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}
#901
Join Date: Jul 2015
Location: San Francisco
Programs: UA MM Plat, UA 1MM, Hilton Lifetime Gold, Marriott Gold, Hertz Gold, CLEAR, AS MVP Gold
Posts: 3,614
The cards are more about the perks for consumer customers that are accumulating for 25k awards. My brother loves his 2 free passes and cashing in miles for economy tix. Savvy FTers don't use airline cards to charge anymore (though I keep one in a drawer for the "benefits").
#902
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2014
Posts: 10,904
I will have to disagree. While I don't really have to use them for "perks" as I have been 1K for years and now GS I definitely do use my card. I don't buy a stick of gum without throwing it down. I have accumulated nearly a million miles in my account and that is with using my account heavily. Having said that, given what I perceive as devaluation (time will tell) I will probably dump my UA Chase card at the end of this year and that is a card I have probably held (in one form or another) for over 25 years. Let me add that I NEVER carry a charge on the card, the rates typically are not competitive.
Even more obviously, I don't understand why you would buy a ticket on UA with a card that gives you 2 miles / dollar, when you could buy it on the CSR, get 3 UR pts per dollar (which, again, you have the option of converting to UA miles, or to something else if you can find better value). At worst, it's 50% more miles. Oh, and you get free travel insurance with the CSR too -- even if you only use it to pay taxes and fees on an award ticket.
I have the explorer card -- I just haven't had a reason to use it since I got the signup bonus. I have to decide if it's worth keeping for the benefits (probably not, but I'm not sure yet) I do use MileagePlus X pretty heavily, so the 25% bonus is nice there.
#903
Join Date: Jul 2015
Location: San Francisco
Programs: UA MM Plat, UA 1MM, Hilton Lifetime Gold, Marriott Gold, Hertz Gold, CLEAR, AS MVP Gold
Posts: 3,614
I don't understand why you'd buy that $1 stick of gum on the UA card and get 1 UA mile, when you could instead buy that stick of gum on a Chase UR card (eg, CSR, CSP) and get 1 UR pt, which you have the option of converting to 1 UA mile whenever you want... OR converting to something else if that gives you more value at that time.
Even more obviously, I don't understand why you would buy a ticket on UA with a card that gives you 2 miles / dollar, when you could buy it on the CSR, get 3 UR pts per dollar (which, again, you have the option of converting to UA miles, or to something else if you can find better value). At worst, it's 50% more miles. Oh, and you get free travel insurance with the CSR too -- even if you only use it to pay taxes and fees on an award ticket.
I have the explorer card -- I just haven't had a reason to use it since I got the signup bonus. I have to decide if it's worth keeping for the benefits (probably not, but I'm not sure yet) I do use MileagePlus X pretty heavily, so the 25% bonus is nice there.
Even more obviously, I don't understand why you would buy a ticket on UA with a card that gives you 2 miles / dollar, when you could buy it on the CSR, get 3 UR pts per dollar (which, again, you have the option of converting to UA miles, or to something else if you can find better value). At worst, it's 50% more miles. Oh, and you get free travel insurance with the CSR too -- even if you only use it to pay taxes and fees on an award ticket.
I have the explorer card -- I just haven't had a reason to use it since I got the signup bonus. I have to decide if it's worth keeping for the benefits (probably not, but I'm not sure yet) I do use MileagePlus X pretty heavily, so the 25% bonus is nice there.
#904
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: MFR
Programs: UA 1K 1.9MM, Hilton Gold, Marriott Gold
Posts: 2,879
#905
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Danville, CA, USA;
Programs: UA 1MM, WN CP, Marriott LT Plat, Hilton Gold, IC Plat
Posts: 15,715
#907
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Aug 2003
Programs: UA 1K 1MM (finally!), IHG AMB-Spire, HH Diamond
Posts: 60,152
Why do I only see 80k one way Y awards Asia to US in green font? Whereas US to Japan etc still offers 35k (which is award chart IIRC)?
This move to dynamic makes me more motivated to finish 1MM and unlock the UA handcuffs.
This move to dynamic makes me more motivated to finish 1MM and unlock the UA handcuffs.
