There are pluses and minuses with most frequent flier programs. And one way they vary a great deal is with upgrades. Delta Air Lines, for example, restricts mileage upgrades to higher priced fares that might be more expensive than a discount first class.
And American Airlines has allowed upgrades from most fares, but with the dreaded word “co-pay.” Meaning that it will cost miles and money to upgrade.
United Airlines’ Mileage Plus program has been one of the better programs for upgrades, in my opinion, because the program has allowed upgrades from any published domestic fare, and from reasonably low international fares. But after July 1, that will change.
Because on that date United is changing to the co-pay system, especially for discount fares.
Passengers traveling on full fares will largely be exempt from the highest fares. For example, upgrading within the Continental U.S. from “Y” or “B” fares will be only 5,000 miles each way with no charge. But upgrading from other fares will be 15,000 miles, and a $50 charge.
For international tickets, the costs go way up. In addition to using 20,000 miles each way – a 10,000 mile reduction from the current level – passengers paying the current lowest upgradable fare will see a $700 round-trip additional charge.
And while lower fares will be now be upgradable, passengers using some of the cheaper fares will pay up to $1000 on top of their ticket price for a round-trip upgrade. Considering some of the super-discounted business specials that airlines have been running, in some cases it may hardly be worth it.
The most outrageous change, however, is with Hawaii. From full fares, the one-way upgrade will be 7,500 miles with no charge. For discount fares it will take 17,500 miles and from $250 to $450 co-pay.
Which means upgrading two people round-trip will cost $1,800 in addition to the ticket price and miles. And as anyone who has flown to Hawaii in United’s first class knows, it’s not all that special. The service is similar to most domestic flights, with seats that have no bells and whistles, not even a footrest. And they have barely more legroom than economy plus. (In fact, the seats on any of United’s three-class 767s are much better, not to mention those on the airline’s P.S. service.)
Travelers have until June 30 to request upgrades under the current system, and the current mileage levels will apply even if the upgrade must be wait listed. In addition, the highest status members of United’s mileage program, 1Ks and Global Services, will, for now, be exempt from the co-pay.
As with any changes there will certainly be issues and questions. For example, will United refund the co-pay if a flight is canceled? Or if a passenger is downgraded on part of the trip? On United.com it says to check back as July 1, 2009 approaches for further details. Travel agents are told “Full details including the new purchase/change/refund process will be communicated at a later date.”
I am sure as with most changes involving computers and airlines, that nothing can go wrong, wrong, wrong.
{ 4 comments… read them below or add one }
When I click on the United link above, it seems that this co-pay requirement doesn’t start until January 2010. Did United move the start date on this or am I reading something wrong?
They just changed it TODAY. Okay, new post coming up! Some other changes too!
I found the changes yesterday while on UAL’s web site. It is infuriating that you earn miles and bank them to have the program change so dramatically. I use the program primarily for First Class for Hawaii. According to the table yesterday, this will add $1000 to each of us, and still lose the miles.
Tried upgrading to hawaii on united using miles to business…next to impossible since they are not releasing any seats at all for 2010. On flights they do, they only release one seat.