I took my family (a total of 6 adults) on a trip to Italy in April/May (this year). Late summer last year we all got the United card with 50K sign up bonus + 5K authorized user incentive, put $5K spending on the card each, and were able to book 6 award flights on Lufthansa economy (via Frankfurt both directions). We booked around this time last year. You are a little behind our timeline but I think it's still doable and worth be little risk involved. Worst case, you have 60K miles to pay for other travel. Easily 2 domestic RTs.