I hate planning ahead. I hate planning ahead. I hate planning ahead!
There – I got it out of my system.
But seriously, if you have been living under a rock and haven’t heard the terrible news yet, United just announced some “changes” to their award chart. “Changes” is a terrible word in the flyer world because it almost always means “get-ready-to-hear-bad-news”.
Without a surprise, the changes, which will be in full effect starting February 1, 2014, don’t work out in the favor of us, the flyer.
In summary, this is what they are:
- United will soon consist of two charts: one for awards just on United metal, and another for awards that include partner carriers. The partner chart requires far more miles for premium travel (business and first class).
- In general, it will require many more United miles to travel in premium cabin space (business class awards increased substantially, and first class nearly doubles on some routes). For people who care more about the destination rather than getting there in style, economy class awards pretty much remain the same, with only minor increases.
Here’s what’s on my mind about this news:
- Baby points traveler is coming in February – there’s no way I am cramming in last-minute dream getaway trips between now and my expected due date.
- Now I really have to actually pick a dream getaway to plan for… for like August – so much planning ahead and setting in stone.
- Which first class partner product should I splurge my miles on? I already did Singapore Airlines A380 First Class to Australia in March. What should be next? Lufthansa? Thai? Suggestions?
- Once I book my award, and Feb 1 passes, my itinerary must remain untouched – dates, routing, the whole 9-yards – so much for United’s flexible-award-redeposit benefit offered to United elites.
- Good thing American Airlines gifted me a Platinum status trial 2 days ago – it’s as if they knew this United pain was coming (hey, they probably did).
- Speaking of American Airlines, I wonder if they will use this#UNfriendlyskies devaluation to their AAdvantage? Will they sweep United elites off their feet and offer a match to EXP? A girl can dream, right?
- I am EWR based. Enough said. Now if I switch carriers, I’d have to schlep to JFK in most scenarios.
- 3 days ago, I just applied for the United MileagePlus Explorer card again after parting ways with it in February 2012. I did this because I was hoping I could re-qualify for status (Platinum at the very most), and use the card to eliminate the need to spend the big-baller PQD next year by spending $25,000 or more on the card annually.
- Speaking of status, I achieved my Premier 1K goal this year – now it’s less exciting for me.
- I LOVE Chase and their Ultimate Rewards program. Now I’m less enthusiastic about the 1:1 transfer benefit to United. I wonder how Chase will react to this?
Maybe it’s pregnancy hormones, but I sound and feel like this biggest baby on the planet. I’m legitimately sad and upset over this. I think it’s time to break up with United.
I just realized this was the whiniest post ever, but I needed to vent. And we all know real-friends outside of the points and miles world just don’t get it… so… I hope we can all have a pity party together over this. Feel free to chime in!
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Not pregnancy hormones. I’m feeling the same way. United just slapped their frequent fliers in the face. This 1K will be using other carriers in 2014 now. UA had lost my loyalty and exclusive business (70 segments and 135k pqm this year).
220K to get to EUROPE!!!!! Thank goodness I was all about Chase UR to do my dirty work.
UA never would have made such drastic changes with the approval of CHASE.
This is a shut up response to all bloggers that keep bragging about flying Star Alliance first class when they can barely afford a coach ticket. It is clear that airlines want first class people on their first class cabins and not point and miles hoarders that get into their first class cabins and start taking pictures of even a paper napkin. That is what all airlines will do and they are only protecting real first class customers that pay $15k+ for that seat and do not want to share the cabin with people that do not belong there.
Absolutely disgusting! start a Twitter campaign. Include United and chase in every tweet with the hashtag #unitedunfriendly. Spread it everywhere and overwhelm their Twitter accounts
jeff.smisek@united.com needs to hear from everyone
twitter/united facebook united airlines
Two tier award charts? What’s the purpose of being in an alliance, then??
I can somewhat understand a premium when UA offers the same route as a partner (for example, EWR-FRA on UA vs. LH)… however, if you are trying to get to a destination that UA doesn’t service, you’re now required to pay the partner rates!
Between this new and the PQD news, I think I’ll have to unfortunately abandon loyalty and become a free agent.
Planning ahead is wonderful! So much to look forward to – new baby, new home and many trips in 2014 while you burn your United miles as an elite. I will help you enjoy planning ahead. Please help me learn the thrill of the last minute trips.
I swear to you it won’t be a big deal for you in the end. Figuring out how to get my Halloween-hungover 3 year old out of bed was a bigger deal to me this morning than this, and it will be for you, too. Especially because you don’t seem to be motivated by the flight experience, you seem to be motivated by the destination. Plus, you are tiny! ;)
Coach awards, even on partners, either didn’t increase, or barely increased. Heck, even flying biz on United stayed reasonable on many/most routes.
I strongly encourage you not to burn tons of miles with an infant on the way. You may find your travel patterns unchanged with his addition to your family, but you may find your travel destinations and patterns very changed for a while. A lot will just depend on your kid and how he does and there’s no way to know that in advance.
My advice, book an August trip if you want, you can always cancel with no penalty as a 1K, but don’t stress over it. You’ll still get to all the places you want to be, even with United miles.
Enjoy your new house, new car, and soon-to-be new baby, and don’t lose a wink of sleep of this award chart change.
Completely agree with mommypoints! Definitely first world problem, sadly.
I don’t think Chase will really care. Economy awards for the most part remain unchanged. Except for awards to/from Southern South America there are no changes to awards domestically and to/from South America/Mexico/Carribean.
I think the travel blogger/Flyertalk community sometimes forgets that the single most popular redemption in most frequent flyer programs is the 25k domestic coach award!