Award Fee Changes - Eff. Jun. 15, 2011
Apr 14, 2011, 2:52 pm
#46
Formerly known as CollegeFlyer
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: JRA
Programs: UA 1K MM, AA PLT, Hyatt Diamond, Marriott Gold, Hertz 5*
Posts: 6,716
This seems to confirm the rumor that the new name of the UACO frequent flier program will be "Mileage Plus Co-pay."
Apr 14, 2011, 3:00 pm
#48
Moderator: United Airlines
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: SFO
Programs: UA Plat 1.995MM, Hyatt Discoverist, Marriott Plat/LT Gold, Hilton Silver, IHG Plat
Posts: 66,850
It is interesting how a couple of positive changes (less expense change and re-deposit fees) are swamped out by a negative change (close-in fees). One would think for most the latter is less common that the former. With my travel patterns even as 1P/2P this will be less costly net net.
But I guess this is FTer.
But I guess this is FTer.
Apr 14, 2011, 3:03 pm
#49
Join Date: Apr 2000
Location: CGK SIN PER ORD
Programs: UA 1K MM, Hyatt Plat
Posts: 2,813
[*]Award Change Fee: This fee will apply to award changes that are not considered ‘simple changes’. They’ll be $75 per person for awards redeemed by general members, $50 for Premier and Silver Elite members, $25 for Premier Executive and Gold members, and will continue to be waived for 1K, Global Services, Platinum and Presidential Platinum members . Also starting Jun. 15, we’ll offer Mileage Plus members a flat change fee of $75 for awards issued prior to Jun. 15. The Elite discounts, however, will only apply to awards issued on or after Jun. 15.
Worth noting: For OnePass members, there’s no change. For Mileage Plus members, this is a reduction of 50% or more, depending on your Elite status.
[*]Mileage Re-Deposit Fee: This fee will apply to awards that are cancelled and re-deposited. They’ll be $150 per person for awards redeemed by general members, $125 for Premier and Silver members, $100 for Premier Executive and Gold members, and will continue to be waived for 1K, Global Services, Platinum and Presidential Platinum members. Worth noting: For OnePass members, this is an increase for general, Silver and Gold members. For Mileage Plus members, the fee is the same for general members, but will decrease for Premier and Premier Executive members.
[/indent][/list]As a 1K I am not too worried about these changes.
Apr 14, 2011, 3:03 pm
#50
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: YVR SFO
Programs: UA G
Posts: 4,866
It is interesting how a couple of positive changes (less expense change and re-deposit fees) are swamped out by a negative change (close-in fees). One would think for most the latter is less common that the former. With my travel patterns even as 1P/2P this will be less costly net net.
But I guess this is FTer.
But I guess this is FTer.
The new plan eliminates that option and is guaranteed to hose you if you have less than 100% certainty in your plans.
Apr 14, 2011, 3:09 pm
#51
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Aug 2003
Programs: UA 1K 1MM (finally!), IHG AMB-Spire, HH Diamond
Posts: 60,174
I disagree. I didn't book award tickets until I was 100% sure I was going to take the trip. If I had to cancel, the fees wouldn't be any worse than if I had booked a revenue ticket (assuming domestic trip). The one way I could avoid any fees was to wait until the last minute (you know, when I'm sure I'm going) to book the ticket.
The new plan eliminates that option and is guaranteed to hose you if you have less than 100% certainty in your plans.
The new plan eliminates that option and is guaranteed to hose you if you have less than 100% certainty in your plans.
The reason UA reduced some fees is they will make more on the ones they raised (close-in fees), and are using the mix to sell bogus PRopaganda.
Which some FTers are gullibly swallowing.
Apr 14, 2011, 3:09 pm
#52
Moderator: United Airlines
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: SFO
Programs: UA Plat 1.995MM, Hyatt Discoverist, Marriott Plat/LT Gold, Hilton Silver, IHG Plat
Posts: 66,850
I disagree. I didn't book award tickets until I was 100% sure I was going to take the trip. If I had to cancel, the fees wouldn't be any worse than if I had booked a revenue ticket (assuming domestic trip). The one way I could avoid any fees was to wait until the last minute (you know, when I'm sure I'm going) to book the ticket.
The new plan eliminates that option and is guaranteed to hose you if you have less than 100% certainty in your plans.
The new plan eliminates that option and is guaranteed to hose you if you have less than 100% certainty in your plans.
My guess is the vast majority of award travellers book in advance to get availability and coordinate other plans -- hotels, ... (and now cancel / change are much cheaper than paid tickets for elites). While your travel patterns may be last minute, the penalty is probably less than you parking fees.
