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 4, 2014, 9:00 am
#2626
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: BOS
Programs: Hyatt Discoverist, Marriott/SPG/Hilton Gold, PreCheck + Clear
Posts: 2,306
But it's an interesting side-effect that in a few cases it means that long-haul UA BF and GF price identically.
Last edited by iluv2fly; Feb 4, 2014 at 9:12 am Reason: merge
Feb 4, 2014, 9:04 am
#2627
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: London
Programs: UA GS
Posts: 2,438
My understanding of the new rules is that if I redeem for a ticket that has me in UA Global First -- with the rest of the segments in Star Business/Economy -- the United Award rate will apply.
Any ideas why the United Award rate (80K in Global First to South Asia) isn't applying to the below itinerary? Instead, it seems to be pricing at the Star F 120K level. Thanks!
Any ideas why the United Award rate (80K in Global First to South Asia) isn't applying to the below itinerary? Instead, it seems to be pricing at the Star F 120K level. Thanks!
Feb 4, 2014, 9:12 am
#2628
Join Date: Dec 2004
Programs: UA-1K, MM, Hilton-Diamond, Marriott-Titanium
Posts: 4,432
I have an F award booked and miles deducted for EWR-FRA-AUH. The FRA-AUH is in J as it was not available in F, We were told by res agents that if the F becomes available on the FRA-AUH it will not trigger a reprice.
Is this correct as I don't think UA Insider addressed that?
Is this correct as I don't think UA Insider addressed that?
Feb 4, 2014, 9:15 am
#2629
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
Based on Aaron's update, the bad news is that it appears if you have an F award with J or Y segments, you cannot change those segments to F without a reprice. This was one of the two or three most asked questions previously, and the (apparent) answer is unfortunate.
This does appear to be addressed. He said that change in cabin will trigger a reprice.
I have an F award booked and miles deducted for EWR-FRA-AUH. The FRA-AUH is in J as it was not available in F, We were told by res agents that if the F becomes available on the FRA-AUH it will not trigger a reprice.
Is this correct as I don't think UA Insider addressed that?
Is this correct as I don't think UA Insider addressed that?
Feb 4, 2014, 9:17 am
#2630
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Denver • DEN-APA
Programs: AF Platinum, EK Gold, AA EXP, UA 1K, Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 21,602
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
- 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
So as I read it, sounds like I can change my DTW-FRA LH First ticket to DEN-FRA LH First if and when LH releases a DEN-FRA First seat.. with no mileage repricing and only the MP kettle change fee.
Feb 4, 2014, 9:21 am
#2631
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: London
Programs: UA GS
Posts: 2,438
- When you booked a C award and want to change to an F award (change in cabin and award)
- When you booked an F award on a multi-segment and could only confirm a F on some, and later want to move to F on the remaining if it opens
- When you booked an F award, confirmed C, but waitlisted for F before Feb 3.
In my read, the third is actually the most interesting. We still don't know what happens with waitlists, and if I waitlisted and confirmed into F later on UA, the new rules then let me also change that to a partner with no reprice.
All in all I don't think Aaron was definitive enough.
I have a scenario which matched the last one, and would like to move to LH F if it opens. To make it more interesting, it was manually priced, and I wonder if in manual pricing I could convince them it should remain the same.
Feb 4, 2014, 9:24 am
#2632
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
To be honest I don't think this is 100% clear yet. Remember there are a few cases in which you'd want to change the cabin:
- When you booked a C award and want to change to an F award (change in cabin and award)
- When you booked an F award on a multi-segment and could only confirm a F on some, and later want to move to F on the remaining if it opens
- When you booked an F award, confirmed C, but waitlisted for F before Feb 3.
In my read, the third is actually the most interesting. We still don't know what happens with waitlists, and if I waitlisted and confirmed into F later on UA, the new rules then let me also change that to a partner with no reprice.
All in all I don't think Aaron was definitive enough.
- When you booked a C award and want to change to an F award (change in cabin and award)
- When you booked an F award on a multi-segment and could only confirm a F on some, and later want to move to F on the remaining if it opens
- When you booked an F award, confirmed C, but waitlisted for F before Feb 3.
