Nov 1, 2013, 4:08 am
Last edit by: aacharya
Moderator Note: Please keep the wiki post limited to just the facts.
New UA Award/Upgrade Chart (vs. Current Chart)
Changes took effect for travel booked starting February 3, 2014. See UA Insider's post linked here for more info about the date change. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/22263212-post2366.html
Awards with *A partners now cost more than similar awards flown only on UA metal.
See below for the round-trip increases on partner metal :
Changes to upgrade policy for intra-Asia and northern South America flights
Questions and Answers
Q: If I book an award in January 2014 and then make changes in February or beyond (in routing, airline, origin, destination, etc), will it be repriced according to new mileage requirements, or will I keep the old pricing on that ticket?
Additional details on changing tickets booked prior to 2/3/14 per UA Insider:
Full details are in post #2588 http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/22283437-post2588.html
Q: Do these rates apply for tickets purchased after Feb 3 or for travel after Feb 3? That is,if one purchases a ticket now, to fly on Mar 15, will that be new or old pricing?
Q: How will award pricing apply to mixed-carrier Saver Awards?
(reverted to J.Edward's rev)
New UA Award/Upgrade Chart (vs. Current Chart)
Changes took effect for travel booked starting February 3, 2014. See UA Insider's post linked here for more info about the date change. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/22263212-post2366.html
Awards with *A partners now cost more than similar awards flown only on UA metal.
- F awards on partners went up 40-80%
- J awards on partners went up 20-40%
- F and J awards on UA metal (or mixed carriers where UA metal is in premium cabin followed by partner segment in lower class) as well some Y awards increased by 5-20% (US to Europe in F up 19%, US to Middle East in F up 20% for example)
See below for the round-trip increases on partner metal :
US ✈ Southern South America: +10,000 J, +5,000 F
US ✈ Europe: +40,000 J, +85,000 F
US ✈ Northern/Central/Southern Africa: +40,000 J, +110,000 F
US ✈ Middle East: +5,000 Y, +40,000 J, +130,000 F
US ✈ Central Asia/India: +5,000 Y, +40,000 J, +120,000 F
US ✈ South Asia: +15,000 Y, +40,000 J, +120,000 F
US ✈ North Asia: +5,000 Y, +40,000 J, +100,000 F
US ✈ Japan: +5,000 Y, +30,000 J, +85,000 F
US ✈ Oceania: +30,000 J, +70,000 F
US ✈ Australia/New Zealand: +25,000 J, +100,000 F
RTW: +20,000 Y, +90,000 J, +100,000 F
US ✈ Europe: +40,000 J, +85,000 F
US ✈ Northern/Central/Southern Africa: +40,000 J, +110,000 F
US ✈ Middle East: +5,000 Y, +40,000 J, +130,000 F
US ✈ Central Asia/India: +5,000 Y, +40,000 J, +120,000 F
US ✈ South Asia: +15,000 Y, +40,000 J, +120,000 F
US ✈ North Asia: +5,000 Y, +40,000 J, +100,000 F
US ✈ Japan: +5,000 Y, +30,000 J, +85,000 F
US ✈ Oceania: +30,000 J, +70,000 F
US ✈ Australia/New Zealand: +25,000 J, +100,000 F
RTW: +20,000 Y, +90,000 J, +100,000 F
Changes to upgrade policy for intra-Asia and northern South America flights
- Complimentary Premier Upgrades and instant upgrades are not applicable
- Regional Premier Upgrades (for any fare class) and Global Premier Upgrades (for flights booked in fare class Z, P, S, T, L, K, G or N) can no longer be requested on or after November 1, 2013
- There is no co-pay exemption for MileagePlus Upgrade Awards requested on or after November 1, 2013
- The above changes do not apply to Copa-operated flights.
Questions and Answers
Q: If I book an award in January 2014 and then make changes in February or beyond (in routing, airline, origin, destination, etc), will it be repriced according to new mileage requirements, or will I keep the old pricing on that ticket?
Our existing change process will apply. Changes to awards that require a change in date do not result in a change to the award price. Any other change will require an add/collect in miles and fees for changes or cancellations will still apply as per our existing policies.
Changes that will not trigger a re-price for itineraries ticketed before February 3, 2014 include:
- Date/time (cabin, region, and award type can't change)
- Carrier on one or more segments (cabin, region, and award type can’t change)
- Origin/Destination within the same regions (carrier and cabin can’t change)
Q: Do these rates apply for tickets purchased after Feb 3 or for travel after Feb 3? That is,if one purchases a ticket now, to fly on Mar 15, will that be new or old pricing?
