Not expressly stated. Given that the current booking fees are based on a 21 day close in booking model (vs. 60 for the new change fees), I wonder if that's the next change coming.

That is the basic premise of modern marketing.

I was wondering about the close-in fees as well.
50$ for plats will not be so much fun. However, its not terrible if one splurges on an LH-F award T-14days.

More obnoxious, anti-passenger behavior by United. I guess they thought people were "over entitled" again.

Here's why I am worried. They don't seem to differentiate between layover and stopovers now:

How is the new Excursionist Perk different from the current stopover policy?

The Excursionist Perk is not defined by time, while the stopover policy is. For international itineraries, a break in the journey over 24 hours is considered a stopover; for domestic, the break must be over four hours. Additionally, the stopover policy is based on fare rules with region and routing restrictions that some customers found confusing.

No one has asked the most important question about these booking and award fee changes.....

How would they fit with dynamic award pricing? In other words, is this a move that paves the way for dynamic award pricing in 2017? @:-)

This is definitely another devaluation, but at least the way I read the new rules OJ shouldn't be affected..and in one small case may be improved from current rules:

DEN-CDG-ORD allowable now and with new rules

DEN-LHR, CDG-ORD allowable now and with new rules

DEN-LHR(stopover)-CDG-ORD allowable now and with new rules

DEN-LHR(stopover)-CDG, FRA-ORD This is the questionable one, but according to what they've said, the "free one-way" must have the same origin and destination region. If you look at the above ticket as 3 one ways: DEN-LHR, LHR-CDG, FRA-ORD clearly LHR-CDG is in the same region

Using that logic: DEN-LHR, CDG-FRA, FCO-ORD should also be allowed with CDG-FRA being the free leg. This is actually BETTER than what is currently possible with an award ticket as this would be 3 open-jaws (you can't currently have an open jaws on your stopover)

There's of course a lot of negative in not being able to have a stopover in a third region and only being able to have a stopover at all if the first leg departs from the same region the last leg arrives in.

I believe this is correct, but it doesn't really make up for the loss of stopovers in different regions.

ESPECIALLY the way UA defines regions within Asia...

Yes, It is a SAD DAY for Platinums I wonder if they would claw back the redeposit fee for Platinums. Seems like its a major perk being lost and for $50 it seems petty not to provide that benefit.

As with all things UA the devil is in the details and more specifically in their ability to get .bomb/computer (when calling in) to actually support their stated rules / policies

I see what you're saying and agree it's not 100% clear from their website, but I still find it unlikely that they will start charging for each segment. That would be an insane devaluation if true, so I'm just hoping it's not :-P

The Excursionist Perk is still a change from current stopover policy.
1. There is now no question of which region is actually the stopover vs the destination so pricing the award is easier. It's simply 3 one-ways with the leg that stays in the same region being no cost.
2. If you have a 25 hour layover technically that wouldn't be a stopover so long as it's meets other routing rules.

Sorry for noob Q: Is a layover <24h at same airport vs stopover being two different airports >24h?

Agreed. Technically:

DEN-LHR, BKK-HKG, JNB-ORD meets their rules as well (with BKK-HKG being the free leg)

"Travel must end in the same MileagePlus defined region where travel originates." DEN and ORD are same region

"The origin and destination of the Excursionist Perk is within a single MileagePlus defined region." BKK and HKG are in the same region south asia...

It'll be interesting to see what the new .bomb will allow

Under the current rules:
Layover is <24 hour connection typically as the same airport (there are exceptions in cities with two airports like NRT and HND where you may actually change airports in that 24 hours)

Stopover is any connection that's > 24 hours, current rules are you are not allowed an open-jaw so you must depart same airport (if you come in NRT you could depart NRT or HND but not KIX for example)

HEre is my question. Does it say anywhere that the Free excursionist thing needs to eb in the middle of a trip? from this quote fromt he website I dont see anything.

Therefore would this work: EWR-LHR-EWR cdg-fra(free)

EDIT: NVM realized i Missed one tha said travel Must end where it originates.