Award space has opened up on the LAX to Tokyo Narita route in Premium Economy for travel on April 23, 2026. At 65,000 United MileagePlus miles with minimal taxes, this represents a nice discount from the ~80,000 miles you'd normally expect to pay for this cabin and route.
Availability appears to be wide open right now, so families looking to book multiple seats together should have a good chance of securing what they need. Premium Economy offers a meaningful upgrade over standard economy on the long Pacific crossing—more legroom, better meal service, and a quieter cabin.
April is a particularly appealing time to visit Japan, as it falls during cherry blossom season in many regions. If your travel dates are flexible, this could line up well with the blooms while saving you around 15,000 miles compared to typical pricing.
One practical note: award availability can shift quickly, especially on popular routes to Japan. If this fits your plans, it's worth booking sooner rather than later. United's award cancellation and change policies are reasonable if your plans evolve.
How to book
Search and book directly through United's award search tool: https://www.united.com/en/us/book-flight/united-awards/search