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}
May 17, 2022, 10:00 pm
#2101
Join Date: Feb 2022
Location: LAX
Programs: UA
Posts: 1,544
It's likely as temporary as the Russian war in Ukraine is; see “UA has decided to temporarily suspend transiting Russian airspace"Asian ops impacts? for further discussion about the impact on United's flights to India. That coupled with dynamic pricing makes for some very high award prices. However, it isn't even the most expensive award around; SFO-PVG was pricing in at 650k miles one way in business.
May 17, 2022, 10:01 pm
#2102
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2014
Posts: 10,904
Pricing is flexible. They were flexible when they were 70k and they are flexible now that they are 300k. So in some sense it's permanent (they will continue to be flexible) and in another sense it's temporary (no one knows what they will be in the future, but there will probably be days when it's less than 300k)
May 22, 2022, 2:23 am
#2103
Join Date: Sep 2010
Posts: 65
If there is already another thread [I'm assuming there is] can someone please direct me to it? I have not been on here for a year or so due to non-travel re:Covid, just now getting back into the travel mode. I am shocked at the increase in miles for award seats for almost any overseas travel. I used to think that Delta and American were the worst, but United is right up there with the cost of an economy seat. Or, if there are any economy seats available, the lay-over is often 8-11 hours in either IAD or EWR. As a recent retiree I thought I would be able to use my 805,000 miles to get me to many places over the next few years, but with seats to Europe in economy going for as high as 60-70K one way, that will be eaten up fairly quickly. . I used to encourage friends and family to grab a few Chase CC for the miles, but no longer a viable option. Glad I was able to burn more than 1.3 million miles over the years taking my family of 6 to places like Hawaii, Alaska, Cancun, London, Paris, Cairns, Hong Kong, Tokyo, Athens, Singapore, in economy all for 30-50-80K p/p R/T. In the past, when the pundits on here advised us to burn our miles as they were headed for devaluation, I didn't really believe it would happen, or so soon..... Any suggestions or ideas?
Then search with "flexible dates" on so you see a month at a time.
There are still lots of 33k Econ tickets to Europe, just have to book further out and look harder.
May 23, 2022, 10:36 am
#2104
Moderator: Budget Travel forum & Credit Card Programs, FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: YYJ/YVR and back on Van Isle ....... for now
Programs: UA lifetime MM / *A Gold
Posts: 14,434
I will try my queston here, as search did not return a better thread:
The dynamic pricing just dropped on my June flight by about 3K points (under 500 mile shorthaul).
Am I out of luck, or can I reprice / rebook original 9,6K itenerary almost three weeks out?
The dynamic pricing just dropped on my June flight by about 3K points (under 500 mile shorthaul).
Am I out of luck, or can I reprice / rebook original 9,6K itenerary almost three weeks out?
Jun 5, 2022, 9:23 pm
#2105
Join Date: Apr 2011
Posts: 1,226
United MileagePlus Now Almost Useless for Premium International Awards
I know it's been over 2 years since United ditched their award chart and changed over to a 'dynamic' pricing model, but I haven't traveled since the end of 2019, so I'm only now noticing (as I'm searching for a J/F award to Jakarta) just how bad this change was.
For comparison, I used to redeem 70k UA miles o/w for a First class saver award to Asia (on OZ, NH), back around 2015. But now, with dynamic pricing, F awards to Asia are virtually nonexistent, and most saver awards cost at least 180k miles o/w...... in Business class.
Occasionally, there are saver awards in J available for 99k miles, but there's a catch: the flights are usually operated by shoddy carriers (LOT, Turkish [yes, THY is shoddy on the ground], Egyptair, etc.), and/or they have sc*mbag schedules (8-12 hr layovers, or 40-minute layovers; 2 stops, etc.).
This isn't even the worst of it. A dynamic pricing model means the sky is the limit on how many miles UA can charge for a flight. This was, after all, their prime motivation for nuking their award chart, with its pesky restrictions. As a result, there are now awards that actually cost between 270k to a whopping 650k miles o/w to Asia in J. This is really disgusting, bordering on unethical. Imagine diligently saving up miles for years (or buying them at a premium), hoping to redeem for an aspirational award, when suddenly, with no advance notice, your miles are worth a fraction of their utility. UA flagrantly devalued literally millions of members' miles away, and massively reduced their own liability, in one fell swoop. It's this kind of unscrupulous behavior by companies that causes people to vote in things like socialism, with its heavy-handed regulations. This is the thanks you get for praising MileagePlus for years and rating them the #1 ff program in the country. It's now objectively the worst program (for premium int'l awards), even more so than Delta. It's so bad that, once I deplete my stash of miles, I will cease to earn or credit more.
