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
Apr 29, 2015, 7:31 am
#2941
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: LAX,SNA,SAN
Programs: UA GS, Marriott LP, Hertz Gold
Posts: 861
Any feedback from MP or UA in general about the 1k or other elite(lol) folks who are getting screwed out of BIS miles. Yes, I know it's the new norm but to see RDM being cut in half if not more doesn't seem like it was the the real intent of the reduction. With that said, until Delta makes a move we can't count on this to be in place for the immediate or long term? Do you think UA really wanted to crush the BIS guy for transcons who select cheap to mid dollar fares?
Apr 29, 2015, 8:55 am
#2942
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: PHX
Programs: AS 75K; UA 1MM; Hyatt Globalist; Marriott LTP; Hilton Diamond (Aspire)
Posts: 56,468
Yes, I know it's the new norm but to see RDM being cut in half if not more doesn't seem like it was the the real intent of the reduction.
Apr 29, 2015, 9:09 am
#2943
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: LAX,SNA,SAN
Programs: UA GS, Marriott LP, Hertz Gold
Posts: 861
The new scheme has no effect on BIS calculation. Yes it does, I actually I have to be in the seat to still earn the miles based upon fare. I cannot go to the website and buy a tix for good value and not BIS. example, if I wanted to do a traditional mileage run, don't worry I won't, why do i still need to BIS?
Thanks for the newsflash. I know the intent but do you think UA, after copying DL knew that transcons BIS guy would get screwed flight after flight on the BIS miles like the old days? .11 seems awfully low still based upon what I am reading and still BIS. Of course this was to chase MR guy away and deter MR in general but to have such a serious impact on earning BIS miles?
Thanks for the newsflash. I know the intent but do you think UA, after copying DL knew that transcons BIS guy would get screwed flight after flight on the BIS miles like the old days? .11 seems awfully low still based upon what I am reading and still BIS. Of course this was to chase MR guy away and deter MR in general but to have such a serious impact on earning BIS miles?
Last edited by WineCountryUA; Apr 29, 2015 at 10:48 am Reason: repaired quote
Apr 29, 2015, 9:13 am
#2944
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: PHX
Programs: AS 75K; UA 1MM; Hyatt Globalist; Marriott LTP; Hilton Diamond (Aspire)
Posts: 56,468
The new scheme has no effect on BIS calculation. Yes it does, I actually I have to be in the seat to still earn the miles based upon fare. I cannot go to the website and buy a tix for good value and not BIS. example, if I wanted to do a traditional mileage run, don't worry I won't, why do i still need to BIS?
Thanks for the newsflash. I know the intent but do you think UA, after copying DL knew that transcons BIS guy would get screwed flight after flight on the BIS miles like the old days? .11 seems awfully low still based upon what I am reading and still BIS. Of course this was to chase MR guy away and deter MR in general but to have such a serious impact on earning BIS miles?
Thanks for the newsflash. I know the intent but do you think UA, after copying DL knew that transcons BIS guy would get screwed flight after flight on the BIS miles like the old days? .11 seems awfully low still based upon what I am reading and still BIS. Of course this was to chase MR guy away and deter MR in general but to have such a serious impact on earning BIS miles?
Apr 29, 2015, 10:46 am
#2945
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 1999
Location: Ewa Beach, Hawaii
Posts: 10,909
The new scheme has no effect on BIS calculation. Yes it does, I actually I have to be in the seat to still earn the miles based upon fare. I cannot go to the website and buy a tix for good value and not BIS. example, if I wanted to do a traditional mileage run, don't worry I won't, why do i still need to BIS?
Thanks for the newsflash. I know the intent but do you think UA, after copying DL knew that transcons BIS guy would get screwed flight after flight on the BIS miles like the old days? .11 seems awfully low still based upon what I am reading and still BIS. Of course this was to chase MR guy away and deter MR in general but to have such a serious impact on earning BIS miles?
Thanks for the newsflash. I know the intent but do you think UA, after copying DL knew that transcons BIS guy would get screwed flight after flight on the BIS miles like the old days? .11 seems awfully low still based upon what I am reading and still BIS. Of course this was to chase MR guy away and deter MR in general but to have such a serious impact on earning BIS miles?
Last edited by WineCountryUA; Apr 29, 2015 at 10:49 am Reason: repaired quote
Apr 29, 2015, 11:46 am
#2946
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: Canada
Programs: UA*1K MM SK EBG LATAM BL
Posts: 23,309
Apr 29, 2015, 11:49 am
#2947
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: PHX
Programs: AS 75K; UA 1MM; Hyatt Globalist; Marriott LTP; Hilton Diamond (Aspire)
Posts: 56,468
Apr 29, 2015, 11:55 am
#2948
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 1999
Location: Ewa Beach, Hawaii
Posts: 10,909
Most companies I know, if you are not upper management, then you are required to buy cheap economy. And before people jump on me, yes, I know there are companies that pay for business class, which is why I put the caveat "I know" in my statement.
Last edited by Baze; Apr 29, 2015 at 12:34 pm Reason: fixed punctuation
Apr 29, 2015, 11:55 am
#2949
Join Date: May 2010
Posts: 414
LH's K class on 016 ticket stock gets 0 RDMs. I knew no EQMs would come my way, but was surprised to learn (fare+intl surcharge) x 11 does not apply.
Apr 29, 2015, 12:00 pm
#2950
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: PHX
Programs: AS 75K; UA 1MM; Hyatt Globalist; Marriott LTP; Hilton Diamond (Aspire)
Posts: 56,468
The website is really misleading on this point. They need to expressly state that certain fare classes are not eligible when they reference the RDM scheme for 016 tickets. There is no way your average consumer would know that reading the current description.
Apr 29, 2015, 12:05 pm
#2951
Join Date: May 2010
Posts: 414
Actually, it's right there in the last sentence under the 016 accrual paragraph. Just didn't pay enough attention, it seems.
Apr 29, 2015, 12:10 pm
#2952
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: PHX
Programs: AS 75K; UA 1MM; Hyatt Globalist; Marriott LTP; Hilton Diamond (Aspire)
Posts: 56,468
You have to scroll all the way down to the Premier Qualification section to figure out, by its exclusion, that K is not a qualifying fare class.
Apr 29, 2015, 12:29 pm
#2953
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: SF Bay Area
Posts: 93
Took my first UA flight of the year last week. Got just under half the RDM I would have received under the old system w/out any status. Woo. Hoo.
Apr 29, 2015, 12:35 pm
#2954
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: NYC
Programs: AADULtArer
Posts: 5,690
I know life on the road sucks. It isn't glamorous. Getting people in front of customers in the best shape possible pays off short-mid-long term.
Apr 29, 2015, 1:02 pm
#2955
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: Midwest
Programs: UA GS, UA 1.6MM, AA LT PLT, AA 2.6MM, Intercontinental Royal Ambassador
Posts: 838
Its neither generous nor frivolous. It makes me tons of money. Its the sort of forward thinking that Jeff gets accused of not doing here a lot.
I know life on the road sucks. It isn't glamorous. Getting people in front of customers in the best shape possible pays off short-mid-long term.
I know life on the road sucks. It isn't glamorous. Getting people in front of customers in the best shape possible pays off short-mid-long term.
Edited to add: I subscribe to this approach although it is very painful. We are a highly successful company and have a healthy share of the market for the products which we offer.