• Home
  • Reviews
    • Flight Reviews
    • Hotel Reviews
    • Lounge Reviews
    • Trip Reports
  • About
    • Press
  • Contact
  • Privacy
  • Award Expert
  • Advertising Disclosure
Live and Let's Fly
  • Home
  • Reviews
    • Flight Reviews
    • Hotel Reviews
    • Lounge Reviews
    • Trip Reports
  • About
    • Press
  • Contact
  • Privacy
  • Award Expert
  • Advertising Disclosure
Home  >  United Airlines  >  United Raises Partner Award Costs: Here’s The Breakdown…
United Airlines

United Raises Partner Award Costs: Here’s The Breakdown…

Matthew Klint Posted onApril 29, 2020April 29, 2020 14 Comments

When the going gets tough, stick it to them where it hurts…United Airlines has raised the cost of awards on partner airlines by at least 10% across the board.

Earlier today I wrote about United Airlines’ decision to no longer publish partner award charts. United says this is done “to align information” and is “consistent with other major carriers”. I made a trio of predictions and figured it would only be a matter of time before prices went up.

Sadly, it took only hours for prices to go up. Yes, even though we are in an era of empty planes and depressed demand; even though we are in an era in which airlines will need to win back customers once travel resumes again, United decided to raise rates.

I have examined pricing and can make these observations:

  • Prices are up 10% across the board on partner awards
  • The new pricing takes effect for travel on or after July 01, 2020
  • Prior to July 01, 2020, “old” pricing applies, which includes a surcharge of 3,500 points over former “saver” levels for awards booked 30 days or less prior to departure
  • United appears to be experimenting with an additional surcharge for nonstop flights on some routes

Let’s look at some examples:

One-way flights between North America and Europe on Star Alliance partners will rise from 30K to 33K for economy, 70K to 77K for business, and 110K to 121K for first class.



For Japan, prices will go from 35K to economy class to 38.5K, 80K to 88K for business class, and 110K to 121K for first class.

For Southeast Asia, prices will will rise from 40K to 44K in economy class, 90K to 99K in business class, and 140K to 154K in first class:

Central America will go from 17.5K to 19.5K in economy class and from 30K to 33K in business class. South America will jump from 30K to 33K in economy and 60K to 66K in business class.

Finally, Africa will jump from 40K to 44K in economy class and from 80K to 88K in business class:

Outside North America, United’s popular 8K one-way awards on flights 600 miles or under within a single region will now cost 9K.

Interestingly, it appears that United is experimenting with higher costs for nonstop flights over connecting flights. For example, London to Bangkok nonstop on Thai is 49.5K miles while a connection in Germany is 45K.

As for timing, note that award prices do not change for trips prior to July. For example, travel on Lufthansa next week is the same price as we’ve seen for several months:

As late as June 30th the price stays the same. Note the 30K one-way pricing below.

But look what happens on July 1st: the prices goes up 10% to 33K.

This is the same with other partners and other regions. For example, ANA is 35K for economy and 80K for business on June 30th:

But on July 1st, the price goes up 10%.

Note we will now have to wait and see whether these new award rates fluctuate and are assessed another close-in surcharge as travel draws near. My bet is yes.

And do note that United award are currently pricing the same as usual, meaning former “saver” rates have been preserved. In the case of Europe, that is 30K for economy class 60K for business class. Do note this leads to some odd pricing if “saver” business class is available but not economy or premium economy:

Yes, I’d take 60K for business over 120K for premium economy or 45K for economy any day…

CONCLUSION

The “beauty” of not having award charts is that there is no more devaluations, at least technically. If there are no published costs, there can be no cost increases. But shrewd consumers recognize this game and will respond accordingly. United feels like it is doing what is necessary to protect itself. But I see it as kicking consumers while they are down, which will have adverse long-term effects, especially with its biggest and best customer, Chase Bank. Time will tell if the usual short memory span leads to indifference or a more painful retribution.

Previous Article 13 Nations Demand EU Suspend Mandatory Refunds For Cancelled Flights
Next Article United Airlines Extends Change Fee Waiver

About Author

Matthew Klint

Matthew is an avid traveler who calls Los Angeles home. Each year he travels more than 200,000 miles by air and has visited more than 135 countries. Working both in the aviation industry and as a travel consultant, Matthew has been featured in major media outlets around the world and uses his Live and Let's Fly blog to share the latest news in the airline industry, commentary on frequent flyer programs, and detailed reports of his worldwide travel.

Related Posts

  • United Airlines Crew Hold Times

    Flight Attendants At United Airlines Asked To Self-Report Poor Service Via “Marginal Service Reports”

    March 27, 2023
  • United Airlines MileagePlus CEO

    United Airlines Names New MileagePlus CEO

    March 25, 2023
  • United Polaris Lounge LAX Review

    Review: United Airlines Polaris Lounge Los Angeles (LAX)

    March 24, 2023

14 Comments

  1. Ryan Reply
    April 29, 2020 at 2:26 pm

    Why would anyone be loyal to a US airline anymore ?

