United’s Award Chart Devaluation was earlier this year, and in June, United also announced a switch to revenue based earning (similar to the Delta devaluation), taking effect in 2015. But that wasn’t the end of the bad news for MileagePlus members.
Here are the latest devaluations, which hit MileagePlus elites especially hard:
No Free Mileage Upgrades on P.S. Flights for Premier Members: Copay Charged
Previously, MileagePlus Premier members weren’t charged the copay on p.s. flights between New York JFK and Los Angeles LAX or San Francisco SFO that regular, non-elite members pay when using miles to upgrade flights. That’s changing for MileagePlus elites, per United:
“Premier members who request a MileagePlus Upgrade Award on or after February 1, 2015, for a p.s. route between New York JFK and Los Angeles or San Francisco will no longer be exempt from the co-pay.”
Here's what the upgrades will cost starting February 1, 2015:
- Y Fares: 7500 miles (no co-pay)
- B Fares: 10,000 miles (no co-pay)
- M, E, U Fares: 15,000 miles + $75
- H, Q Fares: 15,000 miles + $125
- V Fares: 17,500 miles + $175
- W Fares: 17,500 miles + $225
- S, T, K, L, G, N Fares: 20,000 miles + $250
Awards Redeemed for Others Won’t Inherit MileagePlus Elite Status
This was a nice perk while it lasted: MileagePlus elites could redeem miles out of their account for family members and friends, and the recipient inherited the MileagePlus member’s elite status, including priority check-in, priority boarding, free access to United Economy Plus seating, and up to three free checked bags.
This was fantastic for families where one parent had top-tier elite status, enabling all family members to share this status when the elite booked all of the tickets. Going forward, each person will fly only with their own MileagePlus status, per United (see the footnote under the cabin/status and bag weight/size chart):
“Eligibility for the checked baggage service charge waiver for travelers on award tickets issued or re-issued on or after April 15, 2015, is based on each traveler’s Premier status at check-in, rather than the status of the member whose miles were used to purchase the award ticket.”
Fewer Free Checked Bags for MileagePlus Premier Gold Members
Starting February 1, 2015, Premier Gold Members will be allowed 2 complimentary checked bags of up to 70 pounds each, instead of 3 checked bags, on travel in the U.S., Canada, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
I personally don't know anyone who checks 3 bags, but it is another benefit reduction.
Coming: Star Alliance Partner Earning Will Be Reduced
While the specifics of this change haven’t been announced, per the Wall Street Journal, United says that changes to MileagePlus miles earning on Star Alliance partners will be made by the end of 2014: “We expect to align MileagePlus earning on partner airlines more closely with our new (i.e. revenue based) earning structure.”
Navigating the Unfriendly Skies
While I’m not personally affected by these changes, since I’m not a MileagePlus elite and fly very few paid flights overall, let alone United flights, these further MileagePlus devaluations will definitely affect some of my Award Booking clients. Here’s what I would recommend:
1. Consider Switching to AAdvantage for 2015 Elite Qualification
If your flights and routings permit, consider switching to AAdvantage for 2015 elite qualification, since AAdvantage won’t be switching to a revenue based mileage system while still merging the AAdvantage and Dividend frequent flyer programs, and even if it makes changes to a revenue based system after that, those likely wouldn’t take effect until 2016.
2. Switch to Singapore KrisFlyer or Another Star Alliance Frequent Flyer Program Even if you can’t change carriers and must fly United, you can always take your business elsewhere by changing your frequent flyer program. The problem, of course, is that you won’t earn miles that count towards United elite status, so you’ll have to decide which you value more: United elite status (which may be a lower tier than you previously enjoyed, due to revenue based earning starting in 2015) or the ability to earn more miles and a more attractive award chart and/or award space on the Star Alliance partner.
The nice thing about KrisFlyer is that you can supplement your flown miles with transfers from Starwood Preferred Guest (SPG), AMEX Membership Rewards, Chase Ultimate Rewards, and Citi ThankYou. Singapore Suites is a fantastic first class product that can only be redeemed for using KrisFlyer miles. Plus, the KrisFlyer award chart is usually cheaper than the MileagePlus award chart for domestic U.S. awards on United.
3. After United Changes Partner Earning, Revisit Where You Credit 2015 Flights
If you have 2015 flights on Star Alliance partners that you’re currently crediting to United MileagePlus, make sure to revisit that decision once United changes its partner earning, which as noted above is slated to be before the end of 2014. Depending on what the changes are for the partner airline you’re flying, you may want to change where you’re crediting your miles.
4. Book Awards Instead of Using Miles to Upgrade
Some of my Award Booking clients want to preserve their miles and figure that using miles to upgrade a paid ticket is the best bet. It almost never is. That’s because you usually either have a significant copay in addition to the miles used to upgrade, and/or have to book an expensive fare class to be eligible to upgrade. Now, with this further United MileagePlus devaluation, that’s becoming true for many elites as well, who will be better off booking a business class award outright than being stuck with the copay as well as miles to upgrade from economy.
Are you affected by these additional United MileagePlus devaluations?
Related Posts
United MileagePlus Devaluation: Revenue Based Earning
United’s Award Chart Devaluation
Free One Way to Hawaii with United Miles
United Compensation for Flight Delays and Delayed Baggage
Earn the 55K United MileagePlus Explorer Bonus Again?
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