May 1, 2021, 4:06 pm
Last edit by: WineCountryUA
This is an archive thread, the active thread is "Dynamic Award Pricing" by UA; questions, experiences, .... {Archive}
The details:
Award travel updates
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.
"Dynamic Award Pricing" by UA; questions, experiences, .... {Archive}
Apr 5, 2019, 12:23 pm
#451
Join Date: Mar 2014
Programs: LH Senator, Bonvoy Titanium, Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 121
If the close-in change fee is also waived (in addition to booking), this could *significantly* increase competition for last minute changes, which particularly affects partner airlines that open last minute space, like LH/LX/OS/NH.
This is bad, and United should feel bad.
I reached out to 1K desk and will have corporate reach out to our liaison too.
Apr 5, 2019, 12:24 pm
#452
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Washington DC
Programs: Delta DM CO PE OZ GE AMTRAK
Posts: 524
why don't you wait and see how the actual pricing plays out? i think you can find saver level business award to FRA at X mile today, you will still be able to find saver level business award to FRA at X mile tomorrow. if you can find 160,000 miles business award to FRA the wed before Thanksgiving, you may see now it costs 260,000 miles, but this doesn't really concern most people, does it? most people here would never spend 160,000 miles for a one-way business class redemption to start with, am i correct?
Apr 5, 2019, 12:26 pm
#453
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Washington DC
Programs: Delta DM CO PE OZ GE AMTRAK
Posts: 524
Exactly this.
If the close-in change fee is also waived (in addition to booking), this could *significantly* increase competition for last minute changes, which particularly affects partner airlines that open last minute space, like LH/LX/OS/NH.
This is bad, and United should feel bad.
I reached out to 1K desk and will have corporate reach out to our liaison too.
If the close-in change fee is also waived (in addition to booking), this could *significantly* increase competition for last minute changes, which particularly affects partner airlines that open last minute space, like LH/LX/OS/NH.
This is bad, and United should feel bad.
I reached out to 1K desk and will have corporate reach out to our liaison too.
Apr 5, 2019, 12:27 pm
#454
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: USA
Programs: UA Gold, Marriott Gold
Posts: 1,194
Great news! You can now go to Iceland for 20,000 miles! Of course, it'll be on flights on either Dec 25 or Jan 1 ...
Apr 5, 2019, 12:30 pm
#455
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: NYC, FLL
Programs: UA PP 1MM, Marriott Bonvoy LTTE, BA Gold
Posts: 6,322
I don't think this is as disastrous as some of the bloggers are making out, but it's definitely negative. Need to see this more in action to have a better opinion, really.
Apr 5, 2019, 12:32 pm
#456
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: 4,671
We know it has been disastrous for Delta and we know how much United loves copying the worst parts of Delta...
Apr 5, 2019, 12:33 pm
#457
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: PHX
Programs: AS 75K; UA 1MM; Hyatt Globalist; Marriott LTP; Hilton Diamond (Aspire)
Posts: 56,453
How bad it is depends on how closely they follow DL's lead. Most international premium cabin awards on DL metal are now pricing well over 200k points each way. DL partner awards can still be had at reasonable prices, though it's getting harder.
Apr 5, 2019, 12:35 pm
#459
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: Honolulu Harbor
Programs: UA 1K
Posts: 15,020
It'll be interesting to see how this plays out. Will "dynamic" tie to fares or fill? Or will the "dynamic" be dynamic based on routing? I ask this because there's a disconnect between the two on routes UA thinks it can soak business travelers.
Apr 5, 2019, 12:36 pm
#460
Join Date: Mar 2014
Programs: LH Senator, Bonvoy Titanium, Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 121
Yes, having more members access a limited resources (= seats) at the same cost (= $0) is pretty clearly bad for anyone in my position, it's basic economics.
Sure, it's selfish to some degree, but the (arbitrary) fee as a gate keeper is also a reward for loyalty that is a very real benefit for Platinum and up. The suggested changes introduce competition by regular members (possibly non-status members who might have gotten their miles from a credit card bonus only) for their most loyal customers. These regular members may have not have paid the additional $75+ to change a flight before, but now that no cost is associated with it, what prevents them from booking it and competing with me?
Apr 5, 2019, 12:38 pm
#461
Join Date: Mar 2014
Programs: LH Senator, Bonvoy Titanium, Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 121
Official email just arrived: https://www.united.com/ual/en/us/fly...l-updates.html
Apr 5, 2019, 12:39 pm
#462
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: SEA, but up and down the coast a lot
Programs: Oceanic Airlines Gold Elite
Posts: 20,389
(clicky click click on the keyboard as I burn all my UA miles)
Ah well, UD 747 on TG in J for a daytime flight will be just fine.
Ah well, UD 747 on TG in J for a daytime flight will be just fine.
Apr 5, 2019, 12:39 pm
#463
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 1999
Location: ORD/MDW
Programs: BA/AA/AS/B6/WN/ UA/HH/MR and more like 'em but most felicitously & importantly MUCCI
Posts: 19,719
As Tom Waits said, the large print giveth and the small print taketh away. Don't be fooled by a smattering of 5k short-hop awards. The real utility of the program is taking a top-to-bottom kick in the teeth. Most people are better off collecting CC-issuer points with broad (and more stable) redemption options.
Apr 5, 2019, 12:44 pm
#464
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: PHX, SEA
Programs: Avis President's Club, Global Entry, Hilton/Marriott Gold. No more DL/AA status.
Posts: 4,422
It hasn't worked out for Delta Skypesos users. We do have an FT member who figures out what the lowest prices are based on fare filings and no surprise it keeps going up. We're now at 105k oneway TATL business class as the lowest. I've seen triple that.
Chase should probably be upset because it will diminish the ability to advertise "X free CONUS flights with new enrollment" on MP cards.
Chase should probably be upset because it will diminish the ability to advertise "X free CONUS flights with new enrollment" on MP cards.
Apr 5, 2019, 12:44 pm
#465
Join Date: Aug 2013
Posts: 369
Well I don't know about you guys but I'm gonna stop hoarding UA and starting amassing the VZ bolivar. Might be better value there.