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
#2581
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: PSM
Posts: 69,232
Pretty sure this one is wrong:
Looks like the UA-metal award C price but on partner Y long-haul and C short-haul.
Phantom space had nothing to do with demand and everything to do with two different reservations systems being used on the back-end, one for inventory searching and another for booking.
Unless LH changes its policies about releasing the space I would not expect that problem to change.
Looks like the UA-metal award C price but on partner Y long-haul and C short-haul.
Unless LH changes its policies about releasing the space I would not expect that problem to change.
#2582
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: PHL
Programs: UA Plat, 2MM
Posts: 1,860
MP, RIP
MP has died. What was the best MP program in the airline industry has died. The death was a result of J. Smisek. He ruined an airline, now he has killed the best MP program.
Jeff told us that the other *A airlines all decided on the same day to charge UA flyers more miles. LOL. I spoke to agents at other *A airlines and they said their redemption values did not go up. It seems like it was just UA. Of course Jeff was 100% honest with us.
I did searches of many international routes I regularly fly for award availability. It was there at a much higher rate for the premium cabins. Guess what airline did not have “availability”? It was UA. So Jeff has raised the award redemption amount and pulled UA inventory. Maybe for those who fly economy it does not make much of a difference, but it does fore Premium.
One more Jeff action, which “ we know you will love”.
OK, all you Jeff defenders tell me how this latest action by him is a great thing and how wrong I am to dare to criticize Jeff.
Jeff told us that the other *A airlines all decided on the same day to charge UA flyers more miles. LOL. I spoke to agents at other *A airlines and they said their redemption values did not go up. It seems like it was just UA. Of course Jeff was 100% honest with us.
I did searches of many international routes I regularly fly for award availability. It was there at a much higher rate for the premium cabins. Guess what airline did not have “availability”? It was UA. So Jeff has raised the award redemption amount and pulled UA inventory. Maybe for those who fly economy it does not make much of a difference, but it does fore Premium.
One more Jeff action, which “ we know you will love”.
OK, all you Jeff defenders tell me how this latest action by him is a great thing and how wrong I am to dare to criticize Jeff.
#2583
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: Virginia, USA
Posts: 4,510
Pretty sure this one is wrong:
Looks like the UA-metal award C price but on partner Y long-haul and C short-haul.
Phantom space had nothing to do with demand and everything to do with two different reservations systems being used on the back-end, one for inventory searching and another for booking.
Unless LH changes its policies about releasing the space I would not expect that problem to change.
Looks like the UA-metal award C price but on partner Y long-haul and C short-haul.
Phantom space had nothing to do with demand and everything to do with two different reservations systems being used on the back-end, one for inventory searching and another for booking.
Unless LH changes its policies about releasing the space I would not expect that problem to change.
#2585
Join Date: Oct 2000
Location: San Antonio, TX
Programs: Honors Gold, Marriott Gold, SPG Gold
Posts: 288
So before we start blaming games, is there a reliable database to look for real available O class seats that I can look up, before I keep calling United every hour or so? BTW, Credit goes to the Premier Desk who answers each call less than 5 seconds.
#2586
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: WAS/ BOM
Programs: UA 1K, Marriott Gold, HHonors Gold
Posts: 1,567
What are some of the dates and locations you are searching for? Maybe we can replicate it.
#2587
Company Representative, United Airlines
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2006
Location: Chicago, Houston, or somewhere in between
Posts: 2,176
Hi everyone,
The updated Saver and Standard Award mileage requirements are now in effect, and I have a few more details to share:
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.Change clarification for itineraries booked before February 3: Many of you have also been asking about what kinds of itinerary changes will re-trigger a re-price to the new award chart, and I can share some additional follow-up details about that. As a reminder, the existing change process will apply, and any change that requires an award to re-price will require an add/collect of the additional miles under the new award price structure. Fees for change/cancel will still apply per our existing policies. Changes that will not trigger a re-price for itineraries ticketed before February 3, 2014 include:Aaron Goldberg
Sr. Manager - Customer Experience Planning
United Airlines
The updated Saver and Standard Award mileage requirements are now in effect, and I have a few more details to share:
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.
- 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)
- 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)
Sr. Manager - Customer Experience Planning
United Airlines
#2588
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: LHR (sometimes CLE, SFO, BOS, LAX, SEA)
Programs: UA 1K
Posts: 5,893
Change clarification for itineraries booked before February 3: Many of you have also been asking about what kinds of itinerary changes will re-trigger a re-price to the new award chart, and I can share some additional follow-up details about that. As a reminder, the existing change process will apply, and any change that requires an award to re-price will require an add/collect of the additional miles under the new award price structure. Fees for change/cancel will still apply 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)
If I understand correctly
(1) People who booked a UA GlobalFirst segment IAD-FRA may change to Lufthansa First IAD-FRA without a reprice, but
(2) People who booked a LH Business IAD-FRA segment, on a trip otherwise booked in the F cabin, may *not* change to LH F IAD-FRA without a reprice.
