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, 9:49 am
#301
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: DFW
Programs: AA EXP, mid-tier with pretty much everyone else
Posts: 873
Another justification I've heard, which I actually buy a bit, is they want to model themselves after hotel programs.
Jun 10, 2014, 9:50 am
#302
In Memoriam, FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: Durham, NC (RDU/GSO/CLT)
Programs: AA EXP/MM, DL GM, UA Platinum, HH DIA, Hyatt Explorist, IHG Platinum, Marriott Titanium, Hertz PC
Posts: 33,857
Just because another FFP does this doesn't mean you shouldn't fly that airline. The airline choice should never be just about the FFP. At least AA and DL (especially DL) are putting money into their product and expanding. While United is shrinking and devaluing.
Jun 10, 2014, 9:51 am
#303
Join Date: May 2001
Location: Since the BoSox and ChiSox won it, now it is the Cubs turn to take the Series. Go Cubs Go!
Posts: 3,685
Just saw the full webpage now as well 
. Apparently it has been published just a few moments ago.
At least an enhancement that is not unexpected, but it's not a "change that I will like".
Also, this program update will apply to all MileagePlus members worldwide and it will also apply to tickets for flights operated by a Star Alliance™ or MileagePlus partner airline when the ticket number starts with "016." Tickets for flights operated by a Star Alliance™ or MileagePlus partner airline that aren’t issued by United (ticket numbers that don’t start with “016”) will still earn award miles based on distance flown and the purchased fare class.
. Apparently it has been published just a few moments ago.At least an enhancement that is not unexpected, but it's not a "change that I will like".
Also, this program update will apply to all MileagePlus members worldwide and it will also apply to tickets for flights operated by a Star Alliance™ or MileagePlus partner airline when the ticket number starts with "016." Tickets for flights operated by a Star Alliance™ or MileagePlus partner airline that aren’t issued by United (ticket numbers that don’t start with “016”) will still earn award miles based on distance flown and the purchased fare class.
Jun 10, 2014, 9:51 am
#304
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: USA
Programs: DL DI AA LTPL MAR LTPL HY GL
Posts: 477
With no more MRs, especially on weekends to not disturb work schedule, now I'll have more time for friends and family?!?? 
Jun 10, 2014, 9:53 am
#305
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: EAU
Programs: UA 1K, CO Plat, NW Plat, Marriott Premiere Plat, SPG Plat, Priority Gold, Hilton Gold
Posts: 4,712
So YTD I have 36,522 PQM, and $4,704 PQD. That means I earned 73,044 RDM under the current rules, and would have earned 51,744 RDM under the new rules as a 1K.
So about a 30% devaluation on number of flight miles, or about 15% on miles overall since I get half of them from CC spend.
With DL doing the same thing, it really comes down to saver award availability. DL's Achilles heel has always been the price of their awards, but they're promising lower pricing once the new earning kicks in.
Since Mileage Plus was about the ONLY thing UA had going for it over DL, if UA brings Mileage Plus in line with Skypesos, there's really no reason for me to stick with UA.
So about a 30% devaluation on number of flight miles, or about 15% on miles overall since I get half of them from CC spend.
With DL doing the same thing, it really comes down to saver award availability. DL's Achilles heel has always been the price of their awards, but they're promising lower pricing once the new earning kicks in.
Since Mileage Plus was about the ONLY thing UA had going for it over DL, if UA brings Mileage Plus in line with Skypesos, there's really no reason for me to stick with UA.
Jun 10, 2014, 9:54 am
#306
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Independent! But mostly BKK, BCN, SFO, PDX, SEA...
Programs: Lawl COVID
Posts: 1,060
So if cabin crew did not like changes, they strike; pilots' benefits were cut, they strike; ground handlers funds were cut, they strike...
How about a UA Frequent Flyer strike?
That is, to ask all UA members to not fly on UA metal on 1st March 2015 to stage your anger!
To do this is simple, ask members here to try to avoid travel on UA on 1st March. And if you do need to travel on 1st March, try to use another FFP number or simple take the UA number out and retro claim.
Nothing can be achieved through this but only a small message to UA and to get some publicity.
How about a UA Frequent Flyer strike?
That is, to ask all UA members to not fly on UA metal on 1st March 2015 to stage your anger!
To do this is simple, ask members here to try to avoid travel on UA on 1st March. And if you do need to travel on 1st March, try to use another FFP number or simple take the UA number out and retro claim.