Updated handling for mixed UA-Partner United/partner award itineraries: As we shared with the initial announcement, the Star Alliance/Partner partner award pricing will apply to Business or First awards for itineraries that include at least one flight segment operated by a MileagePlus partner carrier in Business or First.
However, as a customer benefit we have made an exception for most itineraries which require connecting onto a MileagePlus/Star partner in First or Business for a short distance. Specifically, if a United/Copa award itinerary contains a connecting segment on a MileagePlus/Star partner that is wholly within one MileagePlus award region, then the United award price will apply.
However, as a customer benefit we have made an exception for most itineraries which require connecting onto a MileagePlus/Star partner in First or Business for a short distance. Specifically, if a United/Copa award itinerary contains a connecting segment on a MileagePlus/Star partner that is wholly within one MileagePlus award region, then the United award price will apply.
- For example: IAD-FRA in United BusinessFirst connecting to FRA-FCO in Lufthansa Business, will be priced at the United mileage award amount.
- Note that this exception will not apply to a few specific regions and routings, such as intra-Africa connecting segments and certain fifth-freedom routes (e.g. BKK-KUL operated by Lufthansa)
Changes to MileagePlus Award and Upgrade Policies - Eff. 3-Feb-2014
Feb 7, 2014, 9:41 pm
#2836
Join Date: Apr 2010
Posts: 1
I'm trying to work out what extent of changes I can make. I'm currently booked on EVA Air business, DPS - TPE - SFO - AUS. Wondering if I can change to DPS - BKK - FRA (TG business) - ORD (LH business) - AUS (United Econ) about a week later than my original plans?
Feb 8, 2014, 5:38 am
#2837
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: IAD/DCA
Programs: PP
Posts: 70
I have US->SE Asia award, booked before 2/1. I wanted to change my ticket date. I used United award search online to check flight. I notice that the new award flight I selected (showing $0 due) has fare class "S" - not "Y" on my original award ticket. On the 'rules and restrictions' page, it said "The most restrictive set of fare rules applies to the entire itinerary."
I am wondering if I choose to change this award this time, can I change this award again in the future? I am holding off on changing my award for now until this issue is further clarified. Can anybody help enlighten me on this?
I am wondering if I choose to change this award this time, can I change this award again in the future? I am holding off on changing my award for now until this issue is further clarified. Can anybody help enlighten me on this?
Feb 8, 2014, 6:11 am
#2838
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: WAS
Programs: AA PLT, Honors Diamond, Global Entry
Posts: 477
I have US->SE Asia award, booked before 2/1. I wanted to change my ticket date. I used United award search online to check flight. I notice that the new award flight I selected (showing $0 due) has fare class "S" - not "Y" on my original award ticket. On the 'rules and restrictions' page, it said "The most restrictive set of fare rules applies to the entire itinerary."
I am wondering if I choose to change this award this time, can I change this award again in the future? I am holding off on changing my award for now until this issue is further clarified. Can anybody help enlighten me on this?
I am wondering if I choose to change this award this time, can I change this award again in the future? I am holding off on changing my award for now until this issue is further clarified. Can anybody help enlighten me on this?
Feb 8, 2014, 7:23 am
#2839
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: IAD/DCA
Programs: PP
Posts: 70
jbsay, you are correct that the final booking shows X or XN. However, before you book, you can click 'see fare rules' and on the fare rules page (after entering CAPTCHA code) you will see the fair class of the award ticket, which was 'Y' ...
Feb 8, 2014, 8:22 am
#2840
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Frozen in Carbonite
Programs: UA Aluminum 0.6MM, Bonvoy Life Sentence, Hyatt Eliteist, AA Super Plutonium
Posts: 2,878
The change fees (miles and dollars) for your current US-->SE Asia flight will depend on whether the itinerary needs to be repriced or not. If you're just doing a date change (more than 21 days out) then you shouldn't have to pay anything because there is no need to reprice the ticket and UA waives the change fee.
If you change fare buckets or the routing you'll have to deal with the new award chart because the ticket will need to be repriced. Even if you're platinum and above and don't pay change fees, the repricing issue still applies.
Feb 8, 2014, 9:20 am
#2841
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: IAD/DCA
Programs: PP
Posts: 70
The rules of Y fares certainly do not apply to award tickets. I'm also confused about your prior post about seeing "S" class availability and trying to base award inventory off that. S is a deep-discount revenue bucket and is not tied, as far as I know, to any reward bucket.
