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, 10:15 am
#2641
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: ATL
Posts: 186
I don't think thats exactly clear. If you are booked in F (O), and you were only able to get seats in J (I), your ticket is still an "F" ticket...guess we have to wait until the first reports.
I have FRA-SFO in UA F, will be hoping for LH F (assuming M&M doesn't block them out by then) which is a carrier and time change, which should not be upfared.
I have FRA-SFO in UA F, will be hoping for LH F (assuming M&M doesn't block them out by then) which is a carrier and time change, which should not be upfared.
I'm in the same boat as you having secured a UA F seat from FRA back to the US, and read the rules as allowing a change if LH opens up F on the same route. So I will hope that Aaron's summary is ultimately honored!
Last edited by iluv2fly; Feb 4, 2014 at 1:17 pm Reason: merge
Feb 4, 2014, 10:18 am
#2642
Join Date: Sep 2009
Programs: UA GS>1K>Nothing; DL DM 2MM; AS 75K>Nothing>MVP
Posts: 9,341
I think it all would have been a lot clearer and simpler if UA had just said that any change that would not have required a change in the number of miles needed under the old system will not trigger a reprice.
Last edited by iluv2fly; Feb 4, 2014 at 1:17 pm Reason: merge
Feb 4, 2014, 10:45 am
#2643
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: 10^7 mm from Ȱ
Programs: Hyatt D/HHonors D/ SPG P/ Marriott P/ IHG P/ UA 1K/ AA EXP/ DL D
Posts: 1,976
Indeed, we will have to wait. That was just my read though based on Aaron calling out "cabin" explicitly, even if the award in total is an F ticket.
I'm in the same boat as you having secured a UA F seat from FRA back to the US, and read the rules as allowing a change if LH opens up F on the same route. So I will hope that Aaron's summary is ultimately honored!
I'm in the same boat as you having secured a UA F seat from FRA back to the US, and read the rules as allowing a change if LH opens up F on the same route. So I will hope that Aaron's summary is ultimately honored!
Still need more clarifications.
Feb 4, 2014, 10:47 am
#2644
Join Date: Jul 1999
Location: California, USA
Programs: UA 1K 2MM
Posts: 301
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
Feb 4, 2014, 10:47 am
#2645
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Denver • DEN-APA
Programs: AF Platinum, EK Gold, AA EXP, UA 1K, Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 21,602
But if they were clearer, there would have been a flurry of UA First "anywhere in the US to FRA/MUC" booking with the intent of converting them to LH First down the road at T-7/14.
Feb 4, 2014, 10:47 am
#2646
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: SFO
Programs: Hyatt Glob; AA ExPlat; Hilton Diamond
Posts: 317
+1; that's how I read it. Change in award type is Saver vs Standard, change in Cabin is going from Y award to J award; both will be repriced. Change in segment, ie going from a Y segment to J segment on an already ticketed J award should not trigger a reprice.
Feb 4, 2014, 10:48 am
#2647
Join Date: Dec 2004
Programs: UA-1K, MM, Hilton-Diamond, Marriott-Titanium
Posts: 4,432
#1. That would have been the best thing to do. Easy for res and keeps the clients happy.
So then that would make J to F on an already ticketed F award not do a reprice?
So then that would make J to F on an already ticketed F award not do a reprice?
Last edited by iluv2fly; Feb 4, 2014 at 1:18 pm Reason: merge
Feb 4, 2014, 10:52 am
#2648
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Denver • DEN-APA
Programs: AF Platinum, EK Gold, AA EXP, UA 1K, Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 21,602
Feb 4, 2014, 10:52 am
#2649
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: 10^7 mm from Ȱ
Programs: Hyatt D/HHonors D/ SPG P/ Marriott P/ IHG P/ UA 1K/ AA EXP/ DL D
Posts: 1,976
Then there will barely be any award devaluation anyway. People booked before Feb. 3 have locked into a pre-devaluation rate that is good for changes with a broad latitude in next 365 days after ticket issuance.
