by Donald Wood
Last updated: 5:54 PM ET, Wed July 5, 2017
United Airlines has announced several changes to its MileagePlus frequent flyer program, including the replacement of Standard Awards with the new tier, Everyday Awards.
Starting November 1, the Everyday Awards will offer varying pricing from flight to flight, with United publishing a new Everyday Award chart. The number of miles needed for an Everyday Award will not exceed the published amount.
United will continue offering Saver Awards, now known as the Excursionist Perk-a free one-way award within select multi-city itineraries. There will be no price changes for United Economy Saver Award travel, and the adjustments have actually resulted in an 11 percentage point increase in availability throughout U.S. and Canadian markets.
To take advantage of the potential savings that may be available during off-peak travel times, United is advising travelers to plan ahead and book early. On November 1, a new award calendar will be available to help travelers search for the lowest available price.
In advance of the changes to the frequent flyer program, United has offered several facts customers need to know:
-"There will be no price changes for United Economy Saver Award travel to, from, or within the 48 contiguous United States.
-"We are reducing prices for most short-haul United Economy Saver Awards for regions outside of the U.S., such as flights within Europe. (Short-haul intra-region pricing will only apply if the award is on a single nonstop flight and less than 800 miles).
-"Saver Award availability recently has increased by over 11 percentage points.
-"Pricing will increase on Saver Award travel for select international markets and on United Business Saver Awards for U.S. premium transcontinental routes and for select Hawaii routes.
-"We will continue to offer MileagePlus Upgrade Awards, available on United flights and for all United MileagePlus members.
-"MileagePlus Premier members and qualifying MileagePlus Chase card members will continue to have unrestricted access to Everyday Awards and expanded Saver Award availability.
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-"There will be no changes to our close-in fee structure or to the fees that are incurred at reservations offices and fees for changes or redeposit requests made before your departure.
-"Implementation of $125 redeposit fee for members who do not show up for their flight and request a redeposit of their miles. This fee will apply to all award bookings made on or after November 1, 2017, and will apply to all members.
-"If changes need to be made to your reservation on or after November 1, a ticket reissue and new pricing - including additional miles, a refund of miles, or fees - may apply. (The fare rules for your ticket will stay the same)"
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