Originally Posted by
CrazyInteg
It is odd indeed. I would think they would actually encourage routing through Europe next year to get you to spend more miles on Star Alliance partners.
I doubt it. Even with the increased mileage redemption rates for partners, it's still going to be better for UA financially for you to redeem awards on UA metal: for those flights, their only cost is the marginal fuel and catering. For partner flights, they have to pay cash to the partner at whatever the settlement rate is.