Feb 4, 2014, 10:55 am
#2650
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Nashville, TN
Programs: Marriott Lifetime Titanium.;UA 1.5MM; UA Lifetime Gold (whoppee); DL Plat
Posts: 2,124
...this is the crux of what is wrong at UA; everything they do is "Ready, fire, aim" there is no inter-departmental training or communication.
Feb 4, 2014, 10:57 am
#2651
Suspended
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: BOS
Posts: 15,027
An award that I was watching increased from 60,000 to 80,000 (one way, C). I guess I have to get into the Manufactured Spend game now to cover the difference 
Last edited by Dieuwer; Feb 4, 2014 at 11:11 am
Feb 4, 2014, 11:04 am
#2652
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: SFO
Programs: Hyatt Glob; AA ExPlat; Hilton Diamond
Posts: 317
The Fare basis code does not change unless:
- Change is made from Saver to Standard Award
- Change is made from Economy Award to Business Award or First Award
- Change is made to Region at origin/destination
for future bookings looks like the Fare Basis Code will also be different for United awards vs Star Alliance awards
Anything that doesn't require changing the fare basis code like date, carrier, segment, Y to F on a F Award, etc. should not trigger a reprice.
That is how I read it. I think the best way to look at it is if the Fare Basis Code (on the rules and regulation link of your award) changes, then it will reprice.
The Fare basis code does not change unless:
- Change is made from Saver to Standard Award
- Change is made from Economy Award to Business Award or First Award
- Change is made to Region at origin/destination
for future bookings looks like the Fare Basis Code will also be different for United awards vs Star Alliance awards
Anything that doesn't require changing the fare basis code like date, carrier, segment, Y to F on a F Award, etc. should not trigger a reprice.
The Fare basis code does not change unless:
- Change is made from Saver to Standard Award
- Change is made from Economy Award to Business Award or First Award
- Change is made to Region at origin/destination
for future bookings looks like the Fare Basis Code will also be different for United awards vs Star Alliance awards
Anything that doesn't require changing the fare basis code like date, carrier, segment, Y to F on a F Award, etc. should not trigger a reprice.
See this thread for the different award codes
Last edited by iluv2fly; Feb 4, 2014 at 1:18 pm Reason: merge
Feb 4, 2014, 11:09 am
#2653
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: LHR (sometimes CLE, SFO, BOS, LAX, SEA)
Programs: UA 1K
Posts: 5,895
That is how I read it. I think the best way to look at it is if the Fare Basis Code (on the rules and regulation link of your award) changes, then it will reprice.
The Fare basis code does not change unless:
- Change is made from Saver to Standard Award
- Change is made from Economy Award to Business Award or First Award
- Change is made to Region at origin/destination
for future bookings looks like the Fare Basis Code will also be different for United awards vs Star Alliance awards
Anything that doesn't require changing the fare basis code like date, carrier, segment, Y to F on a F Award, etc. should not trigger a reprice.
The Fare basis code does not change unless:
- Change is made from Saver to Standard Award
- Change is made from Economy Award to Business Award or First Award
- Change is made to Region at origin/destination
for future bookings looks like the Fare Basis Code will also be different for United awards vs Star Alliance awards
Anything that doesn't require changing the fare basis code like date, carrier, segment, Y to F on a F Award, etc. should not trigger a reprice.
Feb 4, 2014, 11:18 am
#2654
Join Date: Sep 2009
Programs: UA GS>1K>Nothing; DL DM 2MM; AS 75K>Nothing>MVP
Posts: 9,341
According to Aaron's latest post, there already is broad latitude for change. They just should have made it easier to understand.
Feb 4, 2014, 11:21 am
#2655
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: Chicago, IL
Posts: 488
I tried to change my flights online. Carrier change, route change, class, origin and destination remain the same. They are not charging any more miles.