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)
May 2, 2023, 11:36 am
#107
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: PHX
Programs: AS 75K; UA 1MM; Hyatt Globalist; Marriott LTP; Hilton Diamond (Aspire)
Posts: 56,455
May 2, 2023, 11:40 am
#108
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: BOS/EAP
Programs: UA 1K, MR LTT, HH Dia, Amex Plat
Posts: 32,048
X/XN & I/IN can go lower but has a low upper bound ceiling beyond that it goes to YN/JN. Seeing 35k XN (some lower) and 60k IN (no change).
Can folks post examples for XN or IN showing higher?
Can folks post examples for XN or IN showing higher?
May 2, 2023, 11:53 am
#109
Join Date: Mar 2011
Posts: 73
May 2, 2023, 11:53 am
#110
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: New York, NY
Programs: UA, AA, DL, Hertz, Avis, National, Hyatt, Hilton, SPG, Marriott
Posts: 9,452
I don't trust any information that comes out via the chat function. While there may be some correlation with reality, my experience is these are the most ineffective, least-informed customer-facing agents in the entire company and are only useful for carrying out very basic tasks (seat assignments, simple flight changes, cancellations, etc.) when it is not possible for me to speak directly with an airport agent, make a phone call or use any self-service functions.
May 2, 2023, 11:54 am
#111
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: DEN
Programs: UA Silver, whatever the Amex plat gets me and somehow still IHG Diamond after 3 years of no nights
Posts: 693
May 2, 2023, 12:00 pm
#112
Original Member
Join Date: May 1998
Location: CT/NY
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May 2, 2023, 12:06 pm
#113
Join Date: Jul 2022
Programs: United MileagePlus
Posts: 336
Random search shows ORD-LHR is available for 31,800 every day but one in mid-Sept to mid-October, so I think it's clear the "baseline" didn't increase 10k from 30k to 40k. In the couple months on each side there were tons of days with less than 40k and only a few right at 40k.
May 2, 2023, 12:20 pm
#114
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: DEN
Programs: UA Silver, whatever the Amex plat gets me and somehow still IHG Diamond after 3 years of no nights
Posts: 693
May 2, 2023, 1:21 pm
#116
Join Date: Jul 2022
Programs: alaska, united, marriott, hilton
Posts: 91
Same.. i've been tracking flights to spain and they are all up 10k. Also antidotally through another thread people are noticing that east coast to hawaii and asia also have increased across the board. Economy only
May 2, 2023, 1:49 pm
#117
Join Date: Jul 2022
Programs: United MileagePlus
Posts: 336
May 2, 2023, 2:11 pm
#118
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Austin, TX
Posts: 21,406
, although anecdotally the range appears to be smaller.
May 2, 2023, 2:21 pm
#119
Join Date: Jul 2022
Programs: alaska, united, marriott, hilton
Posts: 91
The chat agent has no idea what he's talking about. I promise. There are no charts. There are just fares, measured in miles. If the cash fare for GVA went up by $400, you wouldn't expect a thread. This is no different than that. The prices may go down again later, or they might not.
Partner awards are now dynamic too. , although anecdotally the range appears to be smaller.
Partner awards are now dynamic too.
, although anecdotally the range appears to be smaller.Maybe but its a pretty clear increase across the board. And i did specifically ask the chat agent did the price of USA-Europe economy awards go from 30 to 40k last night. The answer was a simple yes. No hesitation. Seems they were told something. While there are no charts anymore their is a baseline saver price. There has to be because United has partners and they share award availability with their partners. There has to be some level and metrics that cause a flight to be shared right? I mean you can just pretend it didn't happen but its pretty clear that they have increased average economy award pricing. Its not a shock with how people are churning CC into a million chase UR points a year.
May 2, 2023, 3:32 pm
#120
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Austin, TX
Posts: 21,406
Seems they were told something. While there are no charts anymore there is a baseline saver price. There has to be because United has partners and they share award availability with their partners. There has to be some level and metrics that cause a flight to be shared right?
The end of the award chart means just that -- there is no more chart. UA does not publish fares. I've seen domestic Y "saver" awards at higher than the old 12.5K each way, and I've seen them at much lower than 12.5K.