2015 MileagePlus Change: New Partner Earnings Effective March 1, 2015
#1
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Original Poster
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: PHX
Programs: AS 75K; UA 1MM; Hyatt Globalist; Marriott LTP; Hilton Diamond (Aspire)
Posts: 56,461
2015 MileagePlus Change: New Partner Earnings Effective March 1, 2015
The new partner earnings have been published.
As many of us expected, the earnings for everything below full fare economy have been gutted - On the JVs, it's 50% for deep discount, 75% for discount (and going as low as 25% on some fares/carriers, such as an NH K).
It's not clear whether there's a premier bonus or 500 mile minimum, the web page is ambiguous whether those perks apply to the new scheme. I personally expect the worst, but will be delighted to be wrong on this point.
As many of us expected, the earnings for everything below full fare economy have been gutted - On the JVs, it's 50% for deep discount, 75% for discount (and going as low as 25% on some fares/carriers, such as an NH K).
It's not clear whether there's a premier bonus or 500 mile minimum, the web page is ambiguous whether those perks apply to the new scheme. I personally expect the worst, but will be delighted to be wrong on this point.
Last edited by Kacee; Jan 28, 2015 at 8:53 am
#3
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: SFO
Programs: United 1K 2MM / Marriott LTP
Posts: 5,071
http://www.united.com/CMS/en-US/Mark...spx?itemid=304
You need to click on each individual airline to see the earnings scheme. They have pre-March 1, 2015 rates and post-March 1, 2015 rates.
You need to click on each individual airline to see the earnings scheme. They have pre-March 1, 2015 rates and post-March 1, 2015 rates.
#5
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: SUV
Programs: UA *G MM
Posts: 7,018
From the other thread my initial observations:
Well, the new partner rates have been published. Big devaluation if you do not purchase 016 tickets but still get 100% PQM with 500 mile minimum. I was looking at SK, LH and ANA.
Also, there seems to be no 500 minimum for earned miles and it is unclear how the old 100% miles for 1K (etc.) applies in the future on ANA and LH. It is still listed but not clear if it refers to the old earnings only. That would be an additional massive devaluation if you do not book 016.
Here is an example on SK if you buy a one way ARN-CPH. Today you would earn 500 miles (distance 380 miles).
A one way ticket example in mid-range pricing where I estimate ticket price excluding airport fees (incl YQ) is $160 and books in W. This will earn only 50% or 190 miles if booked from SK. As 016 then you would earn 1760 miles as 1K, which is quite an upgrade. With SK's own program they recently cut back earnings for deep discount tickets especially intra-Scandinavia but this W fare is not deep discount (it is in UA's definition) and would earn 500 points.
Incidentally the cheapest ticket on this route is about $90 and would still give you 990 miles as a 1K, which is double the old earnings if booked as 016.
Buying intra-Europe as 016 on SK seems to work fine and I have done it mostly for convenience. However, if you book transatlantic then 016 is not possible because they are not part of the recent JV. Then you get really punished from an earnings perspective.
p.s. If you book an SK flight as 016 how much commission does UA earn? Let's consider the cheapest ARN-CPH $90 ticket where the base fare is $50 and taxes $20 and YQ another $20.
Well, the new partner rates have been published. Big devaluation if you do not purchase 016 tickets but still get 100% PQM with 500 mile minimum. I was looking at SK, LH and ANA.
Also, there seems to be no 500 minimum for earned miles and it is unclear how the old 100% miles for 1K (etc.) applies in the future on ANA and LH. It is still listed but not clear if it refers to the old earnings only. That would be an additional massive devaluation if you do not book 016.
Here is an example on SK if you buy a one way ARN-CPH. Today you would earn 500 miles (distance 380 miles).
A one way ticket example in mid-range pricing where I estimate ticket price excluding airport fees (incl YQ) is $160 and books in W. This will earn only 50% or 190 miles if booked from SK. As 016 then you would earn 1760 miles as 1K, which is quite an upgrade. With SK's own program they recently cut back earnings for deep discount tickets especially intra-Scandinavia but this W fare is not deep discount (it is in UA's definition) and would earn 500 points.
