Mar 12, 2015, 5:52 pm
Last edit by: WineCountryUA
Initial announcement thread - 2015 MileagePlus Change - RDMs Will Be Calculated by Spend, Not Distance
Update 2019 -- includes all partner flights on 016 ticket
for non-016 ticket , see Earning Status (PQP) on non-016 Tickets and Partner Metal
Spend-based mileage (RDM) earning for all UA metal flights effective March 1, 2015.
Redeemable Miles (RDM) changes highlights:
Multipliers based on Premier status: & (breakeven CPM)
For example, a 1K would earn 1100 miles for a $100 ticket while a Silver would earn 700 miles for the same ticket.
Note that for itineraries which span the March 1 changeover date, the existing scheme will apply to any segment departing prior to March 1 , the new scheme will apply to the segments departing March 1 or after.
Appears no extra mileage for using a Chase MP card than the standard card mileage earning
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 Sitewww.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:
Post 57: http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/23008349-post57.html
Answered Questions:
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.
Unanswered Questions:
Unknown, but the FAQ indicates that all UA and UAx flights issued by ANY airline would be subjected to the new earning rates. There are exceptions (group tickets, bulk tickets, etc) like "Specialty Tickets" as mentioned below.
It is mentioned in the FAQ: If applicable, Premier bonus award miles will be based on a member’s Premier status and the lower of the distance flown or miles awarded, per the chart above. Basically the bonus miles will be awarded but based on the lower number (i.e. distance flown for higher fares or the % based on fare). A 1K passenger purchasing F-fare from EWR-SFO would get only a 2565 mile bonus while a N-fare would get (50% of 2565) 1283 mile bonus. Still unclear what are the percentage bonus of each premier level but assume that it is the same (100% GS/1K, 75% Plat, 50% Gold, 25% Silver).
Specialty Tickets:
Update 2019 -- includes all partner flights on 016 ticket
for non-016 ticket , see Earning Status (PQP) on non-016 Tickets and Partner Metal
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
- Ticket price is defined as base fare plus carrier-imposed surcharges (PQD)
- 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)
Multipliers based on Premier status: & (breakeven CPM)
- x5 General Members -- (20 cpm)
- x7 Silver -- (17.86 cpm)
- x8 Gold -- (18.75 cpm)
- x9 Plat -- (19.44 cpm)
- x11 1K/GS -- (18.18 cpm)
For example, a 1K would earn 1100 miles for a $100 ticket while a Silver would earn 700 miles for the same ticket.
Note that for itineraries which span the March 1 changeover date, the existing scheme will apply to any segment departing prior to March 1 , the new scheme will apply to the segments departing March 1 or after.
Appears no extra mileage for using a Chase MP card than the standard card mileage earning
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.
Announcement Sitewww.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:
Post 57: http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/23008349-post57.html
Hi everyone,
Today we’re announcing changes to how MileagePlus members will earn award miles in 2015. We’ve 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.
As mentioned above, there are more details and a FAQ posted online, and over the next few days we’ll be communicating this information to our members.
Today we’re announcing changes to how MileagePlus members will earn award miles in 2015. We’ve 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.
As mentioned above, there are more details and a FAQ posted online, and over the next few days we’ll be communicating this information to our members.
Unanswered Questions:
It is mentioned in the FAQ: If applicable, Premier bonus award miles will be based on a member’s Premier status and the lower of the distance flown or miles awarded, per the chart above. Basically the bonus miles will be awarded but based on the lower number (i.e. distance flown for higher fares or the % based on fare). A 1K passenger purchasing F-fare from EWR-SFO would get only a 2565 mile bonus while a N-fare would get (50% of 2565) 1283 mile bonus. Still unclear what are the percentage bonus of each premier level but assume that it is the same (100% GS/1K, 75% Plat, 50% Gold, 25% Silver).
Specialty Tickets:
Specialty tickets that earn award miles in the current program (including, but not limited to consolidator/bulk, group, tour and other tickets where the fare paid is not disclosed on the ticket) will earn award miles based on a percentage of the distance flown and the purchased fare class as of March 1, 2015. Please refer to the chart below for details.