Not that I'm surprised, mind you. I knew something like this was coming. The tip off was all the hype and accolades UA was receiving a few years ago for having the 'best' ff program. That was the peak, and a bearish signal for the future. In a more traditional era, this would delight UA executives, causing them to strive to make their program even better. But, with a new, cynical generation of bean counters at the helm of United, all this recognition was simply interpreted as a wake-up call that their program was too generous. Clearly, this called for some draconian modifications. Can't have customers that are too happy.
For comparison, I used to redeem 70k UA miles o/w for a First class saver award to Asia (on OZ, NH), back around 2015. But now, with dynamic pricing, F awards to Asia are virtually nonexistent, and most saver awards cost at least 180k miles o/w...... in Business class.
Occasionally, there are saver awards in J available for 99k miles, but there's a catch: the flights are usually operated by shoddy carriers (LOT, Turkish [yes, THY is shoddy on the ground], Egyptair, etc.), and/or they have sc*mbag schedules (8-12 hr layovers, or 40-minute layovers; 2 stops, etc.).
This isn't even the worst of it. A dynamic pricing model means the sky is the limit on how many miles UA can charge for a flight. This was, after all, their prime motivation for nuking their award chart, with its pesky restrictions. As a result, there are now awards that actually cost between 270k to a whopping 650k miles o/w to Asia in J. This is really disgusting, bordering on unethical. Imagine diligently saving up miles for years (or buying them at a premium), hoping to redeem for an aspirational award, when suddenly, with no advance notice, your miles are worth a fraction of their utility. UA flagrantly devalued literally millions of members' miles away, and massively reduced their own liability, in one fell swoop. It's this kind of unscrupulous behavior by companies that causes people to vote in things like socialism, with its heavy-handed regulations. This is the thanks you get for praising MileagePlus for years and rating them the #1 ff program in the country. It's now objectively the worst program (for premium int'l awards), even more so than Delta. It's so bad that, once I deplete my stash of miles, I will cease to earn or credit more.
Not that I'm surprised, mind you. I knew something like this was coming. The tip off was all the hype and accolades UA was receiving a few years ago for having the 'best' ff program. That was the peak, and a bearish signal for the future. In a more traditional era, this would delight UA executives, causing them to strive to make their program even better. But, with a new, cynical generation of bean counters at the helm of United, all this recognition was simply interpreted as a wake-up call that their program was too generous. Clearly, this called for some draconian modifications. Can't have customers that are too happy.
Last edited by joer1212; Jul 31, 2022 at 9:21 pm
Jun 5, 2022, 9:29 pm
#2106
Join Date: Mar 2013
Posts: 10
Ditto .. i just try searching for award flight to Japan (Tokyo) and Rome for this year and found no award availability.
Jun 5, 2022, 9:35 pm
#2107
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Austin, TX
Posts: 21,458
Occasionally, there are saver awards in J available for 99k miles, but there's a catch: the flights are usually operated by shoddy carriers (LOT, Turkish [yes, THY is shoddy on the ground], Egyptair, etc.), and/or they have sc*mbag schedules (8-12 hr layovers, or 40-minute layovers; 2 stops, etc.).
This is really disgusting, bordering on unethical. Imagine diligently saving up miles for years (or buying them at a premium), hoping to redeem for an aspirational award, when suddenly, with no advance notice, your miles are worth a fraction of their original value and utility.
UA partner awards to Southeast Asia are 99K each way in J. The reason that you're not seeing many options has nothing to do with United; it's that other airlines aren't opening space for partner awards. For the most part, Asian airlines continue to bleed money due to COVID.
I'm not going to say that MileagePlus is fantastic, and I certainly use miles as quickly as I can. But you're putting a lot at UA's feet that is well beyond their control. Is UA's saver inventory lower? Yes, indubitably. Is is gone entirely? No, I booked a flight in IN earlier this week. But for partner inventory, UA's at the mercy of... their partners.
Jun 5, 2022, 9:46 pm
#2108
Join Date: Mar 2013
Posts: 10
Jsloan .. it seems you fly to South East Asia a lot.
I also call Jakarta my second home.. any suggestion on which partner airline saver award is still available for next year to Jakarta?
I also call Jakarta my second home.. any suggestion on which partner airline saver award is still available for next year to Jakarta?
