The concept of mileage earnings based on revenue makes sense to me. It's logical, and I would have been 100% in support of it, had the execution of it been even remotely balanced or "fair"...fair always being in the eye of the beholder.

My understanding was that United wanted to reward those who fly on normal fares, and above. And reward those less who flew on deeply discounted fares. And perhaps this is indeed how it is working, except that I always thought "deeply discounted" fares were basically "s" and below. It would seem United's definition of deeply discounted is "e" and below.

The new scheme will work fine for those who travel on a corporate dime, and who never pay for tickets out of their own pocket, which there are plenty of such travelers in the world, so United should find plenty of them.

For those who pay for their own tickets, in one way or another, such as the self-employed or small business owners and employees, this new scheme is probably not going to make United a good choice at least in terms of Mileage rewards.

Aside from mileage, United comes in at the bottom of every customer focused service survey there is, has an abysmal on-time record, the worst food and service in first class of all the airlines (still the only carrier with no pillows--as a small example of their indifference), a lousy boarding experience for top status and first class flyers, policies on flight changes and reticketing that are brutally punishing even for 1K flyers, terrible irrops handling. Otherwise, it's a great airline to be devoted to.

For many, the loyalty game had made it worthwhile to put up with all of the above, because there was some level of reward in exchange, such as upgrades to that sub-par first class cabin, and a mileage rewards programs that was indeed rewarding.

The upgrades are gone, and now the reward program is probably the worst in the industry, and that's a pretty low bar that was set by Delta. Reward availability has been drying up in my experience, and I've read that other's have noticed this as well. Add to this the increases in miles required for partner airlines, which was something I found very amusing from an optics point of view, the headline there read: United acknowledges that it's partner's product is worth more than it's own, by in some cases doubling the miles required to fly partner airlines.

In the end, I'm not sure why even those flying on someone else's dime would stick with United? If you're likely to get the same in terms of "refund" (as some here seem to think of the loyalty program being) on Delta or United, why wouldn't you want the better product on Delta? you won't get upgraded there either, but at least if you do fly in First, you'll get a decent meal, and snacks, a nice pillow and blanket, as consistent hard product (not a hotchpotch of seat pitches, coverings and configurations), real priority boarding, and attentive service from a crew that doesn't hate their CEO.

Had this last change been equitable, for me, that would be if ground zero was at "w" class (fares above W got more than before, W got the same, and fares below W got less than before) I'd consider remaining with United at least for another year to see if other changes I actually do like will materialize.

On my first trip with the new scheme, LAX-GVA (arriving in GVA 4 hours, late of course, though due to Swiss) returning from FRA-LAX (arriving at LAX 7 hours late) booked in W bucket I earned 14,597 spendable miles. This is slightly more than half the miles I would have earned (26, 368) on the old scheme. This is an unreasonable hit to the so-called "refund" (which btw is absurd, since it's not a refund in any way, shape or form, as the refund comes in miles which can and do change in value at the stroke of an email, or by changing availability of redemption). I would have been OK with this return on a cheep, T bucket fare...but this wasn't cheep, it wasn't deeply discounted, in fact it was $1,200 more than the lowest fare at time of purchase.

As is, it's time for a status match and departure. Delta, doesn't particularly appeal to me, but I may gamble with AA in hopes that they will continue to value and respect customers who purchase products with a consideration of how those purchases affect THEIR bottom-line.