Best Ways To Book United Polaris Business Class Using Points [Step-by-Step]

Key Takeaways

• United Airlines’ Polaris seats, available on select aircraft, are lie-flat with direct aisle access. These planes are primarily used on premium routes, so it’s important to confirm Polaris availability when booking.
• United business class can be booked with United MileagePlus miles, or by transferring points from programs like Chase Ultimate Rewards and American Express Membership Rewards.
• You might find a better redemption by booking through United’s Star Alliance partners, such as Air Canada Aeroplan, ANA Mileage Club, or Avianca LifeMiles.

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

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.

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:

1. Visit United’s website.
2. Sign in to your account.
3. Select Search for award travel.
4. Select your travel dates and your desired route.
5. Select Business as your cabin
6. Select your flight (make sure it is operated by United!).
7. Review your flight choice.

The program is a Chase airline partner at a 1:1 ratio and 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.

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The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the ins and outs 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 great welcome offer, good benefits, and perks for a moderate annual fee.

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A fantastic travel card with a great welcome offer, good benefits, and perks for a moderate annual fee.

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Annual Fee

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APR

19.74% - 27.99% Variable

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Why We Like This Card

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 & Cons

Pros

• 5x points on all travel booked via the Chase Travel portal
• 3x points on dining purchases, online grocery purchases, and select streaming services
• 2x points on all other travel worldwide

Cons

• $95 annual fee
• No elite benefits like airport lounge access or hotel elite status

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Card Highlights

• Earn 75,000 bonus points after you spend $5,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
• Enjoy benefits such as 5x on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 3x on dining, select streaming services and online groceries, 2x on all other travel purchases, 1x on all other purchases
• Earn up to $50 in statement credits each account anniversary year for hotel stays through Chase Travel℠
• 10% anniversary points boost - each account anniversary you'll earn bonus points equal to 10% of your total purchases made the previous year.
• Count on Trip Cancellation/Interruption Insurance, Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver, Lost Luggage Insurance and more.
• Complimentary DashPass which unlocks $0 delivery fees & lower service fees for a min. of one year when you activate by 12/31/27. Plus, a $10 promo each month on non-restaurant orders.
• Member FDIC

Financial Snapshot

• APR: 19.74% - 27.99% Variable
• Foreign Transaction Fees: None

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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 ins and outs 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 points on travel and dining while offering top luxury perks.

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A top player in the high-end premium travel credit card space that earns points on travel and dining while offering top luxury perks.

Welcome Offer

Earn 125,000 bonus points after you spend $6,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.

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UP's Offer Valuation*:

$2,500

Annual Fee

$795

APR

19.99% - 28.49% Variable

Credit Recommended

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 card application.

Excellent

Why We Like This Card

If you’re looking for an all-around excellent travel rewards card, the Chase Sapphire Reserve^® is one of the best options.

The card combines elite travel benefits and perks like worldwide airport lounge access, with excellent point earning and redemption options. Plus, it offers top-notch travel insurance protections to cover you at home or on the road.

Don’t forget the more than $2,000 in annual credits, which can offset the annual fee!

Pros & Cons

Pros

• 8x points on all Chase Travel purchases
• 5x points on Lyft rides
• 4x points on flights and hotels booked directly

Cons

• $795 annual fee

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Card Highlights

• Earn 125,000 bonus points after you spend $6,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
• Get more than $2,700 in annual value with Sapphire Reserve.
• Earn 8x points on all purchases through Chase Travel℠, including The Edit℠ and 4x points on flights and hotels booked direct. Plus, earn 3x points on dining worldwide & 1x points on all other purchases
• $300 annual travel credit as reimbursement for travel purchases charged to your card each account anniversary year.
• Access over 1,300 airport lounges worldwide with a complimentary Priority Pass™ Select membership, plus every Chase Sapphire Lounge^® by The Club with two guests. Plus, up to $120 towards Global Entry, NEXUS, or TSA PreCheck^® every 4 years
• Get up to $150 in statement credits every six months for a maximum of $300 annually for dining at restaurants that are part of Sapphire Reserve Exclusive Tables.
• Count on Trip Cancellation/Interruption Insurance, Auto Rental Coverage, Lost Luggage Insurance, no foreign transaction fees, and more.
• Get complimentary Apple TV+, the exclusive streaming home of Apple Originals. Plus Apple Music — all the music you love, across all your devices. Subscriptions run through 6/22/27 — a value of $250 annually
• Member FDIC

Financial Snapshot

• APR: 19.99% - 28.49% Variable
• Foreign Transaction Fees: None

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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):

And here’s the award chart for flights between the U.S. and the Pacific region (including flights from the U.S. to Asia):

You can book United awards online through Air Canada’s website.

