Nov 19, 2014, 7:52 am
Last edit by: FlyinHawaiian
Changes from the 19-Nov-2014 announcement regarding the 2015 MileagePlus Program:
Links are available to the dedicated threads that discuss the details and impacts of each change.
Changes effective 1-Feb-2015:
Changes effective 1-Mar-2015:
Changes effective 14-Apr-2015:
Changes effective 1-July-2015:
Unanswered questions:
Links are available to the dedicated threads that discuss the details and impacts of each change.
Changes effective 1-Feb-2015:
- MileagePlus will no longer provide Global Entry reimbursement codes for Premier Platinum and 1K members
- For tickets issued/re-issued on or after 1-Feb-2015, Premier Gold members will receive only 2 complimentary checked bags, up to 70 lb, for routes that do not offer free checked bags to non-status passengers
- Mileage upgrades for p.s. flights (JFK-LAX/SFO) will require co-pay for all Premier members for requests after 1-Feb-2015
Changes effective 1-Mar-2015:
- Award Redeemable Miles will be calculated based on the ticket price, not the distance flown.
- 2015 MileagePlus Change: New Partner Earnings Effective March 1, 2015
Changes effective 14-Apr-2015:
Changes effective 1-July-2015:
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Unanswered questions:
2015 MileagePlus Program Updates Announced (Master/Consolidated Thread)
Jan 15, 2015, 9:01 am
#196
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: LGA/JFK/EWR
Programs: UA 1K1.75MM, Hyatt Globalist, abandoned Marriott LTT (RIP SPG), Hertz PC
Posts: 21,166
I fly UA almost every week. But I always kayak to see how much the lowest cost alternative is, and how much more i'm paying for my UA ticket. After accounting for the bonus miles (since i'm a 1K, I earned 1/3rd of the miles towards a savers award ticket every time i flew), UA still came out ahead most of the time. When it didn't, I flew Jet Blue.
For my flights post March 1st, I won't need to net out in the miles anymore, but surprisingly, every flight i've booked (10 so far) is the cheapest option available. That was rarely the case earlier. I wonder if this is their new strategy or if i just don't have enough data points yet.
For my flights post March 1st, I won't need to net out in the miles anymore, but surprisingly, every flight i've booked (10 so far) is the cheapest option available. That was rarely the case earlier. I wonder if this is their new strategy or if i just don't have enough data points yet.
Or it could be that their RM strategy has backfired on them
Jan 15, 2015, 9:21 am
#197
Join Date: Dec 2012
Posts: 82
Low oil prices should cut across the board. Doesn't explain why UA, which used to be amongst the most expensive choices (before accounting for the RDMs) is now the cheapest. Maybe they'd hedged the least and so they are able to benefit from falling prices before everyone else.
Jan 15, 2015, 6:48 pm
#198
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: LGA/JFK/EWR
Programs: UA 1K1.75MM, Hyatt Globalist, abandoned Marriott LTT (RIP SPG), Hertz PC
Posts: 21,166
Low oil prices should cut across the board. Doesn't explain why UA, which used to be amongst the most expensive choices (before accounting for the RDMs) is now the cheapest. Maybe they'd hedged the least and so they are able to benefit from falling prices before everyone else.
Maybe it is the RM strategy - price skimming far out may have bitten them in the rear. We'll see what Q4 comes in at.
Jan 16, 2015, 1:26 pm
#199
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: YVR
Programs: OZ Diamond, Jiffypark Manhattan Gold
Posts: 4,485
Still no partner earnings charts? I bailed on switching to UA because they still hadn't posted them by year end and I'm still worried as to how much they will get slashed.
Jan 20, 2015, 10:47 am
#200
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: Worldwide
Programs: UA MileagePlus Premier Platinum, HHonors Diamond
Posts: 289
As it stands it looks like I'm in for AC Altitude for 2015 and will wait to make a change depending on 2016 changes.
Jan 30, 2015, 11:38 am
#201
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Illinois
Programs: UAMP Premier Platinum, HHonors Diamond VIP, Marriott Gold
Posts: 21
2015 MileagePlus Program Updates Announced (Master/Consolidated Thread)
Well, more changes we are going to like. The partner earning charts have taken a nice hit as well! Cant say Im surprised. With UA's level of service generally being inferior to that of most partners they knew there would be a mass exodus if we could fly a better airlines AND get more miles.
Jan 30, 2015, 12:38 pm
#202
Join Date: Sep 2014
Posts: 59
Well, more changes we are going to like. The partner earning charts have taken a nice hit as well! Cant say Im surprised. With UA's level of service generally being inferior to that of most partners they knew there would be a mass exodus if we could fly a better airlines AND get more miles.
Jan 31, 2015, 3:38 am
#203
Join Date: Jan 2015
Programs: United MileagePlus, Marriott Rewards
Posts: 21
Just read the new partners earning pages (seems like the whole world is trying to do that based on the slowness of loading the partners section). Unclear if we will still get premier bonus when flying Lufthansa (as an example) with a non-United issued ticket. The premier bonus section still appears but unclear if that's part of the pre-March program terms or not. Additionally, for the non-016 tickets it states: "Mileage accrual is based on distance flown, class of service and purchased fare class", but below the chart it sais: "MileagePlus award miles earned may vary depending on the Premier status of the customer."
