75,000 RDM / award miles max earning per UA ticket
 

So I am doing my fifth $6,000+ ticket next week, and I am wondering why UA put a cap on the miles being earned on a single ticket at 75,000. Taking my ticket as an example which has 7 segments. the total cost is about $8,000 and includes a number of segments in coach. I am going to earn "only" 75,000 miles, but could earn 88,000 (11x 8,000). Further, if I were to book all in 1st, the ticket would be ~$15,000 yet still earn 75,000. Wouldn't UA want me to incentivize me to book the 1st seats by allowing me to earn 165,000 miles (15,000 x 11)?

Just curious as to why they would add this cap.

This was debated endlessly when announced - basically IMO they are limiting their liability. If you look at RTW / US-Australia / Global, complex trips in the old system you wouldn't be able to earn that many miles - but in the new system it could get out of hand fast, so they capped it. Many people, myself included, have started looking at and booking two one-ways when it makes financial sense. Sometimes it works out and I earn more miles, and sometimes it's just too expensive so we have to live with it...

I know it is a little frustrating. I am getting 1/3 of what I use too.

If they gave you the 165,000, that is one RT biz class award just about anywhere in the world.
Or 2 RT economy.
Obviously too much in their mind.

At some point the process (and UA has set that at 75k points, following DL's lead) the additional points are not the incentive being used to drive the purchase.

$$$ are the bottom line for airlines. They cap it because they can and they know people will keep on flying.

$15K is pretty rarefied air. I'm guessing that most people that are authorized to spend that kind dough don't spend much time thinking about FF miles. So basically it's a case of diminishing returns. As the price goes higher, there is a smaller percentage who care about those miles and are actually incentivized by them.

I'd just say because the max on DL is 75K....

If you are a 1K member, you would need to buy almost a $7000 ticket for this to matter. Assuming this is a first class ticket, you probably can book two one ways instead of one round trip. You could also use the split segment feature on your reservation online at UA.bomb . This should split the price into the individual segments.

If you are only earning 1/3 of what you used to in the mileage based program, I'd say that pretty much means you are a low spender who wouldn't typically get hit by the cap anyway. I'm missing your point. The appropriate comparison would be what one would earn without the cap vs. with the cap, not vs. the old mileage based program.

Although I consider the new program "inflationary" (i.e. devaluation of miles), I have no problem with the 75k cap; it's a much better benefit than the previous system. Last year on a TPAC business class ticket I would accrue ~35k miles. I now regularly get 65-75k for the same ticket, so it's definitely a good upgrade for some of us that fly business and first class regularly.

His post is generally indeed about a policy change from the old program.

I was just making a point that it also affects those who are not big spenders.

Sorry, if you could not figure it out and I upset you.

Where has rhew OP been for 18 months????????

Apparently there are those that have lives outside of FT lol....

Is DL the only other airline with this policy?

When I was buying business class my fares to Europe were about $8000 RT and to China and Australia were $15,000 RT.

I sometimes spend $4-5K on coach roundtrips when I book last minute or have to book one ways to Europe.