May 1, 2021, 1:27 pm
Last edit by: WineCountryUA
Award travel updates
The details:
Archive: "Dynamic Award Pricing" by UA; questions, experiences, .... {Archive}
Introducing a broader range of award prices
Updates to award travel are on the horizon. For flights on or after November 15, 2019, we’ll no longer publish an award chart listing the set amount of miles needed for each flight.The details:
- Some award prices will be lower than what’s currently published in our chart. You may have already seen these prices, and you’ll be able to get them immediately.
- Other award prices may be higher than what you see today, especially if you’re traveling at a popular time. These prices will take effect immediately for travel November 15 or after.
- Starting November 15, we’re removing close-in fees, so you won’t be charged the extra fee of up to $75 for booking last-minute award travel.
- A flexible award travel calendar is available on united.com or in our app.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is changing?
For travel on or after November 15, we will no longer publish an award chart listing the set amount of miles needed for award flights. Award pricing will now fluctuate based on a variety of factors, including demand. Additionally, starting November 15, we will no longer charge a fee of up to $75 for award flights booked within 21 days of departure.When will these updates take effect?
The award pricing changes apply immediately to flights on or after November 15, 2019. Until then, award prices will be the same as or lower than what’s currently published in our award chart.How many miles will I need for award travel after November 15?
Award prices will now fluctuate based on a variety of factors. Some air awards will be available for less than what’s listed in our chart, which you may have already noticed. After November 15, award prices may also be higher, especially if you’re traveling at popular times. Use our flexible award calendar to get a monthly view of the award prices for a specific destination.Why are you making these changes?
Increasing award prices for the most in-demand flights allows us to offer better returns for our shareholders. If your award travel is flexible, these updates will help you make the most of your miles.How will these updates affect award travel availability?
United MileagePlus members with Premier® status and qualifying United Chase Cardmembers can continue to book award travel without blackout dates. For other members, most award flights that are available today will continue to be available after these updates take effect.Do the lowest-priced awards have any extra flight restrictions?
No. Our lowest priced awards do not have any added restrictions; the fare rules for all award travel apply.How can I find the lowest priced award for my travel?
The award calendar on united.com or in our app will continue to show the lowest available price for your destination.Will I earn miles on my flight if I book an award?
No. As with current award bookings, award travel in the future will not be eligible to earn miles with MileagePlus or any other loyalty program.What if I need to change my existing award?
If you need to change your award ticket, you will be issued a new ticket for which new pricing and additional fees may apply.What if I purchase a close-in award before November 15
The close-in booking fee will still apply to all tickets booked within 21 days of departure prior to November 15, 2019. We will not refund fees paid prior to November 15, even if travel occurs on or after November 15.
Archive: "Dynamic Award Pricing" by UA; questions, experiences, .... {Archive}
"Dynamic Award Pricing" by UA; questions, experiences, .... (No Award Chart Nov 2019)
Feb 5, 2023, 8:14 pm
#46
Join Date: Oct 2018
Programs: United 1k, HH Diamond, Bonvoy Ambassador and LT-Gold
Posts: 1,655
PanAmWT - which is interesting in that about a month ago, UA was running a special and I was able to score RT DEN-OGG, non-stop, in E+ for 15k each way (I booked as 2 separate 1-way and I think if I booked at a RT together I could have gotten RT for 25k total) - and there was wide open availability.... and on the return flight, which is a redeye 777 - was able to get an entire row of 4 seats to stretch out and sleep...... spent a nice week in OGG in the end of Jan.....
-m
-m
Feb 11, 2023, 7:59 am
#47
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: PHL
Programs: UA Plat, 2MM
Posts: 1,860
Mileage Tickets Ridiculous
I have been looking for a Business Award from PHL-BKK for months for the summer or fall. I find nothing under 300,000 miles. I love UA "Dynamic Pricing". or robbery might be another word. No reason to fly UA and acquire miles.
Feb 11, 2023, 8:05 am
#48
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Barcelona, London, on a plane
Programs: BA Silver, TK E+, AA PP, Hyatt Globalist, Marriott LT Plat, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 13,041
Feb 11, 2023, 8:47 am
#49
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Anywhere but home
Programs: UA 1K/MM, DL GM/MM, HH Dia, PC Plat, MR Gold, ALL Sil,
Posts: 4,552
I've also been searching for flights to BKK from DTW, ORD, and from a few others, and have found quite a few for 99K in business over the past few months. The schedules sometimes aren't very good but at least they've been options.
Try looking for flights on AA or DL - it's rare to find a business class seat for any date on AA, and on DL, they're 395K or 410K each way.
Try looking for flights on AA or DL - it's rare to find a business class seat for any date on AA, and on DL, they're 395K or 410K each way.
Feb 11, 2023, 9:18 am
#50
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: IAH
Programs: Former UA1K transitioning to WFBF mentality
Posts: 779
UA releases a lot of space last minute. IAH-NRT is I5 tomorrow, EWR-NRT is I6 on Feb 14. Some limited availability thru start of March on NH in business to TYO. You will have hard time getting TYO-BKK in business - will have to be NH and their intra-Asia space is harder to find. The way to do it is to book 300k and drop to cheaper pricing closer-in. Or to book a cash ticket in J. NYC-SE Asia has a few sweet spots under $3k round trip.
EDIT: Miles can still be “ridiculously” good (not just bad). Getting F for peanuts in taxes to NRT/HND/FRA, for instance.
