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 16, 2019, 2:08 am
#1246
Join Date: Jul 2018
Posts: 201
Noticed this buried in the article linked below:
"Any MileagePlus member can use his/her miles to upgrade eligible paid tickets, and as of now these prices are listed on United’s award chart. However, these will likely disappear later this year when the carrier completes its switch to variable pricing and removes award charts for flights on or after November 15, 2019."
https://thepointsguy.com/guide/united-expert-mode/
Do any of you know if there's any basis to this, or is it just speculation? My searches for MileagePlus Award upgrade inventory past the November 15th date and into next year shows the same pricing as before (although the co-pays show up in USD even though they used to show up in CAD before, that seems to be the only difference).
"Any MileagePlus member can use his/her miles to upgrade eligible paid tickets, and as of now these prices are listed on United’s award chart. However, these will likely disappear later this year when the carrier completes its switch to variable pricing and removes award charts for flights on or after November 15, 2019."
https://thepointsguy.com/guide/united-expert-mode/
Do any of you know if there's any basis to this, or is it just speculation? My searches for MileagePlus Award upgrade inventory past the November 15th date and into next year shows the same pricing as before (although the co-pays show up in USD even though they used to show up in CAD before, that seems to be the only difference).
May 16, 2019, 8:08 am
#1247
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: MSP
Programs: DL PM, UA Gold, WN, Global Entry; +others wherever miles/points are found
Posts: 14,419
Do any of you know if there's any basis to this, or is it just speculation? My searches for MileagePlus Award upgrade inventory past the November 15th date and into next year shows the same pricing as before (although the co-pays show up in USD even though they used to show up in CAD before, that seems to be the only difference).
May 16, 2019, 8:55 am
#1248
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Austin, TX
Posts: 21,413
May 16, 2019, 9:21 am
#1249
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: DEN
Programs: UA MM Plat; AA MM Gold; HHonors Diamond
Posts: 15,866
I think the poster is asking if mileage-only domestic upgrades will go away, but I could be wrong.
May 16, 2019, 11:01 am
#1250
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: Hawai'i Nei
Programs: Au: UA, Marriott, Hilton; GE
Posts: 7,145
Noticed this buried in the article linked below:
"Any MileagePlus member can use his/her miles to upgrade eligible paid tickets, and as of now these prices are listed on United’s award chart. However, these will likely disappear later this year when the carrier completes its switch to variable pricing and removes award charts for flights on or after November 15, 2019."
https://thepointsguy.com/guide/united-expert-mode/
Do any of you know if there's any basis to this, or is it just speculation? My searches for MileagePlus Award upgrade inventory past the November 15th date and into next year shows the same pricing as before (although the co-pays show up in USD even though they used to show up in CAD before, that seems to be the only difference).
"Any MileagePlus member can use his/her miles to upgrade eligible paid tickets, and as of now these prices are listed on United’s award chart. However, these will likely disappear later this year when the carrier completes its switch to variable pricing and removes award charts for flights on or after November 15, 2019."
https://thepointsguy.com/guide/united-expert-mode/
Do any of you know if there's any basis to this, or is it just speculation? My searches for MileagePlus Award upgrade inventory past the November 15th date and into next year shows the same pricing as before (although the co-pays show up in USD even though they used to show up in CAD before, that seems to be the only difference).
May 16, 2019, 12:37 pm
#1252
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Kansas City, MO
Programs: AA Gold
Posts: 3,648
I have been doing dummy searches for flights to Copenhagen and return from Stockholm for spring 2020 and I am seeing the current award mileage coming up. Either 60K 0r 70K points each way in J. So far, no award inflation on these routes to Europe.
May 16, 2019, 12:40 pm
#1253
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Austin, TX
Posts: 21,413
Agreed; they don't appear to have touched saver rates on these routes -- yet.
May 16, 2019, 12:52 pm
#1254
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: PHX
Programs: AS 75K; UA 1MM; Hyatt Globalist; Marriott LTP; Hilton Diamond (Aspire)
Posts: 56,461
I'm not sure how you dynamically price an upgrade waitlist request. These things are so overpriced with the co-pays already, I'm not sure UA will see the need to change anything.
May 16, 2019, 12:55 pm
#1255
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: DEN
Programs: UA MM Plat; AA MM Gold; HHonors Diamond
Posts: 15,866
May 16, 2019, 3:49 pm
#1256
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: LAX/TPE
Programs: United 1K, JAL Sapphire, SPG Lifetime Platinum, National Executive Elite, Hertz PC, Avis PC
Posts: 42,211
I think we can agree that Kirby is well on his way to decimating the value proposition of MP for pretty much everyone except the GS and corporate big spenders that he is forced to cherish - and even those groups will feel a good pinch.
The domestic product is already well on its way to being Spritized a la Baldanza, and I've heard nothing but complaints about what Baldanza's other minion is doing at AA, basically pulling the same nonsense.
If UA selling miles through credit card offers wasn't so lucrative, rest assured Kirby would probably just do away with MP altogether or restrict a pared down version to GS and full fare tickets.
The domestic product is already well on its way to being Spritized a la Baldanza, and I've heard nothing but complaints about what Baldanza's other minion is doing at AA, basically pulling the same nonsense.
If UA selling miles through credit card offers wasn't so lucrative, rest assured Kirby would probably just do away with MP altogether or restrict a pared down version to GS and full fare tickets.
May 18, 2019, 10:52 pm
#1257
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: SFO, TPE, HNL
Programs: UA GS 4MM, RCC life member (paid), Marriott Lifetime Titanium, Hyatt Globalist, CLEAR
Posts: 1,824
I think we can agree that Kirby is well on his way to decimating the value proposition of MP for pretty much everyone except the GS and corporate big spenders that he is forced to cherish - and even those groups will feel a good pinch.
The domestic product is already well on its way to being Spritized a la Baldanza, and I've heard nothing but complaints about what Baldanza's other minion is doing at AA, basically pulling the same nonsense.
If UA selling miles through credit card offers wasn't so lucrative, rest assured Kirby would probably just do away with MP altogether or restrict a pared down version to GS and full fare tickets.
The domestic product is already well on its way to being Spritized a la Baldanza, and I've heard nothing but complaints about what Baldanza's other minion is doing at AA, basically pulling the same nonsense.
If UA selling miles through credit card offers wasn't so lucrative, rest assured Kirby would probably just do away with MP altogether or restrict a pared down version to GS and full fare tickets.
May 18, 2019, 11:08 pm
#1258
Join Date: Feb 2013
Programs: Hyatt Globalist, MLife Gold, Marriott Gold, HHonors Gold, Caesars Diamond, Amex Plat
Posts: 5,943
Looking at a 3-month period Feb-Apr 2020, I can find 3 but not 4 tix in J for USA-TYO at saver level. Is this just the new normal or any chance this will change once everything is implemented?
May 19, 2019, 4:21 am
#1259
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2015
Posts: 11,464
You're already a bit fortunate finding three saver tickets on one flight. I don't think that is a change.
May 20, 2019, 8:31 am
#1260
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: Chicago
Programs: AA Plt, FB Silver
Posts: 848
If you're spending 140k RT for partner J to europe, I'm sure you can convince yourself your'e getting outsized value. There are readily available 2.5-3.5k P/Z fares available that are not constrained to (often suboptimal) routing scraps you get with I-inventory. At a 2% cashback card, you're pretty much on-par with the "value".
-CJ