Go Back  FlyerTalk Forums > Miles&Points > Airlines and Mileage Programs > United Airlines | MileagePlus
Reload this Page >

Changes to MileagePlus Award and Upgrade Policies - Eff. 3-Feb-2014

Old Nov 1, 2013, 4:08 am
FlyerTalk Forums Expert How-Tos and Guides
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.
  • 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

Changes to upgrade policy for intra-Asia and northern South America flights
  1. Complimentary Premier Upgrades and instant upgrades are not applicable
  2. 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
  3. There is no co-pay exemption for MileagePlus Upgrade Awards requested on or after November 1, 2013
  4. 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?
Originally Posted by UA Insider
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.
Additional details on changing tickets booked prior to 2/3/14 per UA Insider:
Originally Posted by UA Insider
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)
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?
Originally Posted by UA Insider
The new award pricing takes effect for bookings made on or after Feb 3, 2014 for all future travel dates. If you purchased a ticket prior to then for travel on March 15, and no changes are made to the itinerary, the current pricing will apply.
Q: How will award pricing apply to mixed-carrier Saver Awards?
Originally Posted by UA Insider
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.
  • 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)
(reverted to J.Edward's rev)
Print Wikipost

Changes to MileagePlus Award and Upgrade Policies - Eff. 3-Feb-2014

Old Nov 1, 2013, 1:42 am
  #76  
 
Join Date: May 2005
Location: Houston (IAH,HOU) / Kāʻanapali (JHM,OGG)
Programs: UA GS 2MM, AA P 2MM, DL PM, US P, VS G, SPG LT P, HH D, HYATT P, PC P, AVIS PC, HERTZ PLAT
Posts: 970
The UA metal changes are to be expected. The *alliance award increases are quite a shock. Quite a bit ironic since UA has been advertising how *alliance can get you there and the benefits of * alliance in there recent pre-takeoff videos.
bdraco is offline  
Old Nov 1, 2013, 1:42 am
  #77  
 
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: CLE
Programs: UA GS+LT UC, AA EXP+LT PLT, Fairmont LT PLT, Marriott PLT, Hilton DIA, Hyatt Glob, Avis CHM
Posts: 4,650
Comparison of the current saver award chart with the new United and Partner chart:
http://www.dansdeals.com/archives/35875

#UnitedUnfriendly
Let's get it trending folks...
https://twitter.com/DansDeals/status/396180927878922240
ctownflyer is offline  
Old Nov 1, 2013, 1:44 am
  #78  
FlyerTalk Evangelist
 
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: body: A stone's throw from SFO, mind: SE Asia
Programs: Some of this 'n some of that
Posts: 17,263
For years UA has been a poor selection for an award between C Asia and S Asia but now they want 220K for F between SIN-DEL.

I really don't know whether to laugh or cry.
dsquared37 is offline  
Old Nov 1, 2013, 1:45 am
  #79  
Suspended
 
Join Date: Jun 2012
Programs: UA PP, AA, DL, BA, CX, SPG, HHonors
Posts: 2,002
i knew my US-FRA-Asia in LH F for 70K was toooooooo good to be true ... oh well, it was fun while it lasted

at least i got 4 LH F segments out of it in the last 2 years
787fan is offline  
Old Nov 1, 2013, 1:46 am
  #80  
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
 
Join Date: Aug 2003
Programs: UA 1K 1MM (finally!), IHG AMB-Spire, HH Diamond
Posts: 60,121
Originally Posted by ctownflyer
Comparison of the current saver award chart with the new United and Partner chart:
http://www.dansdeals.com/archives/35875

How about #UnitedUnfriendly
Let's get it trending...
"No change" is correct, but where there is a change perhaps show the difference only (eg 2.5k for mainland-hawaii in Y)
uastarflyer is online now  
Old Nov 1, 2013, 1:48 am
  #81  
 
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: LAX/PVG
Programs: HH G, MR/SPG G, IHG Plat, Club Carlson G, National Exec
Posts: 191
Originally Posted by uastarflyer
MP and E+ are the only value props for the airline. One is now thoroughly butchered (all but the award chart was decimated, now the award chart is as well).

There is still E+.
Now it all makes sense: from now on, UA's only reward to their over entitled customers is the privilege of having the same amount of leg room as on a LCC (B6).
moler is offline  
Old Nov 1, 2013, 1:49 am
  #82  
 
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: Van down by the river
Programs: UA GS, AA EXP, Marriott PP/LT Plat, Golden Circle Diamond
Posts: 718
Originally Posted by bdraco
Quite a bit ironic since UA has been advertising how *alliance can get you there and the benefits of * alliance in there recent pre-takeoff videos.
No doubt about the irony. Plus with US likely going away *A on the East Coast segments makes UA the only option for MP.