Is this about right? We got some notification that this would be the policy on roughly Feb 2, when phone agents read us this written policy, but I don't think we otherwise got advance notice of this subtlety. I think we might have made different decisions (booking IAD-FRA in UA F instead of BOS-FRA in LH J) if we had been told that this was the plan. (I don't mean to sound petulant here — we really do appreciate getting all this information and we know we're getting it as far in advance as is possible.)
#2590
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: near to SFO and LHR
Programs: BA Gold, B6 Mosiac, VS, AA, DL (and a legacy UA 2MM)
Posts: 2,274
Just checked SFO<->LHR in C and F. Lots of availability in March & April, then almost none through Sept. Then lots in October onward. SFO is a popular vacation destination for Brits. Not sure what's changed here - isn't this pattern normal? Try Virgin Atlantic and BA on the same routes - the same or worse..
What routes are you checking?
What routes are you checking?
#2591
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: ORD
Programs: UA 1K
Posts: 16,901
Have they loaded the rebooking rules into the system?
This morning I get the "can't process" message when I try to rebook an award flight, but when I ask for a new itin for the same dates/destination I'm seeing all kinds of inventory that wasn't there a few days ago. Looks like you can book new itins, but not yet changes?
This morning I get the "can't process" message when I try to rebook an award flight, but when I ask for a new itin for the same dates/destination I'm seeing all kinds of inventory that wasn't there a few days ago. Looks like you can book new itins, but not yet changes?
#2592
Join Date: Oct 2000
Location: San Antonio, TX
Programs: Honors Gold, Marriott Gold, SPG Gold
Posts: 288
Thanks for checking in.
If I understand correctly
(1) People who booked a UA GlobalFirst segment IAD-FRA may change to Lufthansa First IAD-FRA without a reprice, but
(2) People who booked a LH Business IAD-FRA segment, on a trip otherwise booked in the F cabin, may *not* change to LH F IAD-FRA without a reprice.
Is this about right? We got some notification that this would be the policy on roughly Feb 2, when phone agents read us this written policy, but I don't think we otherwise got advance notice of this subtlety. I think we might have made different decisions (booking IAD-FRA in UA F instead of BOS-FRA in LH J) if we had been told that this was the plan. (I don't mean to sound petulant here — we really do appreciate getting all this information and we know we're getting it as far in advance as is possible.)
If I understand correctly
(1) People who booked a UA GlobalFirst segment IAD-FRA may change to Lufthansa First IAD-FRA without a reprice, but
(2) People who booked a LH Business IAD-FRA segment, on a trip otherwise booked in the F cabin, may *not* change to LH F IAD-FRA without a reprice.
Is this about right? We got some notification that this would be the policy on roughly Feb 2, when phone agents read us this written policy, but I don't think we otherwise got advance notice of this subtlety. I think we might have made different decisions (booking IAD-FRA in UA F instead of BOS-FRA in LH J) if we had been told that this was the plan. (I don't mean to sound petulant here — we really do appreciate getting all this information and we know we're getting it as far in advance as is possible.)
#2593
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: Jersey Shore/YYZ
Programs: UA 1K, Marriott Plat, Hilton Diamond, Hertz PC
Posts: 12,521
Jeff told us that the other *A airlines all decided on the same day to charge UA flyers more miles. LOL. I spoke to agents at other *A airlines and they said their redemption values did not go up. It seems like it was just UA. Of course Jeff was 100% honest with us.
Guess what airline did not have “availability”? It was UA. So Jeff has raised the award redemption amount and pulled UA inventory.
OK, all you Jeff defenders tell me how this latest action by him is a great thing and how wrong I am to dare to criticize Jeff.
1. He did not say the rest of *A was increasing mileage redemption requirements. What he said was that UA had to balance raising redemptions, or starting to charge fuel surcharges, as they were paying *A partners more.
2. There is/was a systemwide issue for UA award ticketing. As others have noted, what routes/dates were you looking for? US-EU in summer wasn't available before or after February 3.
Last edited by aacharya; Feb 4, 2014 at 7:33 am
#2594
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: ATL
Posts: 186
Thanks Aaron
The clarifications are appreciated.
This strikes me as a massive victory for common sense! And given the nature of the changes, a relatively customer "friendly" move!
(Emphasis mine)
Nice news...I have set a reminder for T-14!
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)
Nice news...I have set a reminder for T-14!
#2595
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: London
Programs: UA GS
Posts: 2,438
Change clarification for itineraries booked before February 3: Many of you have also been asking about what kinds of itinerary changes will re-trigger a re-price to the new award chart, and I can share some additional follow-up details about that. As a reminder, the existing change process will apply, and any change that requires an award to re-price will require an add/collect of the additional miles under the new award price structure. Fees for change/cancel will still apply 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)