Jun 10, 2014, 5:09 am
Last edit by: WineCountryUA
Earning miles on United flights
Spend-based mileage (RDM) earning for all UA metal flights effective March 1, 2015.
Redeemable Miles (RDM) changes highlights:
Fare multipliers based on Premier status:
For example, a 1K would earn 1100 miles for a $120 (assuming $20 in taxes/fees) ticket while a Silver would earn 700 miles for the same ticket.
As there is a maximum number of miles per ticket earned - this disincentives purchasing any ticket (excluding government taxes and fees) over the following:
A way to avoid this is booking one-ways if the fare rules permit.
Premier Qualifying Miles (PQM) are not affected by this change.
Announcement Site
Post 57: http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/23008349-post57.html
Answered Questions:
Spend-based mileage (RDM) earning for all UA metal flights effective March 1, 2015.
Redeemable Miles (RDM) changes highlights:
- Miles earned will now be based on the ticket price instead of the number of miles flown (see partner flights on non-016 tickets exception )
- Ticket price is defined as base fare plus carrier-imposed surcharges (same as PQDs)
- Class of service bonuses have been discontinued (e.g. X% more on A fares).
- There is a limit of 75,000 miles earned per ticket (see below for spending limits by status)
- UA flights regardless of ticket stock will use the ticket price to determine RDMs
- Partner flight on 016 ticket stock will use the ticket price to determine RDMs
- Partner flights on non-016 ticket stock will use a flight mileage-based system to determine RDMs with a fare class multiplier (see the partner page for detials
- Speciality / Bulk tickets with PQDs will use a flight mileage-based system to determine RDMs with a fare class multiplier, see Specialty tickets
Fare multipliers based on Premier status:
- x5 General Members
- x7 Silver
- x8 Gold
- x9 Plat
- x11 1K/GS
For example, a 1K would earn 1100 miles for a $120 (assuming $20 in taxes/fees) ticket while a Silver would earn 700 miles for the same ticket.
As there is a maximum number of miles per ticket earned - this disincentives purchasing any ticket (excluding government taxes and fees) over the following:
- $6818.18 for 1K/GS
- $8333.33 for Platinum
- $9375.00 for Gold
- $10714.28 for Silver
- $15000.00 for General Members
A way to avoid this is booking one-ways if the fare rules permit.
Premier Qualifying Miles (PQM) are not affected by this change.
www.mileageplusupdates.com
There is a tool on the site that allow you to enter how much you spent on a ticket along your premier status in order to calculate how many miles you will earn under the new system. The tool is aware of the miles per ticket limit.
There is a FAQ here: http://mileageplusupdates.com/faq.html
Relevant UA Insider posts:There is a tool on the site that allow you to enter how much you spent on a ticket along your premier status in order to calculate how many miles you will earn under the new system. The tool is aware of the miles per ticket limit.
There is a FAQ here: http://mileageplusupdates.com/faq.html
Post 57: http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/23008349-post57.html
Hi everyone,
Today we’re announcing changes to how MileagePlus members will earn award miles in 2015. We’ve posted complete details and a FAQ on united.com, but I wanted to share an excerpt of the key points with you directly:
As of March 1, 2015, the award miles you earn on most United and United Express tickets will be based on your ticket price (that is, base fare plus carrier-imposed surcharges) and your MileagePlus status, instead of the distance you travel. The new criteria for earning award miles will look like this:
<portion removed for brevity>
The changes to earning award miles will apply to all MileagePlus members worldwide, and will be based on status at the time of flight on or after March 1, 2015. These changes will not affect the qualification requirements for 2015 Premier status. PQM and PQS will still be based on the number of paid flight miles traveled and the fare purchased. And where applicable, PQD will still be determined by the base fare and carrier-imposed surcharges.
Today we’re announcing changes to how MileagePlus members will earn award miles in 2015. We’ve posted complete details and a FAQ on united.com, but I wanted to share an excerpt of the key points with you directly:
As of March 1, 2015, the award miles you earn on most United and United Express tickets will be based on your ticket price (that is, base fare plus carrier-imposed surcharges) and your MileagePlus status, instead of the distance you travel. The new criteria for earning award miles will look like this:
<portion removed for brevity>
The changes to earning award miles will apply to all MileagePlus members worldwide, and will be based on status at the time of flight on or after March 1, 2015. These changes will not affect the qualification requirements for 2015 Premier status. PQM and PQS will still be based on the number of paid flight miles traveled and the fare purchased. And where applicable, PQD will still be determined by the base fare and carrier-imposed surcharges.
