United guts premium fare earning rates on multiple partners
Posted by Seth Miller on January 2, 2013 under frequent flyer, points, Wandering Aramean Travel Tools | 
24 Comments to Read
What I originally thought was just a “fixing” of an obviously overly generous set of elite status earning rules from United Airlines‘ MileagePlus program on partner South African Airways appears now to be a massive change in earning rates for the new year. More than 70 different fare classes across at least 9 partners are affected by these changes. And in every case it is the premium fares – first, business, premium economy and full-fare economy – which are seeing the elite earning rates cut. When the new rules came out for MileagePlus in 2012 there was a rather generous upgrade in earning rates for premium cabins on many partners. Apparently United has decided they were being too generous and they’ve now cut back significantly.
In addition to the previously identified cuts for South African noted here the following fare classes now all earn only 100% of the miles flown towards elite qualification, down generally from 150%:
- Thai Airways: J, P, U, Y, Z, A, B, C, D,F
- Singapore Air: R, S, Y, Z, A, C, D, F, J, P
- TAP Air Portugal: B, C, D, J, Y, Z
- TAM: A, C, D, F, J , Y, Z
- LOT: A, B, C, D, P, Y, Z
- Croatia Airlines: A, B, C, D, F, Y, Z
- Air New Zealand: A, B, C, D, E, J, O, U,Y, Z (now showing only 100% again)
- EgyptAir: A, B, C, D, F, J, Y, Z
- South African Airways: J, C, D, Z, Y, B, M, H K, S, Q
These changes came without notification from the carrier, either through traditional means or through the online communities they have employees participating in. Quite unfortunate at many levels.
UPDATE:
Also add in:
- Avianca: C, D, J
- Asiana: A, B, C, D, F, J, Y, Z
United "fixes" their earning rates for flights on South African Airways - The Wandering Aramean said,
[...] UPDATE: This is a MUCH more broad devaluation of the MileagePlus program covering premium fares on 9… [...]
tommy777 said,
So First on US domestic gives 1.5 while Singapore in R suites gives 1. Makes a lot of sense. :p
Phudnik said,
It looks as if the joint venture partners + US Airways (which gets 100% EQM for Y/B fares, just as in US’s own program) are the carriers on whom 150% EQM for premium tix is preserved.
This is the way Mileage Plus operated pre-merger, more or less.
Aleks K. said,
On the upside, at least some have improved. I’ve been trying to decide where to credit an upcoming flight on Croatia Airlines in P fare which was showing as earning no mileage last time I looked. Today, it will earn 50% if credited to MileagePlus.
oleg said,
This is just premium-qualifying details; mileage earning us not changed (as far as I can see anywhere).
If you’re regularly flying SQ R, does United status matter that much? (It’s irrelevant for your flights, you can likely credit in better programs, and if you can afford this flying the extra flights to get United status won’t break the bank.)
Wandering Aramean said,
Yes, PQMs only. I’ll edit the post to make that more clear in a bit. But it is a rather significant change. It isn’t just F fares which are affected. Y and B fares were slashed, too.
Biggles209 said,
Air New Zealand seems to be unchanged
http://www.united.com//CMS/en-US/marketing/custcomm/promotions/Pages/AirlinePartnerDetails.aspx?ItemId=405
Seth said,
I checked those NZ rates before posting earlier. Either I’m going crazy or they changed again. Either way, you are correct that they are 150% now.
Biggles209 said,
I’m also seeing Asiana, Blue1, and Swiss down, but TAM unchanged. I wonder if they are still messing around…
Jon said,
Sucks because I was going to book an S fare on SAA just for the 150 percent pqms
Seth said,
The NZ rates are back to 100% now. Possibly caching on their server farm or possibly other sketchiness in play but things are definitely bad.
It looks like Avianca has seen cuts as well. Blue1 is now part of SAS; they are holding at 150% in some cases, at least for now. And Swiss is still running with 150% right now.
Eugene said,
Crap. Have TG J coming up next month. Was looking forward to 150% eqm
United Comings And Goings « Pizza In Motion said,
[...] Wandering Aramean has a massive list of United fares that no longer qualify for bonus PQMs. It’s not the most surprising move, since this is move back to the way United compensated on some of these fare classes in the past. And, most moves lately by airline loyalty programs are to cost-cutting as opposed to enhancements (most enhancements now are in physical product, new planes and seats). And, the full-fare economy drops surprise me the least. [...]
Rapid Travel Chai said,
I am starting to lose interest in moving over from Delta, it seems the main appeal of United is for people who collect the miles any way but actual flying and then redeeming on better partners, in my case I need a primary airline to fly.
Ryan said,
NoNotice changes….must be taking lessons from Delta. I wonder what other New Years treats UA has in store?
Biggles209 said,
I’m still seeing the same as last night – maybe there is some caching going on somewhere. I have the following all offering 150% PQM at some fare levels: Air Canada, Air New Zealand, ANA, Austrian, Brussels Airlines, Cape Air, Copa, Lufthansa, SAS, SWISS, TAM, United, US Airways
Partner EQM award changes (UA quietly changed some partner Y/B fares 150%->100%) - Page 3 - FlyerTalk Forums said,
[...] Posted by sbm12 AV and OZ are affected as well. I'm counting more than 70 fare class/carrier combinations so far which are reduced PQM earning: Thai Airways: J, P, U, Y, Z, A, B, C, D, [...]
Joe Nevin said,
It all makes sense from a UA bottom line perspective – which is obviously how they are looking at it
United’s response to the premium cabin earning rates changes: better than I expected - The Wandering Aramean said,
[...] MilePoint the company offered up an explanation and a full listing of the affected fare classes (which pretty much matches the list I had produced) and also an explanation. Apparently the old rates were a mistake: In March 2012, when we migrated [...]
Seth said,
The official United response is out now and they have confirmed that the list above is pretty much accurate. Fresh post on the topic here or check out the UA Insider post on MilePoint.
Travel Summary – 1/3/13 said,
[...] Wandering Aramean notes that United as gutted mileage earning rates for premium fares on [...]
Mark said,
after flying a million miles on Continental/United being slavishly brand loyal we have given up. Seems to me that United is becoming the EasyJet of legacy carriers. A huge disappointment given I thought the CO management team would whip things into shape. My next flight is on Lan and my partner is flying Jet Blue next. Why be loyal to such a shitty product?
The Official Medallion Qualification Update Thread - Page 80 - FlyerTalk Forums said,
[...] Good summary of UA cuts cant be found here http://boardingarea.com/blogs/thewan…iple-partners/ __________________ DL Motto: SURPRISE we've removed another benefit without notification hope [...]
Delta plays favorites with their partners; customers lose - The Wandering Aramean said,
[...] United guts premium fare earning rates on multiple partners Tags: Delta, elite status, frequent flier, frequent flyer, Korean, points, SkyTeam GA_googleFillSlot("ba_wanderingaramean_single_300x250"); [...]
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