Star Alliance member United Airlines continues to issue interesting nonstop fares from European airports to its hubs in the USA like Chicago, New York and San Francisco. With departure from Paris, you can reach the US West Coast for as little as €351 – a fare that includes hot meals and a cabin bag, but no checked bags. Luggage comes with the price tag of €90 for a round trip on Lufthansa’s website.
You have to be fully vaccinated for at least 14 days to enter the United States, with an approved vaccine, unless you are a US resident/citizen. You can read more about the entry requirements at the CDC.
Our availability calendar highlights all available flight dates at the lowest fare for trips up to 28 days. You can either book the flights on the Lufthansa Group’s website, or on United’s website. Either way, both websites display the same flights and prices.
Out of these destinations, San Francisco offers by far the best value for money, even if New York has the cheapest price.
All promoted prices are Star Alliance fares without checked luggage allowance. Especially when flying United, you will also have other cutbacks:
Lufthansa, Swiss, Austrian
On flights with Lufthansa Group carriers, you will be able to select your seat for free at the time of check-in. Star Alliance Gold member can currently bring one checked bag (23 kg). But it is not sure how long this will be possible.
United Airlines
When flying United you can still bring two pieces of checked luggage (23 kg each) as a Star Alliance Gold member, MileagePlus frequent flyer can even bring three pieces (32 kg each). But there are other disadvantages:
- No seat selection. You will be assigned a seat during check-in and can’t change it anymore
- Lowest priority while boarding
- For MileagePlus members:
- No complimentary Economy+ seats
- Only 50% tier miles (instead of 100%)
- No same-day changes
- No upgrades
Air Canada
Air Canada’s Basic Economy fare isn’t as restricted as the one from Lufthansa and United. Star Alliance Gold members can still bring one piece of checked luggage (23 kg), and Air Canada Altitude customers can bring up to three pieces (32kg each).
- Altitude members:
- Only 25% earning rate for international flights, no miles for domestic
- No upgrades
While you need to change planes at least once during your trip (most likely in Frankfurt, Munich, Vienna or Zurich) for the cheapest price, a nonstop leg with United Airlines is almost always available on the in- or outbound leg. For a few euros more, you could also fly non-stop in both directions.
United uses Boeing 787 aircraft on flights between Paris and their American hubs. Those come with 3-3-3 seating in economy class and personal, on-demand entertainment for every passenger.
Search & Book
According to the fare rules, flights at the quoted fare are on sale until June 7, 2022. You have to stay at least six days or one night from Saturday to Sunday at your destination to get the cheapest tickets. The maximum stay length is three months.
Google Flights previews flight dates accurately. Use Google’s or – even better – our calendar to see when prices are cheapest and go directly to Lufthansa’s website or our flight search.
Why is booking with an airline better than with an online travel agency?
More often than not, online travel agencies offer lower fares than airlines do. We still recommend booking with the airlines directly. There are two main reasons for that:
Better Customer Service
In case any problems like delays, cancellations or missed connections arise, you can communicate directly with the airline. The airline has to take care of you because you have a contract with them.
If a travel agency issues your ticket, you may have to reach out to them first. You also depend on your OTA to forward information like flight changes instead of receiving them directly from the airline. In many cases, you may get a prime exhibition of responsibility shifting rather than problem-solving.
This especially applies to premium tickets. You don’t want to spend more than €1,000 to wind up with some budget OTA’s telephone hotline in case anything goes wrong.
Baggage and Other Fees
Economy fares not including hold luggage are industry standard by now. In most cases, travel agencies charge much higher baggage fees than the airlines themselves. If bags are not included in your fare, airlines are often the cheaper alternative.
This also applies to other things like food services, insurances or priority treatment. In almost all cases, you pay less for additional amenities when booking on the airlines’ website.
