Last edit by: WineCountryUA
Initial announcement thread - 2015 MileagePlus Change - RDMs Will Be Calculated by Spend, Not Distance
Update 2019 -- includes all partner flights on 016 ticket
for non-016 ticket , see Earning Status (PQP) on non-016 Tickets and Partner Metal
Spend-based mileage (RDM) earning for all UA metal flights effective March 1, 2015.
Redeemable Miles (RDM) changes highlights:
Multipliers based on Premier status: & (breakeven CPM)
For example, a 1K would earn 1100 miles for a $100 ticket while a Silver would earn 700 miles for the same ticket.
Note that for itineraries which span the March 1 changeover date, the existing scheme will apply to any segment departing prior to March 1 , the new scheme will apply to the segments departing March 1 or after.
Appears no extra mileage for using a Chase MP card than the standard card mileage earning
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 Sitewww.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:
Post 57: http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/23008349-post57.html
Answered Questions:
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.
Unanswered Questions:
Unknown, but the FAQ indicates that all UA and UAx flights issued by ANY airline would be subjected to the new earning rates. There are exceptions (group tickets, bulk tickets, etc) like "Specialty Tickets" as mentioned below.
It is mentioned in the FAQ: If applicable, Premier bonus award miles will be based on a members Premier status and the lower of the distance flown or miles awarded, per the chart above. Basically the bonus miles will be awarded but based on the lower number (i.e. distance flown for higher fares or the % based on fare). A 1K passenger purchasing F-fare from EWR-SFO would get only a 2565 mile bonus while a N-fare would get (50% of 2565) 1283 mile bonus. Still unclear what are the percentage bonus of each premier level but assume that it is the same (100% GS/1K, 75% Plat, 50% Gold, 25% Silver).
Specialty Tickets:
Update 2019 -- includes all partner flights on 016 ticket
for non-016 ticket , see Earning Status (PQP) on non-016 Tickets and Partner Metal
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
- Ticket price is defined as base fare plus carrier-imposed surcharges (PQD)
- 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)
Multipliers based on Premier status: & (breakeven CPM)
- x5 General Members -- (20 cpm)
- x7 Silver -- (17.86 cpm)
- x8 Gold -- (18.75 cpm)
- x9 Plat -- (19.44 cpm)
- x11 1K/GS -- (18.18 cpm)
For example, a 1K would earn 1100 miles for a $100 ticket while a Silver would earn 700 miles for the same ticket.
Note that for itineraries which span the March 1 changeover date, the existing scheme will apply to any segment departing prior to March 1 , the new scheme will apply to the segments departing March 1 or after.
Appears no extra mileage for using a Chase MP card than the standard card mileage earning
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.
Announcement Sitewww.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:
Post 57: http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/23008349-post57.html
Hi everyone,
Today were announcing changes to how MileagePlus members will earn award miles in 2015. Weve 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.
As mentioned above, there are more details and a FAQ posted online, and over the next few days well be communicating this information to our members.
Today were announcing changes to how MileagePlus members will earn award miles in 2015. Weve 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.
As mentioned above, there are more details and a FAQ posted online, and over the next few days well be communicating this information to our members.
Unanswered Questions:
It is mentioned in the FAQ: If applicable, Premier bonus award miles will be based on a members Premier status and the lower of the distance flown or miles awarded, per the chart above. Basically the bonus miles will be awarded but based on the lower number (i.e. distance flown for higher fares or the % based on fare). A 1K passenger purchasing F-fare from EWR-SFO would get only a 2565 mile bonus while a N-fare would get (50% of 2565) 1283 mile bonus. Still unclear what are the percentage bonus of each premier level but assume that it is the same (100% GS/1K, 75% Plat, 50% Gold, 25% Silver).
Specialty Tickets:
Specialty tickets that earn award miles in the current program (including, but not limited to consolidator/bulk, group, tour and other tickets where the fare paid is not disclosed on the ticket) will earn award miles based on a percentage of the distance flown and the purchased fare class as of March 1, 2015. Please refer to the chart below for details.
Eligible fare classes
Flight operated by United and United Express
150% - J, C, D, Z, P, F, A
100% - Y, B, M
75% - E, U, H, Q, V, W
50% - S, T, L, K, G, N
Eligible fare classes
Flight operated by United and United Express
150% - J, C, D, Z, P, F, A
100% - Y, B, M
75% - E, U, H, Q, V, W
50% - S, T, L, K, G, N
RDM earnings for UA tickets / UA operated flights - based on spend (PQD, now PQPs)
#151
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: 2000 miles from somewhere
Programs: EY Gold, GF Gold, IHG Plat, UA Gold
Posts: 58
Behaviour? Who's behaviour?
