Nov 19, 2014, 7:52 am
Last edit by: FlyinHawaiian
Changes from the 19-Nov-2014 announcement regarding the 2015 MileagePlus Program:
Links are available to the dedicated threads that discuss the details and impacts of each change.
Changes effective 1-Feb-2015:
Changes effective 1-Mar-2015:
Changes effective 14-Apr-2015:
Changes effective 1-July-2015:
Unanswered questions:
Links are available to the dedicated threads that discuss the details and impacts of each change.
Changes effective 1-Feb-2015:
- MileagePlus will no longer provide Global Entry reimbursement codes for Premier Platinum and 1K members
- For tickets issued/re-issued on or after 1-Feb-2015, Premier Gold members will receive only 2 complimentary checked bags, up to 70 lb, for routes that do not offer free checked bags to non-status passengers
- Mileage upgrades for p.s. flights (JFK-LAX/SFO) will require co-pay for all Premier members for requests after 1-Feb-2015
Changes effective 1-Mar-2015:
- Award Redeemable Miles will be calculated based on the ticket price, not the distance flown.
- 2015 MileagePlus Change: New Partner Earnings Effective March 1, 2015
Changes effective 14-Apr-2015:
Changes effective 1-July-2015:
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Unanswered questions:
2015 MileagePlus Program Updates Announced (Master/Consolidated Thread)
Nov 20, 2014, 5:26 pm
#76
Join Date: Feb 2008
Posts: 1,597
wow. making it increasingly harder to get status, and constantly chipping away at benefits.
Nov 20, 2014, 6:21 pm
#77
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: DCA
Programs: UA LT 1K, AA EXP, Bonvoy LT Titan, Avis PC, Hilton Gold
Posts: 9,658
Times change, and people change, and react to what works best for them.
For me at this point in time AA works best for me. Mainline jets to frequent destinations (that UA flies RJs), better service, better new international products, better FF program, better upgrade rate (for me 92.5% this year including transcons). If AA/US switch and copy UA/DL then I will likely just move back to UA and sort of forget about FF miles (since I am already locked in with status).
UA management is making decisions, whether one agrees or disagrees. Just don't take it out on the many wonderful front line people at UA who are just doing the job they are directed to do.
Nov 20, 2014, 8:16 pm
#78
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: SJC/SFO
Programs: UA lifetime gold; Hilton Gold; Marriott/SPG Plat; Hyatt Discoverist
Posts: 2,954
At least UA did not say these are enhancements or alignment of benefits; they call it changes which is exactly what it is.
Nov 20, 2014, 8:25 pm
#79
Moderator: Smoking Lounge; FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: SFO
Programs: Lifetime (for now) Gold MM, HH Gold, Giving Tootsie Pops to UA employees, & a retired hockey goalie
Posts: 28,878
Many here have switched to an airline that works best for them. These changes are fairly minor - COPA and GE fee. UA is doing what they think is best for UA. I don't have a crystal ball, but I disagree with what UA is doing - mostly in the $ based RDM. And all this started with UA's desire (actually started at CO) to get more revenue for the forward cabin with TODs. Not clear how this is panning out - will take a long time to assess.
Times change, and people change, and react to what works best for them.
For me at this point in time AA works best for me. Mainline jets to frequent destinations (that UA flies RJs), better service, better new international products, better FF program, better upgrade rate (for me 92.5% this year including transcons). If AA/US switch and copy UA/DL then I will likely just move back to UA and sort of forget about FF miles (since I am already locked in with status).
UA management is making decisions, whether one agrees or disagrees. Just don't take it out on the many wonderful front line people at UA who are just doing the job they are directed to do.
Times change, and people change, and react to what works best for them.
For me at this point in time AA works best for me. Mainline jets to frequent destinations (that UA flies RJs), better service, better new international products, better FF program, better upgrade rate (for me 92.5% this year including transcons). If AA/US switch and copy UA/DL then I will likely just move back to UA and sort of forget about FF miles (since I am already locked in with status).
UA management is making decisions, whether one agrees or disagrees. Just don't take it out on the many wonderful front line people at UA who are just doing the job they are directed to do.
, but you left one out and depending on who you talk to, the change is either minor or (in my Boston accent) majahhttp://www.flyertalk.com/forum/unite...rades-p-s.html
Nov 20, 2014, 9:20 pm
#80
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: GVA (Greater Vancouver Area)
Programs: DREAD Gold; UA 1.035MM; Bonvoy Au-197; PCC Elite+; CCC Elite+; MSC C-12; CWC Au-197; WoH Dis
Posts: 52,140
I'm not new to the program. I know exactly how it's been set up, and I have always objected to it. I'm very glad that it's being taken away.
Last edited by mahasamatman; Nov 20, 2014 at 9:53 pm
Nov 21, 2014, 12:36 am
#81
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: SJC, SFO, YYC
Programs: AA-EXP, AA-0.41MM, UA-Gold, Ex UA-1K (2006 thru 2015), PMUA-0.95MM, COUA-1.5MM-lite, AF-Silver
Posts: 13,437
What priority? Group 1 boarding? Plats had that. Has a gold ever been forced to check a bag because a kettle on a 1K award ticket boarded first?