Mileage
Here’s an example of how many miles you’d earn for the flights displayed in the screenshot above:
- 2,558 Miles on ANA Mileage Club
- 2,101 Award Miles + 420 PQP on United MileagePlus
- 1,820 Miles on Aegean Miles+Bonus
- 1,820 Award Miles + 910 Tier Miles on Avianca LifeMiles
- 1,820 Miles on EVA Infinity MileageLands
- 1,820 Miles on Copa ConnectMiles
- 1,820 Miles on Ethiopian ShebaMiles
- 1,820 Miles on Egyptair Plus
- 1,820 Miles on Asiana Club
- 1,820 Miles on Thai Royal Orchid Plus
- 1,820 Miles on Turkish Airlines Miles&Smiles
- 1,820 Award Miles + 364 Tier Miles on Azul TodoAzul
- 1,222 Miles on ITA Volare
- 1,208 Award Miles + 140 Points on Miles&More
- 910 Miles on Air Canada Aeroplan
- 910 Points + 1,820 SQC on Air Canada Aeroplan 2026
- 910 Miles on Singapore KrisFlyer
- 910 Miles on TAP Miles&Go
- 910 Avios on Aer Lingus AerClub
- 910 Award Miles on Emirates Skywards
- Customize Calculation
Since operating carriers and possible connecting airports vary greatly, it might be best to use our mileage calculator. All carriers issue tickets in booking class K.
Destination
Hotel prices in New York and San Francisco are infamously high, even in lower categories. Whichever category and hotel you opt for, make sure to get the best price! Our recommendation is to search on booking.com, or even on our own Travel-Dealz hotel search:
Information & Tips for USA
The United States offers a wide range of tourist sights, from national parks like Yellowstone and the Grand Canyon to cities such as New York, Los Angeles, and Washington, D.C. The currency is the U.S. dollar (USD), and card payments are widely accepted. Prices vary by region but can be high in major cities, especially for accommodation and dining. Weather differs greatly across the country—winters can be harsh in the north, while the south often stays mild; summers are generally hot and humid in many areas.
The U.S. transport infrastructure is highly car-dependent, especially outside major cities. Urban centres like New York, Chicago, and San Francisco have functional public transit, but many other cities have limited options. Between cities, domestic flights are common for long distances, while intercity buses and Amtrak trains cover some routes, though often with slower speeds and less frequency compared to other countries. Without a car, getting around can be inconvenient in many parts of the country.
We’ve compared various esim providers, such as Knowroaming and Ubigi. To see which plan is best for your travel needs and which network offers the best coverage, feel free to read our detailed guide:
The Best eSIM Plans for the USA 🇺🇸 Compared
→ All Dealz for USA
Information & Tips for San Francisco
San Francisco is known for its iconic sights, including the Golden Gate Bridge, Alcatraz Island, Fisherman’s Wharf, and the lively neighbourhoods like Chinatown and the Mission District. The currency used is the U.S. dollar (USD), and credit cards are widely accepted. The city is known for its high price level, especially for accommodation and dining in tourist areas, though there are budget-friendly options. The weather is mild year-round, with cool, foggy summers and chilly winters, making it a comfortable destination to visit throughout the year.
We’ve compared various esim providers, such as Knowroaming and Ubigi. To see which plan is best for your travel needs and which network offers the best coverage, feel free to read our detailed guide:
The Best eSIM Plans for the USA 🇺🇸 Compared
→ All Dealz for San Francisco
Information & Tips for New York
New York City is famous for landmarks like the Statue of Liberty, Central Park, Times Square, and the Empire State Building. The currency is the U.S. dollar (USD), and credit cards are widely accepted. The city can be expensive, especially for accommodation and dining in tourist areas, though budget options are available. The weather varies, with cold winters, hot summers, and mild spring and fall seasons. The best time to visit is usually in the spring or fall when the weather is most pleasant.
We’ve compared various esim providers, such as Knowroaming and Ubigi. To see which plan is best for your travel needs and which network offers the best coverage, feel free to read our detailed guide:
The Best eSIM Plans for the USA 🇺🇸 Compared
→ All Dealz for New York