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, 8:17 pm
#856
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: ORD
Programs: UA Silver, Marriott Platinum/LT Platinum, Hilton Gold
Posts: 5,594
Technically, by definition, you spend more than a 1K, most likely by purchasing more premium cabin fares, which means you'll earn more RDM's than a 1K. That should be the only difference. But I'm sure there are also 1K's who spend more than GS, especially those who were granted GS through a corporate contract or some other way.
Jun 10, 2014, 8:17 pm
#857
Join Date: Jul 2003
Programs: UA1K 3MM, AS MVP 75K Gold
Posts: 2,706
Oh, boy. Haven't read every thread but the gist of it is that the vast majority of us will see a significant reduction in RDMs.
Correct my math if necessary. I'm going from HNL-ANC. I paid $1546.97 (excl. taxes and fees). Right now, I will get 11,542 miles x 2 (1K bonus) = 23,084 RDMs.
Under the new system, it will be $1546.97 x 11 = 17,016 RDMs or a reduction of over 6000 RDMs.
Is this accurate?
Correct my math if necessary. I'm going from HNL-ANC. I paid $1546.97 (excl. taxes and fees). Right now, I will get 11,542 miles x 2 (1K bonus) = 23,084 RDMs.
Under the new system, it will be $1546.97 x 11 = 17,016 RDMs or a reduction of over 6000 RDMs.
Is this accurate?
Jun 10, 2014, 8:20 pm
#858
Join Date: Feb 2014
Posts: 514
I think GS get a few extra perks like getting CPUs on Award tickets?
Jun 10, 2014, 8:20 pm
#859
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: ORD
Programs: UA Silver, Marriott Platinum/LT Platinum, Hilton Gold
Posts: 5,594
Oh, boy. Haven't read every thread but the gist of it is that the vast majority of us will see a significant reduction in RDMs.
Correct my math if necessary. I'm going from HNL-ANC. I paid $1546.97 (excl. taxes and fees). Right now, I will get 11,542 miles x 2 (1K bonus) = 23,084 RDMs.
Under the new system, it will be $1546.97 x 11 = 17,016 RDMs or a reduction of over 6000 RDMs.
Is this accurate?
Correct my math if necessary. I'm going from HNL-ANC. I paid $1546.97 (excl. taxes and fees). Right now, I will get 11,542 miles x 2 (1K bonus) = 23,084 RDMs.
Under the new system, it will be $1546.97 x 11 = 17,016 RDMs or a reduction of over 6000 RDMs.
Is this accurate?
Jun 10, 2014, 8:29 pm
#860
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: MRY - CNX - TXL
Programs: UA 1K / *G / Marriott PE / Expedia Gold+ / Hertz PC
Posts: 7,058
Oh, boy. Haven't read every thread but the gist of it is that the vast majority of us will see a significant reduction in RDMs.
Correct my math if necessary. I'm going from HNL-ANC. I paid $1546.97 (excl. taxes and fees). Right now, I will get 11,542 miles x 2 (1K bonus) = 23,084 RDMs.
Under the new system, it will be $1546.97 x 11 = 17,016 RDMs or a reduction of over 6000 RDMs.
Is this accurate?
Correct my math if necessary. I'm going from HNL-ANC. I paid $1546.97 (excl. taxes and fees). Right now, I will get 11,542 miles x 2 (1K bonus) = 23,084 RDMs.
Under the new system, it will be $1546.97 x 11 = 17,016 RDMs or a reduction of over 6000 RDMs.
Is this accurate?
Jun 10, 2014, 8:30 pm
#861
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: NYC
Programs: UA MileagePlus 2MM
Posts: 1,567
[QUOTE=aacharya;23013553]You are confusing this thread (RDMs) with how PQMs are earned.
But all I need to do to keep earning 1K is earn 100,000 PQM's, right? Regardless of whatever RDM's I earn?
But all I need to do to keep earning 1K is earn 100,000 PQM's, right? Regardless of whatever RDM's I earn?
Jun 10, 2014, 8:32 pm
#862
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: 67,148
Jun 10, 2014, 8:34 pm
#863
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: LAX
Programs: UA Silver, AA, WN, DL
Posts: 4,091
As a 1K, in theory, all I would have to do to retain 1k is buy 2 RT's JFK to SIN in Biz at around $5-6K each and i would make 1K for the year? At $12k spent. I am currently at at $33k spend YTD and I have about 115k EQM's. MileagePlus seems to have so many changes it is tough for me, as a longtime 1K, to keep up. But if I have it right, I can do 2 trips to Asia on UA, hit the 4 UA segments threshold, and then spend the rest of why I would spend on other *A carriers. Or other alliances?It sounds too good to be true, I must be missing something....
