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 8, 2015, 1:59 am
#136
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: where lions are led by donkeys...
Programs: Lifetime Gold, Global Entry, Hertz PC, and my wallet
Posts: 20,350
how much they pay to fly those miles
Mar 8, 2015, 3:14 am
#137
Join Date: Apr 2009
Programs: UA 1K, AF FB silver
Posts: 211
Disappointed
I am not particularly desperate about miles, even if I purchase economy tickets and therefore on average I will lose about 40% of earned miles (in fact I traveled on the same route before and after March 1st, and got 13,960 miles before and 8,305 after). I have about 1 million miles which I don't use that often.
I am not going to be accountant for petty UA, my plat status is guaranteed by my credit card, IF I will stay with UA any longer.
What really bothers me is the pettiness of UA marketing choices: this year even the bag tags for 1K are half size as compared to before. This desperation to save money and cut benefits while the company is making profits is just pathetic.
What is more worrisome is that DL and UA implemented the exact same policy on the same day. I am not sure there is a free market anymore in the aviation industry.
I am not going to be accountant for petty UA, my plat status is guaranteed by my credit card, IF I will stay with UA any longer.
What really bothers me is the pettiness of UA marketing choices: this year even the bag tags for 1K are half size as compared to before. This desperation to save money and cut benefits while the company is making profits is just pathetic.
What is more worrisome is that DL and UA implemented the exact same policy on the same day. I am not sure there is a free market anymore in the aviation industry.
Mar 8, 2015, 4:24 am
#139
Join Date: May 2005
Programs: Million Miler, 1K - Basically spend a lot of time on planes
Posts: 2,202
The Diamond Delta tags are metal with metal connectors with your status on them. The United ones are plastic, half the size, do not have name or status on them. It's pathetic and extremely short sited
Mar 8, 2015, 5:05 am
#140
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: JZRO
Posts: 9,169
Mar 8, 2015, 5:17 am
#141
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: NYC
Programs: AADULtArer
Posts: 5,694
I agree the cap is stupid though. The incremental number of miles that UA would give up on this outlying ticket behaviour is tiny compared to the "negative marketing value" of the cap...its perceived negatively by everyone who likely will make FFbased decisions, even if it doesnt apply.
Perhaps I missed the memo with the new scheme…
According to the matrix, we aren't 630 base miles for Seattle-LAX. Mind you, there was a slew of other bonus and pqms.
But when I care most now are the miles that count toward million miler status.
Any insight as to where this calculation is listed?
According to the matrix, we aren't 630 base miles for Seattle-LAX. Mind you, there was a slew of other bonus and pqms.
But when I care most now are the miles that count toward million miler status.
Any insight as to where this calculation is listed?
Last edited by WineCountryUA; Mar 8, 2015 at 10:45 am Reason: merging consecutive posts by same member - please use multi-quoting
Mar 8, 2015, 8:24 am
#142
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: LAX,SNA,SAN
Programs: UA GS, Marriott LP, Hertz Gold
Posts: 861
Unless you spend crazy money, long haul traveling and acquiring miles are done. Short trips, LGA-ORD, IAD-LGA,DEN-PHX, will do well in the future, LAX-LHR and beyond are screwed.
Mar 8, 2015, 8:42 am
#143
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: ORD
Programs: UA Silver, Marriott Platinum/LT Platinum, Hilton Gold
Posts: 5,594
As I look ahead to the trips I expect for work over the next 2 months, I think I'm going to do quite well. still not sure it was the right business decision for UA, but I'm pretty happy with it.
Mar 8, 2015, 10:14 am
#144
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: SFO
Programs: United 1K 2MM / Marriott LTP
Posts: 5,071
No kidding. i just priced a W fare intl trip that will earn a 1K roughly 25% the RDM they would have earned on the same itinerary before March 1.
Mar 8, 2015, 10:38 am
#145
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: 2000 miles from somewhere
Programs: EY Gold, GF Gold, IHG Plat, UA Gold
Posts: 58
Mileage at 1/15 after based on revenue
Here are the miles below on a return flight flown on March 4th and February 18th.
I'm speechless. Who on earth can now earn miles? Even on company dime at the highest earning rate of 11x the $$, these miles are not worth much value. Wow!!!
Date Flight Miles
03/04/2015 United 180-K class 744 (HKG - LAX)
02/18/2015 United 179-K class 12,090 (LAX - HKG)
I do get the bigger picture and understand well about classes and the earning structure and I am UA Gold, but a devaluation of 93%! I know UA is following the other airlines in revenue based earning of miles.
