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 5, 2014, 12:15 am
#2701
Join Date: Oct 2007
Posts: 589
Booked this:
Changed to this:
Should LH F open up 14 days before departure JFK-FRA can I upgrade to F without the reprice as I already paid 67K for F JFK-FRA-KIX?. HUCA?
Changed to this:
Should LH F open up 14 days before departure JFK-FRA can I upgrade to F without the reprice as I already paid 67K for F JFK-FRA-KIX?. HUCA?
Feb 5, 2014, 1:40 am
#2702
Join Date: Feb 2012
Posts: 29
Adding OJ
I have the following booked all in Economy:
SIN-ZRH (SQ) Stopover
ZRH-FRA-JFK-LAX (LH, UA) Destination
LAX-PEK (CA <24 hr stopover)
PEK-SIN (SQ)
I want to try and change my flight SIN-ZRH to SIN-LHR or SIN-ZHR-VIE but the agents keep reading notes put on my booking stating that it is a round trip (Atlantic+Pacific) or under the pretext OJ not allowed at SO. Anyone recently added an OJ at SO and did this trigger a reprice? Somehow I can also not change the flights online (is it because I have a SQ segment?) It is a pain to speak with agents who have no clue of the rules or who are bluntly not helpful
Any suggestions?
SIN-ZRH (SQ) Stopover
ZRH-FRA-JFK-LAX (LH, UA) Destination
LAX-PEK (CA <24 hr stopover)
PEK-SIN (SQ)
I want to try and change my flight SIN-ZRH to SIN-LHR or SIN-ZHR-VIE but the agents keep reading notes put on my booking stating that it is a round trip (Atlantic+Pacific) or under the pretext OJ not allowed at SO. Anyone recently added an OJ at SO and did this trigger a reprice? Somehow I can also not change the flights online (is it because I have a SQ segment?) It is a pain to speak with agents who have no clue of the rules or who are bluntly not helpful
Any suggestions?
Feb 5, 2014, 2:34 am
#2703
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: SFO, TPE, HNL
Programs: UA GS 4MM, RCC life member (paid), Marriott Lifetime Titanium, Hyatt Globalist, CLEAR
Posts: 1,822
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)
Sr. Manager - Customer Experience Planning
United Airlines
If so, can the subsequent change be of a different type?
(e.g., a change first to a new date/time, then after that a change to a different carrier (or different origin/destination) of the same new date?)
Feb 5, 2014, 3:02 am
#2704
Join Date: Dec 2004
Posts: 2,866
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
BKK-KUL is not a good example because soon you will not be able to get to BKK on United. As a practical matter, for reasonable mileage amounts, you cannot get to many cities on UAL alone, including many cities in Europe, Asia, Africa, and SYD.
It says: Three times - "Cabin can't change." If you have a First Class award with two segments in in coach and one segment in Business, you cannot change cabin if the higher class opens up?
"Origin/Destination within the same regions" is ambiguous.
It would have been nice to have had the clarification one month ago. Bad service.
Last edited by BF263533; Feb 5, 2014 at 3:22 am
Feb 5, 2014, 3:02 am
#2705
Formerly known as CollegeFlyer
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: JRA
Programs: UA 1K MM, AA PLT, Hyatt Diamond, Marriott Gold, Hertz 5*
Posts: 6,716
After the first change under one of the conditions above, can the reservation be changed again without being refared?
If so, can the subsequent change be of a different type?
(e.g., a change first to a new date/time, then after that a change to a different carrier (or different origin/destination) of the same new date?)
If so, can the subsequent change be of a different type?
(e.g., a change first to a new date/time, then after that a change to a different carrier (or different origin/destination) of the same new date?)
Feb 5, 2014, 3:20 am
#2706
Join Date: Dec 2004
Posts: 2,866
When I went from first to coach due to a schedule change, United treated a re-routing to get First Class as voluntary. Their philosophy: "You take whatever dog food we feed you."
Feb 5, 2014, 3:54 am
#2707
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Florida
Posts: 29,762
I have an upcoming trip that was originally booked in November to SE Asia. The routing was AAA-BBB-CCC-DDD and then CCC-BBB-AAA. The routing includes United and 3 partners. DDD-CCC was not available originally, and I have checked every day since then. CCC and DDD are in the same region.
Today (Tuesday Feb 4) I looked and DDD-CCC was available! Of course it was one day after the devaluation. I called in and the CSR added the segment (on a partner airline). I was charged the change fee and ~$10 in taxes. She did put me on hold for about 25 minutes while she did everything. She asked for my united.com PIN and the amount of miles that I was originally charged, to which my reply was "I don't know."
The only troubling part is I did not receive a confirmation email. The overall cost under the flights on the reservation page now shows "COST: 0 miles and $4xx.xx in taxes/fees" whereas before it said "2xx,xxx miles and $4xx.xx" (My wife is also traveling) The receipt looks normal, updated, and correct. New ticket numbers were issued, which I have confirmed with the partner airlines.
I hope the reservation isn't hosed and we don't get stranded somewhere.
Today (Tuesday Feb 4) I looked and DDD-CCC was available! Of course it was one day after the devaluation. I called in and the CSR added the segment (on a partner airline). I was charged the change fee and ~$10 in taxes. She did put me on hold for about 25 minutes while she did everything. She asked for my united.com PIN and the amount of miles that I was originally charged, to which my reply was "I don't know."
The only troubling part is I did not receive a confirmation email. The overall cost under the flights on the reservation page now shows "COST: 0 miles and $4xx.xx in taxes/fees" whereas before it said "2xx,xxx miles and $4xx.xx" (My wife is also traveling) The receipt looks normal, updated, and correct. New ticket numbers were issued, which I have confirmed with the partner airlines.
