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 31, 2014, 12:08 pm
#2311
Moderator, Hertz; FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: KRK
Programs: UA 1MM, BA GGL, Hyatt Glob, Hilton Diamond and others
Posts: 12,690
Use ANA tool. LO doesn't show at all on .com But I was able to snag a few C WAW-ORD and intra Europe flights.
Jan 31, 2014, 12:14 pm
#2312
Join Date: Dec 2009
Posts: 142
Edit: I think I got it! Just found it! Thanks!
Posted about on the LH forum. Workaround is to use the LOT site.
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/lufth...nsa-com-2.html
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/lufth...nsa-com-2.html
Last edited by iluv2fly; Jan 31, 2014 at 1:22 pm Reason: merge
Jan 31, 2014, 12:22 pm
#2313
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: anywhere and everywhere
Programs: UA GS, AS MVP 100K, DL Diamond, Marriot Lifetime Titanium, AmEx Centurion
Posts: 5,528
Less than 10 hour to go, and I have 23 miles in my account now...580,000 redeemed in the last two months for:
ANA First IAD-NRT (first time)
Asiana First NRT-ICN-FRA (first time)
NZ business AKL-NRT (first time)
CM/AV business roundtrip DCA-UIO/LPB
LH first MIA-FRA-SSG
AC business DCA-YYZ-FRA
...and lots of other smaller stuff. Maximizing partner awards while I can!
ANA First IAD-NRT (first time)
Asiana First NRT-ICN-FRA (first time)
NZ business AKL-NRT (first time)
CM/AV business roundtrip DCA-UIO/LPB
LH first MIA-FRA-SSG
AC business DCA-YYZ-FRA
...and lots of other smaller stuff. Maximizing partner awards while I can!
Jan 31, 2014, 1:04 pm
#2314
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
Less than 10 hour to go, and I have 23 miles in my account now...580,000 redeemed in the last two months for:
ANA First IAD-NRT (first time)
Asiana First NRT-ICN-FRA (first time)
NZ business AKL-NRT (first time)
CM/AV business roundtrip DCA-UIO/LPB
LH first MIA-FRA-SSG
AC business DCA-YYZ-FRA
...and lots of other smaller stuff. Maximizing partner awards while I can!
ANA First IAD-NRT (first time)
Asiana First NRT-ICN-FRA (first time)
NZ business AKL-NRT (first time)
CM/AV business roundtrip DCA-UIO/LPB
LH first MIA-FRA-SSG
AC business DCA-YYZ-FRA
...and lots of other smaller stuff. Maximizing partner awards while I can!
Jan 31, 2014, 1:59 pm
#2315
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: SEA
Programs: United: Gold, HHonors: Gold, Marriott: Gold, AA, US, AGR
Posts: 397
Award change question
I want to take advantage of cheaper award prices before tomorrow, but was wondering what is the farthest in the future that one could change the ticket. Say I want to travel in February 2015 (no award space since we are not within 330 days), would I be able to book a ticket for December this year and just change the date when award space becomes available for February 2015?
I guess my main question is when does the 1-year validity of the ticket begin, from the ticketing date or the first departure date?
I guess my main question is when does the 1-year validity of the ticket begin, from the ticketing date or the first departure date?
Jan 31, 2014, 2:01 pm
#2316
Join Date: Dec 2004
Programs: UA-1K, MM, Hilton-Diamond, Marriott-Titanium
Posts: 4,432
I want to take advantage of cheaper award prices before tomorrow, but was wondering what is the farthest in the future that one could change the ticket. Say I want to travel in February 2015 (no award space since we are not within 330 days), would I be able to book a ticket for December this year and just change the date when award space becomes available for February 2015?
I guess my main question is when does the 1-year validity of the ticket begin, from the ticketing date or the first departure date?
I guess my main question is when does the 1-year validity of the ticket begin, from the ticketing date or the first departure date?
Ticketing date. All travel must be complete by jan 31 2015
Jan 31, 2014, 2:05 pm
#2317
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: London, UK
Programs: BA Gold, UA Nobody, Hilton Gold
Posts: 2,372
I want to take advantage of cheaper award prices before tomorrow, but was wondering what is the farthest in the future that one could change the ticket. Say I want to travel in February 2015 (no award space since we are not within 330 days), would I be able to book a ticket for December this year and just change the date when award space becomes available for February 2015?
I guess my main question is when does the 1-year validity of the ticket begin, from the ticketing date or the first departure date?
I guess my main question is when does the 1-year validity of the ticket begin, from the ticketing date or the first departure date?
Jan 31, 2014, 2:05 pm
#2318
Join Date: Apr 2003
Programs: B6 Mosaic, Bonvoy LT Titanium (x SPG LT), IHG Spire, UA Silver
Posts: 5,848
I want to take advantage of cheaper award prices before tomorrow, but was wondering what is the farthest in the future that one could change the ticket. Say I want to travel in February 2015 (no award space since we are not within 330 days), would I be able to book a ticket for December this year and just change the date when award space becomes available for February 2015?
