Award Fee Changes - Eff. Jun. 15, 2011
Apr 14, 2011, 3:56 pm
#61
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: Canada
Programs: UA*1K MM
Posts: 23,293
UA's award fees were a big fat middle finger to < 1Ks. "Oh, you see a better set of flights for your existing award? That'll be $150, please. Thanks for flying 99,999 miles with us last year, Mr. 1P."
The only thing left is to align the "simple changes" policies with CO and I am fine. I would rather pay $25 for a close-in award than $150 to change an award. Yeah, in an ideal world, no close-in fee at all. If we could get that removed I'd be happy. But $150 for changes as a 1P? Really? That's what you had before on UA before this set of changes. Pretty lame if you ask me.
I would gladly pay $25 for a close-in award in exchange to freely tinker my awards to suit me when better flights open up or I need to change plans.
Apr 14, 2011, 3:58 pm
#62
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: YVR SFO
Programs: UA G
Posts: 4,866
The new plan does not eliminate close in booking but there is these HUGE $25 fee (for an 1P) 
My guess is the vast majority of award travellers book in advance to get availability and coordinate other plans -- hotels, ... (and now cancel / change are much cheaper than paid tickets for elites). While your travel patterns may be last minute, the penalty is probably less than you parking fees.
My guess is the vast majority of award travellers book in advance to get availability and coordinate other plans -- hotels, ... (and now cancel / change are much cheaper than paid tickets for elites). While your travel patterns may be last minute, the penalty is probably less than you parking fees.
Like I said, no longer the "program that wants me to use my miles."
Apr 14, 2011, 4:05 pm
#63
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: ORD
Programs: UA GS
Posts: 142
Seems like the only people who lose big here are CO Golds like me - my redeposit fee just went up from 25 to 100 and that is a big deal. Pretty crappy if you ask me.
Apr 14, 2011, 4:14 pm
#64
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: US
Programs: AA/UA/DL
Posts: 2,773
[indent][list=1][*]Close in Booking Fee: This fee will apply to awards redeemed less than 21 days before departure. They’ll be $75 per person for general members, $50 for Premier and Silver members, $25 for Premier Executive and Gold members, and will continue to be waived for 1K, Global Services, Platinum and Presidential Platinum members.
Scott O'Leary
Managing Director, Customer Solutions
United Airlines
Worth noting: For OnePass members, there’s no change. For Mileage Plus members, this is the re-introduction of the close-in booking fee, but with Elite-based discounts.
Scott O'Leary
Managing Director, Customer Solutions
United Airlines
I believe that the New COmpany increases the standard award requirement
and re-introduce the 21 days close-in fee is trying to:
1. Reduce the saver award seats to CO's level.
2. Block most seats until within 21 days.
Apr 14, 2011, 4:31 pm
#65
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: USA
Programs: UA Platinum, 1MM
Posts: 13,457
The dreaded close-in fee is back. With any ticketing done electronically - it's greed plain and simple.
So as I read it - if I am traveling SFO-ORD-JFK and switch to SFO-DEN-JFK - I am hit with a change fee? If that's the case - ridiculous.
So as I read it - if I am traveling SFO-ORD-JFK and switch to SFO-DEN-JFK - I am hit with a change fee? If that's the case - ridiculous.
Apr 14, 2011, 4:34 pm
#66
Moderator: United Airlines
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: SFO
Programs: UA Plat 1.99MM, Hyatt Discoverist, Marriott Plat/LT Gold, Hilton Silver, IHG Plat
Posts: 66,769
$25 / (25,000*0.01) ==> 0.1
Exactly. This will make me more likely to use/accumulate UA miles in 2011. I don't have to worry about "Oh, You want to change from your current UA flight to one that has better timing? $150, please."
One $150 flight change fee I avoid as a 1P pays for 6 close-in award fees I would pay as a 1P. According to the simple math that makes me gullible, this counts as a win for me. Your mileage may vary, because maybe you like close-in awards and never change a booking.
One $150 flight change fee I avoid as a 1P pays for 6 close-in award fees I would pay as a 1P. According to the simple math that makes me gullible, this counts as a win for me. Your mileage may vary, because maybe you like close-in awards and never change a booking.
this is true today for UA, no change
Apr 14, 2011, 4:36 pm
#67
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: GVA (Greater Vancouver Area)
Programs: DREAD Gold; UA 1.035MM; Bonvoy Au-197; PCC Elite+; CCC Elite+; MSC C-12; CWC Au-197; WoH Dis
Posts: 52,121
Oh no! A publicly traded company trying to make money! What is this world coming to?
You always have been (at least with Mileage Plus).
You always have been (at least with Mileage Plus).
Apr 14, 2011, 5:15 pm
#69
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: PDX/AUS
Programs: AA-UA-AS IHG-SPG-Carlson
Posts: 4,562
Oh well, it was nice while it lasted (no close-in fee).
However, my existing idea to move MR points to CO,
and thus UA, is suddenly dubious.
Will have to go re-study the "better" options for MR points, I think.
However, my existing idea to move MR points to CO,
and thus UA, is suddenly dubious.
Will have to go re-study the "better" options for MR points, I think.
Apr 14, 2011, 5:21 pm
#70
Join Date: May 2007
Location: variously: PVG, SFO, LHR
Programs: AA ExPlat, UA 1MM Gold, Hyatt Glob, Marriott Plat, IHG Plat, HH Gold
Posts: 1,678
When I was a 1P I would have killed for these rules.$25 last minute booking fee spend <<<<<<< Value of award tinkering
Generally (as I think many 1K FT'ers do), I book an award way out that is less than ideal and then massage it until I get an award to my liking. For 1Ps, this was pretty much cost prohibitive (until now). If I really needed a last minute award, $25 is pretty much nothing. I think I would have paid that 2-3 times in the last 5 years I was a 1P.
Apr 14, 2011, 5:23 pm
#71
Join Date: Jan 2010
Posts: 756
closing date fee?
i do not like this merging at all
i do not like this merging at all
Apr 14, 2011, 5:24 pm
#72
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: CLD, DEN
Programs: UA 1K, HH Diamond
Posts: 138
Apr 14, 2011, 5:40 pm
#73
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: LAX
Posts: 10,906
I'll write to UA to express my displeasure and remind them of DL policy on this matter, I hope others will do the same. Perhaps they will come to senses. UA needs to fill remaining empty seats on short notice and decrease outstanding mileage more than I need those awards for a spontaneous trip i can easily live without. That last minute booking can easily go to some other airline.
Apr 14, 2011, 5:50 pm
#74
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Colorado
Programs: UA Gold (.85 MM), HH Diamond, SPG Platinum (LT Gold), Hertz PC, National EE
Posts: 5,648
I have a award trip for 4 in August. While I can cancel this up to June 15th for free, if I do so after June 15th I will pay $600 to cancel. Certainly I could cancel prior to June 15th and rebook after said date to keep the ability to cancel for free as a 1K, assuming NY space is greater than 4. I don't understand this at all...
Apr 14, 2011, 5:52 pm
#75
Join Date: Apr 2000
Location: CGK SIN PER ORD
Programs: UA 1K MM, Hyatt Plat
Posts: 2,813
I have a award trip for 4 in August. While I can cancel this up to June 15th for free, if I do so after June 15th I will pay $600 to cancel. Certainly I could cancel prior to June 15th and rebook after said date to keep the ability to cancel for free as a 1K, assuming NY space is greater than 4. I don't understand this at all...