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
Feb 1, 2014, 9:14 am
#2401
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Northern Calif./Eastern Ida.
Programs: Amethyst Premier Plutonium Medallion
Posts: 20,646
I was running into the same problem last night. Took a supervisor to circumvent it and process the ticket. And almost 2hr on the phone.
Feb 1, 2014, 9:36 am
#2402
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: LAX
Programs: UA-1K, Hertz-Gold, Marriott-Gold, PC-Platinum, SPG
Posts: 2,777
Yeah I noticed that when I checked the old chart again. Still that is a crazily affordable redemption, considering it's more expensive to do just Japan to Australia. Still we did get a drop in miles to travel to South Asia which might peak my interest instead of using my miles for miles+copay upgrades across the pond.
Feb 1, 2014, 9:47 am
#2403
Join Date: Jul 2011
Posts: 82
Sorry guys, but is the current (12.5k/20k) from Japan to somewhere in the pacific gonna change too post 3 Feb? the pricing simply sounds amazing really. I have about 55.000k to burn and would so much like to try this out before the dreadful devaluation, especially in biz. Let me know (thanks)
Feb 1, 2014, 10:07 am
#2404
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: Yokohama (near HND, TYO)
Programs: meltdowngraded from "F" and "C" , Accor Plt, BW Dia, ihg G, UA 0.9999MM
Posts: 1,569
Sorry guys, but is the current (12.5k/20k) from Japan to somewhere in the pacific gonna change too post 3 Feb? the pricing simply sounds amazing really. I have about 55.000k to burn and would so much like to try this out before the dreadful devaluation, especially in biz. Let me know (thanks)
Feb 1, 2014, 10:12 am
#2405
Join Date: Jul 2011
Posts: 82
thanks. that sounds incredible (even if availability is scarce is business), but when i try to add in a stopover in auckland or bkk the number of miles increases dramatically. how sad.
Feb 1, 2014, 10:12 am
#2406
Join Date: Apr 2002
Location: MHT/BOS <--> World
Programs: AA Plat 2.8MM
Posts: 4,629
Feb 1, 2014, 10:24 am
#2407
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: MIA/JFK/SIN
Programs: *A Gold / Delta
Posts: 35
Any changes on europe to the middle east? Intra Europe? Europe-Maldives?
Feb 1, 2014, 10:53 am
#2408
Join Date: Dec 2004
Programs: UA-1K, MM, Hilton-Diamond, Marriott-Titanium
Posts: 4,432
I think res is as confused as everyone else.
I am currently holding a RT from EWR-AUH with FRA-AUH on LH. I paid the 150k RT. For F but F is only available TATL. I am in Business for FRA-AUH.
I was just told by a res agent that if the Space in F opens up I will be put in F without a reprice in miles. Anybody else told something like this. of course, since it's on LH I will have to search myself and call up res to alert them.
I wish there was something in writing on this.
Cheers
I am currently holding a RT from EWR-AUH with FRA-AUH on LH. I paid the 150k RT. For F but F is only available TATL. I am in Business for FRA-AUH.
I was just told by a res agent that if the Space in F opens up I will be put in F without a reprice in miles. Anybody else told something like this. of course, since it's on LH I will have to search myself and call up res to alert them.
I wish there was something in writing on this.
Cheers
Feb 1, 2014, 10:59 am
#2409
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: PHX
Programs: AS 75K; UA 1MM; Hyatt Globalist; Marriott LTP; Hilton Diamond (Aspire)
Posts: 56,470
I think res is as confused as everyone else.
I am currently holding a RT from EWR-AUH with FRA-AUH on LH. I paid the 150k RT. For F but F is only available TATL. I am in Business for FRA-AUH.
I was just told by a res agent that if the Space in F opens up I will be put in F without a reprice in miles. Anybody else told something like this. of course, since it's on LH I will have to search myself and call up res to alert them.
I wish there was something in writing on this.
Cheers
I am currently holding a RT from EWR-AUH with FRA-AUH on LH. I paid the 150k RT. For F but F is only available TATL. I am in Business for FRA-AUH.
I was just told by a res agent that if the Space in F opens up I will be put in F without a reprice in miles. Anybody else told something like this. of course, since it's on LH I will have to search myself and call up res to alert them.
I wish there was something in writing on this.
Cheers
Feb 1, 2014, 11:13 am
#2410
Join Date: Dec 2004
Programs: UA-1K, MM, Hilton-Diamond, Marriott-Titanium
Posts: 4,432
Yes, and that's not much guidance as this situation, where before deval the higher price was paid, and not available and then becomes available, will we be charged more?
It doesn't seem fair if they do try to reprice but then again we are not talking fair.
Feb 1, 2014, 11:15 am
#2411
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: Miami, FL
Programs: AA EXP, Hyatt Diamond, SPG Gold
Posts: 69
I think res is as confused as everyone else.
I am currently holding a RT from EWR-AUH with FRA-AUH on LH. I paid the 150k RT. For F but F is only available TATL. I am in Business for FRA-AUH.
I was just told by a res agent that if the Space in F opens up I will be put in F without a reprice in miles. Anybody else told something like this. of course, since it's on LH I will have to search myself and call up res to alert them.