The change fees (miles and dollars) for your current US-->SE Asia flight will depend on whether the itinerary needs to be repriced or not. If you're just doing a date change (more than 21 days out) then you shouldn't have to pay anything because there is no need to reprice the ticket and UA waives the change fee.
If you change fare buckets or the routing you'll have to deal with the new award chart because the ticket will need to be repriced. Even if you're platinum and above and don't pay change fees, the repricing issue still applies.
The change fees (miles and dollars) for your current US-->SE Asia flight will depend on whether the itinerary needs to be repriced or not. If you're just doing a date change (more than 21 days out) then you shouldn't have to pay anything because there is no need to reprice the ticket and UA waives the change fee.
If you change fare buckets or the routing you'll have to deal with the new award chart because the ticket will need to be repriced. Even if you're platinum and above and don't pay change fees, the repricing issue still applies.
Feb 8, 2014, 10:10 am
#2842
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: BOM, Ex-TX/ CA
Programs: Ex CO/ UA Gold, Hotels.. TBD
Posts: 734
I have a RETURN booked for Mid Feb 2014. I do not plan to fly it, and do not have any dates set so far.
I remember, someone mention on forums that an agent suggested to put it on some kind of HOLD and only CHARGE the CHANGE FEE, One time when the person actually commits to a new Return Date for Award Round Trip.
Not sure where I read it and who wrote it.
I can still do the above? Right?
I remember, someone mention on forums that an agent suggested to put it on some kind of HOLD and only CHARGE the CHANGE FEE, One time when the person actually commits to a new Return Date for Award Round Trip.
Not sure where I read it and who wrote it.
I can still do the above? Right?
Feb 8, 2014, 10:41 am
#2843
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: PDX
Programs: Alaska Airlines, CO Emeritus, United kettle, Ural Airlines Wings, Hilton, National
Posts: 979
Question
So say you have a one way award:
BKK-FRA, TG F
FRA-ORD, UA F
ORD-SFO UA F
Assuming availability, I would like to switch my flight to:
BKK-FRA, TG F
FRA-SFO, LH F
I think this should be fine as I understand UA Insider's comments.
What if in addition I wanted to change the destination to something in the same region, like PDX?
BKK-FRA, TG F
FRA-SFO, LH F
SFO-PDX, UA F
Origin/Destination within the same regions (carrier and cabin can’t change)
So now I have changed the destination and the carrier, hence I think I have broken the rules at this point, and I get a reprice correct?
(However anecdotally it seems people are able to make these changes?)
What if I change one, and then come back pay the fees again and change the other, or is that where alarms go off, and they will not do it? Sorry I keep reading more of people's experiences, and it makes me question my understanding of what Aaron said.
BKK-FRA, TG F
FRA-ORD, UA F
ORD-SFO UA F
Assuming availability, I would like to switch my flight to:
BKK-FRA, TG F
FRA-SFO, LH F
I think this should be fine as I understand UA Insider's comments.
What if in addition I wanted to change the destination to something in the same region, like PDX?
BKK-FRA, TG F
FRA-SFO, LH F
SFO-PDX, UA F
Origin/Destination within the same regions (carrier and cabin can’t change)
So now I have changed the destination and the carrier, hence I think I have broken the rules at this point, and I get a reprice correct?
(However anecdotally it seems people are able to make these changes?)
What if I change one, and then come back pay the fees again and change the other, or is that where alarms go off, and they will not do it? Sorry I keep reading more of people's experiences, and it makes me question my understanding of what Aaron said.
Feb 8, 2014, 11:07 am
#2844
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: RDU
Posts: 735
So say you have a one way award:
BKK-FRA, TG F
FRA-ORD, UA F
ORD-SFO UA F
Assuming availability, I would like to switch my flight to:
BKK-FRA, TG F
FRA-SFO, LH F
I think this should be fine as I understand UA Insider's comments.
What if in addition I wanted to change the destination to something in the same region, like PDX?
BKK-FRA, TG F
FRA-SFO, LH F
SFO-PDX, UA F
Origin/Destination within the same regions (carrier and cabin can’t change)
So now I have changed the destination and the carrier, hence I think I have broken the rules at this point, and I get a reprice correct?
(However anecdotally it seems people are able to make these changes?)
