2013 Mileage Plus Program Speculation
Nov 4, 2012 | 12:07 pm
#91
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: San Francisco Bay Area
Posts: 5,825
What routes do you typically fly?
What is the delta between lowest economy fare and W?
I would be OK if W is required to support a GPU, but if your GPU did not clear, you would receive a refund of the difference (between lowest available economy fare when you booked, and W when you booked.)
I am finishing the year at about 76,000 PQM's, so no way I am going to do anything unnatural to get to 100K...
Nov 4, 2012 | 12:19 pm
#92
Join Date: Feb 2002
Location: NYC: UA 1K, DL Platinum, AAirpass, Avis PC
Posts: 4,599
I find it interesting UA is more aggressively touting its #1 among UA/DL/AA saver award availability. Makes one wonder if even a US major goes revenue based, they see some advantage to the current structure. Let's put it this way - we don't hear the cost of the mileage program as an excuse / issue on earnings calls.
So far Aeroplan hasn't gone this route despite its autonomy.
So far Aeroplan hasn't gone this route despite its autonomy.
Nov 4, 2012 | 12:27 pm
#93
Suspended
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: Canada
Programs: UA*1K MM SK EBG LATAM BL AC*E50
Posts: 23,584
Aeroplan is very much a revenue based program for accumulation purposes.
Low AC fares domestically earn ZERO, and transborder/worldwide earn only 50%. The whole earning structure is confusing and designed to trip you up, especially if you buy from 3rd party sites (expedia, etc)
If you want full miles (and the ability to upgrade) you have to buy fares that are priced higher, and in some cases, much higher.
Also compare partner earnings for Aeroplan and MP (both for low fares, but even for premium fares) - look at LH group partners as an example, MP is way more generous.
Low AC fares domestically earn ZERO, and transborder/worldwide earn only 50%. The whole earning structure is confusing and designed to trip you up, especially if you buy from 3rd party sites (expedia, etc)
If you want full miles (and the ability to upgrade) you have to buy fares that are priced higher, and in some cases, much higher.
Also compare partner earnings for Aeroplan and MP (both for low fares, but even for premium fares) - look at LH group partners as an example, MP is way more generous.
Nov 4, 2012 | 12:30 pm
#94
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Landrum, SC
Programs: UA 1K and 2MM, HHonors Diamond,Hertz PC, Marriott Rewards Gold
Posts: 1,129
Agreed+1. I'm just finishing delayed December 2012 qualification to 1K to get Long-term 12 month GPU's (6) and completing the goal of EXP on AA for the 8 SWU's. I've seen the light and only going to use the UA SWU for burning big miles on a family vacation and off to AA.
Why no UA?
1) W fare lottery is dishonest..
2) TOD UPGRADES
3) A319 first availability
Why no UA?
1) W fare lottery is dishonest..
2) TOD UPGRADES
3) A319 first availability
Nov 4, 2012 | 12:41 pm
#95
Join Date: Feb 2002
Location: NYC: UA 1K, DL Platinum, AAirpass, Avis PC
Posts: 4,599
Aeroplan is very much a revenue based program for accumulation purposes.
Low AC fares domestically earn ZERO, and transborder/worldwide earn only 50%. The whole earning structure is confusing and designed to trip you up, especially if you buy from 3rd party sites (expedia, etc)
If you want full miles (and the ability to upgrade) you have to buy fares that are priced higher, and in some cases, much higher.
Also compare partner earnings for Aeroplan and MP (both for low fares, but even for premium fares) - look at LH group partners as an example, MP is way more generous.
Low AC fares domestically earn ZERO, and transborder/worldwide earn only 50%. The whole earning structure is confusing and designed to trip you up, especially if you buy from 3rd party sites (expedia, etc)
If you want full miles (and the ability to upgrade) you have to buy fares that are priced higher, and in some cases, much higher.
Also compare partner earnings for Aeroplan and MP (both for low fares, but even for premium fares) - look at LH group partners as an example, MP is way more generous.
Interesting that for United and US it's still a 100% earn via Aeroplan.
Nov 4, 2012 | 12:44 pm
#96
Suspended
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: Canada
Programs: UA*1K MM SK EBG LATAM BL AC*E50
Posts: 23,584
It tripped me up then - saw the litany of 100% 'Tango Plus' fares and figured it covered everything but the very cheapest.
Interesting that for United and US it's still a 100% earn via Aeroplan.
I guess part of me is okay with some lower earn as long as the reward chart is relatively unchanged.
Interesting that for United and US it's still a 100% earn via Aeroplan.
I guess part of me is okay with some lower earn as long as the reward chart is relatively unchanged.
99% of the population will have no clue what they are buying until they get home.
Nov 4, 2012 | 12:53 pm
#97
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2002
Location: San Francisco/Tel Aviv/YYZ
Programs: CO 1K-MM
Posts: 10,859
Not just the very cheapest - there are 5 Tango letter fares - so it could be one cheapest, could be four cheapest fares, could be none.
Nov 4, 2012 | 1:10 pm
#98
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Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: Canada
Programs: UA*1K MM SK EBG LATAM BL AC*E50
Posts: 23,584
Unless you pay attention, you wont know what you are booking on a third party site.