I wish there was something in writing on this.
Cheers
I am currently holding a RT from EWR-AUH with FRA-AUH on LH. I paid the 150k RT. For F but F is only available TATL. I am in Business for FRA-AUH.
I was just told by a res agent that if the Space in F opens up I will be put in F without a reprice in miles. Anybody else told something like this. of course, since it's on LH I will have to search myself and call up res to alert them.
I wish there was something in writing on this.
Cheers
Feb 1, 2014, 12:12 pm
#2412
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
You should ask the agents to d
cument their statements about not requiring more miles in the PNRs.
cument their statements about not requiring more miles in the PNRs.
Feb 1, 2014, 12:38 pm
#2413
Join Date: Dec 2004
Programs: UA-1K, MM, Hilton-Diamond, Marriott-Titanium
Posts: 4,432
Feb 1, 2014, 12:53 pm
#2414
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: San Francisco, CA
Programs: Jose Cuervo Gold, Bud Light Platinum, Schwab 401K, VW Bug 2MM
Posts: 1,102
I was told the same thing. Have JFK-FRA-BKK-HKG booked for March mostly in F. JFK-FRA leg is in LH C and the agent booking it for me said the same thing, if F opens up on it I would be able to change the award without a reprice. I'm still not convinced but I guess we'll see soon enough..
Feb 1, 2014, 1:54 pm
#2415
Join Date: May 2008
Location: 39°51'31"N 104°40'23"W
Programs: UA 1.5K MM/SPG Plat/Various Random Golds lol
Posts: 1,071
This is good theater people!:
*United Drama*
Stage: "We thought we'd give a couple extra days of the old mileage redemption chart, just to make sure enough phone agents are around to handle the calls and to give people a little extra time" (bright white teeth give off sparkle twinkle from inside a forced smile)
Behind the curtain: absolute CHAOS lol. IT melting down, Phone Res agents telling customers all kinds of random things, Res system pricing awards randomly, inconsistent information is pervasive throughout the system, 2 hour phone calls to book an award, lol. CHAOS.
It actually gives me a chuckle thinking about a few obvious things:
1. UA mgmt (former CO mgmt) continue to prove they have no idea how to run an airline this large.
2. They desperately cling to any possible GAAP allowed to make for quarterly earnings window dressing. Despite these efforts they still trail the other legacy carriers.
3. Benefits for high revenue flyer's continue to erode, alienating the best/most consistent customers.
4. To make the next quarter, $2B in further cuts are announced (see #3!) #downwardspiral
I wonder looking back, a simple decision to adapt the legacy UA reservation system instead of migrating everything to CO based SHARES system in hindsight would have been a huge cost/reputation/image saver. Everything from GA issues to IRROPS to how long the web takes to load/ticket a res. It's very obviously outdated. Even their own admission that ExpertFlyer.com querying was stressing the system lol indicates they can't even handle typical web traffic. (LOL!). Granted- the old UA system wasn't perfect, held together by super glue. But the DOS based circa 1989 SHARES system CO/UA chose is held together by scotch tape. UA is a disaster. Only the Kettle's can bail them out now. (which seems to be where $mi/J has put his chips anyway..."sir, I'll put all my chips on Kettle!") #dealer spins roulette wheel....lol
*United Drama*
Stage: "We thought we'd give a couple extra days of the old mileage redemption chart, just to make sure enough phone agents are around to handle the calls and to give people a little extra time" (bright white teeth give off sparkle twinkle from inside a forced smile)
Behind the curtain: absolute CHAOS lol. IT melting down, Phone Res agents telling customers all kinds of random things, Res system pricing awards randomly, inconsistent information is pervasive throughout the system, 2 hour phone calls to book an award, lol. CHAOS.
It actually gives me a chuckle thinking about a few obvious things:
1. UA mgmt (former CO mgmt) continue to prove they have no idea how to run an airline this large.
2. They desperately cling to any possible GAAP allowed to make for quarterly earnings window dressing. Despite these efforts they still trail the other legacy carriers.
3. Benefits for high revenue flyer's continue to erode, alienating the best/most consistent customers.
4. To make the next quarter, $2B in further cuts are announced (see #3!) #downwardspiral
I wonder looking back, a simple decision to adapt the legacy UA reservation system instead of migrating everything to CO based SHARES system in hindsight would have been a huge cost/reputation/image saver. Everything from GA issues to IRROPS to how long the web takes to load/ticket a res. It's very obviously outdated. Even their own admission that ExpertFlyer.com querying was stressing the system lol indicates they can't even handle typical web traffic. (LOL!). Granted- the old UA system wasn't perfect, held together by super glue. But the DOS based circa 1989 SHARES system CO/UA chose is held together by scotch tape. UA is a disaster. Only the Kettle's can bail them out now. (which seems to be where $mi/J has put his chips anyway..."sir, I'll put all my chips on Kettle!") #dealer spins roulette wheel....lol
I have no position in the stock, neither long nor short. But after posting these two posts I googled a 5 year chart of the share price UAL...someone is laughing all the way to the bank on this one lol.
Last edited by iluv2fly; Feb 1, 2014 at 2:50 pm Reason: merge