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 3, 2014, 12:46 pm
#2536
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Northern Calif./Eastern Ida.
Programs: Amethyst Premier Plutonium Medallion
Posts: 20,645
Feb 3, 2014, 1:09 pm
#2537
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: ORD
Programs: UA 1K
Posts: 16,901
I was seeing rebooking information earlier this morning, but just now I'm getting a "cannot complete the transaction" message before I even get to the options page.
And now I'm getting through to the rebooking screen, but the only flight showing is the original itin. instead of the dozen or so flights (all with no availability) I was seeing as recently as yesterday. Maybe they're reloading things bit by bit.
And now I'm getting through to the rebooking screen, but the only flight showing is the original itin. instead of the dozen or so flights (all with no availability) I was seeing as recently as yesterday. Maybe they're reloading things bit by bit.
Last edited by milepig; Feb 3, 2014 at 1:40 pm
Feb 3, 2014, 1:26 pm
#2538
Join Date: Jul 2011
Posts: 1,634
FWIW: I had a flight booked in J at the old rate, and when F opened up, I was able to move to F for +20k miles, i.e., at the old rate. This was around 1 pm EST today.
Feb 3, 2014, 1:46 pm
#2539
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Sunshine State
Programs: UA2MM AND 1K, HYATT GLOBALIST, AVIS PRES CLUB.
Posts: 97
Booking engine down
Looks like all international itineraries have been turned off as "no availability," while domestic is still at old price. As of 3:45 pm ET today.
Feb 3, 2014, 1:54 pm
#2541
Join Date: Dec 2009
Programs: WN A-list, Hyatt Glob, HH DM, Marriott Plat
Posts: 434
It is such a shame they had so much time to work and test the new rates and it is a mess today.
Feb 3, 2014, 1:56 pm
#2542
Join Date: May 2003
Location: Slightly to the left of center
Posts: 3,475
Feb 3, 2014, 1:59 pm
#2543
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: Virginia, USA
Posts: 4,511
If UA will retroactively recredit miles for PNR that was booked after 2/1 and was charged the old higher mileage, they will probably go back to subtract more miles for PNR that was booked after midnight 2/3 with the old lower mileage from the old chart. UA has been famous in removing miles from MP member account since after the merger :-).
Feb 3, 2014, 2:11 pm
#2544
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: SFO
Programs: UA Premier Platinum (and falling fast)
Posts: 566
Lower 48 unchanged
Mainland <--> Hawaii (each way, Saver/Standard)
Economy: 20/40 --> 22.5/45
Business: 40/80 --> 40/90
First: 50/100 --> 50/102.5
Mainland <--> Alaska (each way)
Routes between Alaska and the continental U.S. or between Alaska and Canada will be charged an additional 5,000 miles for Saver and 10,000 miles for Standard.
FWIW, I've been seeing the new rates in effect domestically since this morning....
Mainland <--> Hawaii (each way, Saver/Standard)
Economy: 20/40 --> 22.5/45
Business: 40/80 --> 40/90
First: 50/100 --> 50/102.5
Mainland <--> Alaska (each way)
Routes between Alaska and the continental U.S. or between Alaska and Canada will be charged an additional 5,000 miles for Saver and 10,000 miles for Standard.
FWIW, I've been seeing the new rates in effect domestically since this morning....
Feb 3, 2014, 2:32 pm
#2545
Join Date: Dec 2004
Programs: UA-1K, MM, Hilton-Diamond, Marriott-Titanium
Posts: 4,432
Feb 3, 2014, 3:03 pm
#2546
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: AUS
Programs: Mileage Hoarding Anonymous
Posts: 90
Fingers crossed that the implementation is delayed another 24 hrs and I have an opportunity to rebook.
Feb 3, 2014, 3:10 pm
#2547
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: SOF
Programs: A3 Gold, IHG Platinum, Marriott Silver
Posts: 849
How self-serving. I'm more concerned about all of that non-UA award availability gone from the site than what rates are still in effect. It's a bit impractical for me to call right now and with availability being down for several hours and flight delays/cancellations, now would not be the best time to call. So, let's put things in perspective. With no partner award inventory, you can't book at any price - old or new.
Feb 3, 2014, 3:14 pm
#2548
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: EWR
Posts: 680
How self-serving. I'm more concerned about all of that non-UA award availability gone from the site than what rates are still in effect. It's a bit impractical for me to call right now and with availability being down for several hours and flight delays/cancellations, now would not be the best time to call. So, let's put things in perspective. With no partner award inventory, you can't book at any price - old or new.
Feb 3, 2014, 3:15 pm
#2549
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: LGA/JFK/EWR
Programs: UA 1K1.75MM, Hyatt Globalist, abandoned Marriott LTT (RIP SPG), Hertz PC
Posts: 21,172
Feb 3, 2014, 3:26 pm
#2550
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: AUS
Programs: Mileage Hoarding Anonymous
Posts: 90
How self-serving. I'm more concerned about all of that non-UA award availability gone from the site than what rates are still in effect. It's a bit impractical for me to call right now and with availability being down for several hours and flight delays/cancellations, now would not be the best time to call. So, let's put things in perspective. With no partner award inventory, you can't book at any price - old or new.
But honestly, if you really want talk about perspective then zoom out a little farther and realize we're all talking about booking free international flights sold for thousands of dollars. There are much bigger problems in the world. This thread is about United's devaluation of rates and that's what I'm discussing. UA's technical blunders, while frustrating and worthy of concern, may not even be linked to the changes being discussed.