Just got off the phone with United, where an agent read a memo stating that to “ensure a seamless customer experience” the old award chart will remain in effect through 02 February 2014. All travel booked on or after...
Germanwings (4U) Award Space Now Available on United.com
United Airlines MileagePlus members have been eligible to earn miles on Germanwings, the Lufthansa low-cost-subsidiary since last October, with the promise that Germanwings flights would soon be available for mileage bookings. Now, Germanwings flights are bookable on united.com in both...
Top 10 Airline Award Redemptions for January 2014
With the new year here and many changes negatively affecting airline loyalty programs now in effect or shortly taking effect, there are still a number of superb deals available. Here are my top ten award travel bright spots for...
Additional Business Class Saver Award Space for Elite Members of United MileagePlus Program
United is massively devaluing its award chart at the end of the month and has instituted a minimum-spend requirement for elite qualification in 2014. With deep cutbacks to the domestic front cabin product and few flights with internet, questioning...
The Other United Airlines Devaluation: Fewer Upgrades at a Higher Cost
The big news Friday was United’s devaluation of its MileagePlus award chart starting 01 February 2014, particularly for premium cabins on Star Alliance partners, but United also announced a policy change eliminating complimentary upgrades on flights to/from Northern South American and...
RewardsPlus: United MileagePlus Partners with Marriott Rewards
When United Airlines tweeted about a “new rewards experience” coming to MileagePlus last Friday, I was very afraid. The news at United has not been good lately, but even with minor fee increases and a minimum-spend requirement that effectively...
Massive United MileagePlus Devaluation on the Horizon?
It is Friday, that special day of the week reserved for dumping bad news. At around midnight CT, United Airlines posted the following on Twitter– A very ambiguous message, so it will do little good now to speculate about...
Book EVA Airways Award Space on united.com
EVA (pronounced E – V – A) Airways has recently joined the Star Alliance network and the Taipei-based carrier has been very generous when it comes to releasing award space. In fact, many dates this summer have four or...
United Raises Award Change and Cancellation Fees for Non-Premiers
As if yesterday’s move of adding minimum-spend requirements to attain elite status was not bad enough, United today (with no advance notice) has updated its award fee chart and General Members will be hit hard. No more free routing...
Up to 25,000 Bonus Miles on United Airlines
United Airlines is running a “Map Your Dreams” promotion in which the lucky recipients of the targeted offer can earn up to 25,000 bonus award miles based on future travel on United. Flyertalkers have reported receiving different offers, but...
Purchase Miles from United MileagePlus for 40% Off
Through tomorrow evening, 25 April, at midnight central time, United Airlines is offering a decent (though not a great) deal for the purchase of MileagePlus miles. Through this Facebook link, miles have been discounted 40% off their normal price....
One Upside to the United Merger: Elite-Only Saver Awards in Business and First Class
With the exception of the expanded route network and ability to search for Star Alliance partner awards online (which actually hurts my award consulting business), I cannot point to many changes I like in the new world of Continental...
Reader Question: Should I Buy Up My MileagePlus Status?
Reader Sandy asks: Matthew, I received the following offer from United in my e-mail box. I was about 10K miles short of 1P [Premier Executive] status last year, so I am tempted to take advantage, though it looks expensive....
A Zone of Twilight Between OnePass and MileagePlus
As Continental OnePass and United MileagePlus work to fully integrate in March, the next month and a half will be tricky for those elites looking to take full advantage of reciprocal benefits but who never linked accounts. Last March,...
25% Discount on United/Continental Economy Class Award Tickets to Europe and Southern Africa
I wouldn’t call this the sale of century, but if you are planning an economy class award redemption to the lower half of Africa or Europe (not recommended–go in business or first), you can save 20-25% off the published...
Amtrak Guest Rewards – United Airlines MileagePlus Partnership Changes
Not surprisingly, the Amtrak-Continental Airlines partnership will soon be scaled back. From 01 January 2012, you will no longer be able to transfer points between the two programs. Thankfully, it appears the train codeshares will remain and even after...
Three United Airlines Mileage Award Bookings in 15 Minutes
The most frustrating part of booking an award trip is when a telephone call to the airline is required. Some agents are quicker than others, but generally telephone awards just take a long time to book. I type this...
United Airlines Unveils New Million Mile Flyer Program
Since the United/Continental merger was announced last year, uncertainty has clouded the status of the combined carrier’s million-mile program. Which program would survive? United offered million-mile flyers Premier Executive (Star Gold) status for life and presented MMers with two...
United Airlines Releases Details on 2012 MileagePlus Program
After weeks of speculation, United Airlines finally revealed some specifics about its 2012 MileagePlus program. I am frankly gleeful to state that the changes are tolerable and United Airlines will remain my airline of choice in 2012. Here is...
You just won 25,000 United Mileage Plus miles!
Last night I received the following text message from my brother: Dad and mom went to United Mileage Plus promotion at the Americana. Mother won two RCC passes. Dad won 25000 mp miles. While I don’t believe in luck,...