Nov 21, 2014, 6:53 am
#82
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Houston
Programs: UA GS 2.6MM & Lifetime UC, Qantas Platinum, Hilton Lifetime Diamond, Bonvoy Platinum, HawaiianMiles
Posts: 8,703
Bummed about inherited status going away. Was very helpful for my little ol' mother on her 1-2 flights per year.
Nov 21, 2014, 7:19 am
#83
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: LGA/JFK/EWR
Programs: UA 1K1.75MM, Hyatt Globalist, abandoned Marriott LTT (RIP SPG), Hertz PC
Posts: 21,172
The stopover is still a great & somewhat differentiating benefit, which is why of course UA will axe it in the next round of benefit cuts, probably for the 2016 program year.
Nov 21, 2014, 8:05 am
#84
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: PHL
Programs: UA 1K 1MM, Marriott Gold, IHG Platinum, Raddison Platinum, Avis Presidents Club
Posts: 5,271
I actually had just booked a last second flight with (saver) miles for my mother to fly back to PEK for a death in the family. We used my miles so that she could make changes for free since she was unsure if she would need to change. As a bonus she was able to visit the UA lounge and Air China Lounge. (She was quite impressed with one of them)
Glad it happened this year I guess
Glad it happened this year I guess
Nov 21, 2014, 9:14 am
#85
Join Date: Apr 2004
Programs: DL Diamond, UA 1K, AA CK
Posts: 67
base fare plus carrier-imposed surcharges
The mile amount will be calculated only on base fare plus carrier-imposed surcharges. On a $1000.00 ticket how much is taxes and other fees that will not count toward miles?
The mile amount will be calculated only on base fare plus carrier-imposed surcharges. On a $1000.00 ticket how much is taxes and other fees that will not count toward miles?
Nov 21, 2014, 10:48 am
#86
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: Canada
Programs: UA*1K MM SK EBG LATAM BL
Posts: 23,314
Basically look up the fare on ITA - add base fare + YQ + YR
Nov 21, 2014, 4:30 pm
#87
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Sandpoint,Idaho- previously- Colorado, NYC, New England, SC
Programs: United Millionmiler 1/Star Alliance Gold, National Emerald Executive for Life, Best Western Platinum
Posts: 176
Post 2/1/15 Million Miler bag benefits? Thanks
Nov 21, 2014, 5:01 pm
#88
Moderator: United Airlines
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: SFO
Programs: UA Plat 1.997MM, Hyatt Discoverist, Marriott Plat/LT Gold, Hilton Silver, IHG Plat
Posts: 66,859
Nov 21, 2014, 9:44 pm
#89
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: FLL
Programs: UA: 1K MM, Marriott Ambassador, Platinum IHG. Diamond: Hilton. Silver: Delta & Hyatt
Posts: 1,366
Add me to the list of Kayakers
Truly disappointing that the MP program gets less and less attractive and the benefits continue to get reduced at the same time the qualifications get increased and the onboard experience continues to deteriorate. At some point even loyal UA flyers like myself are going to start walking away. I am a 10+ year 1K with 1.5 million miles who has been flying United since I was a kid, but at a certain point, enough is enough.
It is looking more and more like 2015 might be the year that I walk away . . .
Tim
It is looking more and more like 2015 might be the year that I walk away . . .
Tim
Nov 22, 2014, 1:01 am
#90
Join Date: Apr 2007
Programs: UA 1K, DL Gold, Marriott Gold
Posts: 34
I can see the boot print on my rear
As UAL kicks me out the door.
2001: gold
2002: 1K
2003: 1K
2004: 1K
2005: GS
2005: GS
2006: GS
2007: GS
2008: GS
2009: GS
2010: GS
2011: GS
2012: 1K
2013: 1K
2014: 1K
Any reason to prioritize United over other carriers has now been eliminated.
The past couple of years, I've moved travel away from UAL based primarily on uncompetitive price and uncompetitive service. But I always had a little bit of loyalty. I liked my status. But this past year, my status has been meaningless in IROPS and more. My Q1 2015 travel is 80% booked. In the past, I would have made an effort to book on united - even rationalized the price premium. no more. There is not a single united flight in my 10K+ Q1 spend.
Loyalty only works when it is two way. it's all about value now.
Show me a quality product at a good price and I'll buy. My days of picking flights based on loyalty and status are over. I'll happy fly united - on routes when they are the cheapest with the best product.
2001: gold
2002: 1K
2003: 1K
2004: 1K
2005: GS
2005: GS
2006: GS
2007: GS
2008: GS
2009: GS
2010: GS
2011: GS
2012: 1K
2013: 1K
2014: 1K
Any reason to prioritize United over other carriers has now been eliminated.
The past couple of years, I've moved travel away from UAL based primarily on uncompetitive price and uncompetitive service. But I always had a little bit of loyalty. I liked my status. But this past year, my status has been meaningless in IROPS and more. My Q1 2015 travel is 80% booked. In the past, I would have made an effort to book on united - even rationalized the price premium. no more. There is not a single united flight in my 10K+ Q1 spend.
Loyalty only works when it is two way. it's all about value now.
Show me a quality product at a good price and I'll buy. My days of picking flights based on loyalty and status are over. I'll happy fly united - on routes when they are the cheapest with the best product.
Last edited by SD_Flyer; Nov 22, 2014 at 1:08 am