2015 MileagePlus Change - Co-Pay Required for All Mileage-Supported Upgrades on p.s.
Nov 19, 2014, 7:00 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Apr 1999
Location: San Francisco, CA, USA
Programs: Hyatt LT Globalist, Marriot LT Titanium, UA 2.4MM, HH Gold, AS MVPG
Posts: 3,400
2015 MileagePlus Change - Co-Pay Required for All Mileage-Supported Upgrades on p.s.
Hi everyone,
...MileagePlus is making updates to some Premier benefits for the 2015 Premier program, which will be communicated to members later today. To learn more, please visit united.com/premier.
-UA Insider
...MileagePlus is making updates to some Premier benefits for the 2015 Premier program, which will be communicated to members later today. To learn more, please visit united.com/premier.
-UA Insider
1. No co-pay waiver for PS upgrades for Premier Members. - not great but not as bad as DL. So hopefully it will make upgrade space easier on those routes??
2. Award travel will no longer carry the status of the person whose miles where used, instead status of person actually traveling. (I think this is a good thing).
Last edited by FlyinHawaiian; Nov 19, 2014 at 8:46 am Reason: new thread for p.s. change
Nov 19, 2014, 7:13 am
#2
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2002
Location: San Francisco/Tel Aviv/YYZ
Programs: CO 1K-MM
Posts: 10,762
Just glanced thru. Biggest changes:
thanks United, for sneaking these in, glad you have our backs!
Nov 19, 2014, 7:35 am
#3
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2012
Posts: 19,508
The Copa announcement raises an interesting question. Suppose I like Copa's FF program (when the details are announced next March) rules and benefits more than MP? Can I "switch" my status (and accumulated miles) to Copa?
Nov 19, 2014, 7:50 am
#4
Join Date: May 2005
Programs: Million Miler, 1K - Basically spend a lot of time on planes
Posts: 2,202
2015 MileagePlus Program and Copa Relationship Update
I do PS upgrades all the time. As a 1K, what is the change?, they will now charge a fee along with the instruments (miles, certs) to upgrade ?. If the fee is anything significant, this would be the final nail for me as upgrading those PS is a huge part of what my business is with UA.
Nov 19, 2014, 7:56 am
#5
Original Member
Join Date: May 1998
Location: CT/NY
Programs: UA 1K/1MM, AA EXP, Marriott LT Titanium, Hyatt Globalist, IHG Plat Amb
Posts: 6,020
Just added a wiki to track all the changes.
Depending on the fare, it can be quite significant:
Y/B $0
M/E/U $75
H/Q $125
V $175
W $225
S/T/K/L/G/N $250
I do PS upgrades all the time. As a 1K, what is the change?, they will now charge a fee along with the instruments (miles, certs) to upgrade ?. If the fee is anything significant, this would be the final nail for me as upgrading those PS is a huge part of what my business is with UA.
Y/B $0
M/E/U $75
H/Q $125
V $175
W $225
S/T/K/L/G/N $250
Nov 19, 2014, 8:07 am
#6
Join Date: Sep 2005
Programs: UA gold; WN A; PC plat; Marriott Gold
Posts: 425
I do PS upgrades all the time. As a 1K, what is the change?, they will now charge a fee along with the instruments (miles, certs) to upgrade ?. If the fee is anything significant, this would be the final nail for me as upgrading those PS is a huge part of what my business is with UA.
Nov 19, 2014, 8:42 am
#7
Join Date: May 2012
Location: Westchester NY
Programs: UA GS 4+ MM
Posts: 373
The copay on PS flights will dramatically reduce the use of MP miles for upgrades and lead to some empty seats upfront.
It becomes more cost effective for elites just to just buy $1K one way BF seats. A one way K fare of $200, plus a $250 copay, plus $400 (the approx value of 20k miles) and you are at $850 for an unconfirmed seat. Plus, by buying the BF seat at $1k versus an economy seat for $200, you get another 8,800 miles under the new earning scheme (11x).
Will also reduce all the 1K's who use their miles for family members to upgrade.
All those critics who say UA can't come up with an original idea, looks like they proved you wrong. Can't believe they couldn't come up with an exception for GS and 1Ks.
It becomes more cost effective for elites just to just buy $1K one way BF seats. A one way K fare of $200, plus a $250 copay, plus $400 (the approx value of 20k miles) and you are at $850 for an unconfirmed seat. Plus, by buying the BF seat at $1k versus an economy seat for $200, you get another 8,800 miles under the new earning scheme (11x).
