However, you hit the nail on the head with whom the airline appears to be targeting. It’s clearly designed for business travelers (and leisure travelers who have the means to buy more expensive tickets). This is another example of rewarding those who choose to pay more with something they may consider to be beneficial. Airlines are for-profit businesses. United has a fiduciary responsibility to provide a positive financial return to its stakeholders. If this is one step in how they choose to acheive that goal, so be it. As you noted, the price differentials between lowest available fares and qualifying fares can be steep – so buyer beware.

What I wonder is why any anyone would want to earn United bonus miles. It’s very difficlt to get “saver” level awards. United has a good route network, though not as good as other airlines, especially the combined Delta-Northwest. United’s product isn’t exactly great, either (except for Economy Plus). Finally, it remains to be seen whether United will survive long-term, absent a merger partner (such as Continental).