In my read, the third is actually the most interesting. We still don't know what happens with waitlists, and if I waitlisted and confirmed into F later on UA, the new rules then let me also change that to a partner with no reprice.
All in all I don't think Aaron was definitive enough.
I will also be curious to see if anyone can really change a UA F or J award to a *A F or J award without a reprice.
Feb 4, 2014, 9:34 am
#2633
Join Date: Dec 2013
Posts: 13
Couldn't disagree more: Aaron said "any change that requires an award to reprice" if on a business award ticket you have an economy segment, moving that cabin up to business to match the rest of the ticket won't trigger a reprice of the award and therefore should be allowed
Last edited by IAHTRVLR; Feb 4, 2014 at 9:35 am Reason: mistake
Feb 4, 2014, 9:38 am
#2634
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: London
Programs: UA GS
Posts: 2,438
We'll find out soon enough whether he tells us or not once people get experience with it.
Feb 4, 2014, 9:40 am
#2635
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Oakland
Programs: AA Explat, UA former 1K + PremExec, DL
Posts: 1,151
Has anyone been able to date change online today?
I find the same flights as my 1/31 ticketed award (016) stock mixed BR,UA. Trying to change the date to Jan 2015 and its giving a "United.com cannot initiate the change online." Error.
Feb 4, 2014, 9:44 am
#2636
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
Couldn't disagree more: Aaron said "any change that requires an award to reprice" if on a business award ticket you have an economy segment, moving that cabin up to business to match the rest of the ticket won't trigger a reprice of the award and therefore should be allowed
It's also not correct to say that change of cabin does not trigger a ticket reissuance. It often does. That's why you sometimes get those red "contact United reservations" messages when an upgrade to a higher cabin clears.
I hope I'm wrong here. We're going to have to wait and hear what happens in practice to know what the answer is.
Feb 4, 2014, 9:48 am
#2637
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: London, UK
Programs: BA Gold, UA Nobody, Hilton Gold
Posts: 2,372
He said three times that cabin "can't change." He also distinguished "award type" from "cabin" which indicates that he's not just talking about changing an award from J to F, but changing cabin within "award type."
It's also not correct to say that change of cabin does not trigger a ticket reissuance. It often does. That's why you sometimes get those red "contact United reservations" messages when an upgrade to a higher cabin clears.
I hope I'm wrong here. We're going to have to wait and hear what happens in practice to know what the answer is.
It's also not correct to say that change of cabin does not trigger a ticket reissuance. It often does. That's why you sometimes get those red "contact United reservations" messages when an upgrade to a higher cabin clears.
I hope I'm wrong here. We're going to have to wait and hear what happens in practice to know what the answer is.
Feb 4, 2014, 9:52 am
#2638
Join Date: Dec 2013
Posts: 13
He said three times that cabin "can't change." He also distinguished "award type" from "cabin" which indicates that he's not just talking about changing an award from J to F, but changing cabin within "award type."
It's also not correct to say that change of cabin does not trigger a ticket reissuance. It often does. That's why you sometimes get those red "contact United reservations" messages when an upgrade to a higher cabin clears.
I hope I'm wrong here. We're going to have to wait and hear what happens in practice to know what the answer is.
It's also not correct to say that change of cabin does not trigger a ticket reissuance. It often does. That's why you sometimes get those red "contact United reservations" messages when an upgrade to a higher cabin clears.
I hope I'm wrong here. We're going to have to wait and hear what happens in practice to know what the answer is.
Ultimately time will tell but this is my interpretation not only based on what he wrote but based on HUCA and speaking with three agents that had the same understanding.
Feb 4, 2014, 9:52 am
#2639
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
Shouldn't take too long for the first-hand reports to start rolling in so we have some real answers.
Feb 4, 2014, 10:06 am
#2640
Join Date: Dec 2004
Programs: UA-1K, MM, Hilton-Diamond, Marriott-Titanium
Posts: 4,432
Based on Aaron's update, the bad news is that it appears if you have an F award with J or Y segments, you cannot change those segments to F without a reprice. This was one of the two or three most asked questions previously, and the (apparent) answer is unfortunate.
This does appear to be addressed. He said that change in cabin will trigger a reprice.
This does appear to be addressed. He said that change in cabin will trigger a reprice.