Cape Town for 45,000 Points From More Than 30 Airports

United is releasing economy award space to Cape Town International Airport (CPT) for 45,000 MileagePlus points one way, and it's pricing that way from more than 30 US airports rather than just the coastal hubs. From Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport (CVG), you're looking at 45,000 points and $5.60 in taxes on the outbound.

Travel Details

Airline: United Airlines
Route: Cincinnati (CVG) to Cape Town (CPT), connecting
Seat class: Economy
Points price: 45,000 United MileagePlus points one way
Cash price: Around $1,100
Dates: September and November 2026, plus January and February 2027
Fees: $5.60 on the outbound; about $60.13 on the return leg if you build a round trip

Why This Deal Is Amazing

The rate is good on its own, and it's the same good deal across three dozen departure cities simultaneously, which I haven't seen before. Raleigh, Omaha, Grand Rapids, Anchorage, Spokane, Memphis; those are not cities that usually turn up on a Cape Town award search.

A few origins are pricing below the one we featured, so check those before you book from home. Boston Logan International Airport (BOS) is showing 41,000 points, Toronto Pearson International Airport (YYZ) 43,000, and Vancouver International Airport (YVR) 43,900. I don’t know if it’s worth a drive to save a few thousand points, but you do you.

The taxes the impressive part of this deal (at least to me). Six dollars gets you across the Atlantic and then most of the way down Africa, while plenty of long-haul awards will hand you $400 or $500 in carrier surcharges, taxes, and fees. Add free changes and free cancellation and you can put a seat on hold, think about it for a week, and let it go without a penalty if the trip doesn't come together.

It's also economy, and Cape Town is a long way from anywhere in North America. You'll be in that seat for the better part of a day plus a connection. At 53 I have some opinions about that; at 45,000 points and six dollars I'm willing to set them aside. Decide which side of that you're on before you transfer anything.

How to Book

This books through United MileagePlus. If you don't already have a MileagePlus balance, both Chase Ultimate Rewards® and Bilt Points transfer to United, which covers most people reading this.

Search at united.com, check the "book with miles" box before you run the search, and use the flexible date view to find the award space. Find and hold your seat before you transfer any points; transfers only go one direction, and there's no walking it back if the space disappears while you're waiting.

Maximize Your Booking

Make the most of your rewards by using a card that earns bonus points on flights, like:

• Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card — Earn 2x points on all travel purchases

• Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card — Earn 5x miles on flights through Capital One’s travel booking site

• American Express® Gold Card —  Earn 3x points on flights booked through AmexTravel.com, the Amex Travel App™, or purchased directly from airlines

• Chase Sapphire Reserve® — Earn 4x points on flights booked direct

• American Express Platinum Card® — Earn 5x points on flights booked directly with the airline or through American Express Travel® (up to $500,000 per calendar year, then 1x)

Pro Tip

45,000 points, $5.60 in taxes, four months of availability to work with, and free cancellation if it falls apart. If Cape Town has been on your someday list, this is a reasonable week to give it an actual date.