Mar 12, 2015, 5:52 pm
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 member’s 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 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.
As mentioned above, there are more details and a FAQ posted online, and over the next few days we’ll be communicating this information to our members.
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.
As mentioned above, there are more details and a FAQ posted online, and over the next few days we’ll 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 member’s 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)
Mar 11, 2015, 12:48 pm
#226
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: SFO
Programs: UA 1K, AA Plat Pro, VS Gold, Hyatt Globalist, Marriott Platinum, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 838
How to book "Specialty Tickets"
Specialty tickets, on UAL.COM:
In certain cases long distance but cheap airfares will earn more miles under the Specialty ticket earning structure (50% x Premier Bonus) than under the $ x [multiple] structure.
Certain specialty tickets (including but not limited to unpublished, consolidator/bulk, group, tour and opaque tickets where the fare you paid is not provided to United) will earn award miles based on the flight distance and the purchased fare class...
...Premier members are eligible to earn Premier bonus award miles on specialty tickets, in addition to the miles shown in the table above, based upon the member's Premier status on the date of travel and the base miles earned.
...Premier members are eligible to earn Premier bonus award miles on specialty tickets, in addition to the miles shown in the table above, based upon the member's Premier status on the date of travel and the base miles earned.
Ex. 1K traveling SFO - JFK on a $150 G fare. As a 1K this earns 2580 miles under the specialty rules, but only 1650 miles under the new rules.
How do we book specialty tickets? Thanks!
Mar 11, 2015, 1:01 pm
#227
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: NYC
Programs: AADULtArer
Posts: 5,682
I'm surprised that so many of you agree with this mantra: United rewards only the people who spend the most right now. It's evident that not a lot of you are familiar with the service industry world where brand loyalty is important.
Mar 11, 2015, 1:32 pm
#228
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: Between AUS, EWR, and YTO In a little twisty maze of airline seats, all alike.. but I wanna go home with the armadillo
Programs: CO, NW, & UA forum moderator emeritus
Posts: 35,415
For international fliers, it is disconcerting to see that the 'international surcharge' is not counted towards the PQD.
My Newark to Manila ticket is $1,196 fare plus $446 taxes (of which $326 is the international surcharge). The PQD calculated is $1,198.
United says the PQD should the fare plus any carrier-imposed surcharges. How does one definite 'international surcharge?' In the past, a carrier would argued the surcharge was to cover higher fuel costs or foreign expenses. Has anyone tried to reach out to United about this?
My Newark to Manila ticket is $1,196 fare plus $446 taxes (of which $326 is the international surcharge). The PQD calculated is $1,198.
United says the PQD should the fare plus any carrier-imposed surcharges. How does one definite 'international surcharge?' In the past, a carrier would argued the surcharge was to cover higher fuel costs or foreign expenses. Has anyone tried to reach out to United about this?
ses when flights post. The UA site was recently changed to display PQD/RDM earning information and it gets the calculation for these wrong by ignoring the 'international surcharge' in some/many instances.
Mar 11, 2015, 4:49 pm
#229
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
What if I switch all my business and that of my wife and kids to another airline?
Is the short sightedness of chiseling a loyal customer worth the potential loss of the customers that I can influence? And the customer that I will become again (I'm at a price-conscious start-up now)?
Tom in Dublin, Ireland
Mar 11, 2015, 8:42 pm
#230
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: Floating around
Programs: UA 1K (1MM), DL Gold (1MM), Marriott LTT
Posts: 10,343
PQD only includes airline fees, so it is correct no taxes or external entity fees are included in PQD.
impossible to defintively answer without seeing the full fare construction, but looks about right. 85% is a typically PQD yield for a mid-price domestic economy ticket.
impossible to defintively answer without seeing the full fare construction, but looks about right. 85% is a typically PQD yield for a mid-price domestic economy ticket.
