Originally Posted by
phkc070408
...I know this is a few years out, but my wife and I are planning a trip to Australia in Fall 2021. We will be flying out of EWR and flying on UA. One of the reasons we're planning this so far out is that as of now, we need 800,000 UA miles to make the trip in J. ( there are other reasons we are planning this far our as well ) and we need time to save up the miles.
My concern is that our miles will devalue by then. Right now, two J round trips EWR-SYD are in the range of $16,000. At 800,000 miles, that makes our miles worth 2¢ each, which I consider a very good rate for the standard rate.
For EWR-SYD business award return at 2x 400,0000 miles are you looking at everyday and not a basic saver?
UA frequent flyers do get from USA to Australia on saver awards. May have to go via TPE or BKK or some other Asian airport but they do it.
Need to flexible on dates, routes and departure/destination cities.
It's hard, but not impossible.
Guide to typical award costs
EWR to SYD Award Pricing Calculator | AwardAce
https://www.united.com/web/en-us/app...?O=US&D=AZ&P=T
80,000 One-way Saver Award Add 20,000 miles for First class when both Business class and First class are offered
200,000 One-way Everyday Award Add 30,000 miles for First class when both Business class and First class are offered