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 18, 2019, 5:01 pm
#1051
Join Date: Jan 2007
Programs: UA GS, Marriott LT Platinum, Hilton Gold, Accor Silver
Posts: 55
Apr 19, 2019, 11:11 am
#1052
Suspended
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Bay Area
Programs: DL SM, UA MP.
Posts: 12,729
UA exec touting the elimination of milage reward charts to analysts during earnings conference call:
https://viewfromthewing.boardingarea...earnings-call/
Chief Commercial Officer Andrew Nocella, whom American AAdvantage reported up to when they were devaluing and moving to revenue-based earning, bragged about the carrier’s elimination of award charts and MileagePlus’ win in the FlyerTalk awards. He believes the move is good and also that they’ll win the same award next year.
Apr 19, 2019, 12:03 pm
#1053
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: AUS
Programs: BAEC Gold, AA PPro, Hyatt Globalist, Amex Plat
Posts: 7,043
UA exec touting the elimination of milage reward charts to analysts during earnings conference call:
https://viewfromthewing.boardingarea...earnings-call/
https://viewfromthewing.boardingarea...earnings-call/
Regards
Apr 19, 2019, 12:08 pm
#1054
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2003
Posts: 23,066
ESV050, 5K, 21-day, Basic Economy
ESX065, 6.5K, 21-day, Basic Economy
YSV055, 5.5K, 21-day
YSX075, 7.5K, 21-day
YST100, 10K, 14-day
YSU120, 12K, 7-day
YSL150, 15K, 14-day
YSL165,16.5K, 7-day
YSL180, 18K, 3-day
YSK190, 19K, none
YSQ245,24.5K, none
YSH320, 32K, none
YSM390, 39K, none
YSB510, 51K, none
YSY825,82.5K, none
Apr 19, 2019, 12:21 pm
#1055
Join Date: May 2000
Location: IAH
Programs: UA 1K 2.7MM, Marriott Titanium/LT Plat, IHG Spire
Posts: 3,317
UA exec touting the elimination of milage reward charts to analysts during earnings conference call:
https://viewfromthewing.boardingarea...earnings-call/
https://viewfromthewing.boardingarea...earnings-call/
Apr 19, 2019, 12:35 pm
#1056
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Austin, TX
Posts: 21,415
DL used to have enhanced availability for Medallions and Amex cardholders, but actually eliminated it when they got rid of award charts and went to dynamic awards. Not saying UA will follow in DL's footsteps, but it's been known to happen before. There's a fair amount of misinformation about DL awards floating around. They are not tied precisely to revenue fare prices and do not vary infinitely. Nor have I seen any type of "targeting" of flyers. They still have discrete award "levels" like before which vary by route for domestic, while international awards use regional based levels (with some exceptions). While the award levels can change from time-to-time, it tends to be every few months, not on a daily/weekly basis. They have a bucket system for awards like revenue fares and share the same fare classes. However, the bucket inventory is maintained separately. So you will often see cases where there is inventory in one bucket for award fares, and a different bucket for revenue fares.
UA could choose to link some of these fares to X inventory and others to XN, which would have the effect of keeping expanded availability for Premier members and eligible cardholders. I'm not saying they will, but they could.
Also: 82.5K one way from DTW-BOS is sad... and pretty much what we're all expecting from UA.
Apr 19, 2019, 1:15 pm
#1057
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2003
Posts: 23,066
UA may be doing something similar on the back-end, but they seem to have a lot more buckets. Your note about DL using different buckets for revenue and award searches is telling -- and it probably explains why Expert Mode went away for all award searches a couple of years ago (and hasn't come back).
UA could choose to link some of these fares to X inventory and others to XN, which would have the effect of keeping expanded availability for Premier members and eligible cardholders. I'm not saying they will, but they could.
Also: 82.5K one way from DTW-BOS is sad... and pretty much what we're all expecting from UA.
UA could choose to link some of these fares to X inventory and others to XN, which would have the effect of keeping expanded availability for Premier members and eligible cardholders. I'm not saying they will, but they could.
Also: 82.5K one way from DTW-BOS is sad... and pretty much what we're all expecting from UA.
Apr 19, 2019, 1:21 pm
#1058
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Austin, TX
Posts: 21,415
Apr 19, 2019, 1:40 pm
#1059
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: where lions are led by donkeys...
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Posts: 20,346
UA exec touting the elimination of milage reward charts to analysts during earnings conference call:
https://viewfromthewing.boardingarea...earnings-call/
https://viewfromthewing.boardingarea...earnings-call/
Apr 19, 2019, 2:53 pm
#1060
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
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Location: LAX/TPE
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Apr 19, 2019, 4:38 pm
#1061
Suspended
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Bay Area
Programs: DL SM, UA MP.
Posts: 12,729
Well, would you really expect him to not think it's good? That doesn't seem very likely. Furthermore, they may very well indeed win the same award next year. Why would they not? All these airlines are headed down the exact same path, so with all else equal, who knows maybe they will win the award again.
Regards
Regards
This would be an indicator or at least a public signal that they plan to wring out more profits from the MP program.
Apr 19, 2019, 6:20 pm
#1062
Moderator: United Airlines
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: SFO
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UA Announces Q1 2019 Financial Results 16 April / Conference Call 17 April
UA Q4/Full Year 2018 Results/Conference Call 16 Jan 2019
Apr 19, 2019, 9:21 pm
#1063
Suspended
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Bay Area
Programs: DL SM, UA MP.
Posts: 12,729
Hmm, so maybe makes it easier to beat and then reap upside on the stock.
So still incentives to try to squeeze out incremental revenues and profits.
So still incentives to try to squeeze out incremental revenues and profits.
Apr 21, 2019, 7:19 am
#1064
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: AUS
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Apr 21, 2019, 4:14 pm
#1065
Moderator: Southwest Airlines, Capital One
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