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 7, 2015, 6:27 pm
#121
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: NYC
Programs: AADULtArer
Posts: 5,693
Total FWP
Too funny...people are upset at a 75000 mile cap on routes that never could attain 75000 miles on previous method.
Mike, you are right..HVF were screwed in the old System.
Mar 7, 2015, 6:35 pm
#123
Join Date: Apr 2011
Posts: 302
Except that he didnt book it. The conference did. So although the conference doesnt clip coupons it doesnt mean the passenger doesnt.
Mar 7, 2015, 6:44 pm
#124
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: Canada
Programs: UA*1K MM SK EBG LATAM BL
Posts: 23,314
The same itinerary booked thru LH/AC is >$4000 cheaper
I dont think you will be getting much sympathy when the majority of flyers are getting screwed, and you call earnings on your overpriced OPM ticket unfair
Mar 7, 2015, 6:48 pm
#126
Join Date: Apr 2011
Posts: 302
not looking for sympathy. Just dont understand the 75k cap at all.
Mar 7, 2015, 6:51 pm
#128
Join Date: Apr 2011
Posts: 302
Mar 7, 2015, 7:15 pm
#129
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2003
Posts: 23,070
It's pretty difficult to earn above 75K on a roundtrip flying competitors who still have mileage programs. They likely feel there is no real competitive need to go above 75K so why add the additional mileage liability? The notion that someone would be actually be offended by the cap is more of an mileage-obsessed FT'er thing. A good chunk of people flying these fares probably don't even care about the miles. And the ones who do, probably don't care enough that they would actually be offended by the cap.
Mar 7, 2015, 7:29 pm
#130
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: Canada
Programs: UA*1K MM SK EBG LATAM BL
Posts: 23,314
LH744 DEN-FRA - same flight
FRA-HKG-TPE - dep.22:05, arr 19:30 (2 hours later than yours)
TPE/TSA-HND-YYZ-IAD - numerous departures between 9 and 10am.
The only thing that is different from your itinerary is the arrival in IAD at the end of the trip (~4 hours later due to stop in YYZ)
However, one can also fly into DCA, and depart TPE at 1:00pm, via PEK/YYZ ($8139)
$8160 - so unless his time is worth >$1000/hour that night on the return - whoever booked this, got taken for a ride.
Mar 7, 2015, 9:49 pm
#131
Join Date: Mar 2010
Programs: United 1K MM, Marriott Gold
Posts: 417
Probably true about the sympathy part. But a case like this always reminds me of the poem about the Socialists, the Trade Unionists, the Jews...
When you look at the 75,000 cap itself, a question would inevitable rise:
Is United trying to have it both ways?
On one hand we hear all the talks about rewarding the better customers. On the other hand, United is using a random number to avoid paying its best customers their rightful share of miles.
It is so unfair .
It's pretty difficult to earn above 75K on a roundtrip flying competitors who still have mileage programs. They likely feel there is no real competitive need to go above 75K so why add the additional mileage liability? The notion that someone would be actually be offended by the cap is more of an mileage-obsessed FT'er thing. A good chunk of people flying these fares probably don't even care about the miles. And the ones who do, probably don't care enough that they would actually be offended by the cap.
Mar 7, 2015, 10:33 pm
#132
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
Mar 7, 2015, 10:39 pm
#133
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2000
Location: Los Angeles
Programs: UA Plat 2MM. DL Plat, AS MVP
Posts: 12,752
Sea-lax: 630 base miles? How are lifetime miles calculated now?
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?
Mar 7, 2015, 10:44 pm
#134
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
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?
LAX-SEA is 954 miles
You will see this during booking under distance.
Also it will be the same as the base PQM mileage.
Mar 8, 2015, 1:51 am
#135
Join Date: Nov 2014
Posts: 12
why are co-payments not earning miles?
Here is my main gripe. Why are united not giving miles on co-payments, that's real cash for them.
So for my UK to US flights, $1000 in copayments would be 11K miles at 1K if they gave miles.
I complained to united and their response was "Historically, we’ve based key elements of the loyalty program on how many miles our members fly with us. However, over the years members have told us that they want to be recognized for how much they pay to fly those miles".
So why not award miles on copayments? If united were awarding miles on copayments, I wouldn't be complaining. I don't expect miles on my airport tax payments, but I do expect miles based on cash I give United!
So on $3,000 return flight $750 of that is taxes, leaving $2,250 for united. I used to earn 24k miles as 1K on that flight. Now I am earning only 7,500 miles.
If united were awarding miles on actual cash I paid, i.e. included co-payments I would be getting 24,750 miles.
So United are being mendacious, they are not awarding miles based on how much I pay to them and how often I fly with them.
Now I have just asked United, if their users want a program based around what we pay them, why are co-payments not included? I wait to see what FAQ answer I get to that this time.
So for my UK to US flights, $1000 in copayments would be 11K miles at 1K if they gave miles.
I complained to united and their response was "Historically, we’ve based key elements of the loyalty program on how many miles our members fly with us. However, over the years members have told us that they want to be recognized for how much they pay to fly those miles".
So why not award miles on copayments? If united were awarding miles on copayments, I wouldn't be complaining. I don't expect miles on my airport tax payments, but I do expect miles based on cash I give United!
So on $3,000 return flight $750 of that is taxes, leaving $2,250 for united. I used to earn 24k miles as 1K on that flight. Now I am earning only 7,500 miles.
If united were awarding miles on actual cash I paid, i.e. included co-payments I would be getting 24,750 miles.
So United are being mendacious, they are not awarding miles based on how much I pay to them and how often I fly with them.
Now I have just asked United, if their users want a program based around what we pay them, why are co-payments not included? I wait to see what FAQ answer I get to that this time.
I understand based on the cash you pay out but based on this it was ~$700 fare, correct? Even with taxes should not have come to more than $1000.
United want the flyers with $7000 TATL fares filling their business cabin - not people who fly low fares, despite the spending the extra $2000 on upgrades.
This is not me FWIW, but my SO does fly these kinds of fares (1K)
United want the flyers with $7000 TATL fares filling their business cabin - not people who fly low fares, despite the spending the extra $2000 on upgrades.
This is not me FWIW, but my SO does fly these kinds of fares (1K)