May 1, 2021, 1:27 pm
Last edit by: WineCountryUA
Award travel updates
The details:
Archive: "Dynamic Award Pricing" by UA; questions, experiences, .... {Archive}
Introducing a broader range of award prices
Updates to award travel are on the horizon. For flights on or after November 15, 2019, we’ll no longer publish an award chart listing the set amount of miles needed for each flight.The details:
- Some award prices will be lower than what’s currently published in our chart. You may have already seen these prices, and you’ll be able to get them immediately.
- Other award prices may be higher than what you see today, especially if you’re traveling at a popular time. These prices will take effect immediately for travel November 15 or after.
- Starting November 15, we’re removing close-in fees, so you won’t be charged the extra fee of up to $75 for booking last-minute award travel.
- A flexible award travel calendar is available on united.com or in our app.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is changing?
For travel on or after November 15, we will no longer publish an award chart listing the set amount of miles needed for award flights. Award pricing will now fluctuate based on a variety of factors, including demand. Additionally, starting November 15, we will no longer charge a fee of up to $75 for award flights booked within 21 days of departure.When will these updates take effect?
The award pricing changes apply immediately to flights on or after November 15, 2019. Until then, award prices will be the same as or lower than what’s currently published in our award chart.How many miles will I need for award travel after November 15?
Award prices will now fluctuate based on a variety of factors. Some air awards will be available for less than what’s listed in our chart, which you may have already noticed. After November 15, award prices may also be higher, especially if you’re traveling at popular times. Use our flexible award calendar to get a monthly view of the award prices for a specific destination.Why are you making these changes?
Increasing award prices for the most in-demand flights allows us to offer better returns for our shareholders. If your award travel is flexible, these updates will help you make the most of your miles.How will these updates affect award travel availability?
United MileagePlus members with Premier® status and qualifying United Chase Cardmembers can continue to book award travel without blackout dates. For other members, most award flights that are available today will continue to be available after these updates take effect.Do the lowest-priced awards have any extra flight restrictions?
No. Our lowest priced awards do not have any added restrictions; the fare rules for all award travel apply.How can I find the lowest priced award for my travel?
The award calendar on united.com or in our app will continue to show the lowest available price for your destination.Will I earn miles on my flight if I book an award?
No. As with current award bookings, award travel in the future will not be eligible to earn miles with MileagePlus or any other loyalty program.What if I need to change my existing award?
If you need to change your award ticket, you will be issued a new ticket for which new pricing and additional fees may apply.What if I purchase a close-in award before November 15
The close-in booking fee will still apply to all tickets booked within 21 days of departure prior to November 15, 2019. We will not refund fees paid prior to November 15, even if travel occurs on or after November 15.
Archive: "Dynamic Award Pricing" by UA; questions, experiences, .... {Archive}
"Dynamic Award Pricing" by UA; questions, experiences, .... (No Award Chart Nov 2019)
Jun 1, 2023, 9:11 pm
#316
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Danville, CA, USA;
Programs: UA 1MM, WN CP, Marriott LT Plat, Hilton Gold, IC Plat
Posts: 15,794
Glad I went to Japan in April. 70k->100k for biz class is brutal!
For our family of 4 RT it would have been 560k -> 800k
For our family of 4 RT it would have been 560k -> 800k
Jun 1, 2023, 10:36 pm
#319
Moderator: United Airlines
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: SFO
Programs: UA LT Plat 2MM, Hyatt Discoverist, Marriott LT Gold, Hilton Silver, IHG Plat
Posts: 67,102
Nice to have a single person to blame, but changes like this takes months to prepare for. It was likely well in motion long before the arrival of the new guy. At best, the new guy gave the final blessing what was in process already. You don't make changes this overnight.
Jun 2, 2023, 2:11 am
#320
Join Date: Jul 2022
Programs: United MileagePlus
Posts: 337
Updated full chart of saver award rates for UA and partner metal after the past month's 5 part devaluation:
https://www.dansdeals.com/points-tra...chart-pricing/
Summary of today's changes: Asia/Australia Y on UA metal now 50-55K, J now 100K. Oceania Y on UA metal now 45K, J now 85K.
Disclaimer: Link is to a blog I own and operate.
https://www.dansdeals.com/points-tra...chart-pricing/
Summary of today's changes: Asia/Australia Y on UA metal now 50-55K, J now 100K. Oceania Y on UA metal now 45K, J now 85K.