Last edited by WineCountryUA; Mar 8, 2015 at 4:03 pm Reason: merging consecutive posts by same member
#152
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: sf bay area
Programs: UA 1K
Posts: 434
I'm one of those who is not leaving United as I did a few years ago, when I escaped to CO (jokes on me). This is pretty much only because of the specific route that I need to fly, and not out of any sense of loyalty. Still, my experiences have been consistently positive over the last couple of years. Hopefully, that will continue.
#153
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: SFO
Programs: UA 1K/MM, AA GLD
Posts: 1,706
Do you perhaps mean EWR-HKG? UA doesn't fly LAX-HKG anymore, and UA 179/180 are the flight numbers for EWR-HKG/HKG-EWR (and no, there's no "direct" flight LAX-EWR-HKG).
#155
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: NYC
Programs: AA DULtArer
Posts: 5,549
Originally Posted by bocastephen View Post
...Someone incorrectly decided that outstanding miles should be a liability on the books, which I strongly disagree with given there is no actual liability or cost until a ticket is redeemed ...
...Someone incorrectly decided that outstanding miles should be a liability on the books, which I strongly disagree with given there is no actual liability or cost until a ticket is redeemed ...
On edit...I correct that to 80% of earned miles are in play, about 20% expire. The redemption rate of that 80% is unknown to me.
Last edited by LaserSailor; Mar 8, 2015 at 7:06 pm
#156
Join Date: Jan 2000
Location: London; Bangkok; Las Vegas
Programs: AA Exec Plat; UA MM Gold; Marriott Lifetime Titanium; Hilton Diamond
Posts: 8,741
#157
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: 66,580
I think this is the crux of the matter. I can't debate with you or anyone whether outstanding miles should be treated as a liability but the fact remains that this is how they are treated right now. So DAL and UA have decided to reduce this liability over time and redistribute miles purely to those who spend more. ...
Disclaimer - IANACPA but I have stayed at a Holiday Inn Express with a CPA.
Last edited by WineCountryUA; Mar 8, 2015 at 7:22 pm Reason: disclaimer
#158
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Bangkok or San Francisco
Programs: United 1k, Marriott Lifetime PE, Former DL Gold, Former SQ Solitaire, HH Gold
Posts: 11,886
There were 7 segments on UA for this trip. The only common two segments for comparison were the LAX-HKG route. I have no idea what the individual segment pricing for this route was but as you point out, it seems it is valued at $150 for each of these legs.
Behaviour? Who's behaviour?
Behaviour? Who's behaviour?
That is the intent of this change. Quit rewarding low cost flyers at the same rate that they reward high value flyers.
Now, with your more detailed explanation the calculation might be different. You should be able to go to your MP account and see a breakdown by segment flown. At least you could do that prior to March 1.
Check that out and report those numbers back, if you would.
#159
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: NYC
Programs: AA DULtArer
Posts: 5,549
I corrected below. I hate inaccurate stuff on the Internet.
The rough cost of an award ticket to an airline is also given in the financials, at about 15 USD. I wonder how many people will MR if they realised they redeem miles earned at 4cpm which cost the airline 0.06cpm?
#160
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: New York, NY
Programs: Hyatt GLOB, Marriott Lifetime PLT, UA 1K 1MM.
Posts: 1,728
i went ORD-EWR last week. it was an M fare at $397. earned me 4,367 RDM's and in the old system it would have gotten me 1,438 RDM's. positive of 2,929.
i also went EWR-SFO last week. it was a W fare at $193. earned me 2,123 RDM's and in the old system it would have gotten me 5,130. negative of 3007.
it's a point example, but then i look at my aggregate yearly total for 2014.
i had 112,947 PQM's last year and spent $24,539 PQD's. and 101.5 segments if that matters. my airline activity earned me 220,314 RDM's according to my statements.
in the new system i would have gotten 269,929 RDM's for a gain of 49,615 RDM's.
it's a little more, but not by much. guess everyone's situation differs depending on your flying habits, but at 1K/GS for those who purchase Y and under, it might not be all that bad, so long as long haul international flights aren't the majority of your tickets. then you might get squeezed on discount economy tickets. but in the old system, segment flyers on last minute tickets got the shaft. when i covered the eastern territory and my flights were primarily NYC-BOS/DCA/CVG/ORD/RDU/etc., i felt i always got the short end of the stick because i would spend $1,000 on a last minute ticket... and then net 1,500 RDM's.