Jun 5, 2022, 9:47 pm
#2109
Join Date: May 2017
Posts: 2,281
Edits to correct as was pointed out below and looking into it a bit more. However I will note, the examples of I/IN vs JN I found had 25k for the I/IN fare and 25.5k for the JN fare, so I guess technically that meets the definition of being the "lowest level", but if the difference between "lowest level" and "highest level" award is only 500 miles, not sure how big of a difference it is in practice. I've been told by agents before that I fares only show up on non-UA metal, but as searching shows thats not the case, but either means they're so rare they never see them on UA metal, or they're not being taught about them in reference to UA metal because they're so rare on UA metal.
Last edited by Lux Flyer; Jun 5, 2022 at 10:10 pm
Jun 5, 2022, 9:51 pm
#2110
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: Honolulu Harbor
Programs: UA 1K
Posts: 15,041
Jun 5, 2022, 9:51 pm
#2111
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: SFO/SJC
Programs: UA Silver, Marriott Gold, Hilton Gold
Posts: 14,897
It wasn’t that long ago where we were talking about 60K bus. Awards on combo of UA & partners like TG to a ton of area in Asia, etc. I think that was March or April, so they can exist. I couldn’t get them to India or SIN, but most others around it. I think CGK was one place that had that.
you haven’t specified timing you are looking at, but if you haven’t noticed, we are in the ‘sold out summer’ (or whatever it’s being called these days) - fares are high and demand pretty good - finally people who haven’t traveled much are wanting to do it. Look at the summer domestic fares thread and look at what UA is looking for there. Asia has, for many areas, not even opened too much, which means the capacity is much lower there, too.
many external issues too - take Russia airspace causing havoc on ULH routes, or EU-Asia itineraries. Here in SFO, we’re on our way to India in a couple of weeks and trying to book anywhere - tried multiple cities in the South and North - they (pretty much any carrier) wanted $2000+. So we got creative - booked ourselves to SIN (and on a 2-stop route - the SQ and UA nonstops and even 1-stop options were also pricey), then separately to India from there. Just our example. Getting around is tougher than it has been, and unless you can splurge (a lot), optimal routings are hard to come by. It’s not ideal, for sure, but it is.
We are not anywhere near back to normal yet, and there is lots of stuff going on in the world in general. It’ll stabilize eventually, but for now, we got what we got. And if you are looking for 70K F awards to Asia, I’m sorry to say I suspect those are long gone anyway.
you haven’t specified timing you are looking at, but if you haven’t noticed, we are in the ‘sold out summer’ (or whatever it’s being called these days) - fares are high and demand pretty good - finally people who haven’t traveled much are wanting to do it. Look at the summer domestic fares thread and look at what UA is looking for there. Asia has, for many areas, not even opened too much, which means the capacity is much lower there, too.
many external issues too - take Russia airspace causing havoc on ULH routes, or EU-Asia itineraries. Here in SFO, we’re on our way to India in a couple of weeks and trying to book anywhere - tried multiple cities in the South and North - they (pretty much any carrier) wanted $2000+. So we got creative - booked ourselves to SIN (and on a 2-stop route - the SQ and UA nonstops and even 1-stop options were also pricey), then separately to India from there. Just our example. Getting around is tougher than it has been, and unless you can splurge (a lot), optimal routings are hard to come by. It’s not ideal, for sure, but it is.
We are not anywhere near back to normal yet, and there is lots of stuff going on in the world in general. It’ll stabilize eventually, but for now, we got what we got. And if you are looking for 70K F awards to Asia, I’m sorry to say I suspect those are long gone anyway.
Jun 5, 2022, 10:06 pm
#2112
Moderator: Southwest Airlines, Capital One
Join Date: Sep 1999
Location: California
Programs: WN Companion Pass, A-list preferred, Hyatt Globalist; United Club Lietime (sic) Member
Posts: 21,635
When I got 66k business seats from California to Europe last summer I knew that would be the last time I ever saw that price. Availability of J seats close to travel date was excellent because Europeans were mostly blocked from flying to the USA.
I hope demand is lower in 2023 but I expect to be flying coach from now on.
I hope demand is lower in 2023 but I expect to be flying coach from now on.
Jun 5, 2022, 10:40 pm
#2113
Join Date: Apr 2011
Posts: 1,226
Do you anticipate a lot more F availability, once things normalize? What is the going mileage rate these days?
They're labeled "lowest", and have their own column, which I'm guessing is analogous to the old "Saver" awards?
), Cleveland, Kansas City, etc., but not the Big Apple.How bad did you expect it to be? o/w J awards to Asia that go for a whopping 650k miles (!) are now a reality. Could be due to the "Covid effect", or maybe not.