Class of service bonuses have been discontinued under the new system. There is already an adjustment for 1K over general members.
For tickets that will earn award miles based on ticket price, the class-of-service bonus and Premier bonus will be included in the number of award miles you earn per dollar. Basically COS has been removed.
E-mail received by GS lists 1K and GS together.
2015 MileagePlus Change - RDMs Will Be Calculated by Spend, Not Distance
Jun 10, 2014, 9:26 am
#271
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: ORD-LAS
Programs: UA MM 1K, Hyatt Globalist, Marriott Titanium Elite
Posts: 4,419
This will hurt and help, in the end it will equal out for "me". But I do see how this will hurt the majority of the people on this board. And in the end, I would rather see things just stay the same, because when I was a 1K, I spent 5K a year.
Today I get 5538 on ORD-SFO. My average fare to SFO is 500.00. The new calculations will only get me 4000. I do ORD-SFO or LAX about 6-10 times. $500.00 is an average, sometimes i pay 800.00 others 400.00..
This will help in those stupid 900.00 fares I pay on ORD-EWR and ORD-IAH. I will now get an average of 7200 miles on those fares instead of 2700.00.
But again, this helps me mostly this year, but next year I may have different travel patterns. My other frequent airline is WN, and they have a similar formula, which also counts for status. I do very well with them on points traveling MDW-Midwest locations, but I don't fly them West, because I can net more UA miles.
In the end the elite rates are silly. A 1K should get x15 points or more.
Today I get 5538 on ORD-SFO. My average fare to SFO is 500.00. The new calculations will only get me 4000. I do ORD-SFO or LAX about 6-10 times. $500.00 is an average, sometimes i pay 800.00 others 400.00..
This will help in those stupid 900.00 fares I pay on ORD-EWR and ORD-IAH. I will now get an average of 7200 miles on those fares instead of 2700.00.
But again, this helps me mostly this year, but next year I may have different travel patterns. My other frequent airline is WN, and they have a similar formula, which also counts for status. I do very well with them on points traveling MDW-Midwest locations, but I don't fly them West, because I can net more UA miles.
In the end the elite rates are silly. A 1K should get x15 points or more.
Jun 10, 2014, 9:27 am
#272
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Arlington, VA
Programs: UA 1K, AA PLT, SPG PLT
Posts: 1,612
150% - J, C, D, Z, P, F, A
100% - Y, B, M
75% - E, U, H, Q, V, W
50% - S, T, L, K, G, N
So, if you are booking S/T/L even, it's 50% of the calculation...which is awful.
-jeremy
Jun 10, 2014, 9:27 am
#273
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: BOS/LON/SEA
Programs: AA Reg
Posts: 161
So, I'm reading from this that taxes wouldn't be included. Hence "base fare + carrier imposed charges" above (does that include YQ if charged?).
However, if you go to the calculator UA has put up, it asks for your ticket price. As an average joe, I would put in the entire cost of the ticket 1000 or so, which would mean 8k miles for me (as gold). If it's just the base fare, then isn't this incredibly misleading?
If my fare was 400 and the rest was tax, I wouldn't be getting anywhere close to 8k in miles.
However, if you go to the calculator UA has put up, it asks for your ticket price. As an average joe, I would put in the entire cost of the ticket 1000 or so, which would mean 8k miles for me (as gold). If it's just the base fare, then isn't this incredibly misleading?
If my fare was 400 and the rest was tax, I wouldn't be getting anywhere close to 8k in miles.
Jun 10, 2014, 9:29 am
#274
Join Date: Aug 2011
Programs: UA 1K
Posts: 8,634
I believe the answer is NO...from the WIKI (I didn't read this on any UA.bomb webpage at all):
150% - J, C, D, Z, P, F, A
100% - Y, B, M
75% - E, U, H, Q, V, W
50% - S, T, L, K, G, N
So, if you are booking S/T/L even, it's 50% of the calculation...which is awful.
-jeremy
150% - J, C, D, Z, P, F, A
100% - Y, B, M
75% - E, U, H, Q, V, W
50% - S, T, L, K, G, N
So, if you are booking S/T/L even, it's 50% of the calculation...which is awful.
