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 6, 2014, 1:20 pm
#2821
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: London
Programs: UA GS
Posts: 2,438
That's EXACTLY what they should say now. Quite frankly, if they're not going to charge for date/routing/carrier/destination changes it makes absolutely no sense to reprice for people simply trying to move into the cabin they would have had in the first place if availability had been there. It's irritating that this is even a debate, let alone the fact that it seems people actually have been charged more miles for moving into a cabin they already paid for. 
What I do fear is that they'll instead write up some even more drastic rules and strongly-worded memos that outline a variety of scenarios they'll ask their agents to enforce. All it takes is one memo saying "You may not move a customer into a higher cabin even if they've already "paid" for the higher cabin as part of a multi-segment award without repricing using the new chart" and the game is over.
Or, at least the game will be over for agents who read the memos
Feb 6, 2014, 1:29 pm
#2822
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: RDU
Posts: 735
Under the UA Insider "policy" posted here you should. BUT, my experience was a bit different. I was booked DCA-YYZ-MXP-MUC-ADB. I called in to change to IAD-MUC when it opened up on LH. Agent told me it would require 20,000 more miles.
It was at that point I logged into my account to view the reservation and noticed there was also a significant schedule change (6 hours) on my original MUC-ADB leg. I used that as leverage to rebook onto completely new flights IAD-MUC(UA)-ADB w/o a mileage increase.
But I'm bothered that agent wanted more miles to begin with. Maybe b/c of departure airport change? Although DCA and IAD should be considered co-terminals. Anyway, hope my experience is helpful. Definitely seems like HUCA territory.
FYI, reservation still shows my pre-Feb 1 ticketing date.
It was at that point I logged into my account to view the reservation and noticed there was also a significant schedule change (6 hours) on my original MUC-ADB leg. I used that as leverage to rebook onto completely new flights IAD-MUC(UA)-ADB w/o a mileage increase.
But I'm bothered that agent wanted more miles to begin with. Maybe b/c of departure airport change? Although DCA and IAD should be considered co-terminals. Anyway, hope my experience is helpful. Definitely seems like HUCA territory.
FYI, reservation still shows my pre-Feb 1 ticketing date.
Feb 6, 2014, 1:39 pm
#2823
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: PHX
Programs: AS 75K; UA 1MM; Hyatt Globalist; Marriott LTP; Hilton Diamond (Aspire)
Posts: 56,484
I'm looking at my intin for 2/25 SEA-IAD-FRA-PRG (UA then LH) and trying to move that to the previous day... there isn't anything, staying on LH even, that I can get that doesn't trigger reprice, same cabin, same origin and destination. I must be missing something or IT has yet to work this out but this is ridiculous.
Feb 7, 2014, 5:45 am
#2824
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: Between AUS, EWR, and YTO In a little twisty maze of airline seats, all alike.. but I wanna go home with the armadillo
Programs: CO, NW, & UA forum moderator emeritus
Posts: 35,437
You definitely have to call. I just changed this:
JFK-FRA-ADD-NBO,DAR-JNB-CPT,CPT-JNB-FRA-JFK
to this:
EWR-FRA-ADD-NBO,DAR-JNB-CPT,CPT-JNB-FRA-YUL-EWR
including some date changes. The system wanted m
re miles but when I told the agent it needed to be manually repriced she was able to reissue it with the assistance of a supervis
r.
JFK-FRA-ADD-NBO,DAR-JNB-CPT,CPT-JNB-FRA-JFK
to this:
EWR-FRA-ADD-NBO,DAR-JNB-CPT,CPT-JNB-FRA-YUL-EWR
including some date changes. The system wanted m
re miles but when I told the agent it needed to be manually repriced she was able to reissue it with the assistance of a supervisr.
Feb 7, 2014, 10:27 am
#2825
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: NY, NY
Posts: 695
I changed the final legs of my USA-South Africa-Spain-USA trip from PMI-MUC-IAD-LGA to PMI-FRA-JFK.
The PMI-MUC-IAD-LGA was X-I-X, and the PMI-FRA-JFK is now I-I.
I asked the CSR to do a manual reprice, and was asked for no additional miles, only $10 more in taxes.
So I too can confirm that changing date, changing routing, and being put into a higher class that has already been paid for, will not cause any additional mileage collect.
The PMI-MUC-IAD-LGA was X-I-X, and the PMI-FRA-JFK is now I-I.
I asked the CSR to do a manual reprice, and was asked for no additional miles, only $10 more in taxes.
So I too can confirm that changing date, changing routing, and being put into a higher class that has already been paid for, will not cause any additional mileage collect.
Feb 7, 2014, 1:18 pm
#2826
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: IAD/DCA
Programs: PP
Posts: 70
Good news :-)
Good news :-)
I just checked by changing my pre-2/1 award ticket online, now it shows 0 miles needed for different dates/same class of service. The online system is now working again!!! Thank you, United.
I just checked by changing my pre-2/1 award ticket online, now it shows 0 miles needed for different dates/same class of service. The online system is now working again!!! Thank you, United.
