This is a solid option for families planning a summer trip to Australia. The Los Angeles to Sydney route normally prices at around 80,000 MileagePlus miles in Premium Economy, so you're saving about 10,000 miles per ticket here. With only 5 seats showing at this price for the July 12, 2026 departure, this works for a small family but will go quickly if multiple travelers are booking together.
Premium Economy on this ultra-long-haul route offers wider seats, better recline, and improved meal service compared to standard economy—a meaningful upgrade when you're in the air for nearly 15 hours. For families with kids, the extra space can make a real difference.
Keep in mind that award availability to Australia during July falls within peak winter travel season for Sydney, which tends to be popular with Northern Hemisphere travelers escaping summer. If your dates are flexible, it's worth searching nearby days to see if additional seats open up at this rate.
One practical tip: if you're booking for a family and need more than the 5 available seats, consider checking back periodically. Airlines sometimes release additional award inventory closer to departure, though waiting carries risk on a route like this.
How to book
Search for award availability and book directly through United at united.com/en/us/book-flight/united-awards/search.