sydneyslug

United's removal of Saver business class redemptions mean that it is no longer possible to book redemption RTW on any Star Alliance network. Transiting the USA is a critical point in most RTW itineraries (although *A is easier to achieve via South America than one world). Even the cheapest redemption flight under UA's new variable pricing structure do not appear on the Krisflyer redemption booking engine, for example. This is not so much a devaluation as a systemic breakdown of what an alliance used to be. This forum is very North America centric given the reader base, so maybe a small percentage care. For us in Australia where every proper overseas trip starts with a 14 hour at least flight, this is a big deal.

I imagine UA doesn't care at all that a byproduct of their decision is the first step in the end of the alliance being of any use to non UA members, but it means I will no longer direct points to Singapore Airlines. I will look to use my half million mile balance (that expires unlike for example Qantas as long as you show activity once every 18 months) before they fritter away to uselessness. Lots of Aussie like to back Qantas and lots like to fire shots at them but as the only proper airline based in Australia i can rely on them for decent FF recognition. In terms of incentives, their programmes are certainly going to make me more likely to fly with the kangaroo than pre lockdown.

Dover2Golf

UA withdrawing wouldn't bother me, to cross the Pacific I always use AC or NZ to YVR. There's plenty of choice without including UA or for that matter SQ who play the same hard to get games.

Kacee

I'm not sure what you're referring to. UA still offers I inventory though they no longer publish a chart. Availability is not very good, but still better than several of its partners, including NH, which is close to impossible to find right now.
SQ is currently among the best for premium cabin redemptions, with very good availability. Though you can only book through KF right now.

sydneyslug

Under Star Alliance rules you can only book RTW (or in fact any one way flight as well) if the carrier shows availability in the “saver” fare category. Since UA has canned that category it doesn’t matter if you could find availability on ANZ or CA across the Pacific (hint:you can’t) because you can’t get from the east coast to the west coast.

Kacee

I'm sorry, but it seems you don't understand how award inventory works. UA has not "canned" saver inventory. As previously stated, they still offer "I" inventory, which is the *A business class inventory across all *A members. UA just doesn't display it with the label "saver" on their website anymore.

If I is available, you can book the award.

dvs7310

Tickets within the US are fairly cheap most of the time. So if the US is in your plans, use something like OZ, NH, CA, AC, SQ (since you're using SQ miles), or perhaps NZ to the US then buy your own domestic tickets outside of the RTW, then leave from the same point (ORD or EWR for example, but west coast can work too). Going toward Europe, LH and LX awards are pretty easy to come by, but there's also TP, SK, OS. You never have to set foot on UA metal on the award.

Dover2Golf

I find Air Canada very reliable for crossing west to east or the other way around for crossing North America. I also found availability on both AC and NZ for the trans-Pacific sectors. It all comes down to dates and times.

LondonElite

Even if it were true that UA no longer offers saver inventory (which it does), a RTW on AC through YUL/YYZ-YVR is still possible. Then just do side trips south.

Maybe time for a title change?

sydneyslug

I certainly do understand it, you seemed to have missed the point that new J class variable pricing is often as low as I class but is not designated at I. That is fine for a US based flier, not so good for anyone using another *A points. Saver availability is negligible with variable pricing in J. Not surprised a US based legend not seeing a problem.

Smiley90

Way to disrespect Canada, OP. Watch out next time you see a goose. They've been notified.

sydneyslug

You seem to have missed the point that variable pricing moved the dial on I availability. Lower priced variable J means less I. AC availability will inevitably be far lower than UA who pre COVID flew 4 or 5 flights a day to Australia v AC 1 or 2. ANZ also 1 a day to AKL which is as far from Sydney as London is from Saint Petersburg.

sydneyslug

RTW pricing is very different to buying individual sectors. I class availability is negligible for any of those carriers for the whole months of September and October 2022. Fair enough, it is a privilege to get a reward set. There is, however, J class availability at variable pricing that is roughly the same as an I class reward, but they are unavailable for a Star alliance flier. I confirmed this with KrisFlyer who agreed there was not a single direct flight in I available from North America to Australia/NZ for either month.

Smiley90

Let's not pretend that UA had a ton of I availability NA-Australia pre-COVID, either. Those were some of the rarest awards out there. So it's not exactly a surprise those have dried up during COVID while Australia is locked down for most of the world, regardless of a move to variable pricing.

AC existing means there are tons of us who've booked RTW's without ever stepping foot on a UA plane.

sydneyslug

I was obviously wrong in saying I had been �canned�, it is available like hens teeth apparently might exist. Variable pricing of J means that it is practically stepping in to where I once lived making I as common as snow in Sydney.

dvs7310

I haven't looked at it since pre-COVID obviously but UA used to have loads of availability in J (on awards) from AKL back then, and NZ quite often had 1 per flight as well. Fair point about the distance in relationship to London and St. Petersburg, but flights, at least used to be, very cheap between AKL and SYD.

I don't know if NH or OZ still fly to SYD, but both used to be quite easy to land an award seat on (in J). NH usually only within 2 weeks, OZ quite easy to book far out.