EDIT: Miles can still be “ridiculously” good (not just bad). Getting F for peanuts in taxes to NRT/HND/FRA, for instance.
Feb 11, 2023, 9:25 am
#51
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2003
Posts: 23,041
I've also been searching for flights to BKK from DTW, ORD, and from a few others, and have found quite a few for 99K in business over the past few months. The schedules sometimes aren't very good but at least they've been options.
Try looking for flights on AA or DL - it's rare to find a business class seat for any date on AA, and on DL, they're 395K or 410K each way.
Try looking for flights on AA or DL - it's rare to find a business class seat for any date on AA, and on DL, they're 395K or 410K each way.
If you are flying out of US/Canada, the cheapest DL award levels to BKK look to be out of SEA at 235K miles each way. But these awards have roundtrip booking requirement (they can't be booked as one-way's and you will never see them offered if doing one-way searches), as well as a 7 day minimum stay requirement. Expecting to find anything cheaper than that out of US/Canada with DL will likely be fruitless due to recent DL/partner metal award level harmonization out of US/Canada.
Last edited by xliioper; Feb 11, 2023 at 10:08 am
Feb 11, 2023, 9:38 am
#52
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: NYC / TYO / Up in the Air
Programs: UA GS 1.7MM, AA 2.1MM, EK, BA, SQ, CX, Marriot LT, Accor P
Posts: 6,301
I agree - it's very frustrating. I would suggest you broaden your search to APAC cities with cheap / easy flights to BKK - SIN, HKG, TYO, TPE, ICN -- and see if you can lock down the long flight to AP and then look for the add on fight...
Feb 11, 2023, 10:04 am
#53
Community Director Emerita
Join Date: Oct 2000
Location: Anywhere warm
Posts: 33,742
If you have AMEX points, look at what you can find on Singapore Airlines. If you find availability, then transfer points. Be aware that Singapore has an expiration date on their points.
Feb 11, 2023, 10:31 am
#54
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2017
Programs: AS 75K, DL Silver, UA Platinum, Hilton Gold, Hyatt Discoverist, Marriott Platinum + LT Gold
Posts: 10,496
Alaska is still the best TPAC redemption for US programs based on my experience.
But, in general, diversification can help open up more options than just one airline/alliance program(s). Also, be willing to reposition and be flexible in general.
But, in general, diversification can help open up more options than just one airline/alliance program(s). Also, be willing to reposition and be flexible in general.
Feb 11, 2023, 10:49 am
#55
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: PHX
Programs: AS 75K; UA 1MM; Hyatt Globalist; Marriott LTP; Hilton Diamond (Aspire)
Posts: 56,448
Nothing new here. It's been bleak for quite some time. I find UA generally has the worst redemption options overall of the US majors, though there are always exceptions and good deals can still be found.
Feb 11, 2023, 1:14 pm
#57
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Austin, TX
Posts: 21,388
The very first date I tried -- Tuesday, Oct 10 -- had 99K award availability from PHL to BKK. Of course, it's PHL/EWR/LFW/ADD/BKK and takes 44 hours. There are some 200K options that are reasonable timewise but are mixed cabin. If I click over to Sat. Oct 7, I get a similar 99K award through Addis Ababa, but also a 104K award PHL-DUB-ARN-BKK in like 30 hours, which is par for the course. The 30 day calendar shows no days over 200K for the minimum, and even pulls up a couple of 82.5K awards in July and August, assuming your profile is up-to-date and you're UA Plat.
I'm not going to argue that 200K each way is some fantastic price, but if you're flexible, the 82.5K and 99K awards are as low as they're going to get.
Feb 11, 2023, 1:31 pm
#58
Join Date: Jun 2017
Location: SEA/NYC/IAD
Programs: UA 1K, Marriott Titanium, Hyatt Explorist
Posts: 1,919
Feb 11, 2023, 2:31 pm
#59
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Danville, CA, USA;
Programs: UA 1MM, WN CP, Marriott LT Plat, Hilton Gold, IC Plat
Posts: 15,720
Rare dissent on this point though of course it is very much YMMV depending on how you try to use your miles. Over past decade I have had far more success finding saver pricing for UA itineraries originating on West Coast, though it requires some patience and jumping when rare windows open (like the recent LAX-LHR flights). By saver I mean 60-77k TATL & TPAC biz, 12.5k domestic (rarely used but useful for ASE and other pricey flights), and 17.5k Mexico. I don't accumulate much on AA but have also found 57.5-60k TATL biz. I have never found anything I needed on AS though there are often sweet spots on JAL and Finnair. DL is the worst (not the least bc one-ways cost extra) and of course WN does not offer C international.
Feb 11, 2023, 3:03 pm
#60
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: BOS, PVG
Programs: United 1K and 1MM, Marriott Ambassador
Posts: 10,000
Rare dissent on this point though of course it is very much YMMV depending on how you try to use your miles. Over past decade I have had far more success finding saver pricing for UA itineraries originating on West Coast, though it requires some patience and jumping when rare windows open (like the recent LAX-LHR flights). By saver I mean 60-77k TATL & TPAC biz, 12.5k domestic (rarely used but useful for ASE and other pricey flights), and 17.5k Mexico. I don't accumulate much on AA but have also found 57.5-60k TATL biz. I have never found anything I needed on AS though there are often sweet spots on JAL and Finnair.
DL is the worst (not the least bc one-ways cost extra) and of course WN does not offer C international.
DL is the worst (not the least bc one-ways cost extra) and of course WN does not offer C international.
DL is the worst. Period.