Jun 10, 2014, 5:09 am
Last edit by: WineCountryUA
Earning miles on United flights
Spend-based mileage (RDM) earning for all UA metal flights effective March 1, 2015.
Redeemable Miles (RDM) changes highlights:
Fare multipliers based on Premier status:
For example, a 1K would earn 1100 miles for a $120 (assuming $20 in taxes/fees) ticket while a Silver would earn 700 miles for the same ticket.
As there is a maximum number of miles per ticket earned - this disincentives purchasing any ticket (excluding government taxes and fees) over the following:
A way to avoid this is booking one-ways if the fare rules permit.
Premier Qualifying Miles (PQM) are not affected by this change.
Announcement Site
Post 57: http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/23008349-post57.html
Answered Questions:
Spend-based mileage (RDM) earning for all UA metal flights effective March 1, 2015.
Redeemable Miles (RDM) changes highlights:
- Miles earned will now be based on the ticket price instead of the number of miles flown (see partner flights on non-016 tickets exception )
- Ticket price is defined as base fare plus carrier-imposed surcharges (same as PQDs)
- Class of service bonuses have been discontinued (e.g. X% more on A fares).
- There is a limit of 75,000 miles earned per ticket (see below for spending limits by status)
- UA flights regardless of ticket stock will use the ticket price to determine RDMs
- Partner flight on 016 ticket stock will use the ticket price to determine RDMs
- Partner flights on non-016 ticket stock will use a flight mileage-based system to determine RDMs with a fare class multiplier (see the partner page for detials
- Speciality / Bulk tickets with PQDs will use a flight mileage-based system to determine RDMs with a fare class multiplier, see Specialty tickets
Fare multipliers based on Premier status:
- x5 General Members
- x7 Silver
- x8 Gold
- x9 Plat
- x11 1K/GS
For example, a 1K would earn 1100 miles for a $120 (assuming $20 in taxes/fees) ticket while a Silver would earn 700 miles for the same ticket.
As there is a maximum number of miles per ticket earned - this disincentives purchasing any ticket (excluding government taxes and fees) over the following:
- $6818.18 for 1K/GS
- $8333.33 for Platinum
- $9375.00 for Gold
- $10714.28 for Silver
- $15000.00 for General Members
A way to avoid this is booking one-ways if the fare rules permit.
Premier Qualifying Miles (PQM) are not affected by this change.
www.mileageplusupdates.com
There is a tool on the site that allow you to enter how much you spent on a ticket along your premier status in order to calculate how many miles you will earn under the new system. The tool is aware of the miles per ticket limit.
There is a FAQ here: http://mileageplusupdates.com/faq.html
Relevant UA Insider posts:There is a tool on the site that allow you to enter how much you spent on a ticket along your premier status in order to calculate how many miles you will earn under the new system. The tool is aware of the miles per ticket limit.
There is a FAQ here: http://mileageplusupdates.com/faq.html
Post 57: http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/23008349-post57.html
Hi everyone,
Today were announcing changes to how MileagePlus members will earn award miles in 2015. Weve posted complete details and a FAQ on united.com, but I wanted to share an excerpt of the key points with you directly:
As of March 1, 2015, the award miles you earn on most United and United Express tickets will be based on your ticket price (that is, base fare plus carrier-imposed surcharges) and your MileagePlus status, instead of the distance you travel. The new criteria for earning award miles will look like this:
<portion removed for brevity>
The changes to earning award miles will apply to all MileagePlus members worldwide, and will be based on status at the time of flight on or after March 1, 2015. These changes will not affect the qualification requirements for 2015 Premier status. PQM and PQS will still be based on the number of paid flight miles traveled and the fare purchased. And where applicable, PQD will still be determined by the base fare and carrier-imposed surcharges.
Today were announcing changes to how MileagePlus members will earn award miles in 2015. Weve posted complete details and a FAQ on united.com, but I wanted to share an excerpt of the key points with you directly:
As of March 1, 2015, the award miles you earn on most United and United Express tickets will be based on your ticket price (that is, base fare plus carrier-imposed surcharges) and your MileagePlus status, instead of the distance you travel. The new criteria for earning award miles will look like this:
<portion removed for brevity>
The changes to earning award miles will apply to all MileagePlus members worldwide, and will be based on status at the time of flight on or after March 1, 2015. These changes will not affect the qualification requirements for 2015 Premier status. PQM and PQS will still be based on the number of paid flight miles traveled and the fare purchased. And where applicable, PQD will still be determined by the base fare and carrier-imposed surcharges.
Class of service bonuses have been discontinued under the new system. There is already an adjustment for 1K over general members.
For tickets that will earn award miles based on ticket price, the class-of-service bonus and Premier bonus will be included in the number of award miles you earn per dollar. Basically COS has been removed.
E-mail received by GS lists 1K and GS together.
2015 MileagePlus Change - RDMs Will Be Calculated by Spend, Not Distance
Oct 16, 2014, 11:43 am
#2326
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: PDX
Programs: UA 1K, Marriott Plat
Posts: 11,504
If UA's winter cuts at PDX are permanent then DL is really my only option... Not gaining much there except maybe a better domestic product.
Oct 16, 2014, 9:05 pm
#2327
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: SEA
Programs: AS MVP Gold75K
Posts: 850
If you fly transoceanic, you will have to fly a partner, and you won't be in an alliance, with the attendant drawbacks.
