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
Nov 1, 2013, 8:41 am
#301
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: MHT
Programs: UA
Posts: 121
I bet UA will continue this carpet bombing of MP program. They pulled ExpertFlyer access 1 day before this move. No wonder why.
I bet the next move is to install or increase award tickets fees across the board perhaps except GC. Or should I shut up and stop giving ideas to UA on how to further improve the MP program...
On a minor positive side (at least for me), my strategy of storing the bulk of my miles in booked J and F trips rather than account balance may be worth something after all...
I bet the next move is to install or increase award tickets fees across the board perhaps except GC. Or should I shut up and stop giving ideas to UA on how to further improve the MP program...
On a minor positive side (at least for me), my strategy of storing the bulk of my miles in booked J and F trips rather than account balance may be worth something after all...
Nov 1, 2013, 8:42 am
#302
Suspended
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: Watchlisted by the prejudiced, en route to purgatory
Programs: Just Say No to Fleecing and Blacklisting
Posts: 102,095
United Airlines' MileageMinus; American's DisAAdvantage; and Delta Air Lines' SkyPesos. There is an awful trend in play for consumers.
Nov 1, 2013, 8:43 am
#303
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: NYC, SLC, LAX
Programs: AA EXP, UA Plat
Posts: 3,951
Then they can't sell their worthless pesos to Chase.
Nov 1, 2013, 8:43 am
#304
Moderator, Omni, Omni/PR, Omni/Games, FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Between DCA and IAD
Programs: UA 1K MM; Hilton Diamond
Posts: 67,108
We wondered why UA didn't wait until Friday to announce their blocking EF out of award & upgrade inventory... well, it was because UA had this stinking turd to drop on our laps instead. 
Seriously, UA has done what exactly to improve the program for those who have stayed loyal? Seems like every change they make hurts the loyal traveler--death by a thousand cuts.
Seriously, UA has done what exactly to improve the program for those who have stayed loyal? Seems like every change they make hurts the loyal traveler--death by a thousand cuts.
Nov 1, 2013, 8:44 am
#305
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: TUL
Programs: AA EXP 2MM; Marriott Titanium; Hilton Diamond; Hyatt Explorist; Vistana 5* Elite; Nat'l Exec Elite
Posts: 6,177
Ye Advocates of Consolidated Power, Reap Thy Fruits. 
What do you expect from the government granting so many favors and consolidation and ATI allowances to US and European airlines? More, more major devaluations are the natural consequence of a more concentrated industry power and no real power standing up for consumers to prevent loyalty program operators from dealing with customers like Ponzi scheme operators.
What do you expect from the government granting so many favors and consolidation and ATI allowances to US and European airlines? More, more major devaluations are the natural consequence of a more concentrated industry power and no real power standing up for consumers to prevent loyalty program operators from dealing with customers like Ponzi scheme operators.
Nov 1, 2013, 8:46 am
#306
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: San Francisco Bay Area
Posts: 5,825
Nov 1, 2013, 8:48 am
#307
Senior Moderator; Moderator, Eco-Conscious Travel, United and Flyertalk Cares
Join Date: Jun 1999
Location: Fulltime travel/mostly Europe
Programs: UA 1.7 MM;; Accor & Marriott Pt; Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 17,831
There's a United tweetchat today with ORD customer service folks. I wonder if O'Hare CS issues will really be what's on people's minds today. ;-)
Nov 1, 2013, 8:54 am
#308
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: BDL/PVD
Programs: UA, Marriott, Amex
Posts: 226
Nov 1, 2013, 8:55 am
#309
Moderator, Omni, Omni/PR, Omni/Games, FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Between DCA and IAD
Programs: UA 1K MM; Hilton Diamond
Posts: 67,108
2pm central. http://bit.ly/1aXOdV6
Nov 1, 2013, 8:55 am
#310
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: PHX
Programs: AS 75K; UA 1MM; Hyatt Globalist; Marriott LTP; Hilton Diamond (Aspire)
Posts: 56,420
Does anyone really doubt they will reprice at the new levels?
Nov 1, 2013, 8:56 am
#311
Suspended
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: Watchlisted by the prejudiced, en route to purgatory
Programs: Just Say No to Fleecing and Blacklisting
Posts: 102,095
UA management isn't that strategic, and loyalty programs are ancillary -- and not even that is wholly accurate characterization -- compared to consideration of the airline operation by the DOJ ATD litigating against USdbaAA.
Nov 1, 2013, 8:56 am
#312
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: Canada
Programs: UA*1K MM
Posts: 23,293
You really think that AA/US will not massively devalue after DL and UA have? Really?
Can anyone be that naive?
Nov 1, 2013, 8:57 am
#314
Join Date: Dec 2009
Posts: 5,439
Wirelessly posted (Mozilla/5.0 (iPhone; CPU iPhone OS 7_0_3 like Mac OS X) AppleWebKit/537.51.1 (KHTML, like Gecko) Version/7.0 Mobile/11B511 Safari/9537.53)
And the kicker is is we're flying 55+ segments a year and helping The bottom line - CC holders got handed miles and because they are using them, we get penalized. Doesn't management realize that stuff like this cancels out the reasons some HVF's may not have previously defected to DL?
And the kicker is is we're flying 55+ segments a year and helping The bottom line - CC holders got handed miles and because they are using them, we get penalized. Doesn't management realize that stuff like this cancels out the reasons some HVF's may not have previously defected to DL?
This will definitely hurt the business of those who book award trips for others for a living.
Nov 1, 2013, 8:57 am
#315
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: Boston
Programs: UA 1K
Posts: 272
I guess all those people who hoarded their miles are SOL now 
... Due to this fear, I never hoarded my miles - I used them as they came up in my account..
... Due to this fear, I never hoarded my miles - I used them as they came up in my account..