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}
Aug 1, 2019, 8:52 am
#1396
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Jun 2005
Posts: 57,613
I just looked at some TATL awards for Spring 2020, and where there was no saver available when I looked a month ago, there are quite a few partner awards available, and even a few on UA metal.
Aug 1, 2019, 9:19 am
#1397
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Colorado
Programs: UA Gold (.85 MM), HH Diamond, SPG Platinum (LT Gold), Hertz PC, National EE
Posts: 5,660
I searched for standard award first class for a domestic flight, DEN-BOS a few months out. Said not available for direct flights, but plenty with connections. Something is broken. Connections was around 100K miles round trip per person. Passed and paid cash on AA for around $700 in first.
I realize UA owns DEN, but not even offer standard awards on the direct flights???
I realize UA owns DEN, but not even offer standard awards on the direct flights???
Aug 1, 2019, 9:24 am
#1398
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Austin, TX
Posts: 21,415
Aug 1, 2019, 9:25 am
#1399
Join Date: Jun 2015
Posts: 710
I suspect the concept of standard and saver awards disappear after November. Not needed and unnecessarily complicates things
Aug 1, 2019, 9:28 am
#1400
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: PHX
Programs: AS 75K; UA 1MM; Hyatt Globalist; Marriott LTP; Hilton Diamond (Aspire)
Posts: 56,470
It's a good bet they will follow the DL model. There will still be a lowest level award roughly equivalent to today's saver, it just won't have a special label.
Aug 1, 2019, 9:39 am
#1401
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Colorado
Programs: UA Gold (.85 MM), HH Diamond, SPG Platinum (LT Gold), Hertz PC, National EE
Posts: 5,660
9/17-10/1. This wasn't for me, but for my in laws. She is a horribly claustrophobic and flying in first makes it a little better, FIL doesn't care, but he decided to simply pay cash and move on. Doesn't matter though, I'm not wasting that many points for DEN-BOS-DEN. We were trying to use my wifes points, not mine. Yes I'm Gold, but she is non status. I didn't look in expert mode to see actual inventory though.
Aug 1, 2019, 9:46 am
#1402
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Austin, TX
Posts: 21,415
9/17-10/1. This wasn't for me, but for my in laws. She is a horribly claustrophobic and flying in first makes it a little better, FIL doesn't care, but he decided to simply pay cash and move on. Doesn't matter though, I'm not wasting that many points for DEN-BOS-DEN. We were trying to use my wifes points, not mine. Yes I'm Gold, but she is non status. I didn't look in expert mode to see actual inventory though.
And, yes, I see exactly one non-status standard first (ZN) award available on those dates, on the 5:40 PM departure.
Aug 1, 2019, 9:55 am
#1403
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: MSP
Programs: DL PM, UA Gold, WN, Global Entry; +others wherever miles/points are found
Posts: 14,423
If you're signed in as an elite, you should see all the nonstops (and can book non-status travelers with your miles). I see all four each way for 47-50k each way. Not a great deal when cash is as low as $8xx but I do see them.
Aug 1, 2019, 12:04 pm
#1404
Join Date: Jan 2018
Programs: UA LT GS | UA LT Club | Marriott LT Titanium
Posts: 1,250
Looking to fly to Asia (TPE, HKG, SIN) in Dec/Jan timeframe.. haven’t been able to find a single day with Y pricing <120K (one way) and J pricing 250k-300k (one-way). Looked at ORD - SFO on 12/21 and find J class pricing out at 100k (one way).. This is a massive devaluation!! It’s absolutely ridiculous. I’m surprised UA is getting away with this. Why are MP members not protesting enough?
Aug 1, 2019, 12:46 pm
#1405
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Austin, TX
Posts: 21,415
Also, you realize 12/21 is one of the busiest travel days of the year. 12/20 marks the end of the work year for the majority of business people and students in the country. Calling a lack of saver availability on 12/21, 'absolutely ridiculous', isn't exactly fair.
That said, OP is being extremely selective. On 12/21 from ORD-SFO, looking only at nonstop flights, I see prices ranging from 53K to 100K. The 9:10 AM departure is 100K, but the 8 AM departure is 57K, and the 7 AM is 53K. (Admittedly, I didn't look to see which of these are available without status or a qualifying credit card).
Aug 17, 2019, 1:04 pm
#1406
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: SFO
Programs: UA 1MM, Marriott LTP, Hilton Gold, Hyatt Explorist, Hertz PC
Posts: 1,003
Is 50K miles o/w SFO-TPE or TPE-SFO Non-Stop UA metal in the last week of December a reasonable deal? I am trying to bite, but still it’s 15K over the current saver award.
Aug 17, 2019, 1:20 pm
#1407
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: BOS/EAP
Programs: UA 1K, MR LTT, HH Dia, Amex Plat
Posts: 32,074
well, depends on the days in the last week of December. If this x-mas travel high season ... absolutely ... if not, then I might wait.
Aug 17, 2019, 2:54 pm
#1408
Join Date: May 2010
Location: AVP & PEK
Programs: UA 1K 1.9MM
Posts: 6,358
Saw a decent deal for PEK-PUS (Beijing-Busan) for 8K miles on OZ in Economy.
Some fares are still reasonable.
Some fares are still reasonable.
Aug 17, 2019, 2:55 pm
#1409
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: Hawai'i Nei
Programs: Au: UA, Marriott, Hilton; GE
Posts: 7,145
Aug 18, 2019, 12:10 am
#1410
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2001
Posts: 10,971
I typically go to Canada end of June. In past years, I have been able to book early and get 12,500 mile awards on UA. Booking for next summer, lowest non-redeye is 32,500 and as high as 65,000 miles. Not good.
Another word, dynamic pricing makes it impossible to "save miles for a trip" as you would never know how much a trip could cost.
Another word, dynamic pricing makes it impossible to "save miles for a trip" as you would never know how much a trip could cost.
Last edited by WineCountryUA; Aug 18, 2019 at 12:19 am Reason: merging consecutive posts by same member