Outstanding United. The only good thing I have are the lounges for the rest of the year but won't have them anymore as I have no more loyalty to a program that insults my consumer logic.
I was happy with the newly discovered Trans-Pacific United Y cabin. Wasn't near as bad as I had read on FlyerTalk. However, for the same price, Asiana rock big time but more than likely, I'll fly trans-Atlantic instead and use Etihad or any other airline as I find this somehow a slap in the traveling public's psyche.
I've had 30 years of FF miles and I've had a good run but that is now ending. I will now channel my energy into Tai Chi or yoga instead of loyalty programs.
I'm speechless. Who on earth can now earn miles? Even on company dime at the highest earning rate of 11x the $$, these miles are not worth much value. Wow!!!
Date Flight Miles
03/04/2015 United 180-K class 744 (HKG - LAX)
02/18/2015 United 179-K class 12,090 (LAX - HKG)
I do get the bigger picture and understand well about classes and the earning structure and I am UA Gold, but a devaluation of 93%! I know UA is following the other airlines in revenue based earning of miles.
Outstanding United. The only good thing I have are the lounges for the rest of the year but won't have them anymore as I have no more loyalty to a program that insults my consumer logic.
I was happy with the newly discovered Trans-Pacific United Y cabin. Wasn't near as bad as I had read on FlyerTalk. However, for the same price, Asiana rock big time but more than likely, I'll fly trans-Atlantic instead and use Etihad or any other airline as I find this somehow a slap in the traveling public's psyche.
I've had 30 years of FF miles and I've had a good run but that is now ending. I will now channel my energy into Tai Chi or yoga instead of loyalty programs.
Mar 8, 2015, 11:22 am
#146
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: Canada
Programs: UA*1K MM SK EBG LATAM BL
Posts: 23,314
Mar 8, 2015, 1:19 pm
#147
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: NYC
Programs: AADULtArer
Posts: 5,694
Date Flight Miles
03/04/2015 United 180-K class 744 (HKG - LAX)
02/18/2015 United 179-K class 12,090 (LAX - HKG)
03/04/2015 United 180-K class 744 (HKG - LAX)
02/18/2015 United 179-K class 12,090 (LAX - HKG)
I think anyone can see why a mileage redemption of old, 2x12090 or about 24000 RDMS, at a valuation of even 1cpm, of 240 USD didn't last.
Mar 8, 2015, 1:22 pm
#148
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: Midwest
Programs: UA GS, UA 1.6MM, AA LT PLT, AA 2.6MM, Intercontinental Royal Ambassador
Posts: 838
Nobody was getting screwed, before or now.
HVF were getting about 5% rebates, LVF were getting 30%
now both are getting the same percentage discount off their spend if they are at the same status.
FF miles are a financial liability and accounting rules typically allow a historical overall use rate of 80%. Approximately 20% of miles expire unused. These facts stein airlines financials, public documents ( or can be calculated from statements therein)
HVF were getting about 5% rebates, LVF were getting 30%
now both are getting the same percentage discount off their spend if they are at the same status.
FF miles are a financial liability and accounting rules typically allow a historical overall use rate of 80%. Approximately 20% of miles expire unused. These facts stein airlines financials, public documents ( or can be calculated from statements therein)
Mar 8, 2015, 1:22 pm
#149
Join Date: Apr 2011
Posts: 302
Try again. Gold is 8x so he paid $93 somehow.
Mar 8, 2015, 1:29 pm
#150
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Houston
Programs: UA Plat, Marriott Gold
Posts: 12,694
Here are the miles below on a return flight flown on March 4th and February 18th.
I'm speechless. Who on earth can now earn miles? Even on company dime at the highest earning rate of 11x the $$, these miles are not worth much value. Wow!!!
Date Flight Miles
03/04/2015 United 180-K class 744 (HKG - LAX)
02/18/2015 United 179-K class 12,090 (LAX - HKG)
I do get the bigger picture and understand well about classes and the earning structure and I am UA Gold, but a devaluation of 93%! I know UA is following the other airlines in revenue based earning of miles.
I'm speechless. Who on earth can now earn miles? Even on company dime at the highest earning rate of 11x the $$, these miles are not worth much value. Wow!!!
Date Flight Miles
03/04/2015 United 180-K class 744 (HKG - LAX)
02/18/2015 United 179-K class 12,090 (LAX - HKG)
I do get the bigger picture and understand well about classes and the earning structure and I am UA Gold, but a devaluation of 93%! I know UA is following the other airlines in revenue based earning of miles.