Oct 17, 2014, 12:26 am
#2328
In Memoriam, FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2000
Location: Benicia CA
Programs: Alaska MVP Gold 75K, AA 3.8MM, UA 1.1MM, enjoying the retired life
Posts: 31,849
Oct 17, 2014, 6:04 am
#2330
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: LGA/JFK/EWR
Programs: UA 1K1.75MM, Hyatt Globalist, abandoned Marriott LTT (RIP SPG), Hertz PC
Posts: 21,172
55K AA miles are getting me a one way CX HKG-EWR in J next month that were I to buy it, would run about $8,400. IMO that is significant.
Oct 17, 2014, 7:28 am
#2331
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: PDX
Programs: UA 1K, Marriott Plat
Posts: 11,504
Oct 17, 2014, 7:58 am
#2332
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: DEN
Programs: UA MM Plat; AA MM Gold; HHonors Diamond
Posts: 15,867
Oct 17, 2014, 8:06 am
#2333
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: Canada
Programs: UA*1K MM SK EBG LATAM BL
Posts: 23,343
I dont think anyone wonders, but there are still people who are kidding themselves that the reduction in handing out RDMs for flights will make a positive difference in award space, etc.
Oct 17, 2014, 8:14 am
#2334
Suspended
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: Toronto YYZ UA-1K 1MM,QFgold
Programs: Royal Ambassador/ SPG Platinum 75/Marriott gold
Posts: 14,283
i would assume most of the miles are coming from Credit Cards and not flying? And the credit card miles are not going to change. However perhaps more people will lose status and they wont get the {"improved Access to awards}
Oct 17, 2014, 8:47 am
#2335
Join Date: Apr 2000
Location: san antonio, texas
Programs: 3.2MM AA, 1.4MM UA,StwdLftPlt
Posts: 1,586
Even in the past when I was flying 250K/yr BIS, 60K miles was significant. Two domestic flight gifts to friends and family, etc...
Oct 17, 2014, 8:52 am
#2336
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: Canada
Programs: UA*1K MM SK EBG LATAM BL
Posts: 23,343
Who cares
Oct 17, 2014, 10:17 am
#2337
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: LGA/JFK/EWR
Programs: UA 1K1.75MM, Hyatt Globalist, abandoned Marriott LTT (RIP SPG), Hertz PC
Posts: 21,172
Oct 17, 2014, 10:27 am
#2338
Join Date: Apr 2000
Location: san antonio, texas
Programs: 3.2MM AA, 1.4MM UA,StwdLftPlt
Posts: 1,586
My own "guesstimate," without much to base it upon apart from the fact that AA/US doesn't show the resolve at devaluing their FF program at this point compared to UA/DL, is 1st quarter 2016.
Oct 22, 2014, 2:47 am
#2339
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: SIN
Programs: Turkish E+, Alitalia Freccia Alata Plus
Posts: 182
Who's Excited For The 'New' Mileage Plus?
It sounds delightful, doesn't it?
"And we're adding new ways to use your award miles, to make the frequent flyer program with the best award availability even better." - from their announcement
Yay!
What a scam.
I just checked miles accrued for my normal BKK-NYC/LAX route, and it's going to score in at 15,300 miles with Premier Platinum based on a $1,700 ticket price.
UA (with the ANA BKK-NRT codeshare) is generally about $400-500 more than Delta, Cathay and Turkish on this route, has uninspired service on the TPAC segment and now would now like to offer 15,300 miles on a ticket that would normally get 19,000 plus a 75% Platinum bonus.
And, at the same time, everyone remembers the increased mileage redemption numbers.
So, less miles and higher award redemption numbers. Unbelievable.
I have two questions: 1) If you fly on *A partners, do you still get mileage based on distance and the bonus for Premier status level, and 2) any recommendations for programs to switch to/status match next year for Asia - US travel?
As I'm in the mood to complain, I don't understand the business model of not finding ways to maintain loyalty business. As a business owner, I welcome repeat/loyal customers. It's easy money - no sales required!
I think the time is coming to move on.
"And we're adding new ways to use your award miles, to make the frequent flyer program with the best award availability even better." - from their announcement
Yay!
What a scam.
I just checked miles accrued for my normal BKK-NYC/LAX route, and it's going to score in at 15,300 miles with Premier Platinum based on a $1,700 ticket price.
UA (with the ANA BKK-NRT codeshare) is generally about $400-500 more than Delta, Cathay and Turkish on this route, has uninspired service on the TPAC segment and now would now like to offer 15,300 miles on a ticket that would normally get 19,000 plus a 75% Platinum bonus.
And, at the same time, everyone remembers the increased mileage redemption numbers.
So, less miles and higher award redemption numbers. Unbelievable.
I have two questions: 1) If you fly on *A partners, do you still get mileage based on distance and the bonus for Premier status level, and 2) any recommendations for programs to switch to/status match next year for Asia - US travel?
As I'm in the mood to complain, I don't understand the business model of not finding ways to maintain loyalty business. As a business owner, I welcome repeat/loyal customers. It's easy money - no sales required!
I think the time is coming to move on.
Last edited by rostovru; Oct 22, 2014 at 3:16 am
Oct 22, 2014, 2:51 am
#2340
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: LHR (sometimes CLE, SFO, BOS, LAX, SEA)
Programs: UA 1K
Posts: 5,896
*A partner travel will continue to earn MileagePlus miles based on mileage, but the way that this will work (the exact percentages) has not yet been announced. This is most likely because Delta has not yet announced how they will handle SkyTeam partners. I assume as soon as we see concrete info on the SkyMiles earning for Air France page, we'll also know what will happen for MileagePlus and Air Canada.