Eligible fare classes
Flight operated by United and United Express
150% - J, C, D, Z, P, F, A
100% - Y, B, M
75% - E, U, H, Q, V, W
50% - S, T, L, K, G, N
Eligible fare classes
Flight operated by United and United Express
150% - J, C, D, Z, P, F, A
100% - Y, B, M
75% - E, U, H, Q, V, W
50% - S, T, L, K, G, N
RDM earnings for UA tickets / UA operated flights - based on spend (PQD, now PQPs)
Mar 3, 2015, 10:08 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Apr 2014
Posts: 107
RDM earnings for UA tickets / UA operated flights - based on spend (PQD, now PQPs)
I had my first trip on March 1 with the new mileage earnings. I flew just under 5,000 miles and earned just under 1,800 miles into my account. Clearly I didn't read the new mileage award. I was about a purchase a ticket to OGG on United and based on the earning have switched to Alaska. This was a huge WAW moment to me. BTW I am Premier Platinum.
Mar 3, 2015, 10:19 pm
#3
Join Date: May 2003
Location: Slightly to the left of center
Posts: 3,475
I had my first trip on March 1 with the new mileage earnings. I flew just under 5,000 miles and earned just under 1,800 miles into my account. Clearly I didn't read the new mileage award. I was about a purchase a ticket to OGG on United and based on the earning have switched to Alaska. This was a huge WAW moment to me. BTW I am Premier Platinum.
Mar 3, 2015, 10:27 pm
#5
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: 66,850
To have gotten 100% mileage and some sort of elite bonus, would have been equivalent to 1/2 to 2/3 refund if you evaluate miles @ 1.5cpm. This is part of the reason for the change.
Last edited by WineCountryUA; Mar 3, 2015 at 10:47 pm Reason: included elite bonus
Mar 4, 2015, 1:53 am
#6
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: London & Sonoma CA
Programs: UA 1K, MM *G for life, BAEC Gold
Posts: 10,224
Too true. At the same time, UA has to offer some inducement to fly on its planes and experience its "service" over that of other carriers. Will E+ suffice now that MP is no longer a strong programme? I suspect it will as long as the economy remains strong and UA continues to shrink relative to other airlines. If either turns, I suspect we'll see UA start scrambling to be friendlier to customers.
Mar 4, 2015, 5:08 am
#7
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: Between AUS, EWR, and YTO In a little twisty maze of airline seats, all alike.. but I wanna go home with the armadillo
Programs: CO, NW, & UA forum moderator emeritus
Posts: 35,415
st people (who are not as intimately familiar with the nuances of the program as most of us are) will be thoroughly confused by that.
Mar 4, 2015, 7:43 am
#9
Join Date: Mar 2007
Posts: 4,966
Hm... should I be concerned about this? Booked a Flight from SFO-LAX-LHR-LAX-SFO.
First leg miles have posted, but it seems very strange.
SFO-LAX: 1,593 miles
LAX-LHR: 621
Given the fare breakdown below will I get most of the miles once the whole trip has posted? By my calculations I should get $791 x 9 = 7029 miles (PP), but not right if the miles are correct I will barely get 4,426 miles RT.
Fare Breakdown
Airfare: 323.00 USD
U.S. Customs User Fee: 5.50
U.S. Immigration User Fee: 7.00
U.S. APHIS User Fee: 5.00
U.S. Federal Transportation Tax: 35.40
September 11th Security Fee: 11.20
U.K. Air Passenger Duty: 106.60
U.K. Passenger Service Charge: 65.00
International Surcharge: 458.00
U.S. Passenger Facility Charge: 13.50
Per Person Total: 1,030.20 USD
First leg miles have posted, but it seems very strange.
SFO-LAX: 1,593 miles
LAX-LHR: 621
Given the fare breakdown below will I get most of the miles once the whole trip has posted? By my calculations I should get $791 x 9 = 7029 miles (PP), but not right if the miles are correct I will barely get 4,426 miles RT.