Last edited by joer1212; Jun 5, 2022 at 10:45 pm
Jun 5, 2022, 10:54 pm
#2114
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: SJC / DPS
Programs: AS G75K, UA Silver
Posts: 1,758
USA to Jakarta isn't too hard to find availability if you are flexible; you usually just need to find I space to Tokyo, and NH is pretty good about biz space being open on their Jakarta flights.
I'm based in Jakarta and fly many times per year back to New York; few things I learned:
1. Using miles is a pretty bad value. You can get roundtrip biz tickets right now JFK-CGK for $1700-$2400, which will then earn you quite a bit of RDM as well.
2. Sweet spot for UA is through Tokyo, usually on UA metal to keep the mile cost down (around 88k should be the rate)
3. SQ also releases a lot of J space from SFO/LAX/SEA to SIN, but ironically this isn't bookable on UA - it is on Alaska and SQ if you have those miles.
4. Also look into awards using UA miles to SIN (and book a cheap cash flight to CGK)
I'm based in Jakarta and fly many times per year back to New York; few things I learned:
1. Using miles is a pretty bad value. You can get roundtrip biz tickets right now JFK-CGK for $1700-$2400, which will then earn you quite a bit of RDM as well.
2. Sweet spot for UA is through Tokyo, usually on UA metal to keep the mile cost down (around 88k should be the rate)
3. SQ also releases a lot of J space from SFO/LAX/SEA to SIN, but ironically this isn't bookable on UA - it is on Alaska and SQ if you have those miles.
4. Also look into awards using UA miles to SIN (and book a cheap cash flight to CGK)
Jun 5, 2022, 11:41 pm
#2115
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Austin, TX
Posts: 21,458
LH F awards have tended to be available, at least in the past, but never more than 14 days prior to travel, and often more like 7, 3, or not at all.
The reason I assigned them that derogatory label is because I live in Brooklyn, and 2 stops, with extended layovers, wasn't customary from my city, until now. There used to be plenty of cheap award space, with 1 layover, and even nonstop to some Asian cities. I can understand 2 stops from secondary cities, like Austin (no offense ), Cleveland, Kansas City, etc., but not the Big Apple.
), Cleveland, Kansas City, etc., but not the Big Apple. Fair enough. Just adding a bit of perspective -- you've actually been somewhat spoiled in your ability to get awards because you generally haven't had to have a United leg. For me, multiple connections, and flexibility, are par for the course.UA announced (in early 2019, IIRC) that all awards on or after November 15, 2019 would be flexible, and you're right that it took effect immediately. However, I remember very clearly that what actually happened was that the prices barely moved at all for quite a while -- and partner pricing didn't start moving until much later.
I expected DL-style pricing immediately after the announcement, and in general it didn't come. (Yes, there are now some obvious examples of it, but it took longer than I thought).
Honestly, UA's saver J award availability on their own metal hasn't been good for years and years. Those of us not based in a major international hub are used to flying domestic UA Y to connect to international J award tickets.
USA to Jakarta isn't too hard to find availability if you are flexible; you usually just need to find I space to Tokyo, and NH is pretty good about biz space being open on their Jakarta flights.
I'm based in Jakarta and fly many times per year back to New York; few things I learned:
1. Using miles is a pretty bad value. You can get roundtrip biz tickets right now JFK-CGK for $1700-$2400, which will then earn you quite a bit of RDM as well.
2. Sweet spot for UA is through Tokyo, usually on UA metal to keep the mile cost down (around 88k should be the rate)
3. SQ also releases a lot of J space from SFO/LAX/SEA to SIN, but ironically this isn't bookable on UA - it is on Alaska and SQ if you have those miles.
4. Also look into awards using UA miles to SIN (and book a cheap cash flight to CGK)
I'm based in Jakarta and fly many times per year back to New York; few things I learned:
1. Using miles is a pretty bad value. You can get roundtrip biz tickets right now JFK-CGK for $1700-$2400, which will then earn you quite a bit of RDM as well.
2. Sweet spot for UA is through Tokyo, usually on UA metal to keep the mile cost down (around 88k should be the rate)
3. SQ also releases a lot of J space from SFO/LAX/SEA to SIN, but ironically this isn't bookable on UA - it is on Alaska and SQ if you have those miles.
4. Also look into awards using UA miles to SIN (and book a cheap cash flight to CGK)
The only issue is that NH has (a) bifurcated their schedule between NRT and HND and (b) cut capacity. So, not only do you need I space, it needs to be out of the right airport.