Jan 31, 2015, 10:20 am
#204
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: 66,821
Welcome to FT!, lishorsh
This is a key question/discussion in http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/unite...-1-2015-a.html -- no definitive answer yet from UA.
Just read the new partners earning pages (seems like the whole world is trying to do that based on the slowness of loading the partners section). Unclear if we will still get premier bonus when flying Lufthansa (as an example) with a non-United issued ticket. The premier bonus section still appears but unclear if that's part of the pre-March program terms or not. Additionally, for the non-016 tickets it states: "Mileage accrual is based on distance flown, class of service and purchased fare class", but below the chart it sais: "MileagePlus award miles earned may vary depending on the Premier status of the customer."
Feb 9, 2015, 10:54 am
#205
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: IAH
Programs: UA 1MM/GS, Emirates Platinum, IHG Plat Ambassador
Posts: 16
"As of April 15, 2015, complimentary Premier Access for travelers on award tickets is based on the traveler's Premier status on the day of travel, rather than the status of the member whose miles were used to purchase the award ticket"
Interesting - fact is, this has always been the official policy - after the merger, a "glitch" in the system automatically imported the MP number of the account buying the reward ticket - and could not be overridden (even if the traveler was of higher status). Customer service has always referred to this a a glitch in the system (it started just after the programs were merged). Guess it's been around so long that they are calling it a "benefit" that is going away - fact is, they are finally fixing the glitch...
Too bad, my kids have been flying as pretend GS members for a couple of years...time to toss them to the back where they belong...lol
Interesting - fact is, this has always been the official policy - after the merger, a "glitch" in the system automatically imported the MP number of the account buying the reward ticket - and could not be overridden (even if the traveler was of higher status). Customer service has always referred to this a a glitch in the system (it started just after the programs were merged). Guess it's been around so long that they are calling it a "benefit" that is going away - fact is, they are finally fixing the glitch...
Too bad, my kids have been flying as pretend GS members for a couple of years...time to toss them to the back where they belong...lol
Feb 9, 2015, 8:03 pm
#206
Moderator: Hawaii-based airlines & Hawai'i forums
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: Ka ʻĀpala Nui, Nuioka
Programs: NEXUS/Global Entry, Delta, United, Hyatt, IHG, Marriott, and Hertz
Posts: 18,036
Additional discussion on this topic may be found (and continued) here: http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/unite...-accounts.html
Feb 12, 2015, 8:49 am
#207
Join Date: Feb 2015
Posts: 11
Truly disappointing that the MP program gets less and less attractive and the benefits continue to get reduced at the same time the qualifications get increased and the onboard experience continues to deteriorate. At some point even loyal UA flyers like myself are going to start walking away. I am a 10+ year 1K with 1.5 million miles who has been flying United since I was a kid, but at a certain point, enough is enough.
It is looking more and more like 2015 might be the year that I walk away . . .
Tim
It is looking more and more like 2015 might be the year that I walk away . . .
Tim
Feb 16, 2015, 2:28 am
#208
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: SJC, SFO, YYC
Programs: AA-EXP, AA-0.41MM, UA-Gold, Ex UA-1K (2006 thru 2015), PMUA-0.95MM, COUA-1.5MM-lite, AF-Silver
Posts: 13,437
This is a brilliant way for UA to foil employers that force employees to use corporate credit cards for business travel. Those cards generally earn no miles. UA has found a way to get the merchants to directly pay for the miles and thus once again influence purchasing choices by employees. CFOs will slit their wrists as UA has escalated the arms race.
I hope other airlines catch on to this, but given UA's prohibitive lead in IT infrastructure, it will be a long time.
I hate to admit it, but SMI,J has done good here. ^ At least UA is trying.
I hope other airlines catch on to this, but given UA's prohibitive lead in IT infrastructure, it will be a long time.
I hate to admit it, but SMI,J has done good here. ^ At least UA is trying.
Feb 17, 2015, 7:50 pm
#209
Join Date: Jan 2015
Programs: Marriott Titanium and LTP, Hilton Gold, United Silver
Posts: 786
This is a brilliant way for UA to foil employers that force employees to use corporate credit cards for business travel. Those cards generally earn no miles. UA has found a way to get the merchants to directly pay for the miles and thus once again influence purchasing choices by employees. CFOs will slit their wrists as UA has escalated the arms race.
I hope other airlines catch on to this, but given UA's prohibitive lead in IT infrastructure, it will be a long time.
I hate to admit it, but SMI,J has done good here. ^ At least UA is trying.
I hope other airlines catch on to this, but given UA's prohibitive lead in IT infrastructure, it will be a long time.
I hate to admit it, but SMI,J has done good here. ^ At least UA is trying.
Feb 23, 2015, 11:54 am
#210
Join Date: Jan 2008
Programs: AAdvantage, United MP, Marriott Rewards
Posts: 1,137
Mileage earnings on partner airlines going up...
Can you imagine how surprised I was to learn that deep discount tickets on Brussels airlines that used to earn no miles now will start earning miles as of March 1st...
Even more miles than you would earn in the M&M program.
That's a nice advantage compared to all the other devaluations...
Even more miles than you would earn in the M&M program.
That's a nice advantage compared to all the other devaluations...