United Airlines has once again, at least temporarily, quietly raised the miles required for many of its saver awards booked within two weeks of departure, with no notice and immediate effect. Previously, these awards cost 15,000 miles one way for certain U.S. domestic flights booked at short notice, but we are now seeing prices of 20,000 miles or more. The MileagePlus devaluation applies even when the cash price remains low and availability unchanged.
Once again, your miles are worth less. The same seat you once could secure for 15,000 miles is now going to cost 20,000 miles, an increase that forces you to spend more if you cannot plan earlier. For a loyalty program that claims to be the best in business, it continues to disappoint under the leadership of ex-Comcast executive Richard Nunn.
United CEO Scott Kirby has promised “big news” with MileagePlus…I hope this isn’t it. United Airlines told me that this is not a blanket increase and that many saver awards still price at or below 15,000 miles one-way. It also suggested that so-called saver awards may price higher during peak travel periods, consistent with the dynamic nature of MileagePlus.
A great solo travel tip spotted this week on Live and Let's Fly.