-jeremy
Jun 10, 2014, 9:30 am
#275
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Providence, RI
Programs: AAEXP, BASlv, UAGold, Hyatt Diam, IHG Plt, SPG Plt, HH Diam, MR Plat, CC Gold, Nat ExecElite
Posts: 440
Here is break-even point for cents per mile for flyer flying exactly at the PQM thresholds:
Silver: 17.75 cpm
Gold: 18.75 cpm
Platinum: 19.44 cpm
1K: 18.18 cpm
If you purchases premium fares (with various fare bonuses), your break-even point cpm is even higher. If you fly more than the threshold PQM (25K for Silver, 100K for 1K), your break-even point cpm is also higher.
Silver: 17.75 cpm
Gold: 18.75 cpm
Platinum: 19.44 cpm
1K: 18.18 cpm
If you purchases premium fares (with various fare bonuses), your break-even point cpm is even higher. If you fly more than the threshold PQM (25K for Silver, 100K for 1K), your break-even point cpm is also higher.
Jun 10, 2014, 9:30 am
#276
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: LAX,SNA,SAN
Programs: UA GS, Marriott LP, Hertz Gold
Posts: 861
What are you talking about? SMI/J has done what he needs to do to earn revenue. PERIOD. Stop your Jeff whining.
While I do not agree this is a good investment for HVF for UA long term bottom line, I really don't care. I do care about maximizing long haul flights with short flights to ensure status and redeeming miles are still worth while and my choices may vary. Of course AA will do the same, so we on FT now need to come up with creative ways on earning miles and status with the constraints of the system.
HVR(High Value Routes) /Fares are the next big thing on FT. Mileage runs will still exist but very slim choices and patience is required. At what sweet spot do we find value, ORD-LGA, LAX-DEN, LAX-LHR, EWR-HNL?
Don't know yet, but I know a 'Status Run' and a 'Mileage Run' are two very different choices some folks will have to make. What's more valuable miles or status?
While I do not agree this is a good investment for HVF for UA long term bottom line, I really don't care. I do care about maximizing long haul flights with short flights to ensure status and redeeming miles are still worth while and my choices may vary. Of course AA will do the same, so we on FT now need to come up with creative ways on earning miles and status with the constraints of the system.
HVR(High Value Routes) /Fares are the next big thing on FT. Mileage runs will still exist but very slim choices and patience is required. At what sweet spot do we find value, ORD-LGA, LAX-DEN, LAX-LHR, EWR-HNL?
Don't know yet, but I know a 'Status Run' and a 'Mileage Run' are two very different choices some folks will have to make. What's more valuable miles or status?
Jun 10, 2014, 9:32 am
#277
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: SFO
Programs: United 1K 2MM / Marriott LTP
Posts: 5,071
The only real winners in this are the international flyers (especially to Asia and Australia) who purchase C or higher fares. They will get the fare bonus and with the 11 miles per dollar (often on a $6-12K fare) will hit the max at 75,000 miles for the trip.
I just take exception with UA saying that this "will make the Mileage Plus program even better". Don't pee down my neck and tell me that it's raining.
I just take exception with UA saying that this "will make the Mileage Plus program even better". Don't pee down my neck and tell me that it's raining.
What does this mean from the FAQ:
"The new options for using miles will be available in early 2015 – be sure to watch your email for more details."
Are they already planning a even NEWER set of redemption values, but haven't communicated them and WON'T until this new earning levels basically start???
-jeremy
"The new options for using miles will be available in early 2015 – be sure to watch your email for more details."
Are they already planning a even NEWER set of redemption values, but haven't communicated them and WON'T until this new earning levels basically start???
-jeremy
Jun 10, 2014, 9:32 am
#278
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: What I write is my opinion alone..don't read into it anything not written.
Posts: 9,686
And while I am no Smisek fan, do you really think this wasn't being planned, just short of a final product by his predecessors as well as the execs at other airlines for many many years? I've read a zillion articles over the past decade, as most of us here have, that have shown that this was the goal long before the Houstonization of UA.
Jun 10, 2014, 9:33 am
#279
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: SF Bay Area
Programs: None - previously UA
Posts: 4,866
Jun 10, 2014, 9:33 am
#280
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Aug 2003
Programs: UA 1K 1MM (finally!), IHG AMB-Spire, HH Diamond
Posts: 60,174
Million mile is even more valuable to use gold perks while buying *A tickets on non 016 ticket stock.
Jun 10, 2014, 9:33 am
#281
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Arlington, VA
Programs: UA 1K, AA PLT, SPG PLT
Posts: 1,612
Announce a big change in June. Hope people get on board or don't know anything about it. Wait for the big change to almost start and then make a different big change early next year...
