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, 6:47 am
#76
In Memoriam, FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2000
Location: Benicia CA
Programs: Alaska MVP Gold 75K, AA 3.8MM, UA 1.1MM, enjoying the retired life
Posts: 31,849
Take the time to look around. Although AA might jump out initially, I don't think anyone is ready to say they'll be immune from changes next year. Take a look at Alaska which has a lot of partners. You might not consider them being based in NY but it's something to seriously look at. Hopefully a different set of carriers can work for you. Don't overlook status matches either, particularly the AA 1K to EXP challenge, if you go that direction.
Jun 10, 2014, 6:47 am
#77
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Denver • DEN-APA
Programs: AF Platinum, EK Gold, AA EXP, UA 1K, Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 21,602
Jun 10, 2014, 6:51 am
#78
In Memoriam, FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2000
Location: Benicia CA
Programs: Alaska MVP Gold 75K, AA 3.8MM, UA 1.1MM, enjoying the retired life
Posts: 31,849
Jun 10, 2014, 6:53 am
#79
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: Colorado
Programs: United MM (formerly 1K), Marriott Lifetime Gold
Posts: 551
Jun 10, 2014, 6:54 am
#80
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: Canada
Programs: UA*1K MM SK EBG LATAM BL
Posts: 23,309
Flying = 5-11 RDMs per $
Buying miles = 43-47 RDMs per $
Flyers punished.
A3*G just became that much more valuable.
Buying miles = 43-47 RDMs per $
Flyers punished.
A3*G just became that much more valuable.
Jun 10, 2014, 6:54 am
#81
Suspended
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: Watchlisted by the prejudiced, en route to purgatory
Programs: Just Say No to Fleecing and Blacklisting
Posts: 102,095
Whether it does or does not work toward the PQD levels -- there are residency exemptions -- the changes UA is noting in this thread are going to increase the proportion of (redeemable) miles issued for credit card spending and reduce the proportion of its miles which have been issued for flying.
Welcome to the demise of the frequent flyer program and to the rise of the Phoenix in the form of a frequent dollar shopper program.
Welcome to the demise of the frequent flyer program and to the rise of the Phoenix in the form of a frequent dollar shopper program.
Jun 10, 2014, 6:55 am
#83
Join Date: May 2012
Location: ORF, RIC
Programs: UA LT 1K, 3 MM; Marriott Titanium; IHG Platinum
Posts: 6,958
Any incentive for travel with United is gone with this "enhancement."
Jun 10, 2014, 6:59 am
#84
Join Date: May 2007
Location: WAS
Programs: UA 1K, AA EXP, WN A+, Hyatt Glob, Marriott Amb, Hertz PC
Posts: 1,127
When is the last time UA included service improvements?
DL is going to continue to print money. This allows them to improve service while pursuing an emphasis on revenue in their loyalty program. Win-win for them.
Jun 10, 2014, 6:59 am
#85
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
Well S-word. Not that this isn't surprising but it is disappointing. Unlike Delta where I tend to spend more on my flights, UA is whom I fly only when it's cheap so this hurts, especially as I have no plans to get status back on them. I guess I'm just part of the problem though 
Sigh, I miss 10 years ago.
Sigh, I miss 10 years ago.
Jun 10, 2014, 6:59 am
#86
Join Date: Jan 1999
Location: Too many
Programs: Lots
Posts: 5,761
To put this change into perspective:
A one way, first class award on LH from IAD to FRA will now require $10,000 in ticket purchases for a 1K.
A one way, first class award on LH from IAD to FRA will now require $10,000 in ticket purchases for a 1K.
Jun 10, 2014, 7:01 am
#88
Join Date: Dec 2004
Programs: UA-1K, MM, Hilton-Diamond, Marriott-Titanium
Posts: 4,432
I am soooooo glad I only need 505 miles to 1MM. Gold for life is fine with me. No more mileage runs as I have no intention of giving UA the dollars to get above Gold. Why bother???? I'm going to buy cheap, if I buy UA. otherwise I'll just use my miles. Even though I burned a ton since they announced deval I still have a ton more.
So sad and I just don't understand it. it's not like UA has the best product out there. especially INTL. I changed my latest award trip to LH F when it became available,to avoid the joke that is known as Global First.
Are they purposely driving away pax so they can file for bankruptcy?
So sad and I just don't understand it. it's not like UA has the best product out there. especially INTL. I changed my latest award trip to LH F when it became available,to avoid the joke that is known as Global First.
Are they purposely driving away pax so they can file for bankruptcy?
Jun 10, 2014, 7:01 am
#89
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: IAD
Programs: UA GS, 1MM; Marriott Lifetime Titanium Elite
Posts: 561
I guess I don't quite understand what the driver of this is. Do flight generated miles create such a massive liability on the balance sheet that they need to cut flight mile earning?
Assuming there is a defensible financial reason to take this act, what is it?
Redemptions take up a significant proportion of salable first and business seats?
Assuming there is a defensible financial reason to take this act, what is it?
Redemptions take up a significant proportion of salable first and business seats?
Jun 10, 2014, 7:03 am
#90
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Denver • DEN-APA
Programs: AF Platinum, EK Gold, AA EXP, UA 1K, Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 21,602