Nothing can be achieved through this but only a small message to UA and to get some publicity.
Well, fine. Just because y'all are gluttons for punishment doesn't mean I am. I have switched away, and I can tell you, the "strike" I've started against United is going along swimmingly. I am so glad I did it. Buying the cabin you can afford and not worrying about status is sooooooo refreshing. Sometimes it's coach, sometimes it's biz, and sometimes it's first. And that's the way it should be. Jeffro thinks you can't do any better than United. I'm happy to prove to him he's dead wrong. Sad that many others don't share that sentiment because if they did, a lot of these changes would have been rolled back real quick, or we'd be talking about liquidation by now.
TL;DR: good luck with that.
Jun 10, 2014, 9:54 am
#307
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: SF Bay Area
Programs: None - previously UA
Posts: 4,867
This is going to introduce some weird holes in the system which may drive revenue away from United. Purchase a cheaper non 016 ticket for less and earn more miles, yes please...
Jun 10, 2014, 9:56 am
#308
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: LAS, ZQN
Programs: UA PP (2MM), BA gold
Posts: 2,202
Jun 10, 2014, 9:56 am
#309
Join Date: Feb 2014
Location: DEN/FRA/BRE/KBP
Programs: UA Plat and MM
Posts: 40
Merger comin
.
Jun 10, 2014, 9:58 am
#310
Join Date: Jun 2012
Programs: UA Platinum
Posts: 252
It is stunning to me how quickly they have devalued the MP program. Every change they have made to the program over the last year and a half has drastically reduced my incentive to fly UA. With the redemption devaluation, PQDs, and this, my flying patterns will look very different in 2015.
Jun 10, 2014, 9:59 am
#311
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: SFO
Programs: UA Silver
Posts: 1,155
If anyone is familiar with what DL's been doing in the past few years she should have a good idea whether the "promises" made by DL have any sort of credibility.
Jun 10, 2014, 9:59 am
#312
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Austin, Texas
Programs: Airline nobody. Sad!
Posts: 26,062
There is absolutely no way the DOJ would let DL buy UA. UA would only be sold if it were to fall as far as Pan Am did by the end, and the pieces of UA (route authorities, LHR/EWR/JFK slots, hubs, etc.) were sold off. And then, WN or B6 or VX or someone would have to step into that gap, AA/DL as the only larger network airlines would leave too much opportunity for a third player to step up and disrupt that new paradigm.
Jun 10, 2014, 9:59 am
#313
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: Houston
Programs: UA - 1K, Marriott - Gold, Hilton - Gold, Global Entry,
Posts: 633
This is a big benefit for my travel patterns, but I expect we'll be paying more miles for award tickets. My last LHR-IAH trip was about $6700 PQDs and I earned about 26,600 RDMs as a 1K on a C fare. According to the calculator, I will now earn 73,700 RDMs or possibly hit the 75k cap depending on class of service bonus so I'm earning almost 3 times as many RDMs.
My predictionis they will add a 3rd tier to the redemption options. They will keep the saver award level, but availability will be next to impossible to find. They'll have a new intermediate tier with availability on par with current saver award availability and then keep the standard award level with slightly inflated mileage redemption levels to what they currently have.
My predictionis they will add a 3rd tier to the redemption options. They will keep the saver award level, but availability will be next to impossible to find. They'll have a new intermediate tier with availability on par with current saver award availability and then keep the standard award level with slightly inflated mileage redemption levels to what they currently have.
Jun 10, 2014, 10:01 am
#314
Join Date: May 2005
Location: Houston (IAH,HOU) / Kāʻanapali (JHM,OGG)
Programs: UA GS 2MM, AA P 2MM, DL PM, US P, VS G, SPG LT P, HH D, HYATT P, PC P, AVIS PC, HERTZ PLAT
Posts: 970
Jun 10, 2014, 10:03 am
#315
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: Chicagoland, IL, USA
Programs: WN CP, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 14,192
Sort of. But it's quite pitiful.
Yeah, it will be interesting to watch how WN benefits from all this. UA screws you on the earning and also screws you on the partner redemption within a few months.
For international redemption on UA, just manufacture spend and accrue UR at 5x as much as possible. For domestic travel, having the WN Companion Pass starts to look better all the time.
For international redemption on UA, just manufacture spend and accrue UR at 5x as much as possible. For domestic travel, having the WN Companion Pass starts to look better all the time.