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
Sep 18, 2016, 11:20 pm
#3166
Join Date: Apr 2016
Location: IAH
Programs: UA GS; Marriott Titanium
Posts: 200
If it makes you feel better, I only get my accruals (on both website and app) show up pre flight about 40-50% of the time. And when they show up, there's certainly no guarantee they are accurate.
Sep 19, 2016, 6:33 am
#3167
Moderator: United Airlines
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: SFO
Programs: UA Plat 1.99MM, Hyatt Discoverist, Marriott Plat/LT Gold, Hilton Silver, IHG Plat
Posts: 66,769
Mine are missing occasionally and like you I pay no attention to them when present.
Sep 19, 2016, 6:56 am
#3168
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2001
Posts: 10,965
Thanks. Good it is not just me. I wonder why it is happening.
I made 1K already this year but am trying to keep track to see if I can make the 3rd tier of that promotion - it would very very close. It looks like it won't happen now with some work plan changes. So, I guess I will not worry about it until 1/1.
I made 1K already this year but am trying to keep track to see if I can make the 3rd tier of that promotion - it would very very close. It looks like it won't happen now with some work plan changes. So, I guess I will not worry about it until 1/1.
Jan 10, 2017, 11:28 pm
#3169
Join Date: Nov 2009
Posts: 91
S-Class miles
How much miles do you earn in S class from SFO to HKG.
The actual miles is 6900, but I only received 2735 miles.
The actual miles is 6900, but I only received 2735 miles.
Jan 10, 2017, 11:47 pm
#3170
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: DFW
Programs: UA peon (+decades 1K), AA Exec Plt
Posts: 1,117
On a United Flight (where the ticket number begins with 016 (016 stock)) the number of miles depends upon how much the ticket cost (minus taxes; fees) and your status.
https://www.united.com/CMS/en-US/Mar...es/united.aspx
The basis is 5 times that cost. For each elite level you also receive a 'bonus' multiplier of 2,3,4;6 for Silver, Gold, Platinum or 1K.
Eg. If your ticket cost $1000 after taxes and fees and you held Gold status:
5 X 1000 = 5000
3 X 1000 = 3000
for a total of 8000 RDM
Class of ticket is not important for stock 016 fares only the cost with regards to RDM (the miles you redeem for travel; etc.)
https://www.united.com/CMS/en-US/Mar...es/united.aspx
The basis is 5 times that cost. For each elite level you also receive a 'bonus' multiplier of 2,3,4;6 for Silver, Gold, Platinum or 1K.
Eg. If your ticket cost $1000 after taxes and fees and you held Gold status:
5 X 1000 = 5000
3 X 1000 = 3000
for a total of 8000 RDM
Class of ticket is not important for stock 016 fares only the cost with regards to RDM (the miles you redeem for travel; etc.)
Jan 11, 2017, 9:11 am
#3171
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: SFO/SJC
Programs: UA Silver, Marriott Gold, Hilton Gold
Posts: 14,882
On a United Flight (where the ticket number begins with 016 (016 stock)) the number of miles depends upon how much the ticket cost (minus taxes; fees) and your status.
https://www.united.com/CMS/en-US/Mar...es/united.aspx
The basis is 5 times that cost. For each elite level you also receive a 'bonus' multiplier of 2,3,4;6 for Silver, Gold, Platinum or 1K.
Eg. If your ticket cost $1000 after taxes and fees and you held Gold status:
5 X 1000 = 5000
3 X 1000 = 3000
for a total of 8000 RDM
Class of ticket is not important for stock 016 fares only the cost with regards to RDM (the miles you redeem for travel; etc.)
https://www.united.com/CMS/en-US/Mar...es/united.aspx
The basis is 5 times that cost. For each elite level you also receive a 'bonus' multiplier of 2,3,4;6 for Silver, Gold, Platinum or 1K.
Eg. If your ticket cost $1000 after taxes and fees and you held Gold status:
5 X 1000 = 5000
3 X 1000 = 3000
for a total of 8000 RDM
Class of ticket is not important for stock 016 fares only the cost with regards to RDM (the miles you redeem for travel; etc.)
Last edited by WineCountryUA; Jan 11, 2017 at 12:02 pm Reason: modifying text of quotes is not allowed
Apr 8, 2017, 10:59 am
#3172
Join Date: May 2016
Location: SFO
Programs: UA 1k
Posts: 312
Lufthansa ticket, United Flight
I found a good fare to go to my hometown for Christmas, it is mostly United metal (in combination with TP for the last domestic leg) but for some reason comes up cheaper if I book it through LH ($1k cheaper!).
