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, 2:10 pm
#2416
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: Virginia, USA
Posts: 4,511
Should have added, one other thought- from an accounting model standpoint by getting the masses (I have no idea the percentage) to redeem miles en masse, they can actually buy off another GAAP smoke and mirror item in the next quarters report...It would be interesting to see how they account for the reduction in miles as a liability. I may be looking at this wrong, please enlighten me if so- but even if there is only an increase in 5% of the miles- it's a HUGE number of miles coming off the books ahead of this award increase. I myself burned 600K+ miles I'm sure. Buys them time to build whatever they are building(?).
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.
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.
Feb 1, 2014, 2:26 pm
#2417
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: Chicago USA
Programs: *A Junkie, SQ PPS, Skywards Gold, 2 Million Mile Flyer;*wood LT Plat, BA MM
Posts: 1,762
I have feeling it's going to be more than a weekend that's ruined. Hate to think when all those people who aren't FTers or don't read email from UA (because they can't tell UA spam but UA actual notices) discover that they can't go on planned honeymoons, anniversaries, etc. because all the miles they've been saving for important trips are now worthless.
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.
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.
Feb 1, 2014, 3:02 pm
#2419
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
Feb 1, 2014, 4:09 pm
#2420
Join Date: Sep 2011
Programs: UA Platinum
Posts: 62
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, 4:52 pm
#2422
Join Date: Jan 2000
Location: London; Bangkok; Las Vegas
Programs: AA Exec Plat; UA MM Gold; Marriott Lifetime Titanium; Hilton Diamond
Posts: 8,745
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
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..
cument their statements about not requiring more miles in the PNRs.Second, even if they did, UA is not bound by it.
I don't like it, but it makes sense if you consider how the system is set up.
In the past, yes. But that was the past. These are new rules and a new United.
Feb 1, 2014, 6:42 pm
#2423
Join Date: Nov 2013
Posts: 855
Dear UA agent, connecting through Bangkok is allowed when going from Australia to the US. No need to charge an extra 40k miles for that...
Me: "I can book the exact same routing in October, spending 80k for a first class award from Australia to the US. Why should I have to pay 120k for the same trip in January?"
UA agent: "The rules have changed in February. It costs 120k because you're connecting in Asia. If you want to pay only 80k, perhaps you should travel in October"
Me:
<click>
Me: "I can book the exact same routing in October, spending 80k for a first class award from Australia to the US. Why should I have to pay 120k for the same trip in January?"
UA agent: "The rules have changed in February. It costs 120k because you're connecting in Asia. If you want to pay only 80k, perhaps you should travel in October"
Me:
<click>
Feb 1, 2014, 7:00 pm
#2424
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: BUF
Programs: SPG Plt, HHonors Gold, UA Gold, PC Plat, Marriott Gold
Posts: 880
Well the 48 hour delay worked great for me - LH F opened for a February return leg this afternoon! One last taste of the FCT in FRA (at least on united miles)
Should be a good trip - CX F, TG F, and LH F with stops in Hong Kong and Koh Samui! Can't wait!
Should be a good trip - CX F, TG F, and LH F with stops in Hong Kong and Koh Samui! Can't wait!
Feb 1, 2014, 7:37 pm
#2425
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: anywhere and everywhere
Programs: UA GS, AS MVP 100K, DL Diamond, Marriot Lifetime Titanium, AmEx Centurion
Posts: 5,528
Feb 1, 2014, 8:23 pm
#2426
Join Date: Jul 2011
Posts: 1,634
For what it's worth add me to this group. I have JFK-FRA-BLR with the first leg in J and the second leg in Y. Was told by two different agents that if J opens up I could change cabins without a reprice.
Feb 1, 2014, 8:24 pm
#2427
Join Date: Oct 2000
Location: San Antonio, TX
Programs: Honors Gold, Marriott Gold, SPG Gold
Posts: 288
I am hoping my return flight on LH (2/16) opens up after Koh Samui. I will arrive on the 9th and check out on the 14th and stay at CKS with a rental car.
Feb 1, 2014, 8:39 pm
#2428
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: WAS
Programs: UA1K .455 MM, Hilton and Marriott Gold
Posts: 397
UNCONFIRMED! - Heard from MP that Changover may not happen till 8 FEB
Was talking with MP just a few minutes ago while finding an award and mentioned the mileage changes as the rational for my upcoming award flights and he stated their latest guidance was changeover in 3 to 8 days. Maybe 3 FEB (the 3rd day) won't be the changeover date after all....well, we can hope!
No, I have no more information to provide, but it does at least lend support to the argument that UAL's IT system is not ready for the change yet.
No, I have no more information to provide, but it does at least lend support to the argument that UAL's IT system is not ready for the change yet.
Feb 1, 2014, 8:46 pm
#2429
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
Maybe we just need to look at DLs policy since UA is so fond of playing follow the leader (to the bottom)....
Feb 1, 2014, 9:28 pm
#2430
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: BUF
Programs: SPG Plt, HHonors Gold, UA Gold, PC Plat, Marriott Gold
Posts: 880
Ha, looks like we are at the resort the same day - PM me, we can meet for a drink!