United’s Award Pricing Increases Today

This won’t be a deep-dive on the new United Airlines award chart.  I just wanted to bring to the attention of those who may not have yet heard that today, November 1, 2018, United is implementing the previously announced changes to its award charts.

For the most part, the number of United miles needed to book an award flight will increase.

The changes aren’t astronomical but are still noticeable.

Here are a few examples of the increased award prices beginning today and going forward.

United Award Pricing Examples

If you can find Saver availability, economy class domestic awards aren’t increasing in price.  They still come in at 12,500 miles one-way (10,000 miles one-way for itineraries 700 miles or less).

However, with United’s new dynamic pricing, award prices outside of Saver level could go as high as 32,500 miles for a one-way economy class award.

Domestic business class uses a similar pricing scheme.  Saver availability could price at previous levels (25,000 miles for a one-way award ticket) but could go as high as 60,000 miles for a one-way award ticket with the new Everyday pricing level.

And a first class award (premium business class) increases from 25,000 miles to 35,000 miles one-way.  This usually only applies to transcontinental flights such as New York to Los Angeles/San Francisco or San Francisco to Boston.  Still, an increase is an increase if you want comfort for that 5+ hour flight.

Other award pricing changes of note:

A premium cabin from the continental U.S. to Hawaii will increase from its current Saver price of 40,000 miles one-way to 50,000 miles one-way.

A transatlantic business class award on United metal increases from 57,500 miles to 60,000 miles each way.

United business class awards to South Asia increase from 70,000 miles one-way to 75,000 miles one-way.

And if Australia or New Zealand were on your radar as destinations to which you’d use United miles to fly United metal, business class, you’ll pay 80,000 miles one-way rather than the old price of 70,000 miles.  And those, most definitely, are destinations to which you’d want to fly business class.

You can view the new United MileagePlus Travel and Upgrade Award Charts here.

Wrap Up

Nothing stays the same.  The only constant is change.  And United just put forth its most recent version of change.  More will be coming, the only question is when and by how much.

The moral?  Use your miles (and points) before the next increase hits.