2009 MP Changes - UA Restores 500 Mile Min for Elites and New Award Redemption Rules
Nov 3, 2008, 2:35 pm
#77
Join Date: Apr 2002
Location: BOS
Programs: riding the lifetime status. DL MM / AA MM
Posts: 2,968
hate to say it, but none of this is shocking, and it leaves UA in line to better than their US-based competition..
yeah, the prohibition on O and intercontinental Q at AA is generally not a problem -- those are true bargain basement fares, and not generally available in most markets. UA's restriction is worse..
Originally Posted by cesco.g
Interesting, tom911. There seems to be only that one Q-fare class, that is ineligible. Q itself did not show up on a couple of TATL & TPAC fare checks I did on AA fares.
Nov 3, 2008, 2:37 pm
#81
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: MBS/FNT/LAN
Programs: UA 1K, HH Gold, Mariott Gold
Posts: 9,630
Do I understand correctly... the co-pay system is a little more in line with CO's upgrade policy?
Also, just my gut..... but I think *A upgrades might come back too.
Finally, not addressed... but can you upgrade a Z when this takes effect?
Also, just my gut..... but I think *A upgrades might come back too.
Finally, not addressed... but can you upgrade a Z when this takes effect?
Nov 3, 2008, 2:38 pm
#82
Join Date: Jul 2007
Posts: 2,102
Does AA not exempt Plat members from all their copay crap? And, correct me if I am wrong (wishful thinking), 1Ks will not be exempt from fees from UA's new upgrade donkey show?
Nov 3, 2008, 2:40 pm
#83
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 1999
Posts: 11,468
Agree with you on the C- (and F) levels to Europe. Suxxs!
Nov 3, 2008, 2:41 pm
#84
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
Nov 3, 2008, 2:44 pm
#85
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: BCN
Programs: UA 1K
Posts: 1,084
Looks like there are changes *A awards also but I don't see a new *A award chart yet.
Nov 3, 2008, 2:45 pm
#87
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: SNA
Programs: AA EXP, UA 1K (until it expires then never again), *wood Plat, Marriott Gold
Posts: 9,239
Looks like there are changes *A awards also but I don't see a new *A award chart yet.
Nov 3, 2008, 2:46 pm
#88
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: ASE
Programs: UA 1MM, AA1MM PLTPRO, Hertz PC, National EXC, Hyatt Explorist, Hilton/Marriott Gold, IHG Platinum
Posts: 3,357
I'm not sure how I feel about these changes. As a lowly 2P, I'd have to think that the bulk of these changes are to my benefit.
First of all, major kudos to UA on the return of the 500-mile minimums for elites, and for applying them retroactively. Now I have some major reserarch to do to see how much closer this will put me to 1P status. This almost makes putting up with all of those Mesa flights over the last few months worth it! ^
I also like the fact that you can now upgrade from any economy-class fare when travelling internationally. How much it pained me to be in Y on my last TATL flight without the ability to upgrade in any way, shape, or form, thanks to an S-fare and no UFC offer due to very-full-C-cabin.
It strikes me that upgrade award to Hawaii will suddenly become VERY expensive, too.
This certainly also makes me think that it is a much better value now to use, even pay for, if necessary, e-500's at our reduced price, versus using miles and the new co-pay to upgrade. I no-longer forsee a reason to upgrade with miles domestically as opposed to using e-500's. Anybody agree/disagree? Thoughts?
I think that we will all have some collective brain-storming to do over the next few months as to what is the new best value/s for redemption, and for whom.
Obviously, the new award redemption levels, especially for premium travel, hurt, but I can't say that I'm surprised, nor really as angry as others here seem to be. Times are changing, and UA needs to make money; this seems like a good way to do that, without further cutting services.
Finally, just to confirm, I am about to book a ticket to Hawaii for departure New Years Day. If I book it now, and request an upgrade w/ miles now, I won't have to pay the co-pay, correct, as that doesn't start until July 1, 2009? I just want to confirm before hitting the "purchase" button.
First of all, major kudos to UA on the return of the 500-mile minimums for elites, and for applying them retroactively. Now I have some major reserarch to do to see how much closer this will put me to 1P status. This almost makes putting up with all of those Mesa flights over the last few months worth it! ^
I also like the fact that you can now upgrade from any economy-class fare when travelling internationally. How much it pained me to be in Y on my last TATL flight without the ability to upgrade in any way, shape, or form, thanks to an S-fare and no UFC offer due to very-full-C-cabin.
It strikes me that upgrade award to Hawaii will suddenly become VERY expensive, too.
This certainly also makes me think that it is a much better value now to use, even pay for, if necessary, e-500's at our reduced price, versus using miles and the new co-pay to upgrade. I no-longer forsee a reason to upgrade with miles domestically as opposed to using e-500's. Anybody agree/disagree? Thoughts?
I think that we will all have some collective brain-storming to do over the next few months as to what is the new best value/s for redemption, and for whom.
Obviously, the new award redemption levels, especially for premium travel, hurt, but I can't say that I'm surprised, nor really as angry as others here seem to be. Times are changing, and UA needs to make money; this seems like a good way to do that, without further cutting services.
Finally, just to confirm, I am about to book a ticket to Hawaii for departure New Years Day. If I book it now, and request an upgrade w/ miles now, I won't have to pay the co-pay, correct, as that doesn't start until July 1, 2009? I just want to confirm before hitting the "purchase" button.
Nov 3, 2008, 2:48 pm
#89
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: BUR/LAX
Programs: UA 1K/2MM, HHonors Diamond, IHG Diamond Elite
Posts: 2,505
"Beginning July 1, 2009, co-pay will be collected when a United mileage upgrade is requested. United upgrade awards requested prior to the effective date for travel after the effective date will not require a co-pay."
So does this mean that if you request an upgrade on June 30th, 2009 for a flight up to 330 days out, you will still not have to make a co-pay?
So does this mean that if you request an upgrade on June 30th, 2009 for a flight up to 330 days out, you will still not have to make a co-pay?
Nov 3, 2008, 2:49 pm
#90
Join Date: Jan 1999
Location: Too many
Programs: Lots
Posts: 5,761
Again, a classic United move - Take something away, bring it back as an "enhancement" and simultaneously gut something else.
Memo to United: Your C and F cabins and service still suck. This is a move you can make *after* making them worthwhile to pay for. They're certainly not worth it right now.
Memo to United: Your C and F cabins and service still suck. This is a move you can make *after* making them worthwhile to pay for. They're certainly not worth it right now.