Nov 1, 2013, 4:08 am
Last edit by: aacharya
Moderator Note: Please keep the wiki post limited to just the facts.
New UA Award/Upgrade Chart (vs. Current Chart)
Changes took effect for travel booked starting February 3, 2014. See UA Insider's post linked here for more info about the date change. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/22263212-post2366.html
Awards with *A partners now cost more than similar awards flown only on UA metal.
See below for the round-trip increases on partner metal :
Changes to upgrade policy for intra-Asia and northern South America flights
Questions and Answers
Q: If I book an award in January 2014 and then make changes in February or beyond (in routing, airline, origin, destination, etc), will it be repriced according to new mileage requirements, or will I keep the old pricing on that ticket?
Additional details on changing tickets booked prior to 2/3/14 per UA Insider:
Full details are in post #2588 http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/22283437-post2588.html
Q: Do these rates apply for tickets purchased after Feb 3 or for travel after Feb 3? That is,if one purchases a ticket now, to fly on Mar 15, will that be new or old pricing?
Q: How will award pricing apply to mixed-carrier Saver Awards?
(reverted to J.Edward's rev)
New UA Award/Upgrade Chart (vs. Current Chart)
Changes took effect for travel booked starting February 3, 2014. See UA Insider's post linked here for more info about the date change. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/22263212-post2366.html
Awards with *A partners now cost more than similar awards flown only on UA metal.
- F awards on partners went up 40-80%
- J awards on partners went up 20-40%
- F and J awards on UA metal (or mixed carriers where UA metal is in premium cabin followed by partner segment in lower class) as well some Y awards increased by 5-20% (US to Europe in F up 19%, US to Middle East in F up 20% for example)
See below for the round-trip increases on partner metal :
US ✈ Southern South America: +10,000 J, +5,000 F
US ✈ Europe: +40,000 J, +85,000 F
US ✈ Northern/Central/Southern Africa: +40,000 J, +110,000 F
US ✈ Middle East: +5,000 Y, +40,000 J, +130,000 F
US ✈ Central Asia/India: +5,000 Y, +40,000 J, +120,000 F
US ✈ South Asia: +15,000 Y, +40,000 J, +120,000 F
US ✈ North Asia: +5,000 Y, +40,000 J, +100,000 F
US ✈ Japan: +5,000 Y, +30,000 J, +85,000 F
US ✈ Oceania: +30,000 J, +70,000 F
US ✈ Australia/New Zealand: +25,000 J, +100,000 F
RTW: +20,000 Y, +90,000 J, +100,000 F
US ✈ Europe: +40,000 J, +85,000 F
US ✈ Northern/Central/Southern Africa: +40,000 J, +110,000 F
US ✈ Middle East: +5,000 Y, +40,000 J, +130,000 F
US ✈ Central Asia/India: +5,000 Y, +40,000 J, +120,000 F
US ✈ South Asia: +15,000 Y, +40,000 J, +120,000 F
US ✈ North Asia: +5,000 Y, +40,000 J, +100,000 F
US ✈ Japan: +5,000 Y, +30,000 J, +85,000 F
US ✈ Oceania: +30,000 J, +70,000 F
US ✈ Australia/New Zealand: +25,000 J, +100,000 F
RTW: +20,000 Y, +90,000 J, +100,000 F
Changes to upgrade policy for intra-Asia and northern South America flights
- Complimentary Premier Upgrades and instant upgrades are not applicable
- Regional Premier Upgrades (for any fare class) and Global Premier Upgrades (for flights booked in fare class Z, P, S, T, L, K, G or N) can no longer be requested on or after November 1, 2013
- There is no co-pay exemption for MileagePlus Upgrade Awards requested on or after November 1, 2013
- The above changes do not apply to Copa-operated flights.
Questions and Answers
Q: If I book an award in January 2014 and then make changes in February or beyond (in routing, airline, origin, destination, etc), will it be repriced according to new mileage requirements, or will I keep the old pricing on that ticket?
Our existing change process will apply. Changes to awards that require a change in date do not result in a change to the award price. Any other change will require an add/collect in miles and fees for changes or cancellations will still apply as per our existing policies.
Changes that will not trigger a re-price for itineraries ticketed before February 3, 2014 include:
- Date/time (cabin, region, and award type can't change)
- Carrier on one or more segments (cabin, region, and award type can’t change)
- Origin/Destination within the same regions (carrier and cabin can’t change)
Q: Do these rates apply for tickets purchased after Feb 3 or for travel after Feb 3? That is,if one purchases a ticket now, to fly on Mar 15, will that be new or old pricing?
Updated handling for mixed UA-Partner United/partner award itineraries: As we shared with the initial announcement, the Star Alliance/Partner partner award pricing will apply to Business or First awards for itineraries that include at least one flight segment operated by a MileagePlus partner carrier in Business or First.