Incidentally the cheapest ticket on this route is about $90 and would still give you 990 miles as a 1K, which is double the old earnings if booked as 016.
Buying intra-Europe as 016 on SK seems to work fine and I have done it mostly for convenience. However, if you book transatlantic then 016 is not possible because they are not part of the recent JV. Then you get really punished from an earnings perspective.
p.s. If you book an SK flight as 016 how much commission does UA earn? Let's consider the cheapest ARN-CPH $90 ticket where the base fare is $50 and taxes $20 and YQ another $20.
#6
Join Date: Apr 2000
Location: san antonio, texas
Programs: 3.2MM AA, 1.4MM UA,StwdLftPlt
Posts: 1,586
For those entertained/saddened by United's lockstep mimicry of Delta actions, this announcement @ 32 days before conversion, Delta's (according to remarks on this website) 30.
#7
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: ORD
Programs: UA 1k, SPG Plat 100
Posts: 619
Grounds are not too firm for optimism about the post merger United's direction. Where's the "UA Insider" trumpeting another Change I Know I Will Like?
For those entertained/saddened by United's lockstep mimicry of Delta actions, this announcement @ 32 days before conversion, Delta's (according to remarks on this website) 30.
For those entertained/saddened by United's lockstep mimicry of Delta actions, this announcement @ 32 days before conversion, Delta's (according to remarks on this website) 30.
#8
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: East Coast, USA
Posts: 1,032
I guess the inevitable question from some FT poster will be:
Will this mean a better award availability for the future?
(BWAHAhahahaha)
(Unless UA and their buddy Chase can really tighten up the way one can earn mileage, like AMEX granting only one sign up bonus, lifetime. Even then, I'm pessimistic).
Will this mean a better award availability for the future?
(BWAHAhahahaha)
(Unless UA and their buddy Chase can really tighten up the way one can earn mileage, like AMEX granting only one sign up bonus, lifetime. Even then, I'm pessimistic).
#11
Join Date: Aug 1999
Location: Alexandria, VA, USA NW Platinum Elite Since 1999, United GoldMM, Hyatt Plat, SPG Gold, Hilton Gold, Hertz #1 Gold, IC Ambassador, Avis Chairman's
Posts: 7,445
hey... it's 30 days until this takes effect... didnt another airline, who United copied everything about this new program, put out their devalued chart ~30 days before as well?
#13
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: SJC / DPS
Programs: AS G75K, UA Silver
Posts: 1,757
#14
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: CLE
Programs: UA 1K MM, DL Plat
Posts: 982
*laugh* This is actually pretty hilarious.
I just added up my flying for the last 90 days, and compared it to the new post-3/1 earning tables. Only 1 of my tix was on 016 stock.
I then compared my credit card bill for that same 90 days to the earnings I would have had on those flights.
I earned credit card points (including airline ticket purchases) at a rate of 1.6x the mileage I would have actually earned by flying those itins. (My new earnings would have been 42,600 MP miles, while my credit card earned just over 68k points!)
So it changes the nature of the game yet again. It's actually now more beneficial to NOT fly UA/*A than to fly them, if awards are your goal. Kayak or direct to OW, and then transfer your credit card points to the program of your choice!
I just added up my flying for the last 90 days, and compared it to the new post-3/1 earning tables. Only 1 of my tix was on 016 stock.
I then compared my credit card bill for that same 90 days to the earnings I would have had on those flights.
I earned credit card points (including airline ticket purchases) at a rate of 1.6x the mileage I would have actually earned by flying those itins. (My new earnings would have been 42,600 MP miles, while my credit card earned just over 68k points!)
So it changes the nature of the game yet again. It's actually now more beneficial to NOT fly UA/*A than to fly them, if awards are your goal. Kayak or direct to OW, and then transfer your credit card points to the program of your choice!
#15
Join Date: Jun 2012
Programs: UA Platinum
Posts: 252
Also, can't help but notice additional TK economy classes getting dinged (yet again).