Sept. 09, 2026 • 22 min read Jump to section Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Copy URL Email The cards we feature here are from partners who compensate us when you are approved through our site, and this may impact how or where these products appear. We don’t cover all available credit cards, but our analysis, reviews, and opinions are entirely from our editorial team. Terms apply to the offers listed on this page. Please view our advertising policy and product review methodology for more information. Quick take: United's new "Elevated" Polaris business class represents a sophisticated step forward for the airline. Hopefully the closing privacy doors will be certified soon.
TPG got the first peek at United's swanky new "Elevated" Polaris business class in March when the airline showed off the fancy new suite-style pods at an event in Los Angeles shortly after flights went on sale .
Senior aviation reporter Sean Cudahy was also among the first to actually fly in the new suites when he boarded the inaugural flight from San Francisco to Singapore in April.
Previous slide Next slide 1 of 3 ERIC ROSEN/THE POINTS GUY 0 1 2 Sean actually flew in the enhanced "Studio" version of the suites, which are in the bulkhead row and cost a premium. So I took it upon myself to be TPG's guinea pig and fly the standard version of the seat on my own way from Singapore to San Francisco a couple of weeks ago.
The new Elevated Polaris feels like a timely step forward for the airline, with amenities and other soft touches that loyal United flyers have come to expect.
Here's what it was like flying nearly 16 hours in United's new business class and how to book it for yourself.
The cost of a long-haul, business-class ticket in United's new Elevated Polaris business class depends on the route, dates and whether you are flying round-trip or one-way.
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My one-way flight from Singapore Changi International Airport (SIN) to San Francisco International Airport (SFO) cost me 90,000 United MileagePlus miles plus $74.23 in taxes and fees instead of a paid fare of $4,148. That yielded me a value of about 4.5 cents per mile, soundly beating TPG's September 2026 valuation of United miles.
Previous slide Next slide 1 of 2 UNITED 0 1 It was free to choose a regular Polaris seat, but upgrading to a Studio seat would have cost $599 in advance. However, the price dropped to $499 when I checked in. Other passengers must have taken that offer since the five empty Studios I could see on the seat map had filled in by the time we departed.
Previous slide Next slide 1 of 2 UNITED 0 1 My 90,000-mile award ticket was the lowest level I could find for this route for the entire next year. What's more, it was only available to me because I am a United cobranded credit card holder. Without a United credit card or United Premier status, I would have needed a whopping 250,000 miles.
The best way to increase your number of United miles quickly — and to unlock that preferential redemption rate — is to apply for one of the following cobranded credit cards:
The informatio…