Changes to MP Award Redemptions, Effective 15 June 2011 (UA Insider comments post 61)
#151
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Dallas, TX
Programs: AA EXP, SPG Ambassador/Plat, Hyatt Diamond
Posts: 590
So that New York to Chicago flights aren't available at the cheaper mileage levels. And a host of other calculated reasons...
#152
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: San Francisco
Programs: All-Around Kettle
Posts: 3,284
Hi joshc40, the mileage upgrade award copay waiver for Elite members will continue to apply to ps flights (which are not otherwise eligible for complimentary Elite upgrades). Sorry I wasn't clear about that. In addition, copays will be waived for Elites on United flights between the U.S. and Hawaii. That's new.
Also, Scott, I echo the sentiment that your method of delivery of the news (acknowledging the bad with the good) is very much appreciated.
Perhaps it has something to do with Chicago to New York being between 700 and 750 miles. I wouldn't call it "petty" if there was a good reason for it.
#153
In Memoriam
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: BUR/LAX
Programs: UA 1K, RCC; AA EXP; HH Diamond; CC Gold
Posts: 693
I drafted up a summary of the Saver award changes for departures from the Mainland US, Alaska & Canada, as reading through both charts made my eyes hurt:
http://frequentlyflying.com/united-a...e-june-15-2011
http://frequentlyflying.com/united-a...e-june-15-2011
#154
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Arlington, VA
Programs: UA 1K, AA PLT, SPG PLT
Posts: 1,612
The redemption rate was obviously ridiculously good when flying from NRT to BKK or SIN in UA and the really nice thing was that it was usually REALLY easy to find availability on those flights...
Now, with no reason to fly UA, I'm hoping (at least from the folks here on FT) that the only reason that people will choose UA is unfortunately, availability.
-jeremy
#155
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: COS
Programs: UA Gold/1.5MM (several years running now!), Marriott LTTE, Hertz Prez
Posts: 1,899
And I agree that redeeming RDMs for upgrades is not a particularly good deal anymore. I don't recall the exact levels but it wasn't too many years ago that the number of miles earned (assuming status entitles one to double-RDMs) was roughly the number of miles required for an upgrade. And copay was something you did at your Dr's office.
#156
In Memoriam, FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: Durham, NC (RDU/GSO/CLT)
Programs: AA EXP/MM, DL GM, UA Platinum, HH DIA, Hyatt Explorist, IHG Platinum, Marriott Titanium, Hertz PC
Posts: 33,857
The reduced price for short awards and the one way award option both make me very happy ^
#157
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: Between AUS, EWR, and YTO In a little twisty maze of airline seats, all alike...
Programs: CO, NW, & UA forum moderator emeritus
Posts: 35,316
Scott, maybe this is obvious from your answer but help me out here. I've already purchased tix for two trips later this year, and for both I arranged for the copay plus miles at the time of purchase to guarantee seat in business class. Do the changes as you've outlined them affect me at all, or not? thanks.
Why did they do this? So NYC-ORD and EWR-ATL no lnger qualify. PHL-ORD, PHL-ATL ORD-ATL and SFO-SEA (among others) still do.
#158
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: LAX
Posts: 10,901
I am not sure why there is no reason to fly UA intra-asia. New C is better than most regional and some longhauls offerings on other carriers, there is still E+ in Y and service and food quality is far (really far) better on those routes vs that from US.
#159
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: WAS
Programs: UA1K .455 MM, Hilton and Marriott Gold
Posts: 397
NA to/from EUR Y->C upgrades
15k to upgrade Y -> C and 20k to upgrade B -> C
Upgrades from C -> F are only 20k! ...?!?! Atleast keep the 10k level for Y and make B 15k...
Major downer for my future travel as I really liked the 10k upgrades.
Upgrades from C -> F are only 20k! ...?!?! Atleast keep the 10k level for Y and make B 15k...
Major downer for my future travel as I really liked the 10k upgrades.
#160
Join Date: Aug 2004
Posts: 503
Thanks!
Thanks for making life easier for so many of us!
I drafted up a summary of the Saver award changes for departures from the Mainland US, Alaska & Canada, as reading through both charts made my eyes hurt:
http://frequentlyflying.com/united-a...e-june-15-2011
http://frequentlyflying.com/united-a...e-june-15-2011
#161
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Arlington, VA
Programs: UA 1K, AA PLT, SPG PLT
Posts: 1,612
+E: Some carriers (Asiana on 777) have as much legroom in Y as United does in E+, plus most others on most jets are better than E-, so you don't gain much at all, if anything.
Food on the intra-asia routes is better than what it is From the US, but that doesn't say anything at ALL about comparing apples to apples, that is, the food between UA and NH, OZ, TG or SQ.
I've been in Y on all of the aforementioned carriers and would easily take any of them over a flight in UA for the same mileage redemption.
Count in the schedules, the flight options or the benefits (amentity kits on some flights, for instance) and I still don't know why anyone would choose UA over the asian carriers, unless they didn't know the difference
-jeremy
#163
In Memoriam
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: BUR/LAX
Programs: UA 1K, RCC; AA EXP; HH Diamond; CC Gold
Posts: 693
#164
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: Washington, DC
Programs: Star Alliance Gold/UA Mileage Plus Premier 1K
Posts: 257
[QUOTE=xyzzy;16053171]If you're already ticketed, the changes do not apply. If you are ticketed before June 15, 2011. the changes do not apply.
Thanks - but just to confirm, "ticketed" means what exactly? everything shows up fine in the online itineraries, with the "upgrade: confirmed" clearly there.........and the miles have already been removed from my account, but the copay does not actually get charged until flight time.........
Thanks - but just to confirm, "ticketed" means what exactly? everything shows up fine in the online itineraries, with the "upgrade: confirmed" clearly there.........and the miles have already been removed from my account, but the copay does not actually get charged until flight time.........
#165
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: eastern Europe & NC
Posts: 4,527
I was keeping my fingers crossed that this merger would go okay, unlike DL's takeover of NW, but this is giving me very negative vibes.
One other thing I look at is corporate honesty and that is absolutely lacking here. They claim the reason for the changes is to align the programs, but both UA and CO have been 55K miles for TATL awards and now both are raised to 60K. That is not aligning programs. That is hosing the passengers! It is also a clear example of corporate dishonesty.
It looks like I will be taking a closer look at AA.