i guess my point is, there's no perfect system and someone will always get screwed. personally, i like the new system given my travel habits.
i also went EWR-SFO last week. it was a W fare at $193. earned me 2,123 RDM's and in the old system it would have gotten me 5,130. negative of 3007.
it's a point example, but then i look at my aggregate yearly total for 2014.
i had 112,947 PQM's last year and spent $24,539 PQD's. and 101.5 segments if that matters. my airline activity earned me 220,314 RDM's according to my statements.
in the new system i would have gotten 269,929 RDM's for a gain of 49,615 RDM's.
it's a little more, but not by much. guess everyone's situation differs depending on your flying habits, but at 1K/GS for those who purchase Y and under, it might not be all that bad, so long as long haul international flights aren't the majority of your tickets. then you might get squeezed on discount economy tickets. but in the old system, segment flyers on last minute tickets got the shaft. when i covered the eastern territory and my flights were primarily NYC-BOS/DCA/CVG/ORD/RDU/etc., i felt i always got the short end of the stick because i would spend $1,000 on a last minute ticket... and then net 1,500 RDM's.
i guess my point is, there's no perfect system and someone will always get screwed. personally, i like the new system given my travel habits.
#161
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: ORD / PHX
Programs: UA LT 1K 3MM (former 12 yr GS), Bonvoy Amb/LT Plat
Posts: 1,332
FRA-ORD Paid F (not sure of fare class):
1/31 (and all prev) 15,197 RDM each way
3/1 72,655 RDM one way (+378%)
me likey!
Return hasn't posted yet, but assume it will only be 2,345 RDM to hit the 75k cap.
Note to self - book as 2 one-ways next time.
1/31 (and all prev) 15,197 RDM each way
3/1 72,655 RDM one way (+378%)
me likey!
Return hasn't posted yet, but assume it will only be 2,345 RDM to hit the 75k cap.
Note to self - book as 2 one-ways next time.
#162
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Bangkok or San Francisco
Programs: United 1k, Marriott Lifetime PE, Former DL Gold, Former SQ Solitaire, HH Gold
Posts: 11,886
Never mind, looked it up, it's per ticket. So, yes it would be a significant advantage to book as separate tickets.
#165
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: US left coast
Programs: *wood Marriott P-life, *alliance UA MM, AA MM
Posts: 167
mixed bag - I do business trips on the West Coast (big win), transcon (big lose, because I usually book a couple of weeks in advance) and internationally (big win because it's in C). The issue is that I do quite a bit of leisure travel, especially international, and I will lose *big time*. ...
The problem is that the package of changes that UA has made (especially the near elimination of domestic upgrades) recently has made my 1K membership much less valuable to me than my default MM Gold membership, so I'm more likely to spread that international C travel around to other carriers.
The problem is that the package of changes that UA has made (especially the near elimination of domestic upgrades) recently has made my 1K membership much less valuable to me than my default MM Gold membership, so I'm more likely to spread that international C travel around to other carriers.
transcon: better to go AA, especially to reach 1MM perma-gold
shorthops on west coast: slightly better in new plan vs. old
international: miles better on OneWorld or *A partners, esp for inner circle of *A (AC, ANA, Austrian, Brussels, Lufthansa, Swiss) that award extra 25-100% bonus for silver/gold/plat/1K 1MM
int'l lounge access, checkin better on *Alliance. 1 MM AA still does not allow partner lounge access.
Limited incentive to fly united to reach 2MM, but is(will) that be worth anything?
Biggest errors on United's part is sowing confusion: many moving and interlocking parts (and changing rules)
- award miles (have to watch fare class more closely on partners)
- qualifying miles (but doesn't matter for MM unless you exceed 50K and you beat qual$))
- qualifying dollars (hard to know target at beginning of year, and hard to read from a ticket price just how much is a united dollar vs. a fee, tax, or other cost.)
United has obscured the answer "yes" to the question "should I take United for this flight?" They've even made the answer "no" for long haul flights. Anyone who remarks that United wants to downplay incentives to take those longhaul flights should bear in mind that United has those fare buckets already in place. No point in flying them empty - granted, UA would prefer to move a seat to a higher fare class.
the unknown utility of miles was already making long term incentives cloudy. I really slowed counting existing miles and upgrades, because I could rarely seem to use them. Economy plus and early boarding remained good incentives.
Ultimately, they've made flights even more transactional, rather than relationship based. And that transaction is as likely to go elsewhere.