Some United flight awards to cost more after MileagePlus revamp
Mileage reward flights could get more expensive for some United Airlines’ frequent flyers.
It will employ a ‘dynamic pricing’ model meaning more miles are required for reward flights on routes in high demand while less popular flights could potentially cost less miles for members.
The new redemption policy begins on November 1.
The existing Standard Awards level in MileagePlus will be replaced with a new option called Everyday Awards.
However the lowest-redemption level Saver Awards will continue for the time being and United says it will add an extra 10% more eligible flights within North America.
The change will see miles needed for busy cross country routes like Boston to San Francisco increase from 25,000 miles to 35,000 miles, while transatlantic flights to Europe will also rise.
"Today our customers have only two price points… They will have multiple price points every day," Praveen Sharma, digital products and analytics VP at United told USA TODAY.
"Unlike some of our competitors, we will have a published award chart and we’ll stick the ranges in that award chart. We will not have exceptions."
Sharma was referring to Delta Air Lines which removed its mileage chart when it moved to a dynamic pricing model for its SkyMiles program.
"Planning ahead and booking early is a great way to take advantage of potential savings that may be available during off-peak travel times," United said in a message to members announcing the changes.
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