I'm going to be booking my first flight of 2014 in the next couple weeks. Very tempted to email UA and say if they don't give me GS immediately that I'm gone.
wethereyet is offline  
Old Nov 1, 2013, 1:54 am
  #83  
 
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: Zurich
Programs: UA 1k, BA silver, HH D
Posts: 220
This makes the switch back ow (BA) in my case even easier. All I need do now is take one vacation with the family instead of 2 or 3 to burn my remaining miles. Hasta Jeff. You're a real ****.

Last edited by J.Edward; Nov 1, 2013 at 3:45 am Reason: TOS Compliance
ILikeComfort is offline  
Old Nov 1, 2013, 1:55 am
  #84  
 
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: LHR
Programs: AA EXP, SPG PLT
Posts: 584
Originally Posted by ctownflyer
Comparison of the current saver award chart with the new United and Partner chart:
http://www.dansdeals.com/archives/35875

#UnitedUnfriendly
Let's get it trending folks...
https://twitter.com/DansDeals/status/396180927878922240
Please double check with some items like US-North Asia F.
keepssmile is offline  
Old Nov 1, 2013, 1:56 am
  #85  
 
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: US
Programs: AA/UA/DL
Posts: 2,772
Originally Posted by uastarflyer
MP and E+ are the only value props for the airline. One is now thoroughly butchered (all but the award chart was decimated, now the award chart is as well).

There is still E+.
DL has Economy Comfort with more recline and AA has Main Cabin ExtrAA.

DL gives 100% bonus miles to gold/platinum and 8-10 months ahead of time to notify their members about the devaluation while UA gives 3 months.
AA give 100% to platinum.

I really don't know how UA is going to attract people?? We have SMI/J?

I am very interested in seeing the Q4 and 2014 report after these FRIENDLY changes.
pigx5 is offline  
Old Nov 1, 2013, 1:57 am
  #86  
FlyerTalk Evangelist
 
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: body: A stone's throw from SFO, mind: SE Asia
Programs: Some of this 'n some of that
Posts: 17,263
MileageRupies. Or are there other suggestions?
dsquared37 is offline  
Old Nov 1, 2013, 1:58 am
  #87  
 
Join Date: May 2003
Programs: UA1k; Bonvoy Titanium; Hilton Gold; IHG Gold; AA Plat Pro
Posts: 1,794
Originally Posted by bdraco
The UA metal changes are to be expected. The *alliance award increases are quite a shock. Quite a bit ironic since UA has been advertising how *alliance can get you there and the benefits of * alliance in there recent pre-takeoff videos.
Agreed - the *alliance changes are HUGE !
1k650 is offline  
Old Nov 1, 2013, 1:58 am
  #88  
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
 
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: PHX
Programs: AS 75K; UA 1MM; Hyatt Globalist; Marriott LTP; Hilton Diamond (Aspire)
Posts: 56,291
Originally Posted by pigx5
DL has Economy Comfort with more recline and AA has Main Cabin ExtrAA.

DL gives 100% bonus miles to gold/platinum and 8-10 months ahead of time to notify their members about the devaluation while UA gives 3 months.
AA give 100% to platinum.

I really don't know how UA is going to attract people?? We have SMI/J?
You can always leave
Kacee is online now  
Old Nov 1, 2013, 1:58 am
  #89  
 
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: US
Programs: AA/UA/DL
Posts: 2,772
Originally Posted by dsquared37
MileageRupies. Or are there other suggestions?
Just back to their real name NON PASS.

Originally Posted by Kacee
You can always leave
I do.
Most of my flights are on AA and DL and I only choose UA when they are the cheapest now.
I feel sad to those who keep staying and can always get over with it.

Last edited by iluv2fly; Nov 1, 2013 at 4:22 am Reason: merge
pigx5 is offline  
Old Nov 1, 2013, 2:00 am
  #90  
 
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: LHR
Programs: AA EXP, SPG PLT
Posts: 584
Originally Posted by dsquared37
MileageRupies. Or are there other suggestions?
^^^
keepssmile is offline  

Thread Tools
Search this Thread

Contact Us - Manage Preferences - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Terms of Service -

This site is owned, operated, and maintained by MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. Copyright © 2024 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Designated trademarks are the property of their respective owners.