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, 12:46 pm
#466
Join Date: Sep 2005
Programs: Northwest, United
Posts: 3,256
United Guts UA MileagePlus, program goes from Best to Worst
There, I fixed the thread title for ya.
The end of an era, boys and girls. No reason to play those credit card and points games any longer.
The end of an era, boys and girls. No reason to play those credit card and points games any longer.
Apr 5, 2019, 12:50 pm
#467
Join Date: Feb 2019
Posts: 268
Ugh, this is horrible. Delta Skymiles redemptions stink now (well unless you don't mind flying coach for 10+ hours).
I'll bet AA follows suit soon as well. The "only" good thing about AA is that the credit card bonuses are very churnable. Not so with Delta, although slightly better with UA (well comparatively speaking).
Guess I better learn to fly coach from now on or start getting 2nd and 3rd job to afford cash flights now.
I'll bet AA follows suit soon as well. The "only" good thing about AA is that the credit card bonuses are very churnable. Not so with Delta, although slightly better with UA (well comparatively speaking).
Guess I better learn to fly coach from now on or start getting 2nd and 3rd job to afford cash flights now.
Apr 5, 2019, 12:51 pm
#468
Join Date: Sep 2008
Programs: A3 *G, AA exePlat, AS MVP 75k Gold, JL sapphire, UA silver
Posts: 4,035
Does it affect excuristionist perk?
Apr 5, 2019, 12:55 pm
#469
FlyerTalk Evangelist & Ambassador: China
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: DEN
Programs: DL DM/MM, UA 1K, AA Exp, HH Dia, WOH Glob, IHG Plat, Marriott Gold, NA EE, Hertz PC
Posts: 17,421
Welcome to the world of opaqueness that Delta introduced years ago. Ask any delta flyer that has helped drag down the SM program.
Apr 5, 2019, 12:58 pm
#470
Join Date: Apr 2017
Location: Bay Area - East Bay
Programs: UA 1k, AS 75k, Marriott Platinum, Hyatt Explorist
Posts: 641
BOO! I was already wavering since I've seen fewer and fewer competitive fare from UA on my common routes, this is enough to push me away from UA and Mileage Plus 
Apr 5, 2019, 1:10 pm
#471
Join Date: Apr 2014
Location: CLE/RSW
Programs: Marriot Lifetime Plat
Posts: 206
So are there any benefits of being a premier member with this? If there isn't "saver" space, then the XN benefit is gone, no?
Apr 5, 2019, 1:13 pm
#472
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: SFO
Programs: UA 1MM, Marriott LTP, Hilton Gold, Hyatt Explorist, Hertz PC
Posts: 1,003
Now I'm a 1MM, I have started to care less about the UA mileage program. I will fly on whichever airlines that offer the cheapest J class. I foresee myself using up all my remaining miles on partner flights.
Finally, it's a real shame for UA to follow Delta every step of the way, ever since Smisek took the reign. I thought Munos would do better to lead than to follow, but I was apparently wrong.
Apr 5, 2019, 1:18 pm
#473
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: In between IAD and DCA
Programs: UA Plat 1.1MM , Marriott Gold Elite, Hyatt Discoverist
Posts: 2,262
Anyone know if mile + copay will be changed by this? Can't see anything about it on their update.
This sucks though. Looks like I'm gonna need to burn some miles here before Nov. A damn shame. The best US rewards program to crap. Race to the bottom continues.
This sucks though. Looks like I'm gonna need to burn some miles here before Nov. A damn shame. The best US rewards program to crap. Race to the bottom continues.
Apr 5, 2019, 1:18 pm
#474
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: NYC
Programs: Landry's President's Club, Marriott Silver, Awesomeness EXPLT
Posts: 20,412
My credit cards with transfers to certain *A programs are looking really good right now.
Apr 5, 2019, 1:20 pm
#475
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2015
Posts: 11,461
Does this portend Star Alliance moving to dynamic pricing? There was some talk last year, I think, about that possibility.
Apr 5, 2019, 1:28 pm
#476
Join Date: May 2016
Location: SFO
Programs: UA 1k
Posts: 312
This is terrible news. Man am I glad I booked about 380k worth of flights in saver biz two months ago for Dec'19-Jan'20 travel. This is a huge huge devaluation, I derived most of the value from last minute bookings and intercontinental biz... Makes other *A partners look much better as transfer partners from credit cards. Why would anyone ever get the UA Chase card now?!
Apr 5, 2019, 1:30 pm
#477
Join Date: Mar 2017
Location: USA
Programs: AA Gold, Hyatt Globalist, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 310
Definitely cancelling in Nov based on this and the Club nerfs that also hit in November...
Apr 5, 2019, 1:31 pm
#478
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Austin, TX
Posts: 21,405
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?
Dynamic everyday awards, with a cap, were mostly fine. Most people don't book everyday awards, but it's nice to have the option.
A total dynamic award system, with no cap and no chart, will not be fine. It is DL's system, and if you don't think it's bad for the flyer, browse the DL site for a bit. Their program is called SkyPesos for a reason. UA's saver availability has actually been fairly decent, especially in Economy. But if a domestic "saver" award goes to 100K at the times I need to travel, it's not much of an award, is it?
No.
For now, they will likely keep X / XN. So, premier members and credit are holders may get a discount on certain flights. Eventually, they will probably discontinue that also.
Apr 5, 2019, 1:34 pm
#479
Join Date: Apr 2014
Programs: Coffee Shop Buy 10 Get 1 Free
Posts: 295
Im based at a tiny airport so fly DL and UA about 50/50 because of limited flight options. Of all the things UA can learn from DL, dynamic based award program is literally the one thing that that is not a positive change. SkyPesos are garbage, never been able to fin anything leaving here under 40,000 SkyPesos r/t. Any international trip, even economy is hard to find under 100,000, DeltaOne will often run 300,000+ r/t. DL will run flash sales, usually somewhere with a weeks notice leaving on a Wednesday morning that makes it almost impossible for the average person to take advantage of. We'll see how it plays out obviously, but getting MP miles was the only advantage UA has over DL in any regard for my situation
Apr 5, 2019, 1:35 pm
#480
Join Date: Feb 2002
Location: NYC: UA 1K, DL Platinum, AAirpass, Avis PC
Posts: 4,599
I'm seeing biz saver for 60k one way on partners next March US - Europe on some flights, 70k on others (same day, route). So a little discount there.
I guess the difference with Delta is they kept the 'saver' award distinction.
Still can't see how this could be good news for Premier members who value premium cabin awards. We've seen what happened at Delta. Started fine then went beyond anything reasonable.
I guess the difference with Delta is they kept the 'saver' award distinction.
Still can't see how this could be good news for Premier members who value premium cabin awards. We've seen what happened at Delta. Started fine then went beyond anything reasonable.