  2. Jack Reply
    April 29, 2020 at 2:30 pm

    I dumped UA at ~0.75 million miles and went to AS and Partners which has been great. I do think they will devalue some to become more inline with OW members. Matthew, with your 1MM status secured you should focus on your new AA EXP status and dive into OW. That would be great 🙂

  3. Andy K Reply
    April 29, 2020 at 2:54 pm

    What is the purpose of this? To get more folks to fly UA over partner metal? Hasn’t the Star Alliance award chart always been more expensive than booking on United?

    • Eric Reply
      April 30, 2020 at 5:55 pm

      It’s a really good question. I think part of it is genuinely what you suggested: while future availability is so open, UA figures it’s a good time to fill their own planes with passengers regardless of how they paid, rather than encouraging folks to try partners. I know that in my case for example, the 10K mile savings on TATL redeye saver J awards typically wasn’t quite enough to get me to use UA metal … but a 17K difference would.

      And let’s not forget that they’ve at least done the “right thing” and opened saver availability broadly across most flights in their schedule, even into 2021. I personally just snagged flights to London and Kyiv for Christmas/New Year’s that have never once seen saver availability and would have been really pricey if I’d paid cash.

  4. Gene Reply
    April 29, 2020 at 2:59 pm

    @ Matthew — What exactly will it take for you to ditch United?

    • Pete Reply
      April 29, 2020 at 3:30 pm

      Yes because AA premium award unicorns plus their award winning flagship service is better…oh yes and skypesos.

      • Gene Reply
        April 29, 2020 at 5:01 pm

        …And United raising elite requirements to absurd levels, virtually eliminating saver awards and advance confirmable award space, adding a close-in booking surcharge, stealing passenger refunds, changing its partner PQP earn structure after just a few months, and on and on…

    • Christian Reply
      April 29, 2020 at 8:29 pm

      +1.

      @Matthew – Kirby has shown that when it comes to loyalty over the past week or so, he’s just out to lunch. There’s just no way to spin these changes as being in any way friendly to the loyal customer. You’ve been a fervent defender of United. If this latest barrage of loyalty-hating moves doesn’t move you to renounce United, what exactly will it take?

    • Kacee Reply
      May 1, 2020 at 2:40 am

      I do kind of wonder why anyone would stick with UA at this point. It’s the “Thank you sir, may I have another” of US carriers.

  5. Steve Reply
    April 29, 2020 at 4:24 pm

    What a bunch of scumbags, proof even while losing money these guys will try and f*ck their customers.

    More the reason to be a free agent!

  6. UA-NYC Reply
    April 29, 2020 at 5:28 pm

    F this stupid effing airline. SMH.

  7. Pingback: ユナイテッドがこっそりと特典チャート改悪・・・今までよりも10%多くマイルが必要になりました | アメリカ在住陸マイラー
  8. Pingback: IHG和美联航将全面铺开“动态定价”积分兑换 – 飞常旅客 VERYLVKE
  9. Pingback: 70% Bonus beim Kauf von Mileage Plus Meilen bis 27.08.2020

Leave a Reply

Cancel reply

Search

Recent Posts

  • United Airlines Crew Hold Times
    Flight Attendants At United Airlines Asked To Self-Report Poor Service Via “Marginal Service Reports” March 27, 2023
  • Waldo Delta LAX
    “Where’s Waldo?” Jumps Out Of Delta 737-800 At LAX, Scoots Down Exit Slide March 27, 2023
  • Hilton Frankfurt Airport Review
    Review: Hilton Frankfurt Airport March 27, 2023
  • Thai entry requirements
    Thailand Entry Requirements: Updated Website March 26, 2023

Categories

Popular Posts

  • Kayleigh Scott United Airlines
    The Tragic Death Of A United Airlines Flight Attendant March 21, 2023
  • United Airlines Domestic First Class Menu
    United Airlines Refreshes Domestic First Class Menu February 28, 2023
  • Southwest Airlines Wife Slap
    Enraged Husband Attacks Man On Southwest Airlines Flight After He Bumps Wife March 8, 2023
  • United Polaris Lounge LAX Review
    Review: United Airlines Polaris Lounge Los Angeles (LAX) March 24, 2023

Archives

March 2023
M T W T F S S
 12345
6789101112
13141516171819
20212223242526
2728293031  
« Feb    

As seen on:

live_and_lets_fly

The new United Polaris Lounge at Washington Dulles The new United Polaris Lounge at Washington Dulles is the most beautiful of all Polaris Lounges. Stay tuned for a detailed look and many more photos on the blog tomorrow. Well done @united.
@malaysiaairlines just announced it would retire i @malaysiaairlines just announced it would retire its A380 fleet. While not surprising, it is sad to see the growing list of carriers retiring this superjumbo jet. On Malaysia Airlines, I flew the #A380 once from Kuala Lumpur (KUL) to London (LHR) and had the entire first class cabin to myself (full review on the blog). It was a beautiful flight that I will always remember.
Welcome to @fly_bur @aveloair! I am so excited tha Welcome to @fly_bur @aveloair! I am so excited that a new carrier, Avelo, has launched, especially from an airport just 12 minutes from my home!
I greatly miss the @lufthansa #747-8 at @flylaxair I greatly miss the @lufthansa #747-8 at @flylaxairport. Hopefully this summer it will return.

