United overhauls loyalty programme
United Airlines has followed Delta in revamping its MileagePlus loyalty programme to reward passengers based on the cost of their ticket rather than the distance flown.
The changes, which will come into effect in March 2015, will benefit frequent flyer Elite members but will be less beneficial to buy cheap flights.
Elite members will earn between seven and 11 miles for every dollar spent, excluding taxes, up to a maximum of 75,000 miles per ticket.
Basic level MileagePlus members will earn 5 miles per dollar.
The changes will apply to most United and United Express tickets and also for fares United sells on partner airlines.
According to Thomas O’Toole, United senior vice president of marketing and loyalty, the policy change will "more directly recognize the value of our members when they fly United."
Aside from Delta, Virgin America, JetBlue, and Southwest have overhauled their programmes in recent years to better reward and to attract higher-spending travellers.
United said levels for redeeming miles for reward flights will remain the same but revealed other ways miles can be used.
From next year miles can be used to offset added fees for United Economy Plus seats with extra legroom and checked baggage.
Linsey McNeill
Editor Linsey McNeill has been writing about travel for more than three decades. Bylines include The Times, Telegraph, Observer, Guardian and Which? plus the South China Morning Post. She also shares insider tips on thetraveljournalist.co.uk
Vegas’s Billion-Dollar Secrets – What They Don’t Want Tourists to Know
Visit Florida’s New CEO Bryan Griffin Shares His Vision for State Tourism with Graham
Chicago’s Tourism Renaissance: Graham Interviews Kristin Reynolds of Choose Chicago
Graham Talks with Cassandra McCauley of MMGY NextFactor About the Latest Industry Research
Destination International’s Andreas Weissenborn: Research, Advocacy, and Destination Impact
Graham and Don Welsh Discuss the Success of Destinations International’s Annual Conference
Graham and CEO Andre Kiwitz on Ventura Travel’s UK Move and Recruitment for the Role
Brett Laiken and Graham Discuss Florida’s Tourism Momentum and Global Appeal
Graham and Elliot Ferguson on Positioning DC as a Cultural and Inclusive Global Destination
Graham Talks to Fraser Last About His England-to-Ireland Trek for Mental Health Awareness
Kathy Nelson Tells Graham About the Honour of Hosting the World Cup and Kansas City’s Future
Graham McKenzie on Sir Richie Richardson’s Dual Passion for Golf and His Homeland, Antigua
ADS PRO 
Phocuswright reveals the world's largest travel markets in volume in 2025
Higher departure tax and visa cost, e-arrival card: Japan unleashes the fiscal weapon against tourists
Cyclone in Sri Lanka had limited effect on tourism in contrary to media reports
Singapore to forbid entry to undesirable travelers with new no-boarding directive
Euromonitor International unveils world’s top 100 city destinations for 2025