Houston Bush Intercontinental (IAH) is United's second-largest hub — one of the best Star Alliance departure airports in the US. The key insight for Houston award travelers: Aeroplan often beats United's own miles for the same Star Alliance flights, with no fuel surcharges and 25,000 fewer miles.
| Program | IAH Awards | From (pts) |
|---|---|---|
| united | 236 | 40,000 |
| aeroplan | 201 | 38,900 |
| flyingblue | 183 | 25,000 |
| velocity | 127 | 30,000 |
| qantas | 106 | 36,200 |
| alaska | 79 | 27,500 |
| virginatlantic | 73 | 15,000 |
| british | 64 | 33,000 |
| lufthansa | 62 | 20,108 |
| qatar | 56 | 33,000 |
Houston Bush Intercontinental (IAH) is United's second-largest hub after Newark, and that positioning gives Houston travelers excellent Star Alliance award availability. United's global network connects IAH directly to London Heathrow, Frankfurt, Amsterdam, Tokyo Narita, and more — all accessible via United Saver awards or through Aeroplan at lower mileage with no fuel surcharges. IAH→FRA (Frankfurt) on Lufthansa is one of the best Aeroplan opportunities: 55,000 miles business class with no surcharges versus United's 80,000-mile chart rate for the same seat.
Houston also benefits from its unique Latin America gateway position: United and Copa Airlines (a Star Alliance member) operate extensive routes to Central and South America from IAH. Copa's Hub of the Americas in Panama City (PTY) connects IAH onward to virtually every South American destination. Copa is bookable via United MileagePlus at competitive rates, making IAH a strong base for Latin America award travel in ways that non-United hubs cannot match.
For European business class from Houston, Aeroplan consistently outperforms United's own program: 55,000 miles for Lufthansa, SWISS, or Air Canada with no fuel surcharges. Chase transfers to both United and Aeroplan at 1:1. The optimal Houston strategy is to accumulate Chase points and transfer to Aeroplan for European routes (lower mileage, no surcharges) and to United for Asian routes where United Polaris on United metal provides a consistent product.