Ah I see, I checked there is a two-class Air Canada YVR-JFK nonstop at 14:20.

Hmm, then you'd need to get a Star Alliance Award. The redemption levels are the same. However, if you book business class JFK-LAX, you'd automatically get First class from LAX-YVR on UA and YVR-JFK on AC. That would be 40,000 miles.

Hope that helps.

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When once you have experienced being a 1K, you will forever fly the friendly skies with your eyes set on 100% mileage bonus and SWUs, for there you have been, and there you will always long to return, every year!