#909
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: Delaware
Programs: UA Mileage Plus, Amtrak Guest Rewards
Posts: 1,392
I will have to disagree. While I don't really have to use them for "perks" as I have been 1K for years and now GS I definitely do use my card. I don't buy a stick of gum without throwing it down. I have accumulated nearly a million miles in my account and that is with using my account heavily. Having said that, given what I perceive as devaluation (time will tell) I will probably dump my UA Chase card at the end of this year and that is a card I have probably held (in one form or another) for over 25 years. Let me add that I NEVER carry a charge on the card, the rates typically are not competitive.
I don't understand why you'd buy that $1 stick of gum on the UA card and get 1 UA mile, when you could instead buy that stick of gum on a Chase UR card (eg, CSR, CSP) and get 1 UR pt, which you have the option of converting to 1 UA mile whenever you want... OR converting to something else if that gives you more value at that time.
#910
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Jun 2005
Posts: 57,502
I admit that there are benefits to the flexible currency, but we stick with the UA card. First, we only intend on flying UA, because there are other ways of earning UA miles that we are just as obsessive about as using the Explorer Card for $1.69 coffee at Wawa. The MPX App, MP Shopping, and MP Dining come to mind. In fact, we accumulate about half of our miles from these non-credit card activities. Since we are basically committed to United because we will be using close to 1 million miles at once for a family trip in the future, which will basically wipe us out, we chose the Explorer Card for the UA specific benefits that the other cards don't have.
#911
Join Date: Jan 2014
Programs: Amtrak Guest Rewards (SE), Virgin America Elevate, Hyatt Gold Passport (Platinum), VIA Preference
Posts: 3,134
There's a bit of both in the mix. The Aeroplan affair comes to mind (where you almost had an FFP without an airline), and I swear there was at least one case where due to a bankruptcy the FFP was valued as a large portion of the value of the airline. Ideally there's a symbiotic relationship where the program both provides direct business via being an inducement and also provides other forms of support to the company (the sale of miles providing a cash flow source, for example).
#912
Join Date: Aug 2005
Posts: 730
anybody have any idea how the upcoming award chart removal will affect business class flights from USA to SE asia?
#913
Join Date: Apr 2000
Location: san antonio, texas
Programs: 3.2MM AA, 1.4MM UA,StwdLftPlt
Posts: 1,586
A few years ago I shifted my spend away from co-branded credit cards (e.g. Chase's UA Club Visa) to bank point ones (e.g. Sapphire Reserve, AX Plat) to escape being held hostage to a specific loyalty program and whatever changes they decide to make.
Points earned in UR / MR / etc. remain flexible and carry a par value of sorts. Plus with cheap F fares being what they are, using points to have the bank just buy you the flights you want often cost about the same in terms of points as redeeming an award.
Anyways the takeaway for me is to drop the co-branded financial products in favor of those that earn a point that can be transferred to multiple partners or cashed out.
Points earned in UR / MR / etc. remain flexible and carry a par value of sorts. Plus with cheap F fares being what they are, using points to have the bank just buy you the flights you want often cost about the same in terms of points as redeeming an award.
Anyways the takeaway for me is to drop the co-branded financial products in favor of those that earn a point that can be transferred to multiple partners or cashed out.
#914
Join Date: Jan 2009
Posts: 77
If I'm not flying UA, I have to factor in the cost of seating, as I'm not going to take a trip beyond about an hour in a 30" pitch seat if there's any alternative. But, yes, I'm not suggesting I'd actually buy these tickets, just that your blanket assertion that any domestic ticket can be purchased for less than $475 is unreasonable.
Also, I always check every single carrier when I book a flight and find that WN is usually the most expensive for late bookings (i.e. within 3 weeks). They have many things going for them but, for those of us with free baggage, they rarely have competitive fares.
I have to do lots of last-minute travel in my role as a troubleshooter, and I have saved tens of thousands of dollars by using last-minute saver awards to get to remote airports over the last ten years. These last-minute, 12.5K saver awards were the big sweet spot in the MP program.
I have to do lots of last-minute travel in my role as a troubleshooter, and I have saved tens of thousands of dollars by using last-minute saver awards to get to remote airports over the last ten years. These last-minute, 12.5K saver awards were the big sweet spot in the MP program.