I guess my main question is when does the 1-year validity of the ticket begin, from the ticketing date or the first departure date?
I guess my main question is when does the 1-year validity of the ticket begin, from the ticketing date or the first departure date?
Jan 31, 2014, 2:10 pm
#2319
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: STL
Programs: AA, UA Gold, SPG, Marriott Gold
Posts: 120
Just booked 2 standard award to Guam. I had no idea the price was going up tomorrow. Saw it in a Forbes article by chance last night. Guess I'm off my game.
Brother in law is getting married out there next Xmas. I hate to liquidate my United account just to get the family out there. I was waiting until I had enough for 2 roundtrip, but I guess United forced my hand. 195k gone. And I still have to book 1 more return when I get enough miles, which will be 70k. And there is little hope for a SAAVER as its during the Xmas rush.
Brother in law is getting married out there next Xmas. I hate to liquidate my United account just to get the family out there. I was waiting until I had enough for 2 roundtrip, but I guess United forced my hand. 195k gone. And I still have to book 1 more return when I get enough miles, which will be 70k. And there is little hope for a SAAVER as its during the Xmas rush.
Jan 31, 2014, 2:46 pm
#2320
Join Date: May 2000
Location: New York, NY
Posts: 883
Just issued 2 J tickets US to Asia. For UA metal domestic segments (rdu-iad, ord-rdu), F is currently not available so ticketed in Y. Can I request waitlist for upgrade to F (not the elite complimentary upgrade)? Haven't done this since the merger. And if so, upgrade will be done automatically so there's no reprice in this case, right? Also, do I need to split the itn for better chance of upgrade? Thanks for the help!
Jan 31, 2014, 2:54 pm
#2321
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: London, UK
Programs: BA Gold, UA Nobody, Hilton Gold
Posts: 2,372
Just issued 2 J tickets US to Asia. For UA metal domestic segments (rdu-iad, ord-rdu), F is currently not available so ticketed in Y. Can I request waitlist for upgrade to F (not the elite complimentary upgrade)? Haven't done this since the merger. And if so, upgrade will be done automatically so there's no reprice in this case, right? Also, do I need to split the itn for better chance of upgrade? Thanks for the help!
Jan 31, 2014, 2:56 pm
#2322
Join Date: May 2000
Location: New York, NY
Posts: 883
Thanks for the quick reply!!!
Jan 31, 2014, 3:15 pm
#2323
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: BOS, PVG
Programs: United 1K and 1MM, Marriott Ambassador
Posts: 10,000
last minute shopping
Joining last minute FT madness...... just booked the following tickets for family vacations:
BOS-ORD-FRA-BKK-HKT (UA F and TG A380 F)
PVG-NRT-ORD-BOS NH C
HKT-ICN-PVG OZ C
BOS-YYZ-PVG AC C
PVG-TPE-DPS-BKK-HKG BR/TG C
PVG-ORD-BOS UA F
Burned almost 1 million miles. Very hard to find 3 seats
Unable to find OZ F and NH F for Dec.
BOS-ORD-FRA-BKK-HKT (UA F and TG A380 F)
PVG-NRT-ORD-BOS NH C
HKT-ICN-PVG OZ C
BOS-YYZ-PVG AC C
PVG-TPE-DPS-BKK-HKG BR/TG C
PVG-ORD-BOS UA F
Burned almost 1 million miles. Very hard to find 3 seats
Unable to find OZ F and NH F for Dec.
Jan 31, 2014, 3:23 pm
#2324
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: ORD
Programs: UA 1K
Posts: 16,901
I'm done.
Completed booking ORD-BCN...LIS-ORD a few weeks ago, all in C, with a non-ideal routing. Managed to sneak in a change for the LIS-ORD segment yesterday, changing to an F SAVER award via FRA (my jaw dropped when I found it). Still can't find anything for ORD-BCN other than the current ORD/BOS/ZRH/BCN UA/UX/UX, but time has run out.
There does seem to have been considerable movement the past few days - I'm guessing as people are scrambling to book *anything* and then changing to something better if they find it.
Completed booking ORD-BCN...LIS-ORD a few weeks ago, all in C, with a non-ideal routing. Managed to sneak in a change for the LIS-ORD segment yesterday, changing to an F SAVER award via FRA (my jaw dropped when I found it). Still can't find anything for ORD-BCN other than the current ORD/BOS/ZRH/BCN UA/UX/UX, but time has run out.
There does seem to have been considerable movement the past few days - I'm guessing as people are scrambling to book *anything* and then changing to something better if they find it.
Jan 31, 2014, 3:25 pm
#2325
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Bay Area, CA
Programs: AA Plat, UA Gold, AS MVP Gold, HH Diamond, SPG Gold, Club Carlson Gold, US
Posts: 956
Is the United award search working?
For the past 1/2 hr, every time I hit the search button, the website just refreshes...
For the past 1/2 hr, every time I hit the search button, the website just refreshes...