Will also reduce all the 1K's who use their miles for family members to upgrade.
All those critics who say UA can't come up with an original idea, looks like they proved you wrong. Can't believe they couldn't come up with an exception for GS and 1Ks.
Nov 19, 2014, 8:49 am
#8
Join Date: May 2005
Programs: Million Miler, 1K - Basically spend a lot of time on planes
Posts: 2,202
The copay on PS flights will dramatically reduce the use of MP miles for upgrades and lead to some empty seats upfront.
It becomes more cost effective for elites just to just buy $1K one way BF seats. A one way K fare of $200, plus a $250 copay, plus $400 (the approx value of 20k miles) and you are at $850 for an unconfirmed seat. Plus, by buying the BF seat at $1k versus an economy seat for $200, you get another 8,800 miles under the new earning scheme (11x).
Will also reduce all the 1K's who use their miles for family members to upgrade.
All those critics who say UA can't come up with an original idea, looks like they proved you wrong. Can't believe they couldn't come up with an exception for GS and 1Ks.
It becomes more cost effective for elites just to just buy $1K one way BF seats. A one way K fare of $200, plus a $250 copay, plus $400 (the approx value of 20k miles) and you are at $850 for an unconfirmed seat. Plus, by buying the BF seat at $1k versus an economy seat for $200, you get another 8,800 miles under the new earning scheme (11x).
Will also reduce all the 1K's who use their miles for family members to upgrade.
All those critics who say UA can't come up with an original idea, looks like they proved you wrong. Can't believe they couldn't come up with an exception for GS and 1Ks.
Nov 19, 2014, 8:52 am
#9
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: PBI / FLL / YUL
Programs: UA 1K, Delta Plat, AA Plat, Marriott Titanium, Hilton Diamond, Hyatt Courtesy Card
Posts: 1,983
Nov 19, 2014, 8:53 am
#10
Suspended
Join Date: Jun 2012
Programs: UA PP, AA, DL, BA, CX, SPG, HHonors
Posts: 2,002
so pay a p.s. on K fare, something like $250 for general member, $200 silver, $150 gold, $100 platinum, $0 1K/GS
Nov 19, 2014, 8:54 am
#11
Join Date: May 2005
Programs: Million Miler, 1K - Basically spend a lot of time on planes
Posts: 2,202
Besides, If I wanted to buy a big seat on the coast to coast flights, I'd pay $599 and do it on Jetblue which offers a significantly better premium product on the route. Being able to redeem miles and upgrade is the only benefit that matter to many. United Airlines trails in most departments compared to the competition, so if I am going to have to pay full price for the products (as opposed to benefiting from my status), then I will pay my money to the one that offers me a good product. United Airlines loses that money more or less every time.
Nov 19, 2014, 8:56 am
#12
Join Date: Oct 2008
Programs: UA 1K, 1MM
Posts: 504
Just glanced thru. Biggest changes:
1. No co-pay waiver for PS upgrades for Premier Members. - not great but not as bad as DL. So hopefully it will make upgrade space easier on those routes??
2. Award travel will no longer carry the status of the person whose miles where used, instead status of person actually traveling. (I think this is a good thing).
1. No co-pay waiver for PS upgrades for Premier Members. - not great but not as bad as DL. So hopefully it will make upgrade space easier on those routes??
2. Award travel will no longer carry the status of the person whose miles where used, instead status of person actually traveling. (I think this is a good thing).
2. This one actually bothers me if I'm going out of the way to buy a ticket for a family member or close friend with my miles I am getting them the whole experience, including the luggage, seating, etc. Big
from me on this one.
Nov 19, 2014, 8:57 am
#13
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 1999
Location: ORD/MDW
Programs: BA/AA/AS/B6/WN/ UA/HH/MR and more like 'em but most felicitously & importantly MUCCI
Posts: 19,719
Nov 19, 2014, 9:35 am
#14
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: PHX
Programs: AS 75K; UA 1MM; Hyatt Globalist; Marriott LTP; Hilton Diamond (Aspire)
Posts: 56,467
This is a horrible change.
t-cons into JFK are the most important domestic routes for all three legacies and for many of their most elite customers (and many of the members of this forum, as well).
Nov 19, 2014, 9:38 am
#15
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Join Date: Jul 1999
Location: Ewa Beach, Hawaii
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