Can’t find United business class awards in Europe? Here are 7 routes that are well located

Finding business-class award availability at great prices is often the hardest part of the points and miles game. There are a number of tools that can help you find a prize easier than ever. However, the choice is always slim with so many airlines and routes when it comes to finding good value international business class awards.

If you’re struggling to find the business class award you want on United Airlines or another Star Alliance airline, know that some routes are more open with award availability than others.

If you can’t find what you’re looking for in your desired European destination, it may be worth checking out award flights from other United hubs such as Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR), Dulles International Airport (IAD) and O’Hare International Airport ( ORD). They have flights to many European destinations such as Amsterdam, Munich and Frankfurt. The availability of business class reservations would be much better to and from those destinations.

If you can fly to or from Newark on your way to London, there are many date options; business class award flights are easily available from 80,000 to 88,000 MileagePlus miles one-way on most days.

Pro tip: Here are some of our favorite tools for finding a prize on your own.

Below are some search routes if you want to find more Star Alliance business class availability (available with Awayz based data) that you can book with United MileagePlus miles – or sometimes with Star Alliance programs with better rates like Air Canada’s Aeroplan.

Related: These are the best rewards card offers of the month

Good business class availability in Amsterdam until April 2025

Chicago to Amsterdam

We see more award flights available from 80,000 miles plus fees and taxes from ORD to Amsterdam Airport Schiphol (AMS) in early 2025. This January non-stop round trip is one example. It costs 160,000 miles and $101.60 in tax.

Houston to Amsterdam

There is also good availability of one stop in February 2025 from Houston to Amsterdam. You can fly round trip (each way) from George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) to AMS for 160,000 MileagePlus miles, plus $107.20 in taxes.

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If you have a lot of good points with Star Alliance member Air Canada’s Aeroplan program, you can book business class seats from Houston to Amsterdam via Munich or Frankfurt in November. They start at 70,000 miles, plus tax.

Washington, DC, to Amsterdam

You can also book a round-trip business class flight from IAD to AMS on United in March for 160,000 miles and $101.60 in fees. Also, some of them don’t stop, and others connect (usually the cities mentioned above like Frankfurt and Munich).

Related: The best ways to travel to Europe using points and miles

Good business-class availability in Munich and Frankfurt until April 2025

Los Angeles to Munich

In the spring, you can find great deals on business class awards from Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) to Munich International Airport (MUC). Flights cost just 88,000 miles round trip.

Chicago and Detroit to Frankfurt

There is good award space in February for flights from ORD to FRA at that award price.

Until April 2025, there are business class seats in the range of 80,000 to 88,000 miles from Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport (DTW) to FRA on flights operated by Lufthansa. These same flights usually book 70,000 Air Canada Aeroplan miles. (Remember, most types of credit card points transfer to Air Canada’s Aeroplan.)

Related: Best websites for searching Star Alliance award availability

Great business class availability from Newark to London

It can be difficult to find good business class award availability on United flights to London from the carrier’s other hub cities. Flying from (or through) Newark can make things a lot easier. We have seen good availability in April 2025 for this route.

Sometimes the best flight is one of our favorites: late night travel. It’s great when you have that reclining chair and you can just sleep.

Another thing you may notice is that the price for United cardholders is sometimes much lower than for non-cardholders. This is a good reason to make sure you have a United credit card in your wallet.

Related: These are the best hotels in London

Bottom line

Although these findings are generally accurate, they can vary. If a deal catches your eye, it’s always a good idea to go ahead and lock it up. This is especially true if you book through a program like United that makes it easy to change or rebook award flights.

Earning points and miles is fun, but successfully redeeming them on a business-class award flight is even better. With this list of routes as a good start, you’ll be hiking to Europe (for free) in no time.

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