1. Make your way to Air Canada’s homepage.
2. In the top-right corner, click Sign in by hovering over the button that says Sign in.
3. Log in using your Aeroplan number and password.
4. On the homepage’s search box, remember to toggle the slider that says Points.
5. Select Round-trip or One-way for the trip, fill in the search box, and click Find.
6. 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. This is 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!

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The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the ins and outs 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.

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The Amex Platinum reigns supreme for luxury travel, offering the best airport lounge access plus generous statement credits, and complimentary elite status.

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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 card application.

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Why We Like This Card

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Pros

• The best airport lounge access out of any card (by far) — enjoy access to over 1,550 worldwide lounges, including the luxurious Amex Centurion Lounges, Priority Pass lounges (enrollment required), Plaza Premium Lounges, and many more!
• 5x points per dollar spent on flights purchased directly with the airline or with AmexTravel.com (up to $500,000 per year)
• 5x points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels booked with AmexTravel.com

Cons

• $895 annual fee (rates and fees)
• Airline credit does not cover airfare (only incidentals like checked bags)

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Card Highlights

• You may be eligible for as high as 175,000 Membership Rewards^® points after you spend $8,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
• Get more for your travels with 5X Membership Rewards^® points on all flights and prepaid hotel bookings through American Express Travel^®, including Fine Hotels + Resorts^® and The Hotel Collection bookings. You earn 5X points on flights purchased directly from airlines or through American Express Travel^® on up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year.
• More Value! With over 1,550 airport lounges - more than any other credit card company on the market* - enjoy the benefits of the Global Lounge Collection^®, over $850 of annual value, with access to Centurion Lounges, 10 complimentary Delta Sky Club^® visits when flying on an eligible Delta flight (subject to visit limitations), Priority Pass Select membership (enrollment required), and other select partner lounges. * As of 07/2025.
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• More Value! $600 Hotel Credit: Get up to $300 in statement credits semi-annually on prepaid Fine Hotels + Resorts^® or The Hotel Collection* bookings through American Express Travel^® using the Platinum Card^®. *The Hotel Collection requires a minimum two-night stay.
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• $200 Airline Fee Credit: Select one qualifying airline and then receive up to $200 in statement credits per calendar year when incidental fees, such as checked bags and in-flight refreshments, are charged by the airline to the Platinum Card^® Account*. American Express relies on airlines to submit the correct information on airline transactions to identify incidental fee purchases. If you do not see a credit for a qualifying incidental purchase on your eligible Card after 8 weeks, simply call the number on the back of your Card. Qualifying airlines are subject to change. See terms & conditions for more details.
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• APR: See Pay Over Time APR
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U.P. Rating 

The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the ins and outs 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.

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Know if you're approved with no credit score impact

If you're approved and accept this Card, your credit score may be impacted.

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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!

Welcome Offer

You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards^® Points after spending $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.

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UP's Offer Valuation*:

Up to $2,200

Annual Fee

$325

APR

See Pay Over Time APR

Credit Recommended

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 card application.

Good to Excellent

Why We Like This Card

The American Express^® Gold Card is a game-changer.

With this card, you can earn 4x Membership Rewards points at restaurants, up to $50,000 per calendar year, and you’ll also earn 4x Membership Rewards points at U.S. supermarkets on up to $25,000 per calendar year, 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 & Cons

Pros

• 4x points per dollar at restaurants worldwide, up to $50,000 per calendar year; then 1x thereafter
• 4x points per dollar at U.S. supermarkets, up to $25,000 per calendar year; then 1x thereafter
• 3x points per dollar on flights purchased directly from airlines or at AmexTravel.com

Cons

• $325 annual fee (rates and fees)
• No lounge access

Read Full Review

Card Highlights

• You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards^® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
• Earn 4X Membership Rewards^® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
• Earn 4X Membership Rewards^® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
• Earn 3X Membership Rewards^® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
• Earn 2X Membership Rewards^® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
• Earn 1X Membership Rewards^® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
• $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards^® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
• $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express^® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
• $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express^® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
• $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. 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, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
• Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
• No Foreign Transaction Fees.
• Annual Fee is $325.
• Terms Apply.

Financial Snapshot

• APR: See Pay Over Time APR
• Foreign Transaction Fees: None

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American Express Membership Rewards

Business Owner? Check out our article on the best Amex business cards that 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.

1. Search for award space using United’s site (follow the steps under the United booking instructions above).
2. 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.).
3. Tell the phone agent that you’d like to book an award on United Airlines.
4. Provide your desired travel dates and flight numbers.
5. 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 ended its transfer partnership with Marriott Bonvoy. You can still earn Asiana miles through a co-branded credit cards and other means.

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.

However, Asiana Club sets itself apart if you want to book business class from the East Coast to Tel Aviv.

Here are some other exciting United Polaris routes and their associated redemption prices:

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). Marriott Bonvoy points transfer at a 3:1 ratio to United MileagePlus with a 10,000-point bonus for every 60,000 points transferred. 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

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!