Fly to New Zealand and Australia in business class for as little as 62,500 miles one way.

For hikers and adventurous visitors, New Zealand is a natural wonderland that topped our list of the top destinations to visit in 2023.

Thanks to these business-class specials on nonstop flights from airports like Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), San Francisco International Airport (SFO), and George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) to Auckland Airport (AKL) and Sydney Airport (SYD), if you've been itching to visit, you can now travel that long distance much more comfortably.

As reported by Frequent Miler and Dan's Deals, you can find a business-class award seat with United MileagePlus miles for 80,000 miles one-way on United Airlines flights and for 99,000 Airpoints one-way on Air New Zealand-operated flights. If you book through other airline programs, such as Virgin Atlantic (which at the moment has a transfer bonus from Chase Ultimate Rewards) and Air Canada's Aeroplan, there are also even better prices with availability.

Here are the details since we don't think this offer will continue very long. 

Basics of deals

Airlines: United and Air New Zealand (you can make reservations through the partners of both airlines).
Routes: Nonstop flights to Auckland and/or Sydney from San Francisco, Los Angeles, and Houston. From Washington, D.C., and other places, there are a few seats on connecting flights available.

How to reserve: You can make reservations directly on the websites of United or Air Canada, as well as on those of the airlines' alliance partners. The Virgin Atlantic Flying Club crew can be reached at 800-862-8621 to use Virgin Atlantic points.

Travel dates: May through July, on various days.

Book by: Book as soon as possible. 

Flight examples

Let's say your intended departure date is June 1. For 80,000 miles, you can reserve a business-class ticket on a nonstop United aircraft to Auckland. On June 3, it takes off at 11 p.m. PST and lands in Auckland at 7:10 a.m. local time.

The business class experience on United Polaris provides lie-flat seats with bedding from Saks Fifth Avenue, free checked bags, premium in-flight cuisine and drinks, amenity packages from Away, pajamas on request, and access to the United Polaris club prior to takeoff.

Because both United and Air New Zealand are Star Alliance members, you may still earn and redeem United MileagePlus miles if you'd rather fly with them.

Each traveler in Air New Zealand's business class is provided with a lie-flat bed with a memory foam mattress, two carry-on bags, three checked bags, premium check-in, lounge access prior to takeoff, as well as meals and beverages from the Business Premier menu.

You can reserve a nonstop Air New Zealand flight that leaves Los Angeles on June 6 at 10 p.m. PST and lands in Auckland on June 8 at 6 a.m. local time on the United website. In addition to $41.10 in taxes and duties, it will cost 99,000 United miles.

For just 75,000 miles each way plus taxes and fees, you may purchase the exact flight mentioned above using Air Canada's Aeroplan program. Credit card schemes from Chase, Capital One, and American Express, among others, allow you to transfer points to Aeroplan. 

You can use your Virgin Atlantic Flying Club points to book an Air New Zealand flight if you are a member of the program. Here are the redemption rates. Although it isn't indicated, you can anticipate using 62,500 miles each way to travel from New Zealand to North America, which might result in you paying even less in points if you take full advantage of the current transfer incentive.

You can reach the Flying Club staff by dialing 800-862-8621 if you wish to make a reservation using Virgin Atlantic points. However, not all transfers are quick, so you might want to call first and ask to put the award on hold before transferring points. Nevertheless, transfers from Chase to Virgin Atlantic are frequently immediate. 

Enhance your purchase

    • If you fly United regularly: Use one of United's cobranded cards, such as the United Quest? Card (which earns 3 United MileagePlus miles on United purchases) or the United Club? Infinite Card (which earns 4 United MileagePlus miles per dollar spent on United purchases).  
      
    • If you want flexible rewards: Use The Platinum Card® from American Express to earn 5 points per dollar spent on all flight purchases made directly with airlines or Amex Travel (up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year). 
      
    • If you want flexible rewards with a lower annual fee: Use the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card to earn 2 points per dollar spent on all travel purchases, including airfare. You can transfer miles from Chase Ultimate Rewards to United at a 1:1 ratio.  

In conclusion

Now is the ideal time to make travel arrangements if you require a business-class seat to cope with the long flight from the United States to New Zealand. If you're interested in traveling in summer from the United States (while, of course, it's winter in New Zealand), book your spot as soon as you can because deals like this are uncommon and typically don't last long.