I hope the reservation isn't hosed and we don't get stranded somewhere.
You can also do the following to make sure everything is in order.
1) Plug your ticket numbers on Saudi site - it would show the full details of your tickets if they are properly reissued. Plug your OLD ticket numbers on Saudi site - it would show the old tickets are now Exch/Reissue.
2) Call MP, using the phone tree and choose the option "Get Receipt" which I think it is on the 3rd layer of the phone maze. Then it would kick out the email to you.
Else you can also try to Add Email, then request receipt - it would also send you the updated receipt.
Feb 5, 2014, 5:29 am
#2708
Join Date: Jan 2000
Location: London; Bangkok; Las Vegas
Programs: AA Exec Plat; UA MM Gold; Marriott Lifetime Titanium; Hilton Diamond
Posts: 8,745
You are presently booked in business--not first.
Third, I don't think you have anything from FRA to KIX right now as it shows waitlisted for an F seat and waitlists are not allowed on partner awards.
I would be calling and at least trying to get a business seat from FRA to KIX. Right now, there is only Y available.
Did you not like the answers you received the first time you asked this same question?
I do not see F on this itinerary in your future.
Last edited by Always Flyin; Feb 5, 2014 at 5:39 am
Feb 5, 2014, 7:02 am
#2709
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: Jersey City, NJ
Posts: 211
Anyone else do the cancel and rebook later option?
When I go to rebook it asks for more miles at the new rate. Haven't tried calling since my trip won't open up in award space for a few months.
edit: Whoops forgot to look for the original routing, it isn't showing up even though it is available.
When I go to rebook it asks for more miles at the new rate. Haven't tried calling since my trip won't open up in award space for a few months.
edit: Whoops forgot to look for the original routing, it isn't showing up even though it is available.
Feb 5, 2014, 7:20 am
#2710
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: London, UK
Programs: BA Gold, UA Nobody, Hilton Gold
Posts: 2,372
I'm not sure why anyone thought this would work given the information we'd been given.
Feb 5, 2014, 8:35 am
#2711
Join Date: Jan 2002
Programs: HH Diamond, Marriott lifetime Plt, UA 1MM
Posts: 919
Just to assist those who are changing itineraries. I was changing only the dates on a OW SIN-LAX, same carrier, cabin and flight #'s.
I initially had a CSA who was adamant that any change in the initial flight of an itinerary would trigger the new award levels and stated "I've already done it twice this morning". I HUCA and spoke to another CSA who saw that the the original CSA had but a note in my reservation stating I was advised that any change would cause additional miles (thanks for that) and initially the new CSA also stated that it would trigger additional miles. I asked to to verify and she came back and apologized and said the change would not cost any additional miles.
They key here is she stated when she ran the ticket as a"reval" or re-validation it could be done automatically.
One additional point when she checked SIN-LAX it did not show availability. When she ran it as a point to point SIN-PEK and PEK-LAX she saw the seats.
Hope this helps
I initially had a CSA who was adamant that any change in the initial flight of an itinerary would trigger the new award levels and stated "I've already done it twice this morning". I HUCA and spoke to another CSA who saw that the the original CSA had but a note in my reservation stating I was advised that any change would cause additional miles (thanks for that) and initially the new CSA also stated that it would trigger additional miles. I asked to to verify and she came back and apologized and said the change would not cost any additional miles.
They key here is she stated when she ran the ticket as a"reval" or re-validation it could be done automatically.
One additional point when she checked SIN-LAX it did not show availability. When she ran it as a point to point SIN-PEK and PEK-LAX she saw the seats.
Hope this helps
Last edited by JONEZY00; Feb 5, 2014 at 8:47 am
Feb 5, 2014, 8:38 am
#2712
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: Canada
Programs: UA*1K MM SK EBG LATAM BL
Posts: 23,305
Feb 5, 2014, 8:45 am
#2713
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: ORD
Programs: UA 1K
Posts: 16,901
Looks like they got some things sorted out overnight. As of late yesterday I was unable to even see options for changes, just the failure message. This morning I'm getting all the way through to a rebooking option screen. Nothing I'd want to change to at this point, but at least things are working again.
Feb 5, 2014, 8:49 am
#2714
Join Date: Jan 2002
Programs: HH Diamond, Marriott lifetime Plt, UA 1MM
Posts: 919
Looks like they got some things sorted out overnight. As of late yesterday I was unable to even see options for changes, just the failure message. This morning I'm getting all the way through to a rebooking option screen. Nothing I'd want to change to at this point, but at least things are working again.
Feb 5, 2014, 9:01 am
#2715
Join Date: Jan 2014
Programs: UA, AA, SPG
Posts: 10
Adding my data point...
My partner and I were booked SAT-IAH-LOS-JNB-CPT in J, except LOS-JNB was in Y. I called up today and rebooked SAT-IAH-IAD-JNB-CPT for the same departure date, all J. The rep initially asked for 60,000 additional miles for both of us, I pushed back and he consulted with a supervisor. Something like an hour later, I pay the change fee (no status) and slight difference in taxes. No extra miles!
FWIW, I knew exactly which flights I wanted, that they had two seats, and that I (maybe) should not be charged additional miles. I have no idea how a less informed traveler is supposed to navigate this system.
My partner and I were booked SAT-IAH-LOS-JNB-CPT in J, except LOS-JNB was in Y. I called up today and rebooked SAT-IAH-IAD-JNB-CPT for the same departure date, all J. The rep initially asked for 60,000 additional miles for both of us, I pushed back and he consulted with a supervisor. Something like an hour later, I pay the change fee (no status) and slight difference in taxes. No extra miles!
FWIW, I knew exactly which flights I wanted, that they had two seats, and that I (maybe) should not be charged additional miles. I have no idea how a less informed traveler is supposed to navigate this system.