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 7, 2019, 9:13 am
#706
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: NYC, FLL
Programs: UA PP 1MM, Marriott Bonvoy LTTE, BA Gold
Posts: 6,324
5. If you think PZ will be more accessible, you're dreaming. Like TOD deals domestically, UA wants to SELL the seats, and will where it can.
The real winners may be those who buy P/Z international fares, but that remains to be seen...
Apr 7, 2019, 9:30 am
#707
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: CLE
Programs: UA GS+LT UC, AA EXP+LT PLT, Fairmont LT PLT, Marriott PLT, Hilton DIA, Hyatt Glob, Avis CHM
Posts: 4,671
Apr 7, 2019, 9:32 am
#708
Join Date: Mar 2012
Programs: Mileage Plus 1K; Marriott Platinum; Hilton Gold
Posts: 6,355
3. There is no way 1 GPU = $2K. A lot less than that.
5. If you think PZ will be more accessible, you're dreaming. Like TOD deals domestically, UA wants to SELL the seats, and will where it can.
The real winners may be those who buy P/Z international fares, but that remains to be seen...
5. If you think PZ will be more accessible, you're dreaming. Like TOD deals domestically, UA wants to SELL the seats, and will where it can.
The real winners may be those who buy P/Z international fares, but that remains to be seen...
Apr 7, 2019, 10:46 am
#709
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: CGK/LAX
Programs: KF,JMB, OZ, SPG,AA,UA,AS
Posts: 1,163
Zero chance that partner awards don't end up dynamic as well. Kirby is an evil man.
Apr 7, 2019, 10:55 am
#710
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: BUR / LAX
Programs: UA MM/Gold; WN A-list; HH something depending; Marriott Gold
Posts: 1,554
Spend on the WN card can count towards Companion Pass, which can be a very valuable perk (companion flies free on any flight, even an award ticket).
Apr 7, 2019, 11:07 am
#711
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: NY Metro
Programs: SPG Titanium, United Premier 1K
Posts: 1,601
Since these changes are already visible, has anyone seen any examples of better award pricing for international business post Nov 15?
Apr 7, 2019, 11:37 am
#712
Join Date: Feb 2015
Programs: united
Posts: 1,636
To make a broader claim- if your main reason for choosing an airline loyalty program is to receive free travel in longhaul J, or heavily discounted longhaul J travel, the conduct of UA and DL is making clear that US carriers feel they can sell that space for big money and have little interest in giving it away to you even as a reward for being an excellent customer.
And this absolutely should cause people to reevaluate their participation in FF programs.
Intellectually, I understand why UA is doing this, but the only way the airlines will ever be scared off of this sort of thing is if they start losing significant business from frequent flyers.
Apr 7, 2019, 1:09 pm
#713
Join Date: Oct 2009
Programs: UA 1K, Hilton ♦ , Hyatt Carbonado, Wyndham ♦, Marriott PE, "Stinking Bum" elsewhere.
Posts: 5,001
The lounge capacity limitations have never affected me, but they did affect the couple behind me at PPT recently-but then, they only had to wait 10 minutes until all of the Polaris flyers were admitted before they got in. The Air Tahiti Nui lounge is the only place with A/C in the whole airport and having PP was definitely worth it for the 3 hour wait until departure. I was in paid Polaris but my wife was awaiting an UG, which she didn't get until we were already onboard, and they wouldn't admit her as my guest, but my PP came to the rescue and got her in the door. I love my CSR card!
Last edited by zombietooth; Apr 7, 2019 at 2:05 pm
Apr 7, 2019, 1:09 pm
#714
Join Date: Apr 1999
Location: Montréal, Canada
Posts: 1,610
I respectfully disagree. IME, I have seen savings of much more than $2K in redeeming a GPU on booking. One can't rely on TOD as a given, and it is not universally offered. One has to deal in certainties, not possiblities. Value is market sensitive, but price out an east coast J class fare to Asia and draw your own conclusions. YMMV, of course, but I have always come out ahead of the $2K/GPU valuation. I would welcome examples otherwise to broaden the analysis.
Apr 7, 2019, 1:19 pm
#715
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Houston
Programs: UA Plat, Marriott Gold
Posts: 12,693
I don't think this has hugely changed, since you never knew if your aspirational award would be available at the saver level, and most people consider the sleazy rates a non-starter.
Apr 7, 2019, 1:24 pm
#716
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: CLE
Programs: UA GS+LT UC, AA EXP+LT PLT, Fairmont LT PLT, Marriott PLT, Hilton DIA, Hyatt Glob, Avis CHM
Posts: 4,671
Without an award chart UA can charge whatever they feel like charging for these without any need to provide notice of changing rates. That's a major program devaluation.
Apr 7, 2019, 1:26 pm
#717
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: DSM
Programs: UA Platinum, Hilton Diamond, Hertz Pres. Circle
Posts: 235
Exactly this.
If the close-in change fee is also waived (in addition to booking), this could *significantly* increase competition for last minute changes, which particularly affects partner airlines that open last minute space, like LH/LX/OS/NH.
This is bad, and United should feel bad.
I reached out to 1K desk and will have corporate reach out to our liaison too.
If the close-in change fee is also waived (in addition to booking), this could *significantly* increase competition for last minute changes, which particularly affects partner airlines that open last minute space, like LH/LX/OS/NH.
This is bad, and United should feel bad.
I reached out to 1K desk and will have corporate reach out to our liaison too.
Apr 7, 2019, 1:30 pm
#718
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Austin, TX
Posts: 21,417
I respectfully disagree. IME, I have seen savings of much more than $2K in redeeming a GPU on booking. One can't rely on TOD as a given, and it is not universally offered. One has to deal in certainties, not possiblities. Value is market sensitive, but price out an east coast J class fare to Asia and draw your own conclusions. YMMV, of course, but I have always come out ahead of the $2K/GPU valuation. I would welcome examples otherwise to broaden the analysis.
The $2K value is not realistic because you can always do a miles + copay award with the exact same ability to clear as a GPU. The highest possible valuation for a GPU under the current system is $600 plus however much you value 30K miles -- and even that's only true if W is the lowest fare available for your travel dates. Otherwise, you have to discount the value of the GPU by the fare difference between the lowest available fare and W.
It's also not meaningful unless you would have paid the comparable J fare. If you would have flown Y, or a different airline, or a less expensive route, etc., then you didn't really save yourself $2K+ out of pocket.
The black market value for a GPU is about $400. I valued mine at $500 when deciding whether or not to stretch for 1K.
I don't fly paid J often, but when I do, it tends to be in the $2000-$2500 range for Polaris-eligible flights (I'll then buy positioning flights as needed). Since upgradeable Y tickets on the same routes are around $1000, that supports my $500 number also.
Apr 7, 2019, 1:32 pm
#719
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: CLE
Programs: UA GS+LT UC, AA EXP+LT PLT, Fairmont LT PLT, Marriott PLT, Hilton DIA, Hyatt Glob, Avis CHM
Posts: 4,671
They now charge much more than the close-in fee in the form of extra miles on flights within 3 weeks.
Screenshots of this in practice on my blog:
https://www.dansdeals.com/points-tra...-mileageminus/
Apr 7, 2019, 1:39 pm
#720
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Austin, TX
Posts: 21,417
Yes, but my assumption was that they would have done that anyway. So, you'd be paying twice -- extra miles plus the close-in booking fee.