As it would be a 220 stock ticket, would I still get my PQDs and miles based on those? It would be booking into Q fare on the way there and H on the way back.
Also, can I then use my GPUs on the UA pieces as the flights would be ticketing on LH codeshares?
Thanks! :-)
As it would be a 220 stock ticket, would I still get my PQDs and miles based on those? It would be booking into Q fare on the way there and H on the way back.
Also, can I then use my GPUs on the UA pieces as the flights would be ticketing on LH codeshares?
Thanks! :-)
Apr 8, 2017, 11:06 am
#3173
Moderator: United Airlines
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: SFO
Programs: UA Plat 1.99MM, Hyatt Discoverist, Marriott Plat/LT Gold, Hilton Silver, IHG Plat
Posts: 66,769
PQDs only for the UA flights.
RMDs using PQDs for UA flights and using flight miles (& fare class) for non-UA flights.
yes
Apr 8, 2017, 11:07 am
#3174
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: NYC (Primarily EWR)
Programs: UA 1K / *G, Marriott Bonvoy Gold; Avis PC
Posts: 8,994
I found a good fare to go to my hometown for Christmas, it is mostly United metal (in combination with TP for the last domestic leg) but for some reason comes up cheaper if I book it through LH ($1k cheaper!).
As it would be a 220 stock ticket, would I still get my PQDs and miles based on those? It would be booking into Q fare on the way there and H on the way back.
Also, can I then use my GPUs on the UA pieces as the flights would be ticketing on LH codeshares?
Thanks! :-)
As it would be a 220 stock ticket, would I still get my PQDs and miles based on those? It would be booking into Q fare on the way there and H on the way back.
Also, can I then use my GPUs on the UA pieces as the flights would be ticketing on LH codeshares?
Thanks! :-)
Apr 8, 2017, 11:19 am
#3175
Join Date: May 2016
Location: SFO
Programs: UA 1k
Posts: 312
Thank you PsiFighter37!
Jul 19, 2018, 12:47 pm
#3176
Join Date: May 2008
Location: Ventura, CA
Programs: Mileage Plus, Advantage
Posts: 5
United mileage award math...
Flying from EWR to DEL on United ticketed airfare resulted in a total of 1,152 Award Miles. Is this correct?
UA 82 H class: Base miles 640 + Bonus Miles 512 = Total miles 1,152
UA 82 H class: Base miles 640 + Bonus Miles 512 = Total miles 1,152
Jul 19, 2018, 1:00 pm
#3178
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Austin, TX
Posts: 21,364
Also, what was the entire routing, and have you finished your trip? Those numbers -- which represent 128 PQD for a Platinum -- seem low for an H fare on EWR-DEL. However, UA can allocate PQD oddly to different segments within a trip.
Jul 19, 2018, 1:05 pm
#3179
Join Date: May 2008
Location: Ventura, CA
Programs: Mileage Plus, Advantage
Posts: 5
This year I'm a Platinum. Paid a total of $1,095.41 ($950.20 airfare + taxes)
Here's the original ticket:
(K Class) UA52 IAD-ZUR + UA9051 ZUR-FRA + UA8906 FRA-DEL
and then
(W Class) UA7968 BKK-NRT + UA804 NRT-IAD
At check in counter the outbound leg was rebooked to IAD-EWR-DEL. Yield a total of 1,188 award miles (36 + 1,152)
From BKK to IAD I received a total of 7,328 miles (2,214 + 5,116)
Did the UA rep messed up the reservation and she changed the original itinerary?
Here's the original ticket:
(K Class) UA52 IAD-ZUR + UA9051 ZUR-FRA + UA8906 FRA-DEL
and then
(W Class) UA7968 BKK-NRT + UA804 NRT-IAD
At check in counter the outbound leg was rebooked to IAD-EWR-DEL. Yield a total of 1,188 award miles (36 + 1,152)
From BKK to IAD I received a total of 7,328 miles (2,214 + 5,116)
Did the UA rep messed up the reservation and she changed the original itinerary?
Jul 19, 2018, 1:08 pm
#3180
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2015
Posts: 11,451
It seems approximately correct, although you may be missing about $33 worth of PQD and 300 award miles. With $950 airfare and platinum status, the trip should total about 8550 award miles.