United award sale: Fly to Latin America for as low as 9,000 miles

Editor’s note: This is a recurring post, regularly updated with new information and offers.

United MileagePlus just launched a flash award sale specifically for Chase United Airlines cardmembers. If you hold one of these cards, you can access flight deals starting at 9,000 miles each way to 20 destinations in Latin America.

Deal basics

Airline: United Airlines

Routes: Between the mainland U.S. and select destinations in Brazil, Mexico, Ecuador, Panama, Guyana and Colombia

How to book: Directly through United’s website

Book by: April 9

Travel dates: April 7 to Sept. 30

With this deal, United MileagePlus cardmembers will find economy fares between the U.S. and Latin America ranging from 9,000 to 30,000 miles each way, plus taxes and fees, over the next six months. However, there are some blackout dates: Travel may not take place between July 1 and 31 for trips to or from Panama City; Bogota or Medellin, Colombia; Quito, Ecuador; Georgetown, Guyana; Rio de Janeiro; or Sao Paulo.

According to the terms and conditions, the promotional pricing applies only to primary cardmembers, so being an authorized user on a United card likely won’t give you access to this sale. Similarly, paying for the taxes and fees on your ticket with a friend or family member’s United card won’t help you.

There is no limit to the number of award flights you can book with this sale as long as you book them by April 9.

Sample flights

Since this sale only applies to cobranded cardholders, you must log into your MileagePlus account to see the sale prices. The prices will show up when you search for an applicable route. Most of the deals we’ve seen are in economy class, but a few business-class deals have popped up as well.

For example, you can fly nonstop in economy from San Francisco International Airport (SFO) to Mexico City International Airport (MEX) for only 9,000 miles and $48 each way.

Or, you can find economy tickets from New York City’s LaGuardia Airport (LGA) to Rio de Janeiro/Galeão-Antonio Carlos Jobim International Airport (GIG) for 30,000 miles each way — nearly half off the usual price.

We also spotted business-class fares from New York City’s John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) to GIG for 80,000 miles and $6.85 each way, as well as fares from JFK to Quito’s Mariscal Sucre International Airport (UIO) for 55,000 miles each way.

Sale prices may vary by date, so it’s worth checking the “Flexible dates” box when you start your search to see a calendar. The lowest rates each month will appear in green.

Maximize your purchase

To take advantage of this deal, you must have a cobranded United Chase card.

• United℠ Explorer Card (see rates and fees)
• United Club℠ Card (see rates and fees)
• United Quest℠ Card (see rates and fees)
• United Gateway℠ Card (see rates and fees)

These cards earn bonus MileagePlus miles on United purchases, so you’ll earn some extra miles when you use them to pay for the taxes and fees on your award ticket. Plus, some of them offer valuable perks like free checked bags, lounge access and a rebate on award tickets. United recently refreshed many of its cobranded cards, so read our guide to the changes to understand what benefits your card gives you.

If you’re considering adding a United card to your wallet, several of them are offering lucrative welcome bonuses right now.

Bottom line

If you hold a United credit card, this sale can save you tens of thousands of miles on flights to Latin America. And, with a nearly six-month booking window, you have plenty of options to travel this spring, summer or fall.

However, this sale only lasts two days, so start your search now and make your booking(s) by April 9.

Related reading:

• Here are the best current credit card welcome offers
• Earn MileagePlus miles with United’s airline, hotel and credit card partners
• Top 5 reasons to get the United Quest Card: Perks galore with a reasonable annual fee
• United adds 3 new Asia-Pacific destinations with a unique twist
• 4 reasons someone in your family needs a United credit card
• Who should (and shouldn’t) get the United Quest card?