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 30, 2014, 7:33 pm
#2266
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2013
Programs: DL PM, MR Titanium/LTP, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 10,130
I've burned a good portion of mine on trips already planned but holding on to about 90k. I figure I can still get a one-way to Asia / Australia / New Zealand for 80k.
I am making sure I have screen shots of all my existing reservations in case there are issues with the system post-2/1 and they try to pull any shenanigans in honoring existing bookings (including my upcoming trip to Australia which was booked last April way before devaluation was even on the table)
I am making sure I have screen shots of all my existing reservations in case there are issues with the system post-2/1 and they try to pull any shenanigans in honoring existing bookings (including my upcoming trip to Australia which was booked last April way before devaluation was even on the table)
Jan 30, 2014, 7:53 pm
#2267
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 1999
Posts: 11,468
Anybody had any chance recently with C-class tickets on LH West Coast to Germany - try to put a couple of placeholders.
Jan 30, 2014, 8:16 pm
#2268
Join Date: May 2004
Programs: UA 1K 2MM, BA Gold, SQ TPP
Posts: 1,487
The ticket issue date on the receipts seem to be based on the time zone of the first flight.
Last edited by c1mth0g; Jan 30, 2014 at 8:36 pm
Jan 30, 2014, 9:35 pm
#2269
Join Date: Dec 2004
Posts: 2,866
No, but I burned 440K today booking two CA IAH-PEK-IAH in F for July (140K each) and one TG FRA-CDG-BKK-FRA in F for March (160K). TG is in the A380 CDG-BKK-FRA. I figured I wouldn't ever book TG F in the A380 after Jan 31, so I just searched around and jumped on what I could get at saver. Booked a separate revenue ticket IAH-FRA-IAH on UA in W and used GPUs. 18 hours on the ground in BKK. Might just spend it all in the F lounge. 
I still have over a million miles on AA & Delta, about 140K on United, but all airlines are racing to the bottom.
I wanted a few nice trips when I retire in two years, so much for saving miles for travel during retirement.
Jan 30, 2014, 9:39 pm
#2270
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: CLE/CAK
Programs: UA 2MM 1K, Marriott Lifetime Titanium Premier
Posts: 1,408
On 1/14/2014, I ticketed a round trip F award to SE Asia. Today, I found a better routing with better timing home (BKK-FRA-IAD instead of BKK-CDG-FRA-IAD) and called UA to make the change. I can see the new flights when I log in to united.com but my ticket is in queue waiting to be reissued.
Since my change is a routing change, what would happen if UA doesn't get around to reissuing my ticket until after 1/31/2014? Will UA want more miles?
Since my change is a routing change, what would happen if UA doesn't get around to reissuing my ticket until after 1/31/2014? Will UA want more miles?
Jan 30, 2014, 9:43 pm
#2271
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: Between AUS, EWR, and YTO In a little twisty maze of airline seats, all alike.. but I wanna go home with the armadillo
Programs: CO, NW, & UA forum moderator emeritus
Posts: 35,432
rning...
Jan 30, 2014, 9:44 pm
#2272
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: CLE/CAK
Programs: UA 2MM 1K, Marriott Lifetime Titanium Premier
Posts: 1,408
Jan 30, 2014, 9:47 pm
#2273
Join Date: Dec 2004
Posts: 2,866
On 1/14/2014, I ticketed a round trip F award to SE Asia. Today, I found a better routing with better timing home (BKK-FRA-IAD instead of BKK-CDG-FRA-IAD) and called UA to make the change. I can see the new flights when I log in to united.com but my ticket is in queue waiting to be reissued.
Since my change is a routing change, what would happen if UA doesn't get around to reissuing my ticket until after 1/31/2014? Will UA want more miles?
Since my change is a routing change, what would happen if UA doesn't get around to reissuing my ticket until after 1/31/2014? Will UA want more miles?
Jan 30, 2014, 9:57 pm
#2274
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: CLE/CAK
Programs: UA 2MM 1K, Marriott Lifetime Titanium Premier
Posts: 1,408
Jan 30, 2014, 10:37 pm
#2275
Join Date: Dec 2004
Posts: 2,866
Doomsday Has Arrived!
The clock is ticking down.
It is the final day of Star Alliance partner realistic award life. Book today or never for a partner premium award you may have saved years trying to get!
At least US Air is giving us until like March 30, to book Star Alliance awards, although the options are more limited.
United could have at least delayed the changes until after US Air left the alliance?
Today the news said that Eastern Air Lines is coming back to Miami. Smizek-like Lorenzo killed Eastern, and it is coming back. Maybe realistic partner awards will some day come back.
It is the final day of Star Alliance partner realistic award life. Book today or never for a partner premium award you may have saved years trying to get!
At least US Air is giving us until like March 30, to book Star Alliance awards, although the options are more limited.
United could have at least delayed the changes until after US Air left the alliance?
Today the news said that Eastern Air Lines is coming back to Miami. Smizek-like Lorenzo killed Eastern, and it is coming back. Maybe realistic partner awards will some day come back.
Jan 31, 2014, 4:09 am
#2276
Join Date: May 2004
Programs: UA 1K 2MM, BA Gold, SQ TPP
Posts: 1,487
Changing award flights in the past
Does anyone know if it is possible for me to simply not checkin for an award reservation and then change the flights after the original flight date/time has passed?
Will that trigger a reissue (assuming no routing changes)?
Will that trigger a reissue (assuming no routing changes)?
Jan 31, 2014, 4:33 am
#2277
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: NYC
Programs: AA EXP, Hilton GLD, Marriott Plat, NEXUS/GE
Posts: 2,872
Why not just change the ticket ahead of departure?
Jan 31, 2014, 5:12 am
#2278
Join Date: Sep 2009
Programs: UA GS>1K>Nothing; DL DM 2MM; AS 75K>Nothing>MVP
Posts: 9,341
Burned 600,000 miles since the deval was announced on Nov 1, saving about 250,000 miles for trips that were going to happen anyway. Wish I could find more flights before the clock strikes midnight tomorrow. At least mgmt gave us time to wipe clean our accounts.
Spoke to an agent today who said she is awaiting training for the new structure going into effect Feb 1st. Not sure why training is involved. It is what it is.
Anyone burn a million in 3 months on tickets?
Spoke to an agent today who said she is awaiting training for the new structure going into effect Feb 1st. Not sure why training is involved. It is what it is.
Anyone burn a million in 3 months on tickets?
Jan 31, 2014, 5:23 am
#2279
Join Date: May 2004
Programs: UA 1K 2MM, BA Gold, SQ TPP
Posts: 1,487
I've had no problems cancelling awards tickets after the flight date/time (and I think others have reported the same) so I am wondering if this works for changes ...
Jan 31, 2014, 5:42 am
#2280
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: U.K.
Programs: QR P; HH D; IHG SpAmb
Posts: 775
Yesterday i had 210,357 miles, now i have 357 and a series of intra-Asia travel lined up for the remainder of the year, all in I. Guess that's the best i could do...