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, 11:02 pm
#2371
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: SAN
Posts: 1,396
Especially when you have to do it twice because the call drops . . .
Jan 31, 2014, 11:09 pm
#2372
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: So Cal
Programs: UA Gold/0.744MM, WN AL, Hyatt Diamond, MR Scum, Hertz PC, National Exec, Avis PC
Posts: 5,561
Hi everyone,
With the updated MileagePlus award chart about to take effect, I have a couple updates and clarifications to share (which a few of you have already noticed):
The new Saver and Standard Award mileage requirements will become effective on Feb 3. We have moved implementation to a weekday, to better ensure we are able to serve our customers, particularly those who call our contact centers for assistance.
Booking an award where the mileage amount should have been reduced on February 1? If you book one of these awards on February 1 or 2, we will honor the reduced mileage amount. Although initial ticketing will be at the current, higher level, we will retroactively re-price your award to the lower mileage amount within 10 business days.
I’ll provide another update confirming the new mileage requirements have become effective, on February 3.
Aaron Goldberg
Sr. Manager - Customer Experience Planning
United Airlines
With the updated MileagePlus award chart about to take effect, I have a couple updates and clarifications to share (which a few of you have already noticed):
The new Saver and Standard Award mileage requirements will become effective on Feb 3. We have moved implementation to a weekday, to better ensure we are able to serve our customers, particularly those who call our contact centers for assistance.
Booking an award where the mileage amount should have been reduced on February 1? If you book one of these awards on February 1 or 2, we will honor the reduced mileage amount. Although initial ticketing will be at the current, higher level, we will retroactively re-price your award to the lower mileage amount within 10 business days.
I’ll provide another update confirming the new mileage requirements have become effective, on February 3.
Aaron Goldberg
Sr. Manager - Customer Experience Planning
United Airlines
But the question remains - Feb 3 in what time zone? My guess would be Chicago
Jan 31, 2014, 11:41 pm
#2373
Join Date: Sep 2009
Programs: UA GS>1K>Nothing; DL DM 2MM; AS 75K>Nothing>MVP
Posts: 9,341
Aaron,
How about clarifying the other questions people keep asking and to which they are getting conflicting answers from different UA agents.
Specifically which changes after Feb 3 will trigger a re-price.
1. Exact same flights but different days?
2. Same route, same carrier, but different flight(s) on the same day.
3. Same origin, destination, routing, but different carrier on one or more segments?
4. Etc.
How about clarifying the other questions people keep asking and to which they are getting conflicting answers from different UA agents.
Specifically which changes after Feb 3 will trigger a re-price.
1. Exact same flights but different days?
2. Same route, same carrier, but different flight(s) on the same day.
3. Same origin, destination, routing, but different carrier on one or more segments?
4. Etc.
Jan 31, 2014, 11:53 pm
#2374
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: PDX
Programs: United, SPG, Hyatt
Posts: 167
That's what happens when you let the legal department pick dates! First rule: never launch on the weekend, unless you want to ruin a bunch of people's weekends.
Jan 31, 2014, 11:55 pm
#2375
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: Asia
Programs: RVT 1K
Posts: 883
I am getting some weird pricing on the website, doesnt seem to make sense under old or new charts...somewhere in the middle.
Feb 1, 2014, 12:03 am
#2376
Join Date: Sep 2009
Programs: UA GS>1K>Nothing; DL DM 2MM; AS 75K>Nothing>MVP
Posts: 9,341
If I'd been UA, I would have done a better job broadcasting it, e.g. updating the insidious recording you hear when you're on hold that tells you about "let us take you to Bangkok" and the roll-out of the "recently" announced TSA pre-check program.
Last edited by 5khours; Feb 1, 2014 at 12:28 am
Feb 1, 2014, 12:08 am
#2377
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: BNE
Programs: UA 1MM; QF VA CI KL KE
Posts: 474
It is not just lack of online availability of SQ. I rang and asked about availability from BNE to SIN and vv. Nothing on SQ in business at all (I was told) in all of September and October. Available on TG via BKK, but much less convenient, sad to say.
Feb 1, 2014, 12:09 am
#2378
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: PDX
Programs: United, SPG, Hyatt
Posts: 167
Earlier today the website was trying to charge me 95,000 points for a one-way LH flight in business class from YVR-MUC. Made no sense whatsoever.
Feb 1, 2014, 12:15 am
#2379
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: SAN
Posts: 1,396
I'm looking at saver AND standard availability on a single partner-operated segment. Unless I'm missing something, that should never happen. I jumped when I saw the saver availability. Been on the phone for 2 hrs because the initial agent, United.com support, and the help desk are all getting errors - despite every one of them assuring me everything is legal.
Feb 1, 2014, 12:37 am
#2381
Join Date: May 2010
Posts: 134
This is a smart move by United, it's a way to get two days of live testing.
Feb 1, 2014, 12:45 am
#2382
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: So Cal
Programs: UA Gold/0.744MM, WN AL, Hyatt Diamond, MR Scum, Hertz PC, National Exec, Avis PC
Posts: 5,561
Where are people seeing these odd redemption amounts? Still seeing normal rats for US-Europe and US-SE Asia in all 3 classes
Feb 1, 2014, 12:58 am
#2383
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: YVR SFO
Programs: UA G
Posts: 4,866
Dumb question: as a Gold (not 1K), if you change carrier >21 days prior to travel, is it only a reprice in miles or do you have to pay a redeposit fee since the number of miles changed? Same class of service.
Feb 1, 2014, 1:09 am
#2384
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: So Cal
Programs: UA Gold/0.744MM, WN AL, Hyatt Diamond, MR Scum, Hertz PC, National Exec, Avis PC
Posts: 5,561
How did I not recognize that the most recent award fee changes actually had a positive side. Changing carriers for 2P and above is now free. Used to be a fee.
Feb 1, 2014, 1:16 am
#2385
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: YVR SFO
Programs: UA G
Posts: 4,866
There are no dumb questions, just a lack of answers from UA. Best guess is that it would be reprice in miles, not a redeposit.
How did I not recognize that the most recent award fee changes actually had a positive side. Changing carriers for 2P and above is now free. Used to be a fee.
How did I not recognize that the most recent award fee changes actually had a positive side. Changing carriers for 2P and above is now free. Used to be a fee.