Dec 27, 2016, 9:23 pm
Last edit by: WineCountryUA
United's Announcement and FAQ
Kacee's Interpretation
Main Impact Since October 6
Useful Links
This is an archive thread, the active thread is Award booking questions/ issues/ routing/ excursionist problems / help
Kacee's Interpretation
Main Impact Since October 6
- Fee Changes such as platinum members are subject to various award fees
- No more free stopover - replaced with Excursionist Perk
- Agents no longer have the ability to find routings that do not show up on united.com
- Manually constructing trips using multi-city search results in multiple award fares being charged
- Changing any segment MIGHT require current availability for all existing Os&Ds in the PNR (as if a brand new booking is made) - YMMV
- Singapore Airlines segments are priced separately (add-ons)
Useful Links
This is an archive thread, the active thread is Award booking questions/ issues/ routing/ excursionist problems / help
UA award booking,change questions/fees/issues/routing/excursionist problems {Archive}
Aug 3, 2016, 12:11 pm
#76
Join Date: May 2001
Location: HNL
Posts: 1,013
Under current policy, Hawaii awards were still allowed a free stopover. For the purpose of mileage redemption, I do hope North America continues to be defined as CONUS+Alaska+Canada in this new scheme.
Aug 3, 2016, 12:12 pm
#77
Original Member
Join Date: May 1998
Location: CT/NY
Programs: UA 1K/1MM, AA EXP, Marriott LT Titanium, Hyatt Globalist, IHG Plat Amb
Posts: 6,016
8 E+ companions vs. 1
3 vs. 2 free checked luggage
10% discount for duty free purchases
Isn't it amazing how organized and thorough UA is when announcing cuts like this (they have an entire website up and running!) but the program to roll out enhancements - like a free drink or snack for their best customers - is a bloody disaster! Shows what UA really focuses on doesn't it???!
Aug 3, 2016, 12:23 pm
#78
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: KUL/BOS
Programs: AZ FA+, BA & UA Gold
Posts: 342
Gonna convince the other Mr. Enhancements to jump off the UA train after reaching 1MM. The changes to Plat seem awfully punitive. 
Aug 3, 2016, 12:39 pm
#79
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: CLE
Programs: UA Gold, HH Diamond, Marriott Gold
Posts: 3,659
I am not happy. One of the things I loved was the ability to change international award tickets at the last minute when better routings became available. UGH. Now it will cost me. There's not way I can make 1K being retired.
I keep thinking one more thing and I'm gone.
I keep thinking one more thing and I'm gone.
Aug 3, 2016, 12:41 pm
#80
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: EZE
Programs: UA Gold, LANPASS Gold, AerolineasPlus Gold
Posts: 51
What about booking EZE-SFO-HNL-EZE? Will SFO-HNL be valid for the Excursionist Perk?
Aug 3, 2016, 12:43 pm
#81
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: PHX
Programs: AS 75K; UA 1MM; Hyatt Globalist; Marriott LTP; Hilton Diamond (Aspire)
Posts: 56,424
Traditionally if the next connecting flight is the following day, the required overnight doesn't count as a stopover. So in your example, no, I would not expect it to price as two separate awards.
Aug 3, 2016, 12:45 pm
#83
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: EWR, USA, AA 1MM Gold, United Premier Gold, Marriott Gold, Hilton Diamond, Emerald Club Executive
Posts: 1,476
Stupid question - are these fees per ticket or per reservation/transaction?
Aug 3, 2016, 12:53 pm
#85
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: New York, NY
Programs: Delta Platinum Medallion; IHG Platinum; Marriott Gold; Hilton Gold
Posts: 1,071
Aug 3, 2016, 12:57 pm
#86
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: CGK/LAX
Programs: KF,JMB, OZ, SPG,AA,UA,AS
Posts: 1,163
I'm concerned about the following: Booking a one-way award for LAX-NRT-CGK, with a 2-hour layover at NRT under the current policy this prices out at 80K.
Under the new rules would they treat the two segments individually since I am transiting through two different regions, ie, LAX-NRT (75K) and NRT-CGK (40K)?
Under the new rules would they treat the two segments individually since I am transiting through two different regions, ie, LAX-NRT (75K) and NRT-CGK (40K)?
Aug 3, 2016, 1:04 pm
#87
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Houston
Programs: UA Plat, Marriott Gold
Posts: 12,686
I'm concerned about the following: Booking a one-way award for LAX-NRT-CGK, with a 2-hour layover at NRT under the current policy this prices out at 80K.
Under the new rules would they treat the two segments individually since I am transiting through two different regions, ie, LAX-NRT (75K) and NRT-CGK (40K)?
Under the new rules would they treat the two segments individually since I am transiting through two different regions, ie, LAX-NRT (75K) and NRT-CGK (40K)?
That's not to say they won't make new, opaque changes to the secret routing rules later this year.
Aug 3, 2016, 1:05 pm
#88
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: New York, NY
Programs: UA, AA, DL, Hertz, Avis, National, Hyatt, Hilton, SPG, Marriott
Posts: 9,444
I'm concerned about the following: Booking a one-way award for LAX-NRT-CGK, with a 2-hour layover at NRT under the current policy this prices out at 80K.
Under the new rules would they treat the two segments individually since I am transiting through two different regions, ie, LAX-NRT (75K) and NRT-CGK (40K)?
Under the new rules would they treat the two segments individually since I am transiting through two different regions, ie, LAX-NRT (75K) and NRT-CGK (40K)?
Married segment logic/journey control rules the day here, unfortunately.
Aug 3, 2016, 1:07 pm
#89
Join Date: Feb 2004
Posts: 518
Terrible deal for Platinum. Now what is the incentive to fly 25k more PQM and spend $3k more PQD over Gold? A $10-$25 fee reduction? Free change and deposit for award is the only reason that I try to reach Platinum.
The key difference is not just $50 for the change fee within 61 days. Award trips can get tweaked many times free of charge as a Platinum now, but after Oct 6 it will be $50 EACH TIME! The fees add up quickly if you are tweaking a family trip. For changing a family trip of 4 people twice, it will be $50 x 4 x 2 = $400, vs $0 now.
The key difference is not just $50 for the change fee within 61 days. Award trips can get tweaked many times free of charge as a Platinum now, but after Oct 6 it will be $50 EACH TIME! The fees add up quickly if you are tweaking a family trip. For changing a family trip of 4 people twice, it will be $50 x 4 x 2 = $400, vs $0 now.
Aug 3, 2016, 1:11 pm
#90
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Los Angeles / Basel
Programs: UA 1K MM, AA EXP, Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 26,916
My fear is that .bomb will become like delta.com in which you can search multi-city itineraries but each leg will price cumulatively even if your search is just intended to specify a connecting city (for e.g., LAX-FRA on 08/03, FRA-IST on 08/04 currently prices as one one-way award since the stop would be less than 24 hours in FRA. I suspect that will be gone/disabled...).