Fare Breakdown
Airfare: 323.00 USD
U.S. Customs User Fee: 5.50
U.S. Immigration User Fee: 7.00
U.S. APHIS User Fee: 5.00
U.S. Federal Transportation Tax: 35.40
September 11th Security Fee: 11.20
U.K. Air Passenger Duty: 106.60
U.K. Passenger Service Charge: 65.00
International Surcharge: 458.00
U.S. Passenger Facility Charge: 13.50
Per Person Total: 1,030.20 USD
Mar 4, 2015, 10:40 am
#12
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Washington, DC
Programs: UA -1MM, SPG - Lifetime Gold
Posts: 197
For anyone that flew on 2/28, keep an eye on the posting date.
I flew IAD-BAH on 2/28 but the miles posted with a date of 3/1, so I only got credited based on the price instead of the distance.
I emailed MP Service Center and they quickly got back to me saying they would change the date back to 2/28 so I would get proper credit.
I flew IAD-BAH on 2/28 but the miles posted with a date of 3/1, so I only got credited based on the price instead of the distance.
I emailed MP Service Center and they quickly got back to me saying they would change the date back to 2/28 so I would get proper credit.
Mar 4, 2015, 11:08 am
#13
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: IAD/DCA/BWI
Programs: Hyatt Globalist (2020:Exp), United Gold
Posts: 1,525
$781 x 9 = 7029, but otherwise your math looks good to me.
Hopefully the outbound and return will be different, and it will all add up. Are they different fare classes? That would definitely explain the assymetry.
Also out of curiosity, what were the PQDs posted on those segments? Is it 9 x PQD = RDM?
BTW, UA says this about how they allocate to each segment:
Hopefully the outbound and return will be different, and it will all add up. Are they different fare classes? That would definitely explain the assymetry.
Also out of curiosity, what were the PQDs posted on those segments? Is it 9 x PQD = RDM?
BTW, UA says this about how they allocate to each segment:
We use an industry-standard method to determine the portion of the ticket’s base fare and carrier-imposed surcharge value to allocate to each eligible flight segment. This method takes into account both the distance of the flight and the cabin you purchased.
Has anyone been able to come up with the formula, based on what's been posted to their account? It's definitely not just distance, even on a single fare.Hm... should I be concerned about this? Booked a Flight from SFO-LAX-LHR-LAX-SFO.
First leg miles have posted, but it seems very strange.
SFO-LAX: 1,593 miles
LAX-LHR: 621
Given the fare breakdown below will I get most of the miles once the whole trip has posted? By my calculations I should get $791 x 9 = 7029 miles (PP), but not right if the miles are correct I will barely get 4,426 miles RT.
Fare Breakdown
Airfare: 323.00 USD
U.S. Customs User Fee: 5.50
U.S. Immigration User Fee: 7.00
U.S. APHIS User Fee: 5.00
U.S. Federal Transportation Tax: 35.40
September 11th Security Fee: 11.20
U.K. Air Passenger Duty: 106.60
U.K. Passenger Service Charge: 65.00
International Surcharge: 458.00
U.S. Passenger Facility Charge: 13.50
Per Person Total: 1,030.20 USD
First leg miles have posted, but it seems very strange.
SFO-LAX: 1,593 miles
LAX-LHR: 621
Given the fare breakdown below will I get most of the miles once the whole trip has posted? By my calculations I should get $791 x 9 = 7029 miles (PP), but not right if the miles are correct I will barely get 4,426 miles RT.
Fare Breakdown
Airfare: 323.00 USD
U.S. Customs User Fee: 5.50
U.S. Immigration User Fee: 7.00
U.S. APHIS User Fee: 5.00
U.S. Federal Transportation Tax: 35.40
September 11th Security Fee: 11.20
U.K. Air Passenger Duty: 106.60
U.K. Passenger Service Charge: 65.00
International Surcharge: 458.00
U.S. Passenger Facility Charge: 13.50
Per Person Total: 1,030.20 USD
Mar 4, 2015, 11:37 am
#15
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: where lions are led by donkeys...
Programs: Lifetime Gold, Global Entry, Hertz PC, and my wallet
Posts: 20,340
So I guess the rule of thumb when adding the components up is anything with US or UK (in this case) in front of it does not count as "the fare", everything else is added together (I make it 781 too), ie. 323 + 458 = 781, and in this Platinum case times by 9 ? Is that safe to assume?