However, as a customer benefit we have made an exception for most itineraries which require connecting onto a MileagePlus/Star partner in First or Business for a short distance. Specifically, if a United/Copa award itinerary contains a connecting segment on a MileagePlus/Star partner that is wholly within one MileagePlus award region, then the United award price will apply.
However, as a customer benefit we have made an exception for most itineraries which require connecting onto a MileagePlus/Star partner in First or Business for a short distance. Specifically, if a United/Copa award itinerary contains a connecting segment on a MileagePlus/Star partner that is wholly within one MileagePlus award region, then the United award price will apply.
- For example: IAD-FRA in United BusinessFirst connecting to FRA-FCO in Lufthansa Business, will be priced at the United mileage award amount.
- Note that this exception will not apply to a few specific regions and routings, such as intra-Africa connecting segments and certain fifth-freedom routes (e.g. BKK-KUL operated by Lufthansa)
Changes to MileagePlus Award and Upgrade Policies - Eff. 3-Feb-2014
Jan 28, 2014, 12:13 pm
#2221
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: 10^7 mm from Ȱ
Programs: Hyatt D/HHonors D/ SPG P/ Marriott P/ IHG P/ UA 1K/ AA EXP/ DL D
Posts: 1,976
In that way...but I guess there is always risk to connect to flights departing from gateway cities. Even you purchase a WN ticket there is no such guarantee...
Jan 28, 2014, 12:36 pm
#2222
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: DAY
Programs: UA 1K 1MM; Marriott LT Titanium; Amex MR; Chase UR; Hertz PC; Global Entry
Posts: 10,160
Maybe with the next version of website updates they could hide this a little better....
Jan 28, 2014, 12:47 pm
#2223
Join Date: Nov 2012
Posts: 53
I had a EWR-IST-BKK on UA/TK for last November and when UA gave up on the EWR-IST route I was offered to re-schedule on LH and TG (on the A380) in a much better schedule. The LH was on the old business, but I intentionally tried to play the F game, was not lucky with LH on the way to Asia but scored the Asiana Suite First Class on the way back. My guess is that the final results in such changes will depend in so many factors that it is probably not worth to speculate.
Jan 28, 2014, 12:58 pm
#2224
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: anywhere and everywhere
Programs: UA GS, AS MVP 100K, DL Diamond, Marriot Lifetime Titanium, AmEx Centurion
Posts: 5,528
Correct me if I'm reading the charts wrong, but since we're down to 3 days:
Am I correct that northern south america to southern south america in business will remain at 40,000 one way?
Am I correct that northern south america to southern south america in business will remain at 40,000 one way?
Jan 28, 2014, 3:40 pm
#2225
Join Date: Aug 2011
Posts: 22
No more complimentary upgrades to Northern South America
Was just reviewing my itineraries and noticed that my flights from EWR to Bogota were no longer marked as "eligible for complimentary premier upgrade." Called United to figure out why and learned that as of Feb. 1 flights to Bogota, Caracas, and Quito are no longer eligible for complimentary premier upgrades (in most fare classes.) You now have to use a global premier upgrade to fly up front. Since I'm only a Gold, that ain't ever gonna happen for me.
I thought this was a strange move since at least half the first cabin is filled with complimentary upgrades on the typical flights.
Anyone else get screwed by this?
M
I thought this was a strange move since at least half the first cabin is filled with complimentary upgrades on the typical flights.
Anyone else get screwed by this?
M
Jan 28, 2014, 3:49 pm
#2226
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: LHR (sometimes CLE, SFO, BOS, LAX, SEA)
Programs: UA 1K
Posts: 5,895
This change was announced a few months ago. It sort of played second fiddle to the dramatically increased MileagePlus award ticket prices that were announced at the same time, https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/unit...2014-a-47.html . On the bright side, anyone who had itineraries booked at the time of the change was auto-upgraded if space was available.
Try flying Copa through PTY instead. Flights are still CPU-eligible for MileagePlus elites and IIRC they still come with meals even in coach. Not sure if you still get a 25% PQM bonus for booking on their Web site.
Try flying Copa through PTY instead. Flights are still CPU-eligible for MileagePlus elites and IIRC they still come with meals even in coach. Not sure if you still get a 25% PQM bonus for booking on their Web site.
Jan 28, 2014, 4:12 pm
#2227
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: MDE
Programs: AA EP, CM PP, AV GM, UA Silver, SPG Gold, Hilton Diamond, Hyatt Plat, Marriott Plat, Accor Plat
Posts: 1,002
The 25% PQM bonus has now been officially announced as renewed through Dec. 31, 2014. Personally, I like Copa better than UA anyway, but the lay-flat seats out of BOG would have been cool. I'll never use them, but that's another story. 