.
.
.
.
#Lufthansa #FirstClass #747 #747-8 #StarAlliance #Miles #Points
I recently spent a weekend at the @ventanabigsur. I recently spent a weekend at the @ventanabigsur. This is not only a lovely, all-inclusive resort, but one of the best properties to use your @hyatt World of Hyatt points.
.
.
.
.
#Hyatt #BigSur #California #WorldofHyatt #CA-1 #Points #Hotels
In terms of a spacious first class product, the @E In terms of a spacious first class product, the @Emirates suite on a 777-300ER is hard to beat. My preference is Suite 2K.

.
.
.
.
#Emirates #777 #firstclass
Nearly five years ago, I took a “break” from I Nearly five years ago, I took a “break” from Instagram ahead of the birth of my first child. Goodness, how time flies. While I’ve enjoyed catching up on others over the years, now it is time for me to return to Instagram. In this first post, I highlight two joys in my life, my two children, whom I trust will grow up to be prolific travelers that circumnavigate the globe as ambassadors of love and respect.

.
.
.
.
.

#travel #airplanes #airlines #miles #points #familytravel #human #integrity #honor
United Airlines' new Polaris seat is a huge improv United Airlines' new Polaris seat is a huge improvement over UA's current business class seat. Check out my blog at liveandletsfly.com for 70+ photos of how @united is transforming its entire business class experience starting this December!
The perfect @flysas name tag for #Longyearben! The perfect @flysas name tag for #Longyearben!
Spotted four #polarbear outside of #longyearbyen - Spotted four #polarbear outside of #longyearbyen -- oh, and I love 40°F summer weather!
One of the best crews I have ever had the pleasure One of the best crews I have ever had the pleasure of flying with in all my years of flying. Thank you @flysas SK940 on 11 Aug 2016
Next stop ARN! But dear @flysas , next time if I a Next stop ARN! But dear @flysas , next time if I assign a window seat months in advance, don't move me to a center seat "for my convenience" with no way to get my original seat back... 😞
Ready for #PIA from #MAN to #JFK -- we will be rac Ready for #PIA from #MAN to #JFK -- we will be racing the #Delta flight to JFK at the gate next to us, which also departs at 12:45p. With @onemileatatime
Another room with a beautiful view... #hyattregenc Another room with a beautiful view... #hyattregencycasablanca #cassablanca #hyatt
Enjoying #shanghai with @onemileatatime from the i Enjoying #shanghai with @onemileatatime from the inside of the @grandhyatt_shanghai ... It is 40°C outside! 😓
From my front gate to my boarding gate in 15 minut From my front gate to my boarding gate in 15 minutes flat. I ❤️ #bur #burbankairport
@malaysiaairlines #747 out of retirement and in se @malaysiaairlines #747 out of retirement and in service at #kul -- beautiful livery!
View from my 61st floor room at the beautiful bran View from my 61st floor room at the beautiful brand new @parkhyattguangzhou -- look for a full review coming soon on the blog #hyatt #parkhyatt #guangzhou #parkhyattguangzhou
Will miss the @united #globalfirstlounge at #ord, Will miss the @united #globalfirstlounge at #ord, which closes tomorrow and the Queen of the Skies #747 which will be retired in 2018.
The colonial #architecture of #mumbai is stunning. The colonial #architecture of #mumbai is stunning. If you're ever here, get up at 5am and have a walk around the city before it gets busy. You can hear the birds instead of honking horns.
Load More... Follow on Instagram
facebook twitter instagram rss

This site is for entertainment purposes only. The owner of this site is not an investment advisor, financial planner, nor legal or tax professional and articles here are of an opinion and general nature and should not be relied upon for individual circumstances.

 

Advertiser Disclosure: Some links to credit cards and other products on this website will earn an affiliate commission. Outside of banner ads published through the Boarding Area network, this compensation does not impact how and where products appear on this site. While we do try to list all the best miles and points deals, the site does not include all card companies or credit card offers available in the marketplace. Please view our advertising policy page for additional details about our partners.

 

Editorial Disclosure: The editorial content on this page is not provided by any entity mentioned herein. Opinions expressed here are the author's alone, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.