Apr 14, 2011, 3:12 pm
#53
Join Date: Nov 2004
Programs: CO Plat, SPG Plat
Posts: 324
In addition, the CO Plat desk said that CO would also be allowing one-way awards to match United's policy. This is a big plus as United.bomb rarely lets you book an international one-way reward. CO.com is much better about searching Star Alliance reward availability.
Apr 14, 2011, 3:12 pm
#54
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Aug 2003
Programs: UA 1K 1MM (finally!), IHG AMB-Spire, HH Diamond
Posts: 60,174
My guess is the vast majority of award travellers book in advance to get availability and coordinate other plans -- hotels, ... (and now cancel / change are much cheaper than paid tickets for elites). While your travel patterns may be last minute, the penalty is probably less than you parking fees.
I don't think you give their Finance dept enough credit.
Apr 14, 2011, 3:13 pm
#55
Join Date: Aug 2000
Location: Chicago Burbs
Programs: SPG Gold, Hyatt Diamond
Posts: 223
I've read over the new fee charts a couple of times.
It seems that a non-elite member could book a trip 21+ days in the future and then immediately make a free change to a different available date less than 21 days in the future to avoid the $75 fee.
The chart says that "Changing a date (same routing and class of service)" or "Changing your flight (same routing, date and class of service, but different flight number)" to a new date less than 21 days in the future has no fee.
Is this a loophole, or am I missing something?
It seems that a non-elite member could book a trip 21+ days in the future and then immediately make a free change to a different available date less than 21 days in the future to avoid the $75 fee.
The chart says that "Changing a date (same routing and class of service)" or "Changing your flight (same routing, date and class of service, but different flight number)" to a new date less than 21 days in the future has no fee.
Is this a loophole, or am I missing something?
Apr 14, 2011, 3:14 pm
#56
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Aug 2003
Programs: UA 1K 1MM (finally!), IHG AMB-Spire, HH Diamond
Posts: 60,174
It's UA flyers (esp elites) that are getting slapped in the process as other elements of MP are being lowered to CO levels.
Apr 14, 2011, 3:18 pm
#57
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Seattle, WA
Programs: DL Diamond, UA 1K MM, SPG Plat For Life, Marriott Plat, Nexus/GlobalEntry
Posts: 9,198
I've read over the new fee charts a couple of times.
It seems that a non-elite member could book a trip 21+ days in the future and then immediately make a free change to a different available date less than 21 days in the future to avoid the $75 fee.
The chart says that "Changing a date (same routing and class of service)" or "Changing your flight (same routing, date and class of service, but different flight number)" to a new date less than 21 days in the future has no fee.
Is this a loophole, or am I missing something?
It seems that a non-elite member could book a trip 21+ days in the future and then immediately make a free change to a different available date less than 21 days in the future to avoid the $75 fee.
The chart says that "Changing a date (same routing and class of service)" or "Changing your flight (same routing, date and class of service, but different flight number)" to a new date less than 21 days in the future has no fee.
Is this a loophole, or am I missing something?
Apr 14, 2011, 3:28 pm
#58
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Near SEA
Programs: UA MM, AS MVPG75K, Marriott Lifetime Gold
Posts: 7,969
I'll start caring when I'm no longer 1K...
That loophole existed back when there were fees, looks like it does again.
I've read over the new fee charts a couple of times.
It seems that a non-elite member could book a trip 21+ days in the future and then immediately make a free change to a different available date less than 21 days in the future to avoid the $75 fee.
The chart says that "Changing a date (same routing and class of service)" or "Changing your flight (same routing, date and class of service, but different flight number)" to a new date less than 21 days in the future has no fee.
Is this a loophole, or am I missing something?
It seems that a non-elite member could book a trip 21+ days in the future and then immediately make a free change to a different available date less than 21 days in the future to avoid the $75 fee.
The chart says that "Changing a date (same routing and class of service)" or "Changing your flight (same routing, date and class of service, but different flight number)" to a new date less than 21 days in the future has no fee.
Is this a loophole, or am I missing something?
Apr 14, 2011, 3:29 pm
#59
Moderator: United Airlines
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: SFO
Programs: UA Plat 1.995MM, Hyatt Discoverist, Marriott Plat/LT Gold, Hilton Silver, IHG Plat
Posts: 66,850
So it is possible for there to be both a net positive for the finance folks and a net positive for (most) elites (and maybe someone was thinking about being positive toward the elites -- but that might be going to far)
It is interesting to note that the tone in the CO forum is different
Apr 14, 2011, 3:51 pm
#60
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: SEA, but up and down the coast a lot
Programs: Oceanic Airlines Gold Elite
Posts: 20,387
So it is possible for there to be both a net positive for the finance folks and a net positive for (most) elites
One $150 flight change fee I avoid as a 1P pays for 6 close-in award fees I would pay as a 1P. According to the simple math that makes me gullible, this counts as a win for me. Your mileage may vary, because maybe you like close-in awards and never change a booking.