Originally Posted by opentag

YUL-ZRH on LX is often the best J flight to Europe with low YQ so perhaps make sure you're checking via UA reward search or EF to confirm if there is availability. Alternatively you *could* do this trip in the opposite direction of course. In which case YVR-TPE on BR would be the logical first leg I would say - then you'd need to find a flight for the other end of your trip from Europe to NA. Again, LX from ZRH-YUL might be where you should look.

Good luck!