It sounds like your are using miles for business trips? I never do that, because business trips are deductible, which diminishes the effective exchange rate for the miles, so I find it more beneficial to pay cash for business travel. In some cases, I do allow my contractors to use their own miles when a particular route is very expensive, and I will reimburse them at the prevailing price for that route. If they can use 25,000 of their own miles instead of buying a $1,000 ticket, then more power to them!
I realize that complaining is a favorite American past-time, but many of these posts are completely contrary to my personal experience. I am certainly not an apologist for United, but I do fly them most often because a) my home airport is DEN, and b) I can easily generate about 300,000 UA miles per year through credit card bonuses, plus another 100,000 through spending. While I fly 2-3 times per month, this is not enough to earn significant status on UA or any other airline.
With any airline, if you expect to book a decent award flight in the next week or two at "saver" levels, then you have simply set your expectations at an unreasonable level. Regardless of how an airline describes their program or methodology, the obvious and logical goal of any airline is to place award travelers on those flights with the lightest loads. (As a stockholder in several airlines, I expect nothing less.) In many cases, this means 2 layovers en route to Europe, instead of 0-1. Historically, I have used my UA miles for international travel in Biz class, because that is where I earn the greatest yield for my points, consistently around 3-4 cents per mile, and sometimes 5 cents or more. For personal travel abroad, I am usually planning several months in advance, and I always find ample availability on United or Star Alliance partners. In some cases, the routing is not what I might get with a cash ticket, but that is exactly what I expect for an award redemption. However, nearly every flight booked several months out will necessitate some itinerary changes before the travel date, and I can usually take advantage of these changes to negotiate a better route. For example, I recently booked a saver award in biz for DEN-ORD-NRT-AKL. Obviously, this was not a very attractive routing, as it backtracks over the US. However, when the timing for one segment was changed, UA had to accomodate me, and they rebooked my on DEN-NRT-AKL. In addition to eliminating one segment and refunding 7,500 miles, UA gave me a saver award seat on DEN-NRT, which is something they do not normally release. I spent 90,000 miles for a biz class seat to New Zealand, which I consider a major score. (Another 85,000 AA miles brought me home in Qatar's fantastic Qsuites, but that is another story.)
I have no doubt that the recent changes will result in a net devaluation of UA miles. However, part of the fun of frequent flier miles is playing the game to your best personal advantage. This means finding the sweet spots based on your own travel needs. With the elimination of the close-in FU fee and potentially lower pricing on some domestic routes, I envision using my UA miles on domestic routes, which I have never done in the past. Two weeks ago, I hopped around the country to visit 5 colleges with my daughter, and most segments were on AA or DL at 6,000-7,500 miles each. On UA, each segment would have been at least 12,500 miles, so I did not even consider using my UA miles. Under the new system, some of these short hauls might have been priced at lower levels, and I might actually have used UA miles. As Monty Python taught us, "always look on the bright side of life...."
Last edited by J.Edward; Apr 11, 2019 at 7:29 am Reason: Merge
#915
Join Date: Oct 2009
Programs: UA 1K, Hilton ♦ , Hyatt Carbonado, Wyndham ♦, Marriott PE, "Stinking Bum" elsewhere.
Posts: 4,986
I'm switching from the Chase Club Card to Chase Sapphire Reserve today. I get access to lounges through my Amex Plat card and *A gold status, get free bags and boarding priority with my lifetime 1MM status, so no loss there, and with Sapphire Reserve I will have more point flexibility.
One of the things I love most about this card is the fantastic rental car insurance. You'll never need supplemental insurance again.
In addition, it has pretty good Medevac coverage. Something I worry about as I get older.
It sounds like your are using miles for business trips? I never do that, because business trips are deductible, which diminishes the effective exchange rate for the miles, so I find it more beneficial to pay cash for business travel. In some cases, I do allow my contractors to use their own miles when a particular route is very expensive, and I will reimburse them at the prevailing price for that route. If they can use 25,000 of their own miles instead of buying a $1,000 ticket, then more power to them!
Last edited by zombietooth; Apr 11, 2019 at 8:02 am