to provide your credit card information for any necessary taxes and fees.
Earning Asiana Airlines Miles
Asiana Airlines is a transfer partner of Marriott Bonvoy. Marriott Bonvoy points transfer to Asiana at a 3:1 ratio and take around 3 business days to process. If you transfer 60,000 points at a time to Asiana, you’ll get a bonus of 5,000 Asiana miles.
Recommended Marriott Bonvoy Cards
There are several Marriott credit cards available which we cover in our detailed article.
Other Options for Booking United Airlines
As a member of the Star Alliance, you have plenty of options to book award flights on United Airlines. A few other options to consider are ANA Mileage Club,Avianca LifeMiles, or Singapore KrisFlyer.
Great United Airlines Polaris Business Class Redemptions
Redeeming United miles for business class award flights on United might be the most common way to book, but there might be some better options. Check out the comparisons below for some redemption ideas.
Asiana Club and Aeroplan have similar redemption rates if you want to fly from the West Coast to Hong Kong.
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| San Francisco (SFO) to Hong Kong (HKG) One-way | |
| United MileagePlus | From 90,000 miles |
| Air Canada Aeroplan | 75,000 points |
| Asiana Club | 67,500 miles |
However, Asiana Club sets itself apart if you want to book business class from the East Coast to Tel Aviv.
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| Newark (EWR) to Tel Aviv (TLV) One-way | |
| United MileagePlus | From 90,000 miles |
| Air Canada Aeroplan | 70,000 points |
| Asiana Club | 60,000 miles |
Here are some other exciting United Polaris routes and their associated redemption prices:
SCROLL FOR MORE
| Frequent Flyer Program | Chicago (ORD) to Tokyo (HND and NRT) | Houston (IAH) to Buenos Aires (EZE) | Newark (EWR) to Johannesburg (JNB) | San Francisco (SFO) to London-Heathrow (LHR) | Washington, D.C. (IAD) to Accra (ACC) |
| United MileagePlus | From 80,000 miles | From 60,000 miles | From 90,000 miles | From 70,000 miles | From 80,000 miles |
| Air Canada Aeroplan | 75,000 points | 60,000 points | 85,000 points | 70,000 points | 70,000 points |
| Asiana Club | 60,000 miles | 35,000 miles | 60,000 miles | 40,000 miles | 60,000 miles |
Asiana Club offers the best redemption rates, but with how difficult it is to earn miles, the more realistic options might be United MileagePlus or Air Canada Aeroplan.
How To Earn Enough Miles for United Polaris Business Class
United Polaris class is a great way to fly in comfort around the world. That said, it’s much easier to book this if you have lots of United miles.
If you’re a deal seeker, you can try to find partner-level availability, but this is extremely difficult for its ultra-long-haul routes. If you find partner-level availability, you can redeem Aeroplan points or Asiana miles to book a ticket.
Here’s the transfer partner summary:
- Amex Membership Rewards is a 1:1 transfer partner of Air Canada. Transfers process instantly.
- Bilt Rewards is a 1:1 transfer partner of Air Canada. Transfers process instantly.
- Capital One Miles is a 1:1 transfer partner of Air Canada. Transfers process instantly.
- Chase Ultimate Rewards is a 1:1 transfer partner of United MileagePlus and Air Canada. Transfers process instantly.
- Marriott Bonvoy points transfer at a 3:1 ratio to Air Canada (in 5 business days) and Asiana (in 3 business days). Marriott Bonvoy points transfer at a 3:1.1 ratio to United MileagePlus. Transfers are complete in 3 business days.
In general, it’s rare to see transfer bonuses, but we have seen 10% to 20% transfer bonuses offered from Amex Membership Rewards to Air Canada.
When Should You Search for Award Space?
United’s award availability is sporadic. We recommend searching as soon as you have an idea of your travel dates. But flexibility is your friend here, especially if you’re looking to book flights for more than 2 travelers.
In addition, United may release more award seats closer to departure (around 1 to 4 weeks before the flight date). There’s no golden rule, but we recommend checking regularly if you don’t initially see good availability on your flights.
If you have little flexibility, we encourage you to book with United MileagePlus, as you might be able to access better availability if you’re willing to redeem more United miles.
What Do You Get With United Polaris Business Class?
Now, let’s talk about all the best aspects of United Polaris business class!
Polaris Lounge
![Best Ways To Book United Polaris Business Class Using Points [Step-by-Step] (10)](https://i0.wp.com/upgradedpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/United-Polaris-Lounge-ORD-Bar.jpg?auto=webp&disable=upscale&width=1200 "Best Ways To Book United Polaris Business Class Using Points [Step-by-Step] (10)")
United currently has United Polaris Lounges at Chicago O’Hare (ORD), Houston (IAH), Los Angeles (LAX), Newark (EWR), San Francisco (SFO), and Washington, D.C. (IAD).
The airline is expected to open the following additional locations in the next few years:
- Hong Kong (HKG)
- London-Heathrow (LHR)
- Tokyo-Narita (NRT)
From the choice of food at the buffet to the bar with an extensive selection of beer, wine, and spirits, Polaris Lounges are a fantastic place to spend time before a flight. You can even freshen up with a shower and enjoy a gourmet meal with waiter service.
Arrivals Lounges
As a business class passenger, you have access to United’s Arrivals Lounge in both San Francisco (SFO) and London-Heathrow (LHR). This is a great perk — after a very long flight, you might like a shower before a day of tourist activities or a business meeting.
Final Thoughts
United has made drastic improvements to its business class product.
While many business class flights do not have the new Polaris seat and Polaris Lounges are concentrated at its largest U.S. hubs, we look forward to these improvements being expanded.
If you can find availability with points, you won’t regret booking a ticket in United Polaris for your next long-haul journey!
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![Best Ways To Book United Polaris Business Class Using Points [Step-by-Step] (2024)](data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAAAEAAAABCAQAAAC1HAwCAAAAC0lEQVR42mP8/h8AAvMB+NzmkbcAAAAASUVORK5CYII=)