July 27, 2010

United 30% discount award redemption for short haul flights.

UA and AA offered this kind of discounted award redemption as a promotion in earlier 2008, 15000 miles for flights shorter than 750 miles. Since then, it’s never been offered again.

Now UA brings it back with more restrictions and shorter distance 700 miles for 17500 miles as a promotion. I consider it can be a good value because some short haul flights are very expensive even in coach class. Also, I am sure we all have no problem sitting in coach for a 700 miles flight.

Similar idea applies to award redemption for intra Europe flights, most intra Europe flights are short distance, but they are not cheap. 25,000 miles for a coach seat within Europe is a good value(obviously depends on where u go), not to mention most flights’ business class is just a economy class seat with mid seat blocked.

Any, here is the term for the promotion:

  • purchase by August 31, 2010 and fly before January 7, 2011
  • Reduced-mile offer applies on flights operated by United or United Express that are 700 or fewer miles from origin to destination within the continental U.S. and between the continental U.S. and Canada. Only awards in economy class are available at the reduced rate
  • A roundtrip Saver Award is reduced to 17,500 miles and a One-Way Saver Award is reduced to 8,750 miles
  • A roundtrip Miles & Money Award is reduced to 7,000 miles plus cash*
  • You must purchase your ticket a minimum of seven days before your first flight

    • Posted by Troy under General Frequent Flyer Advice, United Airlines | 4 Comments to Read

    1. Yi said,

      actually AA offers its credit card holders the 17500 option for quite some time. I found key west international airport is always on the list. Good value if flying from west:)

    2. Troy said,

      @yi, for flight from west to east, using miles in coach is not a good option anymore.

    3. ed said,

      Troy, why do you say “using miles in coach is not a good option anymore”? Do you mean that the award seats are not really made available? Or that they are uncomfortable for you?

    4. Troy said,

      @ed, I was saying, from west to east, I don’t like to sit in coach, especially I am going to a vacation place with my family. Also, I am a top elite with most US airlines, which means free upgrade, so for trip from west to east, I can just buy a ticket, then upgrade, I don’t need to fly to smaller airport, I can just fly to MIA or FLL, then rent a car to Key west. As I mentioned, people earned miles from hard working, so should travel in comfort when on vacation.

      if I travel by myself, I am still ok with international coach if coach is very cheap and earn enough miles for offset the fare.

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