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, 5:42 pm
#541
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: anywhere and everywhere
Programs: UA GS, AS MVP 100K, DL Diamond, Marriot Lifetime Titanium, AmEx Centurion
Posts: 5,526
No question about it. I wonder if anyone has written articles on this? Across the board, loyalty programs continue to devalue, from airlines, to hotels, to Starbucks, to Peet's...it seems to be a massive trend at least in the US.
Apr 5, 2019, 5:45 pm
#542
Join Date: Mar 2012
Programs: Mileage Plus 1K; Marriott Platinum; Hilton Gold
Posts: 6,355
What will happen to award rates for UA metal booked through other *A carriers' programs? Is this the time to (re)discover Aeroplan or Agean?
Apr 5, 2019, 5:48 pm
#543
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2003
Posts: 23,063
The reality is that DL still has fixed levels, even though they are not published, and they are not nearly as numerous as the revenue fares. So they can't really match award levels to revenue fares even if they wanted to. I understand why people don't like it, but it's still not really like the WN system where there are largely fixed formulas. Delta has had the pay-with-miles option (at 1 CPM) for DL Amex cardholders for over a decade now. If they wanted to go that route for all awards, they certainly would have by now. There are advance purchase requirements for these awards, but they do actually publish these requirements in the fare rules for the awards, so it's not actually a mystery as you can click on the fare rules link and read them.
Last edited by xliioper; Apr 5, 2019 at 6:20 pm
Apr 5, 2019, 5:48 pm
#544
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: USA
Posts: 1,153
those with no status who can easily get value from free bags, priority boarding, and the lounge passes. Also those who use it to qualify for the PQD waiver.
Apr 5, 2019, 5:49 pm
#545
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: Chicago, IL
Programs: UA GS, Marriott (Plat Premier, LT Plat)
Posts: 257
Does this mean that the GS benefit of T>XN effectively is a mute point?? UA has not only ruined MP but have also removed any benefit of keeping GS.
Apr 5, 2019, 5:56 pm
#546
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Chicago, IL
Programs: UA 1K MM, HHonors Diamond,PC, Marriott Rewards Gold
Posts: 1,117
Apr 5, 2019, 5:56 pm
#547
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: ZOA, SFO, HKG
Programs: UA 1K 0.9MM, Marriott Gold, HHonors Gold, Hertz PC, SBux Gold, TSA Pre✓
Posts: 13,811
I believe this change is due to Chase primarily (and you all know why). Like many, I am also in concern about the potential devaluation. Nevertheless, I remain optimistic about this change.
Unlike UA, DL miles become SkyPeso way before DL decided switching to dynamic pricing. And of course, dynamic pricing does not help DL at all.
I believe most of the routes will see an award reduction rather than increase. Of course, in routes which are demanding (like SFO-HKG J award), the award is going to skyrock for sure.
But still I am disappointed to see UA do nothing about the close-in waiver.
Unlike UA, DL miles become SkyPeso way before DL decided switching to dynamic pricing. And of course, dynamic pricing does not help DL at all.
I believe most of the routes will see an award reduction rather than increase. Of course, in routes which are demanding (like SFO-HKG J award), the award is going to skyrock for sure.
But still I am disappointed to see UA do nothing about the close-in waiver.
Apr 5, 2019, 5:57 pm
#549
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Chicago, IL
Programs: UA 1K MM, HHonors Diamond,PC, Marriott Rewards Gold
Posts: 1,117
I don't think this is true. Awards will still book into I international, otherwise Star Partners would have nothing to give their members on United....it's simply how United charges for I awards on its own metal that will have variable pricing....and I assume "standard" awards will stay in a much higher bucket that doesn't apply to alliance members anyways.
Apr 5, 2019, 6:01 pm
#550
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: Chicago, IL
Programs: UA GS, Marriott (Plat Premier, LT Plat)
Posts: 257
Which is what exactly? They book you ahead of everyone else?
Unfortunately, my experience this year has been horrible during IRROPS as well. I was on an SFO - ORD flight (Paid J). My original flight was delayed and they wouldn't let me get a first class seat even though a seat was available. They said that coach is oversold and they have to upgrade someone in order to open up a coach seat.
Unfortunately, my experience this year has been horrible during IRROPS as well. I was on an SFO - ORD flight (Paid J). My original flight was delayed and they wouldn't let me get a first class seat even though a seat was available. They said that coach is oversold and they have to upgrade someone in order to open up a coach seat.
Apr 5, 2019, 6:03 pm
#551
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Austin, TX
Posts: 21,413
They're not going to oversell another flight in order to get you out sooner.
Last edited by WineCountryUA; Apr 5, 2019 at 9:47 pm Reason: merging consecutive posts by same member
Apr 5, 2019, 6:06 pm
#553
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: Chicago, IL
Programs: UA GS, Marriott (Plat Premier, LT Plat)
Posts: 257
Booked full (12) checked in 11, about twenty minutes before departure. Boarding was in progress. Agent explained to me that they can't put me in J as they have blocked the seat to upgrade someone and free up the Y seat.
Apr 5, 2019, 6:07 pm
#554
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Austin, TX
Posts: 21,413
Right -- in other words, there were no seats in inventory, and you were asking them to deny somebody boarding so that you could fly, after boarding was already in progress. Even for a GS, that doesn't seem like something they'd do.
Apr 5, 2019, 6:08 pm
#555
Join Date: Mar 2018
Programs: UA 1K, AA EXP. Hilton Diamond
Posts: 1,134
I suppose UA will also follow DL's example of dangling "flash sales" of extremely reduced mileage awards for TATL and TPACs in a weak attempt at convincing us there's some sort of value left in the loyalty program.