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}
Feb 5, 2020, 7:52 am
#1861
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: AUS
Programs: BAEC Gold, AA PPro, Hyatt Globalist, Amex Plat
Posts: 7,043
Do you realize that you literally just proved my point regarding why they have to be generous?
Regards
Last edited by scubadu; Feb 5, 2020 at 8:00 am
Feb 5, 2020, 8:12 am
#1862
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: PHX
Programs: AS 75K; UA 1MM; Hyatt Globalist; Marriott LTP; Hilton Diamond (Aspire)
Posts: 56,470
It's a fantastic program, which now offers very solid SQ availability TPAC in J without having to deal with KF's horrible cs.
Feb 5, 2020, 8:38 am
#1863
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Austin, TX
Posts: 21,415
jsloan Are these also using SQ for a leg?
Nope my res was all on TG, BR and AC from HKT-BKK-TPE-YEG all in one day
There was an SQ option through SIN but I wanted the later departure (and nearly two hours less of total flying time as it is in Y)
Nope my res was all on TG, BR and AC from HKT-BKK-TPE-YEG all in one day
There was an SQ option through SIN but I wanted the later departure (and nearly two hours less of total flying time as it is in Y)
I imagine there's a pattern, but by the time we figure it out, it could change anyway.
Please, please, please, do not hoard MileagePlus miles. If you see a good value for them, use them!
On the coronavirus thread, there was a post about trying to save MileagePlus miles for Star Alliance Upgrade Awards. My advice remains the same: just use them. Note that they have taken down the chart for those also, and it's entirely possible that they will start to make some adjustments there too.
Feb 5, 2020, 11:36 am
#1864
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: IAH and ORD
Programs: United 1K, Marriott Titanium and LTT
Posts: 163
Massive jump in cash fees on award bookings?
Is United now going the AC route and making the cash fees on top of the miles required for award bookings so high that one’s generally better off just purchasing a ticket in cash outright?
Searching tonight for flights home from London to Chicago over the summer and getting this:
Really? +/- $300 one way in addition to miles? So a return “award” flight will cost me $600+ as well as several hundred thousand miles - when I can just buy a return business class ticket for around $1700 (which I’d do anyway at this point as the fares are low enough that it’s not worth blowing miles). Hoping this is a glitch.
Searching tonight for flights home from London to Chicago over the summer and getting this:
Really? +/- $300 one way in addition to miles? So a return “award” flight will cost me $600+ as well as several hundred thousand miles - when I can just buy a return business class ticket for around $1700 (which I’d do anyway at this point as the fares are low enough that it’s not worth blowing miles). Hoping this is a glitch.
Feb 5, 2020, 11:39 am
#1865
Join Date: Dec 2008
Posts: 3,032
That's just taxes ex-LHR. Go blame the British government.
Feb 5, 2020, 11:40 am
#1866
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: MSP
Programs: DL PM, UA Gold, WN, Global Entry; +others wherever miles/points are found
Posts: 14,423
Is United now going the AC route and making the cash fees on top of the miles required for award bookings so high that one’s generally better off just purchasing a ticket in cash outright?
Really? +/- $300 one way in addition to miles? So a return “award” flight will cost me $600+ as well as several hundred thousand miles - when I can just buy a return business class ticket for around $1700 (which I’d do anyway at this point as the fares are low enough that it’s not worth blowing miles). Hoping this is a glitch.
Really? +/- $300 one way in addition to miles? So a return “award” flight will cost me $600+ as well as several hundred thousand miles - when I can just buy a return business class ticket for around $1700 (which I’d do anyway at this point as the fares are low enough that it’s not worth blowing miles). Hoping this is a glitch.
Feb 5, 2020, 11:44 am
#1867
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: AUS
Programs: BAEC Gold, AA PPro, Hyatt Globalist, Amex Plat
Posts: 7,043
Also, keep in mind that the great SQ availability to AS could be modified/changed by SQ at any time, so I'm not sure it says anything in particular about AS's program; seems that availability is solely based on the benevolence of SQ.
Regards
Feb 5, 2020, 11:45 am
#1868
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: IAH and ORD
Programs: United 1K, Marriott Titanium and LTT
Posts: 163
Ah, okay, thanks folks. Just moved here from Manila so haven’t searched award flights ex-LHR in about 20 years.
Last edited by Marno; Feb 5, 2020 at 11:50 am Reason: Added quotes
Feb 5, 2020, 5:17 pm
#1869
Join Date: Apr 2015
Programs: United Global Services, Amtrak Select Executive
Posts: 4,098
Looks like the EWR-SNA route is one of the most expensive domestic J award tickets. Looking on various dates close-in, far-out, and in-between, I'm seeing almost nothing less than 86K miles and tons of 100K miles.
Feb 5, 2020, 5:31 pm
#1870
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: 3,621
The above comments basically covers many of the reasons I have been migrating to AS. Previously loved SQ for my TPAC travel and now I will again take advantage of booking it through AS mileage program. I would note that I have yet to booked a flight yet on SQ through the AS program so hopefully no surprises.
Feb 5, 2020, 5:59 pm
#1871
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2014
Posts: 10,904
The above comments basically covers many of the reasons I have been migrating to AS. Previously loved SQ for my TPAC travel and now I will again take advantage of booking it through AS mileage program. I would note that I have yet to booked a flight yet on SQ through the AS program so hopefully no surprises.
Feb 5, 2020, 7:33 pm
#1872
Join Date: Apr 2014
Location: CLE/RSW
Programs: Marriot Lifetime Plat
Posts: 206
Not surprised. SNA is miles ahead of LAX and usually on 737 aircraft. My last flight ORD-SNA with Plus points applied at play, I was 23/65 on the upgrade list with one seat open at Check-in on a 738.
Feb 5, 2020, 9:11 pm
#1873
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Jun 2005
Posts: 57,613
And I don’t care why they have to be generous. The fact that it is a better program is all that matters.
Feb 5, 2020, 9:30 pm
#1874
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Austin, TX
Posts: 21,415
But that situation might not last, so you should reevaluate whenever conditions change -- just like anybody who's using MileagePlus should do.And, please, everyone: do not hoard miles in any program.. or, at least, be prepared to bail at any point. The next change could be the one that makes your miles worthless. (And, keep in mind, UA didn't even give a warning period before dynamic awards, and it doesn't seem like they're offering a warning period before these new dynamic partner awards).
Feb 5, 2020, 10:50 pm
#1875
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: PHX
Programs: AS 75K; UA 1MM; Hyatt Globalist; Marriott LTP; Hilton Diamond (Aspire)
Posts: 56,470
AS miles are so very easy to earn (50-60k for a TPAC RT in J on CX, JL, or SQ, for example).
Last edited by Kacee; Feb 5, 2020 at 11:06 pm