United Airlines has discount fares from Los Angeles LAX and Seattle SEA to Sao Paulo GRU Brazil today. Similar fares were offered by American and Delta on Sunday, but those airlines have increased fares to over $1,300 again for travel into June 2015. Latest departure date with low fare is June 18. This fare will likely not last long. Air Canada has slightly lower fares by a few dollars and will earn more than twice as many miles in Mileage Plus based on flight distance to Brazil compared to revenue based miles earned flying United Airlines.
United Airlines Los Angeles LAX – Houston IAH – Sao Paulo, Brazil GRU
April 15-22, 2015
$702.84
LAX-Houston IAH-Sao Paulo GRU is 6,266 flight miles in two flight segments each way. United Airlines base fare is $588 for earning 5x miles as United Mileage Plus base member with the new revenue-based miles earning system.
LAX-IAH-GRU-IAH-LAX = 2,940 miles in Mileage Plus.
Want more miles? Fly Air Canada.
Mileage Plus new earning rules implemented March 1, 2015 state tickets issued by United Airlines with a ticket number ‘016’ earn 5x miles based on fare.
A workaround for earning more miles is to buy a ticket flying a Star Alliance partner like Air Canada from Air Canada or any other site besides United Airlines. Then, flights earn miles based on distance flown and ticketed booking code rather than fare paid.
Air Canada Los Angeles LAX – Toronto YYZ – Sao Paulo, Brazil GRU
April 9-13, 2015
$695.31
Air Canada booking code is ‘A’ deep discount economy. United Mileage Plus earns miles on Air Canada A fares at 50% for USA-Canada flight and 50% miles for international flights outside Canada.
- LAX-YYZ = 2,175 miles (50% = 1,087 miles)
- YYZ-GRU = 5,075 miles (50% = 2,538 miles)
- Air Canada flights earn: Distance miles LAX-YYZ-GRU roundtrip earns 7,250 miles in Mileage Plus for $695 ticket.
- United Airlines flights earn 2,940 Mileage Plus miles based on $588 ticket revenue portion of $703 ticket.
Mileage Plus miles earned for Air Canada flights.
Air Canada A fare earns 50% miles in United Mileage Plus, except if flight segment is entirely within Canada, then 25% miles.
Seattle SEA – Sao Paulo GRU on United is as low as $703 and priced slightly lower with Air Canada.
SFO-GRU $695 fare is Air Canada. United routes are priced $75 to $200 more and fewer days of the week with low fares compared to flying LAX-GRU.
These fares are available for several dates through June 18 for departures. Considering American and Delta had these fares Sunday and they are now back up over $1,000 indicates this low fare to Sao Paulo may only be around for a day or two.
