Hey {{first name | reader}},
Happy Friday! Coffee's ready, the week's almost done. Three quick-but-useful updates for you today — one sale that sounds tempting (but usually isn't), one genuinely interesting new route from Etihad, and a big Emirates fleet shuffle that matters if you care about which aircraft you end up on.
Here's what's inside today's post:
United MileagePlus sale: up to 100% bonus (and why I'd only use it for United flights)
Etihad is launching flights to Luxembourg (and it's actually a pretty cool move)
Emirates announces a bunch of new A350 route changes
United MileagePlus sale: up to 100% bonus (and why I'd only use it for United flights)
United just launched a promo to buy MileagePlus miles with up to a 100% bonus, running Jan 7 to Jan 26, 2026. The best-case price works out to approximately $18.80 per 1,000 points.
United Polaris business class cabin
A few details that matter before anyone rushes to "buy now":
You can only buy up to 50,000 miles total (including the bonus) per rolling 90-day period, and 200,000 miles per calendar year.
These purchases are processed by Points.com, so it won't code as airfare on credit cards.
My take: the only "good" use is booking United metal
If you're going to buy United miles, I'd only do it with one specific United redemption in mind.
Why? United has increasingly kept a lot of its best long-haul business class award space "inside the family" — meaning United Polaris space can be easier to access via MileagePlus than via partner programs.
But for partner awards (Lufthansa, ANA, etc.), I usually don't love buying United miles: United's pricing can be high, and other programs frequently sell points cheaper, and/or have better award charts (even after devaluations).
Rule of thumb: If you're short a small number of miles for a United-operated award you can book right now, this sale might make sense. Otherwise… I'd pass.
Etihad is launching flights to Luxembourg (and it's actually a pretty cool move)
Etihad just announced it will become the first Middle East airline to serve Luxembourg, launching nonstop Abu Dhabi (AUH) ↔ Luxembourg (LUX) on October 29, 2026, with 3 flights per week.
Etihad A321LR business class cabin
Two reasons this is more interesting than it looks at first glance:
1) The aircraft: A321LR, but with a genuinely premium setup
Etihad plans to operate the route with the A321LR, featuring a three-cabin configuration that includes First Suites and lie-flat Business seats with direct aisle access.
That's the kind of narrowbody route that doesn't feel narrowbody — and it opens up a lot of practical one-stop connectivity via Abu Dhabi without needing a widebody.
2) Luxembourg is a sneaky "region gateway"
Etihad is positioning this as demand not just from Luxembourg, but also the broader Benelux + nearby France and Germany area.
So if you're based anywhere within a couple hours of LUX, this could become a very convenient long-haul jumping-off point.
If you want to see what First Class looks like on this plane, check out Dan's latest review of this product below.
Emirates announces a bunch of new A350 route changes
Emirates published a fresh update on their Northern Summer 2026 schedule changes, and it's a big one if you care about getting onto the A350 instead of an older 777… or if you were counting on the A380 for the "experience."
Emirates A350
Here are the headline changes:
Copenhagen: 2x daily — with A350 added (but no A380 listed)
From June 1, 2026, Emirates increases Dubai – Copenhagen from 1 to 2 daily flights, and the added frequency is operated by the A350-900 (while the other flight stays a 777-300ER).
Emirates previously planned A380 service on CPH in earlier seasons. For summer 2026, the schedule shows Boeing 777 + Airbus A350, which is great for capacity and potentially comfort/consistency… but it's also very different from "I booked this route for the A380."
What it means for you:
If you want the classic A380 vibe, you'll want to double-check aircraft before booking.
If you want the newer-generation widebody experience, CPH suddenly becomes a very easy place to catch the A350.
Cape Town: 3rd daily flight returns – with A350
From July 1, 2026, Emirates resumes a third daily Cape Town frequency using the A350-900.
Phuket: 3x daily — with A350 on one frequency
From July 1, 2026, Dubai – Phuket goes from 2 to 3 daily, with one of the three flights operated by the A350-900.
Rome and Taipei: A350 swaps
Rome FCO gets an added daily flight in the schedule that's operated by the A350-900 (replacing a 777 plan).
Taipei (TPE): from May 1, 2026, EK386/387 switches to the A350-900 (replacing 777-200LR).
The practical takeaway (how to use this info)
If you care about aircraft types, this week is your reminder to do two things:
Check aircraft at booking.
If you want the A350 specifically, focus on routes where it's clearly filed (CPH second daily, Cape Town 3rd daily, one Phuket frequency, etc.).
Emirates A350 business class
That's it for this week. Enjoy the weekend, and I'll see you Monday with more deals, routes, and strategies.
Catch you in the clouds,
Tomi