2009 MP Changes - UA Restores 500 Mile Min for Elites and New Award Redemption Rules
Nov 3, 2008, 1:38 pm
#31
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: SAN
Programs: UA 1MM/1K, HH Diamond
Posts: 6,832
What I'm wondering is what happens to the T&Cs of SWUs. GMs will be able upgrade any fare with a copay but SWUs will still only be good on W and up?
Nov 3, 2008, 1:40 pm
#32
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: SAN
Programs: UA 1MM/1K, HH Diamond
Posts: 6,832
Nov 3, 2008, 1:40 pm
#33
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: New York, NY
Posts: 1,982
Is it not fair to assume that upgrades from cheap Y fares will further erode the value of elite benefits, such as a possibility to upgrade with SWUs.
At least that would seem to be the case if you release upgrades far in advance.
Also, it seems easier now to book an award in C/F on Lufthansa or Asiana now than United (from my experience). They are holding on those seats as if the whole fleet has been re-configured already! On the other hand they may hold those premium seats till much closer to flight to sort out possible upgrades later on as there will be more upgraders.
At least that would seem to be the case if you release upgrades far in advance.
Also, it seems easier now to book an award in C/F on Lufthansa or Asiana now than United (from my experience). They are holding on those seats as if the whole fleet has been re-configured already! On the other hand they may hold those premium seats till much closer to flight to sort out possible upgrades later on as there will be more upgraders.
Nov 3, 2008, 1:42 pm
#34
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: either here or there
Programs: UA 1K MM, Marriott Titanium?
Posts: 264
Anyone care to predict if the copay for upgrade will vary significantly from the upgrades offered at checkin for cash? If this is the path we are on, UA has found an interesting way of depleting the redeamable miles in existence without impacting their bottom line.
Nov 3, 2008, 1:44 pm
#35
Join Date: Apr 2000
Location: PDX
Programs: DL Plat, UA Plat 1MM, AS MVP, Hyatt Discoverist, Avis Presidents Club, Hertz President's Circle
Posts: 3,938
The problem with co-pay on international fares is that for people like me who work for companies with economy-only travel policies, the co-pay will come out of my pocket. Previously I've been able to book the appropriate fare via the corporate trave agent and while I paid the miles for the upgrade, it cost me no cash. 
Nov 3, 2008, 1:45 pm
#36
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: LAS
Programs: UA 1MM, Marriott Lifetime Plat, Southwest A-List Preferred
Posts: 2,846
If you read it carefully, they are applying the 500 mile minimum to elites retroactively so it's like it never went away!
"And, this policy change will be applied retroactively to United flights flown between July 1, 2008, and December 31, 2008. By the end of this year, we will update the flights flown as an elite member during that time. The update will apply the 500-mile minimum (for redeemable miles and Elite Qualifying Miles) and will adjust any class-of-service bonuses, elite bonuses and promotional bonuses."
"And, this policy change will be applied retroactively to United flights flown between July 1, 2008, and December 31, 2008. By the end of this year, we will update the flights flown as an elite member during that time. The update will apply the 500-mile minimum (for redeemable miles and Elite Qualifying Miles) and will adjust any class-of-service bonuses, elite bonuses and promotional bonuses."
Nov 3, 2008, 1:47 pm
#37
In memoriam
Join Date: Feb 2002
Location: Chicago, IL (ORD), Phoenix AZ (PHX)
Programs: UA 1K 1.9MM, Starwood Platinum, a nothing in several others
Posts: 5,176
And as I posted in the previous thread right before it was closed. I think we won the battle but lost the war.
Nov 3, 2008, 1:50 pm
#38
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 1999
Posts: 11,468
A further open question remains re Y/B upgrades, stating $ 0 - 200. So, Y = no copay, B = $ 200?
Nov 3, 2008, 1:50 pm
#39
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: SAN
Programs: UA 1MM/1K, HH Diamond
Posts: 6,832
Does this move effectively devalue SWUs?
Before 7/1/09, it takes 30k RDM + YBMH fare differential.
After 7/1/09, it will take 20k (Europe) - 30k (OZ) RDM + $250-500, but can be used on any fare class.
Seems to me that in most/all cases, these changes will make upgrading with RDMs cheaper. If so, are SWUs effectively devalued? On CC, for example, the going rate has been 30K RDM, with the logic being that it would take that many miles to upgrade but you save the YBMH-W differential. If you remove the latter, it seems to me SWUs are inherently less valuable.
Before 7/1/09, it takes 30k RDM + YBMH fare differential.
After 7/1/09, it will take 20k (Europe) - 30k (OZ) RDM + $250-500, but can be used on any fare class.
Seems to me that in most/all cases, these changes will make upgrading with RDMs cheaper. If so, are SWUs effectively devalued? On CC, for example, the going rate has been 30K RDM, with the logic being that it would take that many miles to upgrade but you save the YBMH-W differential. If you remove the latter, it seems to me SWUs are inherently less valuable.
Nov 3, 2008, 1:51 pm
#40
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: About
Programs: Some good, some bad
Posts: 811
Nov 3, 2008, 1:53 pm
#42
Join Date: Jul 2007
Posts: 2,102
I'm not sure I want to pay up to 500 dollars for the "privilege" of sitting in C or upgrading with miles within the US. I also really am miffed about the increase in premium *A awards. For the little guys, those who make status for fun and for awards, out of our own pockets (well, my considerably less deep pocket), this blows. Screw these losers. I'm going to Delta. Who wants my SWUs?
Nov 3, 2008, 1:55 pm
#43
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 1999
Posts: 11,468
BTW, does AA not face the same issue with their VIPOWs?
Nov 3, 2008, 1:58 pm
#44
formerly known as 2lovelife
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: ORF : UA_Premier_Gold4Life, Bonvoy_titanium, Accor_Plat
Posts: 6,952
For most members an upgrade will be the cost of the ticket, plus the fuel surcharge, plus the 25,000 miles, plus up to $500?
INSANE
I thought it was a loyalty REWARD program.
REALITY,
I'm paying for an economy ticket to SE Asia, add the $1000 upgrade fee ($500 ea way), and the 25,000 miles per direction, and suddenly I'm paying much more for upgrading my economy ticket.
If I book on another carrier, I can come close to getting a business class ticket (saving the miles altogether).
Last edited by seanthepilot; Nov 3, 2008 at 6:39 pm