Jan 28, 2014, 4:16 pm
#2228
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Aug 2003
Programs: UA 1K 1MM (finally!), IHG AMB-Spire, HH Diamond
Posts: 60,174
No more complimentary upgrades to Northern South America
Did UAUA allow Regional upgrades to be used on flights to S Am?
Jan 28, 2014, 4:24 pm
#2229
Moderator: United Airlines
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: SFO
Programs: UA Plat 1.997MM, Hyatt Discoverist, Marriott Plat/LT Gold, Hilton Silver, IHG Plat
Posts: 66,861
any flight that is CPU eligible is also RPU eligible (plus the PS flights & EWR/IAD/IAH-HNL flights which are only RPU eligible). So the previous Northern SA flights had been CPU/RPU eligible, will not longer be eligible.
All spelled out at MileagePlus upgrade regions and eligible fares
All spelled out at MileagePlus upgrade regions and eligible fares
Jan 28, 2014, 4:59 pm
#2230
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Aug 2003
Programs: UA 1K 1MM (finally!), IHG AMB-Spire, HH Diamond
Posts: 60,174
Changes to MileagePlus Award and Upgrade Policies - Eff. Feb. 2014
I'm sorry for not being clear - did the old United allow RPU (CR1) to Lat Am? I know they didn't do CPU (UDU)...
My sense is this takeaway puts it back where it was historically...
My sense is this takeaway puts it back where it was historically...
Jan 28, 2014, 6:00 pm
#2231
Moderator: United Airlines
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: SFO
Programs: UA Plat 1.997MM, Hyatt Discoverist, Marriott Plat/LT Gold, Hilton Silver, IHG Plat
Posts: 66,861
You are correct --PMUA's CR1s were never useful outside of Region 1 (North American / Caribbean).
Jan 28, 2014, 8:33 pm
#2232
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: PHX
Programs: AS 75K; UA 1MM; Hyatt Globalist; Marriott LTP; Hilton Diamond (Aspire)
Posts: 56,481
Was just reviewing my itineraries and noticed that my flights from EWR to Bogota were no longer marked as "eligible for complimentary premier upgrade." Called United to figure out why and learned that as of Feb. 1 flights to Bogota, Caracas, and Quito are no longer eligible for complimentary premier upgrades (in most fare classes.) You now have to use a global premier upgrade to fly up front. Since I'm only a Gold, that ain't ever gonna happen for me.
I thought this was a strange move since at least half the first cabin is filled with complimentary upgrades on the typical flights.
Anyone else get screwed by this?
M
I thought this was a strange move since at least half the first cabin is filled with complimentary upgrades on the typical flights.
Anyone else get screwed by this?
M
Jan 28, 2014, 8:46 pm
#2233
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: BUF
Programs: SPG Plt, HHonors Gold, UA Gold, PC Plat, Marriott Gold
Posts: 880
Quick question - I think I know the answer from the last few pages, but just wanted to double check.
Flying BKK-LHR-<USA/Canada> in mid Feb. BKK-LHR is in TG F. I'm pretty sure the LHR-somewhere USA leg will open up in LH F around feb 3. I can get some LH J legs now.
If I book that leg in LH J and the LH F opens, it will reprice, even if nothing else changes?
Thanks, this is confusing!
Flying BKK-LHR-<USA/Canada> in mid Feb. BKK-LHR is in TG F. I'm pretty sure the LHR-somewhere USA leg will open up in LH F around feb 3. I can get some LH J legs now.
If I book that leg in LH J and the LH F opens, it will reprice, even if nothing else changes?
Thanks, this is confusing!
Jan 28, 2014, 11:38 pm
#2234
Join Date: Jan 2000
Location: London; Bangkok; Las Vegas
Programs: AA Exec Plat; UA MM Gold; Marriott Lifetime Titanium; Hilton Diamond
Posts: 8,745
Quick question - I think I know the answer from the last few pages, but just wanted to double check.
Flying BKK-LHR-<USA/Canada> in mid Feb. BKK-LHR is in TG F. I'm pretty sure the LHR-somewhere USA leg will open up in LH F around feb 3. I can get some LH J legs now.
If I book that leg in LH J and the LH F opens, it will reprice, even if nothing else changes?
Thanks, this is confusing!
Flying BKK-LHR-<USA/Canada> in mid Feb. BKK-LHR is in TG F. I'm pretty sure the LHR-somewhere USA leg will open up in LH F around feb 3. I can get some LH J legs now.
If I book that leg in LH J and the LH F opens, it will reprice, even if nothing else changes?
Thanks, this is confusing!
Jan 29, 2014, 6:58 am
#2235
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: Chicago, IL
Posts: 488
So I read the FAQ about they will not charge more miles for a date change. So if I change the date and the flight but with the same airlines will I have to pay more miles? Meaning if I book NH1012 from NRT-ORD then later I change the date and also change to NH12 which is the same airline just different flight. Will they charge more mile?