Airfare: $414.89
US Fed Tax: $31.11
US Flight Segment Tax: $16.00
Security: $11.20
US Pax: $16.50
Total: $489.70
So I believe $417 is correct for this ticket.
-Rob
Mar 11, 2015, 10:15 pm
#232
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: LBB
Programs: UA 1K 1MM ★G | Marriott LTT | Hilton ♦ | Hertz PC | Global Entry TSA Pre ✓
Posts: 2,820
This is all about redistribution of wealth... cheap 1K's won't be fired... they / we will be the indentured servants that fill in the empty seats and provide a little bit of extra padding to UA's bottom line, and in return, UA will give them / us free checked bags, some upgrade certificates and upgrade priority on domestic flights. UA doesn't want to fire them / us.... they still need their / our revenue.
Mar 11, 2015, 10:34 pm
#233
Suspended
Join Date: Jan 2012
Programs: vx diamond
Posts: 377
Well with 15,000 in pqd I was not referring to you . I was referring to folks who spend way less than that.A tier points system would solve all these dollar hassles as the status would be based on a combination of distance and fare class.
Mar 11, 2015, 11:04 pm
#234
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: Honolulu Harbor
Programs: UA 1K
Posts: 15,018
Since individual customers' ticket revenues really aren't assigned to profit or loss, all contribute.
The YQ (Int'l surcharge) is included in taxes/fees. In your case, the YQ looks to have been $448, leaving $108.80 in non-UA taxes/fees. $405+448=$853 PQDs.
Last edited by WineCountryUA; Mar 11, 2015 at 11:53 pm Reason: merging consecutive posts by same member - please use multi-quoting
Mar 12, 2015, 2:27 am
#235
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
The great thing about being fired is that you can rebound at a competing carrier. Does UA have a plan to fill all those seats with more high revenue flyers? How many flyers can they afford to lose before it impacts profits?
Mar 12, 2015, 5:32 am
#236
Join Date: Sep 2009
Programs: UA 1K
Posts: 321
I flew to maintain status (platinum via chase) to protect the usage of all my RDM for future use. I am status matching to AA for future paid travel.
Mar 12, 2015, 8:13 am
#237
Join Date: May 2005
Programs: Million Miler, 1K - Basically spend a lot of time on planes
Posts: 2,202
This is the part that folks always leave out of the argument about how the airline doesn't want or need your revenue. If the plane is going to fly with empty seats, they may as well have your revenue as once it takes off without the butt in seat, that revenue is gone forever. Secondly, the more full the flight gets, the higher the fare buckets get. The cheap fares fill you up 9 at a time until the higher fares.
Mar 12, 2015, 8:17 am
#238
Suspended
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: Newport Coast, CA
Posts: 498
Mar 12, 2015, 8:25 am
#239
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: NYC
Programs: AADULtArer
Posts: 5,682
I was on one mileage run flight to Bahrain that I was on in February. It had 13 people that I counted that got off and back on. (mileage runners). The flight was only 60% full, with First/business wide open on the return. It seems like without these 13 flyers (after March 1st), there has to be some impact to revenue. It seems like low cost 1K flyers provide some revenue over empty seats.
I flew to maintain status (platinum via chase) to protect the usage of all my RDM for future use. I am status matching to AA for future paid travel.
I flew to maintain status (platinum via chase) to protect the usage of all my RDM for future use. I am status matching to AA for future paid travel.
UA is correctly looking at this as unneeded capacity. 10% of pax as MR is huge. They can eliminate one flight out of 10, and make MR unappealing, and thus make more money with people who actually need to travel and will pay more.
Mar 12, 2015, 8:29 am
#240
Join Date: May 2005
Programs: Million Miler, 1K - Basically spend a lot of time on planes
Posts: 2,202
They can't cancel 10% of the cabin and they are for the most part selling daily flights. If they can't fill it with good revenue fares, then they fill it with whatever they can get ... including mileage burners. May as well have those miles redeemed for a seat that was going empty than one on a flight you can command high premiums for