Secure your seats now: Winter business-class award availability to Switzerland starting at 56K miles

If you've been longing to use your points and miles for a business-class trip to Europe this year, we have exciting news: United Airlines and Swiss offer a wealth of seats at attractive award rates.

Multiple dates from October 2024 through March 2025 are open for business class flights on Star Alliance partners United and Swiss, connecting the U.S. to Europe.

According to our findings, you can fly nonstop with United or Swiss from New York's JFK, Newark Liberty (EWR), Denver International (DEN), Dulles (IAD) near Washington, D.C., and Chicago's O'Hare (ORD) to Zurich Airport (ZRH). We're also spotting connecting flights from other cities, alongside similar points and miles deals to Geneva Airport (GVA) from JFK, EWR, and IAD operated by both Swiss and United.

The most affordable option for booking these flights might be through Avianca LifeMiles if you hold points or miles in the following credit card programs:

• American Express Membership Rewards
• Bilt Rewards
• Capital One miles
• Citi ThankYou Rewards
• Wells Fargo Rewards

You can transfer points or miles from each of these credit card programs to your LifeMiles account at a 1:1 ratio.

Currently, we're noticing award availability ranging from 56,000 to 63,000 LifeMiles each way for business class flights between North America and Europe, free of fuel surcharges.

Transfers to LifeMiles are typically instant, but be sure to check availability on LifeMiles' site before moving credit card points or miles. Keep in mind that transfer delays can occur, so transferring for immediate redemption always carries some risk.

If you prefer to book with Air Canada Aeroplan, that's definitely an option available to you. You can use:

• Amex Membership Rewards points
• Bilt Rewards Points
• Chase Ultimate Rewards points
• Citi ThankYou Rewards points
• Capital One miles

Aeroplan requires just 60,000 points for shorter flights (under 4,000 miles) from the East Coast to Western Europe in business class and 70,000 points for most other routes from the U.S. There appears to be ample award availability this winter for flights from various U.S. cities to Zurich.

Currently, there's a 20% transfer bonus from Chase Ultimate Rewards to Aeroplan, so you only need to transfer 50,000 to 59,000 Chase points for a business-class ticket each way.

You can also reserve these flights via the United MileagePlus program; it requires between 80,000 and 88,000 miles each way for business class tickets. Chase Ultimate Rewards points transfer to United at a 1:1 ratio.

For those looking to explore various dates, United's "flexible dates" search feature displays prices for 30 days on a single screen, allowing you to identify the lowest fare options.

We're noticing good availability throughout winter, especially in January and February 2025.

Top credit cards for earning points and miles for award travel

The following cards currently provide attractive welcome bonuses with points and miles that can be transferred to your LifeMiles and/or Aeroplan accounts, preparing you for the next opportunity that arises:

• The Business Platinum Card® from American Express
• The Platinum Card® from American Express
• American Express® Gold Card
• Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card
• Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card
• Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card
• Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

In summary

Currently, there is excellent award availability from U.S. airports to Zurich this winter, perfectly timed to enjoy what promises to be a snow-filled Swiss ski season.

To secure low fares like this for business class, you usually need to book your miles several months in advance. Fortunately, a significant number of business-class award seats on United and Swiss are currently available for as little as 56,000 miles each way.