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)
#256
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Join Date: Apr 2013
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You're late to this discussion. Suffice it to say that only flyers who average 18-20 cpm are breaking even or doing better under the new scheme, the number of such flyers is relatively small, and the overall number of miles being awarded is reduced significantly.
#257
Join Date: Apr 2015
Programs: United Global Services, Amtrak Select Executive
Posts: 4,092
A W or V is not a "highly discounted fare."
You're late to this discussion. Suffice it to say that only flyers who average 18-20 cpm are breaking even or doing better under the new scheme, the number of such flyers is relatively small, and the overall number of miles being awarded is reduced significantly.
You're late to this discussion. Suffice it to say that only flyers who average 18-20 cpm are breaking even or doing better under the new scheme, the number of such flyers is relatively small, and the overall number of miles being awarded is reduced significantly.
#258
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While it's hard to dispute that the prior scheme was economically irrational, it seems to me UA has swung too far in the other direction by placing the new break-even point well above PRASM. This new scheme is a net takeaway from pax, but that doesn't seem to bother most of the relatively small number who are actually benefited by the new earnings.
#259
Moderator: United Airlines
Join Date: Jun 2007
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A W or V is not a "highly discounted fare."
You're late to this discussion. Suffice it to say that only flyers who average 18-20 cpm are breaking even or doing better under the new scheme, the number of such flyers is relatively small, and the overall number of miles being awarded is reduced significantly.
You're late to this discussion. Suffice it to say that only flyers who average 18-20 cpm are breaking even or doing better under the new scheme, the number of such flyers is relatively small, and the overall number of miles being awarded is reduced significantly.
-- UA's revenue per passagner mile is roughly 16 cpm, so the 18 cpm breakeven for 1Ks is higher but not huge gap.
(BTW, due to the competitive pressure for HKG, the 9 cpm or so for the OP's fare is unusually low for W/V. )
-- Using the only "published" report to use as a benchmark, AS's study suggested 1/4 or so would have would have received the nearly the same or better -- believe AS stated 73% would be measurable worse off. Note: AS's revenue per passagner mile is less than UA's.
So making a guesstimate of 70/30 split help places the issue in some context. Still a 2:1 split but "relatively small" might suggest a worse situation.
More discussion on this occurred earlier.
Last edited by WineCountryUA; Jun 8, 2015 at 8:44 pm Reason: typo
#260
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The results do not translate directly to UA because UA, with its international network, has a much higher end to its fare structure.
Nonetheless, I stand by my "relatively small" statement. Think about how fares are distributed. You have the bulk of pax buying at the low end, between say 4 and 12 cpm and a very small number at the very high end, say 40-80 cpm. This puts the mean substantially above the median.
#261
Moderator: United Airlines
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AS found that only 5% would do materially better under a revenue based plan and that 73% would do materially worse. Airline runs numbers - shows nearly all customers lose under revenue based FFPs....
The fare distribution of UA is something neither of us know. All we can use is the data we have and then make our individual guesses. But to get the average 16 cpm, your model will have have to be quite lopsided and that does not fit normal realworld data.
#262
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2015 MileagePlus Program Updates Announced (Master/Consolidated Thread)
Of course the bulk of passengers are at the low end - that's the way the pricing has worked for years. Essentially these passengers (myself included) were getting a great deal for many years - fly 5 transcons @$200 and attain Silver + a free domestic rt flight. Same deal on WN - buy 16 cheap $29 or $39 flights and get a free system wide flight (even better during frequent 2x credit promos).
Those days are officially gone (or will be when AA follows suit). As are the Mileage upgrades on cheapo fares to Europe.
Unfortunately the only way to game the system now has nothing to do with flying. Churn credit cards and manufacture spend. And how long do you figure that will last?
Those days are officially gone (or will be when AA follows suit). As are the Mileage upgrades on cheapo fares to Europe.
Unfortunately the only way to game the system now has nothing to do with flying. Churn credit cards and manufacture spend. And how long do you figure that will last?
Last edited by Boraxo; Jun 9, 2015 at 12:13 am
#263
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And only 5% do materially better. I would call 1/20 a relatively small number.
I wouldn't call this a guess, at least not at the 30,000 foot level. We have a strong indication from AS's numbers how cpm distribute across the population of frequent flyers. And while those numbers won't translate directly to UA, I would be very surprised if the distribution was dramatically different. (And I would be particularly surprised to find a comparatively higher percentage of very HVF on AS, which suggests to me that if anything the UA figure might be less than 5%.)
The fare distribution of UA is something neither of us know. All we can use is the data we have and then make our individual guesses. But to get the average 16 cpm, your model will have have to be quite lopsided and that does not fit normal realworld data.
#264
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And I would call 27% doing better, same or nearly the same as not a relatively small number. It's all a matter how you want to view / position --- if a 1/4 to 1/3 passengers are positive to neutral and some portion of the lower fare passengers are not accumulating or really caring about miles creates a different image then saying only 5% are substantially better.
#265
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And I would call 27% doing better, same or nearly the same as not a relatively small number. It's all a matter how you want to view / position --- if a 1/4 to 1/3 passengers are positive to neutral and some portion of the lower fare passengers are not accumulating or really caring about miles creates a different image then saying only 5% are substantially better.
#266
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No one is stating the majority are not taking a hit, but the number not taking a hit is likely higher than the impression one would get from the discussion here.
#267
Join Date: Mar 2011
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Posts: 2,879
I've been wondering what program changes are in store for next year, specifically the PQD requirement. Historically, haven't they announced the "big changes" like this in June? I'm waiting to book anything, because if it goes up to 16K, I'm out. I'll become a Kayaker and buy business class on whoever's the cheapest.
Any speculation?
Any speculation?
#268
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I've been wondering what program changes are in store for next year, specifically the PQD requirement. Historically, haven't they announced the "big changes" like this in June? I'm waiting to book anything, because if it goes up to 16K, I'm out. I'll become a Kayaker and buy business class on whoever's the cheapest.
Any speculation?
Any speculation?
#269
Join Date: Oct 2005
Programs: Continental
Posts: 1,588
Delta made some program changes on 7/15....so far UA has not copied them...
#270
Join Date: Aug 2001
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75k award mile max
The 75k award mile max seems to be per ticket. I was just bought a C class ticket for work that cost close to $9k. Leaving lot of miles on the table due to that max.
What would have happened if they bought 2 one ways (assuming for business that the cost is same which it usually is)? Would I have earned up to 75k max per one way? Wouldn't have earned whole max but potentially been 11X (as 1k) times $4.5k each way
Will they see 2 1-ways as 1 ticket even if 2 different ticket numbers or is this way to get around 75k max?
What would have happened if they bought 2 one ways (assuming for business that the cost is same which it usually is)? Would I have earned up to 75k max per one way? Wouldn't have earned whole max but potentially been 11X (as 1k) times $4.5k each way
Will they see 2 1-ways as 1 ticket even if 2 different ticket numbers or is this way to get around 75k max?