In light of increased oil prices, we’ve seen airlines increase checked bag fees, and we’ve also seen them increase carrier imposed surcharges on many tickets. However, here’s a precedent that I especially don’t love, and I can’t help but wonder what the bigger implications are, in light of United’s overall loyalty strategy.
This doesn’t apply on domestic flights (which don’t generally have carrier imposed surcharges), so it’s mainly international flights that are impacted. For example, a one-way economy award from Newark (EWR) to London (LHR) costs 40,000 points, but will now cost you $265.60, rather than the $5.60 you would’ve paid before.
Meanwhile a one-way economy award from San Francisco (SFO) to Hong Kong (HKG) costs 55,000 points, but will now cost you $205.60, rather than the $5.60 you would’ve paid before.
Presumably these would also apply on United Polaris business class awards, but nowadays those tickets are mostly limited to United MileagePlus members, as partner programs have been cut off.
Are there bigger implications for this change?
While I don’t generally consider redeeming JetBlue TrueBlue points on United to be a great deal, I do think this change could potentially be significant, bigger picture.
A great solo travel tip spotted this week on One Mile at a Time.