What if I change one, and then come back pay the fees again and change the other, or is that where alarms go off, and they will not do it? Sorry I keep reading more of people's experiences, and it makes me question my understanding of what Aaron said.
BKK-FRA, TG F
FRA-ORD, UA F
ORD-SFO UA F
Assuming availability, I would like to switch my flight to:
BKK-FRA, TG F
FRA-SFO, LH F
I think this should be fine as I understand UA Insider's comments.
What if in addition I wanted to change the destination to something in the same region, like PDX?
BKK-FRA, TG F
FRA-SFO, LH F
SFO-PDX, UA F
Origin/Destination within the same regions (carrier and cabin can’t change)
So now I have changed the destination and the carrier, hence I think I have broken the rules at this point, and I get a reprice correct?
(However anecdotally it seems people are able to make these changes?)
What if I change one, and then come back pay the fees again and change the other, or is that where alarms go off, and they will not do it? Sorry I keep reading more of people's experiences, and it makes me question my understanding of what Aaron said.
Feb 8, 2014, 12:03 pm
#2845
Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: Austin, TX -- AA Life Platinum; QF Life Silver; UA Silver
Posts: 5,462
ugh what a mess... tried making a date change on my AUS-ORD-NRT/HND-KIX-BKK F ticket, it let me select new flights, said 0 mileage difference even with a routing change (AUS-ORD-NRT/HND-BKK) but clicking on change ticket it errored out.... now trying to get agents to fix the ticket they keep coming back and saying I need more miles.. also they are putting me in J not F. 
edit they are also claiming 16 hrs 'connection' NRT-HND is now counts as an additional 10k?
double edit. had them change it back to my original dates. They kept claiming AUS-NRT, HND-BKK should not have priced out to begin with... even with < 24hr stop in TYO.
edit they are also claiming 16 hrs 'connection' NRT-HND is now counts as an additional 10k?
double edit. had them change it back to my original dates. They kept claiming AUS-NRT, HND-BKK should not have priced out to begin with... even with < 24hr stop in TYO.
Last edited by hauteboy; Feb 8, 2014 at 12:18 pm
Feb 8, 2014, 5:43 pm
#2846
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: AUS
Programs: AA Gold 1MM, SPG Gold, HH Gold, Hertz Gold, National Exec
Posts: 148
Good news indeed.
Feb 8, 2014, 6:55 pm
#2847
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: WAS
Programs: AA PLT, Honors Diamond, Global Entry
Posts: 477
Feb 8, 2014, 6:57 pm
#2848
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: London, UK
Programs: BA Gold, UA Nobody, Hilton Gold
Posts: 2,372
Feb 9, 2014, 1:56 am
#2849
Join Date: Mar 2007
Programs: UA 1K, Marriott Gold, SPG Gold
Posts: 1,498
ugh what a mess... tried making a date change on my AUS-ORD-NRT/HND-KIX-BKK F ticket, it let me select new flights, said 0 mileage difference even with a routing change (AUS-ORD-NRT/HND-BKK) but clicking on change ticket it errored out.... now trying to get agents to fix the ticket they keep coming back and saying I need more miles.. also they are putting me in J not F.
edit they are also claiming 16 hrs 'connection' NRT-HND is now counts as an additional 10k?
double edit. had them change it back to my original dates. They kept claiming AUS-NRT, HND-BKK should not have priced out to begin with... even with < 24hr stop in TYO.
edit they are also claiming 16 hrs 'connection' NRT-HND is now counts as an additional 10k?
double edit. had them change it back to my original dates. They kept claiming AUS-NRT, HND-BKK should not have priced out to begin with... even with < 24hr stop in TYO.
Feb 9, 2014, 11:53 am
#2850
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Florida
Posts: 29,760
I'm in a similar boat. I had SFO-TPE-NRT//HND-TSA (<24 hour stopover) booked. Asked to change the dates only, same routing, wanted me to pay the miles difference. Got a "one time exception" spiel and got them to make the change after pushing, but could easily see most paying more miles. I wonder if it has to do with the separation of Japan into its own award category.
I tried to do a multi-city booking with the new chart
ICN-HKG-NRT-ICN and it errors out. At first I thought it was due to 3 regions involved.
However I can do ICN-BKK-SYD-BKK-HKG-ICN, with stop at both SYD and HKG, and 3 regions involved, website priced out with as a R/T N Asia to Australia and allowed the stopover at S Asia (HKG).
Yet whenever JPN is involved, nothing seems to work other than the most simple itineraries.