Feb 7, 2014, 1:31 pm
#2827
Join Date: Jan 1999
Location: USA
Posts: 224
@ukinny2000, you made my day! Fingers crossed they continue to honor these types of awards where F redemption has already been redeemed and the F seat becomes available. Congrats on your success.
Feb 7, 2014, 1:43 pm
#2828
Join Date: Feb 2014
Programs: UA Gold, WN A-List, Marriott Plat, Hertz President's Circle
Posts: 68
Is that for an international award? Still doesn't work for me. Can't even search for a change in the flights as it errors out for a US - SE Asia award I had previously booked. Looks like I'll be calling...
Feb 7, 2014, 2:08 pm
#2829
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: IAD/DCA
Programs: PP
Posts: 70
Yes... International Award...I was also looking to change my US-SE Asia ticket.
Feb 7, 2014, 2:33 pm
#2830
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: Chicago
Programs: AA EXP, UA former 1K (1.9MM and gone), Marriott LT Plat, Hilton Diamond, SPG Plat
Posts: 1,111
Just had a funny experience changing a date on the return half of an award ticket where I've already used the first parts. I had the usual experience reported by others, where I was advised of the increased miles needed in addition to the expected $25 change fee, but both were waived after the agent spoke with her supervisor.
The funny part, though, is that she originally quoted me a 5k mile additional charge that made no sense. My ticket had been J outbound and F return for 135k total (all non-UA), so I figured the increase would be either 65k or 85k, depending upon whether they had to reprice the complete roundtrip due to a stopover on the outbound. Apparently either the computer or the agent had compared the 135k total to the new 140k one-way to arrive at a 5k difference! I can certainly see why such wildly inconsistent results are reported here.
P.S. The agent, who was really quite pleasant, did say that the award repricing waiver was a one-time courtesy and would not be given to me again for any future date changes.
The funny part, though, is that she originally quoted me a 5k mile additional charge that made no sense. My ticket had been J outbound and F return for 135k total (all non-UA), so I figured the increase would be either 65k or 85k, depending upon whether they had to reprice the complete roundtrip due to a stopover on the outbound. Apparently either the computer or the agent had compared the 135k total to the new 140k one-way to arrive at a 5k difference! I can certainly see why such wildly inconsistent results are reported here.
P.S. The agent, who was really quite pleasant, did say that the award repricing waiver was a one-time courtesy and would not be given to me again for any future date changes.
Feb 7, 2014, 2:35 pm
#2831
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: London
Programs: UA GS
Posts: 2,438
Just had a funny experience changing a date on the return half of an award ticket where I've already used the first parts. I had the usual experience reported by others, where I was advised of the increased miles needed in addition to the expected $25 change fee, but both were waived after the agent spoke with her supervisor.
The funny part, though, is that she originally quoted me a 5k mile additional charge that made no sense. My ticket had been J outbound and F return for 135k total (all non-UA), so I figured the increase would be either 65k or 85k, depending upon whether they had to reprice the complete roundtrip due to a stopover on the outbound. Apparently either the computer or the agent had compared the 135k total to the new 140k one-way to arrive at a 5k difference! I can certainly see why such wildly inconsistent results are reported here.
P.S. The agent, who was really quite pleasant, did say that the award repricing waiver was a one-time courtesy and would not be given to me again for any future date changes.
The funny part, though, is that she originally quoted me a 5k mile additional charge that made no sense. My ticket had been J outbound and F return for 135k total (all non-UA), so I figured the increase would be either 65k or 85k, depending upon whether they had to reprice the complete roundtrip due to a stopover on the outbound. Apparently either the computer or the agent had compared the 135k total to the new 140k one-way to arrive at a 5k difference! I can certainly see why such wildly inconsistent results are reported here.
P.S. The agent, who was really quite pleasant, did say that the award repricing waiver was a one-time courtesy and would not be given to me again for any future date changes.
If so, that is frustrating given that date changes were one of the things explicitly highlighted even BEFORE Feb-1 as something that wouldn't incur a reprice.
Feb 7, 2014, 2:43 pm
#2832
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: Chicago
Programs: AA EXP, UA former 1K (1.9MM and gone), Marriott LT Plat, Hilton Diamond, SPG Plat
Posts: 1,111
Not sure if it's considered JUST a date change. I was changing an early morning flight to the previous one the night before, so technically it was both a date change and a flight number change, if that makes a difference. Same carrier and routing, though. The agent definitely had not heard that any kinds of changes were allowed.
Feb 7, 2014, 2:54 pm
#2833
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: NOC/LAX
Posts: 432
Not sure if it's considered JUST a date change. I was changing an early morning flight to the previous one the night before, so technically it was both a date change and a flight number change, if that makes a difference. Same carrier and routing, though. The agent definitely had not heard that any kinds of changes were allowed.
Feb 7, 2014, 3:17 pm
#2834
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: Chicago
Programs: AA EXP, UA former 1K (1.9MM and gone), Marriott LT Plat, Hilton Diamond, SPG Plat
Posts: 1,111