Jun 10, 2014, 8:35 pm
#864
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: NYC
Programs: UA-1K MM, AA-Gold, DL-Silver, AS-MVP
Posts: 2,509
You still need 100,000PQM or 100PQS AND $10,000 PQD to be 1K. That has not changed. Only thing new is the RDM earned will be based on how much you spend and not how far you fly.
Jun 10, 2014, 8:35 pm
#865
Join Date: Feb 2014
Location: South Florida
Programs: DL GM, SPG GOLD, UA DIRT, AA PLAT, US (RIP), Hilton HHonors
Posts: 705
Others have probably already been saying this, but classic United to copy others
Jun 10, 2014, 8:39 pm
#867
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Colorado
Programs: Lifetime UA 1K, Lifetime Hilton Diamond, Lifetime Marriott Bonvoy Titanium
Posts: 1,261
I'm 25-30 cents per mile and will do a little better.
Jun 10, 2014, 8:40 pm
#868
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Danville, CA, USA;
Programs: UA 1MM, WN CP, Marriott LT Plat, Hilton Gold, IC Plat
Posts: 15,722
- Those who are most price sensitive will go with DL (or one of the Chinese carriers if they feel so inclined)
- Those who want the best product and/or fastest (and least chance for a missed connection) will take the Cathay nonstop
- Those who need EQMs will fly UA (if they can do so without violating corp travel policy)
In the past I would normally take UA for the EQMs - the new RDM policy provides some additional incentive. But I'd still be tempted by the Cathay flight and no shortage of OW partners to bank the miles.
My prediction is that most premium customers won't be switching to UA for a few thousand RDMs unless the product improves.
Jun 10, 2014, 8:42 pm
#869
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: LAX
Posts: 177
The simplest math seems to be that the segment runner is now the premier king:
10 segments per month, as short as possible to net the 500 mile minimum, at $83.33 PQD per segment = 1K
10 segments per month, as short as possible to net the 500 mile minimum, at $83.33 PQD per segment = 1K
Jun 10, 2014, 8:43 pm
#870
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: ORD-LAS
Programs: UA MM 1K, Hyatt Globalist, Marriott Titanium Elite
Posts: 4,419
I agree with you. This is going to possibly kill them on Transcon, TPAC/TATL. They are getting killed by Asian carriers. This will not help not when the competition has a much better experience.
I have a trip to India coming up that I do every year. I am a 1K. It's about a $1500 fare. It's a whole day of travel. Now I get that the airline can make it purely revenue based but as a passenger I have a choice, and next year I will fly on Emirates or Lufthansa just for a much better experience. I expect miles to put up with the crappy product UA puts out. My GPU/RPU would normally clear but now that doesn't happen anymore due to all the tinkering the spreadsheet monkeys are doing. I guess the only way DL/UA would change is if they actually saw people leaving. What do you think others will be doing? We won't know next year until these programs go into effect. It could very well backfire on them. Human behavior can be hard to predict but I know how this is changing my behavior. Maybe if UA was a monopoly would I not have a choice but I do, we all do.
For domestic short haul tix I will probably stick with UA as I will make more. I will make 1K by the end of June. I will then call AA and due a status match. When AA asks me why, I will tell them they have a more attractive FFP. When UA sends me the email asking me why I stopped flying, I will tell them I am looking at AA as DL and UA are very unfriendly to do business with and if AA follows then I will look at other options outside of the big three.
I have a trip to India coming up that I do every year. I am a 1K. It's about a $1500 fare. It's a whole day of travel. Now I get that the airline can make it purely revenue based but as a passenger I have a choice, and next year I will fly on Emirates or Lufthansa just for a much better experience. I expect miles to put up with the crappy product UA puts out. My GPU/RPU would normally clear but now that doesn't happen anymore due to all the tinkering the spreadsheet monkeys are doing. I guess the only way DL/UA would change is if they actually saw people leaving. What do you think others will be doing? We won't know next year until these programs go into effect. It could very well backfire on them. Human behavior can be hard to predict but I know how this is changing my behavior. Maybe if UA was a monopoly would I not have a choice but I do, we all do.
For domestic short haul tix I will probably stick with UA as I will make more. I will make 1K by the end of June. I will then call AA and due a status match. When AA asks me why, I will tell them they have a more attractive FFP. When UA sends me the email asking me why I stopped flying, I will tell them I am looking at AA as DL and UA are very unfriendly to do business with and if AA follows then I will look at other options outside of the big three.