I was pretty much done with UA when they announced PQD (i'm doing the CC waiver), but now officially done with UA
And, i'm happy about it. Now to find the best CC for ANY airline and be a 'premium fare kayaker'...My guess is that language primarily refers to additional use of miles for things that are ancillary fees right now: E+, baggage fees, etc.
Further evidence that this airline isn't really interested in protecting/maintaining benefits for elites. (e.g. gut the RDM program, while making it easier for nonelites to get access to elite benefits).
Further evidence that this airline isn't really interested in protecting/maintaining benefits for elites. (e.g. gut the RDM program, while making it easier for nonelites to get access to elite benefits).
-jeremy
Jun 10, 2014, 9:34 am
#282
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Dubai / NYC
Programs: EK-IO, UA-1K2MM, ETIHAD-GOLD, SPG-PLAT LIFETIME, JUMEIRAH SERIUS GOLD
Posts: 5,220
Up till now I've put about 35% of my flying on UA/*A & 65% on EK. WITH THESE "changes I like" I see no point at all in sticking with UA. I MIGHT AS WELL DO MY DOMESTIC FLYING ON AS & put all my eggs with EK
I use my regionals all for JFK-HNL. with the way it is now on a $1000 ticket, I earn 10K PQM & 20K RDM's. Now they are cutting my RDM's in half? No thanks. EK may charge more for a free F ticket but the big difference is while I earn those miles, I earn them on flights I enjoy as opposed to UA who I must suffer thru most flights just to earn a free F ticket. No more suffering for me
The only light is they say partner airlines won't really change. If I can earn the same RDM's, PQM's & PQD's on an 016 ticket from DXB-JFK but on LX OR LH metal in J or F, then that's the only way UA will see another dollar
I use my regionals all for JFK-HNL. with the way it is now on a $1000 ticket, I earn 10K PQM & 20K RDM's. Now they are cutting my RDM's in half? No thanks. EK may charge more for a free F ticket but the big difference is while I earn those miles, I earn them on flights I enjoy as opposed to UA who I must suffer thru most flights just to earn a free F ticket. No more suffering for me
The only light is they say partner airlines won't really change. If I can earn the same RDM's, PQM's & PQD's on an 016 ticket from DXB-JFK but on LX OR LH metal in J or F, then that's the only way UA will see another dollar
Jun 10, 2014, 9:35 am
#283
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: MCO
Programs: DL DM/MM, Marriott Plat Premier, HH Diamond, Hyatt Plat, Hertz PC
Posts: 4,081
In the same boat. However, it's still annoying that we end up with this mismatched program where RDM are based on money spent, but PQM are based on distance traveled. I'm going to forever be stuck in this no-man-land where I get "stuck" at gold, despite spending ~$15k a year
Jun 10, 2014, 9:36 am
#284
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Arlington, VA
Programs: UA 1K, AA PLT, SPG PLT
Posts: 1,612
Jun 10, 2014, 9:36 am
#285
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: ORD
Programs: UA Silver, Marriott Platinum/LT Platinum, Hilton Gold
Posts: 5,594
Sorry if this is a dumb question, I'm still trying to figure some of this out, using an upcoming real example.
I have a rt ORD-FRA-PRG all booked as a W fare on 016 stock. The FRA-PRG segment both ways is on LH. The rest is UA metal. I get 11x the spend on this whole fare in RDM. If I booked the LH segments separately I'd only get the ~120 RDMs for each segment. So the advantage is to book together.
But if the whole trip is on LH (9000 RDM + 9000 bonus = 18k RDM), and say the $ that counted were $1000 I'd only earn 11k RDM. But if I booked on LH stock I'd still get the 18k?
PQDs don't matter to me, as I currently have 8500 on 30k PQM, so that's not a necessary consideration here.
I get it doesn't matter to UA with the JV. But it matters to me it seems. And it must matter if it's a non-JV partner.
Do I have this right?
I have a rt ORD-FRA-PRG all booked as a W fare on 016 stock. The FRA-PRG segment both ways is on LH. The rest is UA metal. I get 11x the spend on this whole fare in RDM. If I booked the LH segments separately I'd only get the ~120 RDMs for each segment. So the advantage is to book together.
But if the whole trip is on LH (9000 RDM + 9000 bonus = 18k RDM), and say the $ that counted were $1000 I'd only earn 11k RDM. But if I booked on LH stock I'd still get the 18k?
PQDs don't matter to me, as I currently have 8500 on 30k PQM, so that's not a necessary consideration here.
I get it doesn't matter to UA with the JV. But it matters to me it seems. And it must matter if it's a non-JV partner.
Do I have this right?