Look at these 3 examples - all widely available in any GDS, and on third party sites. TANGO IN RED EARNS 50%. How is one supposed to tell when buying a fare - a clear system of revenue based accumulation. Look at NYC-NRT - the lowest full earning fare is 3x as the 50% earning (0% on the short transborder segments)
[KVS Availability Tool 7.0.7/Diamond - Galileo: Fares/PSH/RU]
Code:
NYC New York Metro NY US = JFK LGA
CDG Paris Charles De Gaulle FR [LFPG]
R/T 11 Jan 2013 | All
Carrier From To Fare Cur AdvanceP Min Max Fare Basis | Travel Period
--------- ------ ---- -------- ---- -------- --- --- --------------------------
AC NYC PAR 306 USD 7 Days Sun 30 TKXNC13S 05 Jan-20 Mar
AC NYC PAR 388 USD 7 Days Sun 30 SKXNC13T 05 Jan-20 Mar
[KVS Availability Tool 7.0.7/Diamond - Galileo: Fares/PSH/RU]
Code:
NYC New York Metro NY US = JFK LGA
NRT Tokyo Narita JP [RJAA]
R/T 11 Jan 2013 | All
Carrier From To Fare Cur AdvanceP Min Max Fare Basis | Travel Period
--------- ------ ---- -------- ---- -------- --- --- --------------------------
AC NYC TYO 546 USD *** 3 180 ALXUJ 07 Jan-24 Apr
AC NYC TYO 879 USD *** 360 ELXUJ 24 Dec-10 Mar
AC NYC TYO 1161 USD *** 360 NLXUJ 24 Dec-10 Mar
AC NYC TYO 1750 USD *** 360 HLXUJ 24 Dec-10 Mar
[KVS Availability Tool 7.0.7/Diamond - Galileo: Fares/PSH/RU]
Code:
LAS Las Vegas McCarran Intl NV US [KLAS]
YYZ Toronto Pearson Intl ON CA [CYYZ]
R/T 11 Jan 2013 | All
Carrier From To Fare Cur AdvanceP Min Max Fare Basis | Travel Period
--------- ------ ---- -------- ---- -------- --- --- --------------------------
AC LAS YTO 344 USD 10 Days A10XR8TG 08 Jan-13 Feb
AC LAS YTO 436 USD 10 Days L10XR8TP 08 Jan-13 Feb
For now UA MP credits those euro and asia Tango's as 100% - but I would definitely not book Air Canada far in advance in hoping this will continue.
Nov 7, 2012 | 11:52 am
#100
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2002
Location: San Francisco/Tel Aviv/YYZ
Programs: CO 1K-MM
Posts: 10,859
This was somewhat true until about a month ago, when the entire system was Tangoized. Everything in the GDS is now mixed, and you really have to know what codes Tango is (NGPEA dom/usa/asia... TLK europe/sam)
Nov 7, 2012 | 1:35 pm
#101
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Washington, DC
Programs: UA Plat & 1MM, AA, DL
Posts: 8,702
Nov 7, 2012 | 2:47 pm
#102
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: LAX/TPE
Programs: United 1K, JAL Sapphire, SPG Lifetime Platinum, National Executive Elite, Hertz PC, Avis PC
Posts: 47,225
In 2013 and throughout the Second Decade of the First Century of the Third Millennium, UA will continue to follow the industry trend to move away from the failed concept that loyalty can be measured by any means other than spend. Thus, more perks will become purchasable. And those who spend the most money will get them. "Butt in seat" will become an antiquated notion of a bygone era. Eventually, we'll wonder why it ever mattered.
I realize the foregoing prospect is anathema to many hereon, but it is the shape of things to come, like it or not.
RNE, channeling Barry Goldwater in paraphrase: "In your heart you know I'm right."
I realize the foregoing prospect is anathema to many hereon, but it is the shape of things to come, like it or not.
RNE, channeling Barry Goldwater in paraphrase: "In your heart you know I'm right."
The goal of a loyalty program is to tie the travel decision maker to the brand, not the spender. The vast majority of Elites are business people who fly on the corporate dime - none of the spend comes directly from their pocket. By positioning a solid loyalty program with useful perks, the decision maker directs spend to the airline even if they can't control the total amount of dollars spent.
It's been mentioned many times over the years - but if an airline changed their loyalty program to grant benefits only on the basis of spend, corporate travel policies (which already prohibit increasing spend to get airline benefits) would likely make using that vendor very difficult.
The airline needs to keep the decision makers happy, not the people controlling the purse-strings.
Nov 8, 2012 | 8:09 am
#104
Suspended
Join Date: Feb 2007
Posts: 1,273
Is the New Mileage Plus Program Rules Likely to Come out in the Next Two Weeks?
Currently will be stranded on 60K miles, wanted to know the new rules before trying to go for 75K level (assuming it exists!)
I already read through the Mileage Plus spectualtion thread, but that assumes United behave logically which is often not the case!
I already read through the Mileage Plus spectualtion thread, but that assumes United behave logically which is often not the case!
Nov 8, 2012 | 8:12 am
#105
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: Jersey Shore/YYZ
Programs: UA 1K, Marriott Plat, Hilton Diamond, Hertz PC
Posts: 12,529
Not sure why a new thread was needed when an existing speculation one exists.