Disclaimer: Link is to a blog I own and operate.
Jun 2, 2023, 7:10 am
#322
Join Date: Jun 1999
Location: NYC/LA
Programs: DL Plat, AA Plat Pro, Marriott Titanium, IHG Diamond Amb
Posts: 7,532
Jun 2, 2023, 7:28 am
#323
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: CLE
Programs: UA GS+LT UC, AA EXP+LT PLT, Fairmont LT PLT, Marriott PLT, Hilton DIA, Hyatt Glob, Avis CHM
Posts: 4,683
Jun 2, 2023, 10:28 am
#324
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: LAX/TPE
Programs: United 1K, JAL Sapphire, SPG Lifetime Platinum, National Executive Elite, Hertz PC, Avis PC
Posts: 42,333
Jun 2, 2023, 10:46 am
#325
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: CLE
Programs: UA GS+LT UC, AA EXP+LT PLT, Fairmont LT PLT, Marriott PLT, Hilton DIA, Hyatt Glob, Avis CHM
Posts: 4,683
Nice to have a single person to blame, but changes like this takes months to prepare for. It was likely well in motion long before the arrival of the new guy. At best, the new guy gave the final blessing what was in process already. You don't make changes this overnight.
Then again, he was hand picked by Scott Kirby. And constantly raising rates and having poor customer service is on brand for Comcast. This wasn't a mistake, it's just another Kirby Kutback.
Last edited by ctownflyer; Jun 2, 2023 at 12:48 pm
Jun 2, 2023, 10:53 am
#326
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Austin, TX
Posts: 21,572
For everyone talking about how awful this is, or how UA miles are now worthless — you’ve had nearly four years longer than anyone had a right to expect to use your miles. The only surprising thing about this is that it took them four years after removing the charts — and even then, the price increases are relatively small compared to the prices in YN/JN.
Jun 2, 2023, 11:02 am
#327
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: CLE
Programs: UA GS+LT UC, AA EXP+LT PLT, Fairmont LT PLT, Marriott PLT, Hilton DIA, Hyatt Glob, Avis CHM
Posts: 4,683
Per the very title of this thread, those charts disappeared in November, 2019. The fact that some people continue to believe that there are magical hidden charts is… apparently just something I’m going to have to learn to live with.
For everyone talking about how awful this is, or how UA miles are now worthless — you’ve had nearly four years longer than anyone had a right to expect to use your miles. The only surprising thing about this is that it took them four years after removing the charts — and even then, the price increases are relatively small compared to the prices in YN/JN.
For everyone talking about how awful this is, or how UA miles are now worthless — you’ve had nearly four years longer than anyone had a right to expect to use your miles. The only surprising thing about this is that it took them four years after removing the charts — and even then, the price increases are relatively small compared to the prices in YN/JN.
However this change is the largest devaluation since the award charts were hidden.
Jun 2, 2023, 12:19 pm
#328
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: Canada
Programs: UA*1K MM SK EBG LATAM BL
Posts: 23,360
Jun 2, 2023, 12:21 pm
#329
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: CLE
Programs: UA GS+LT UC, AA EXP+LT PLT, Fairmont LT PLT, Marriott PLT, Hilton DIA, Hyatt Glob, Avis CHM
Posts: 4,683
Jun 2, 2023, 12:32 pm
#330
Moderator: United Airlines
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: SFO
Programs: UA LT Plat 2MM, Hyatt Discoverist, Marriott LT Gold, Hilton Silver, IHG Plat
Posts: 67,102
I think we are all using different definitions of the word "dynamic"
To me that is dynamic.
I think others consider dynamic on a smaller time scale and more up / down activity.
Dynamic, to me, is prices can vary without notice and what iI see today is no guarantee of what I will see tomorrow -- which was true in the pre-dynamic, pre-no table world for awards. That was static, the opposite of dynamic.
The different definitions of dynamic leads to much on the noise of this thread.
I think others consider dynamic on a smaller time scale and more up / down activity.
Dynamic, to me, is prices can vary without notice and what iI see today is no guarantee of what I will see tomorrow -- which was true in the pre-dynamic, pre-no table world for awards. That was static, the opposite of dynamic.
The different definitions of dynamic leads to much on the noise of this thread.