United Releases Award Space on New Los Angeles - Melbourne Route!

United formally announced new service between Los Angeles and Melbourne yesterday. The route will operate 6x weekly, utilize a Boeing 787-9, and be operated by ex-Continental crews. On Wednesday, I noted–

United has indicated that the flight will be loaded into the system tomorrow, so keep an eye out for premium award space on the route–usually when United announces a new route (like when it began service to Istanbul), a fair number of award seats are released in both cabins.

My prediction was accurate, as premium cabin saver award space has been loaded and the space is very generous–many days even during the summer high season over Christmas and New Years have four seats in business class and more in economy class.

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Here is the schedule of the new service, UA 98/99–

United 98 Los Angeles – Melbourne (will not operate on Tuesdays)
departs 10:30p, arrives 9:15a+2 15hr45min (Except Thursday)
departs 9:30p, arrives 8:15a+2 15hr45min (Thursdays Only)

United 99 Melbourne – Los Angeles (will not operate on Thursdays)
departs 11:15a, arrives 6:50a 14hr35min (Except Saturday)
departs 3:15p, arrives 10:50a 14hr35min (Saturdays Only)

One thing is certain–this award space will not last long. If you are considering a trip to Australia using your miles at the end of year or early next year, now is an ideal time to buy. Remember, United gives you 24 hours to cancel and award without penalty.

While there are many ways to redeem this space, the only four options that make sense for most travelers are below–

US Airways Dividend Miles:

80,000 miles for for round-trip (r/t) economy
110,000 miles for r/t in business class

United MileagePlus:

80,000 miles for r/t economy
140,000 miles for r/t in business class (160,000 if using partners, even adding on US Airways flights within the USA)

Air Canada Aeroplan:

80,000 miles for r/t economy
160,000 miles for r/t in business class

Avianca Lifemiles:

80,000 miles for for r/t economy
135,000 miles for r/t in business class

Note that United, Aeroplan, and Avianca allow one-way awards at half the r/t price. US Airways charges the same for a one-way award as a r/t award.

Again, book now and ask questions later–this space likely will not last the night. Note that at least with US Airways, you can hold the space for up to 72 hours with no obligation, even if sufficient miles are not in your account.