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
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