Tag Archives for mileageplus.
United didn’t just cut MileagePlus flight earnings by as much as 40% for customers without a co-branded credit card — it’s now spending ad dollars to underline the message that cardholders matter more. The new ad makes the “no card, fewer miles” reality explicit, even though a huge share of United’s most valuable customers can’t or won’t get a Chase-issued card.
United Airlines is aggressively pushing customers toward its credit cards with major MileagePlus changes, but top airline analyst Henry Harteveldt warns this strategy could backfire—alienating loyal flyers who feel that without the card, their business simply doesn’t matter.
United Airlines is drastically cutting mileage earning and increasing award prices for passengers without a MileagePlus credit card, pushing flyers to sign up for its cards as it moves aggressively toward becoming an even more card-centric program.
United has raised the price of close-in saver awards without warning. Routes that were 15,000 miles just days ago now price at 20,000 miles, a one-third increase that applies only within two weeks of travel and isn’t tied to cash fares.
After years of relentless devaluations, United Airlines has quietly reversed course by cutting MileagePlus business class award prices—sparking fresh hope they might finally be ready to compete for customers again. But can travelers trust United’s latest pivot, or is it just another fleeting promise?
United Airlines is reviving debit card rewards as its next major move to expand MileagePlus profits. After years of focusing on credit cards with Chase, United appears ready to tap into everyday debit spending. It’s a return to an old idea—but one that could reshape loyalty economics.
You can rent someone’s car on Turo, as an alternative to renting from a company like Hertz or Avis. It’s not always as seamless a pickup at airports, but you’re renting a specific vehicle rather than a broad category. You can choose much nicer cars, or cheaper cars! Sometimes you’ll get a much better deal renting from a private party. And you can organize dropoffs at your hotel, too.
It began last week watching the prices for Lufthansa and ANA first class awards skyrocket but apparently United wasn’t done devaluing its MileagePlus miles.
Days ago business class intra-Europe over 800 miles was 27,500 miles. Now it’s 45,000 to 49,500. Short-haul business class is now 33,000 miles. The devaluation stretches to intra-Asia redemptions as well.
Lufthansa first class appears to have gone from 121,000 to 154,000 miles each way per person – meaning that a saver award now costs 308,000 miles roundtrip. That’s a 27% increase. And these are tough awards to book, because Lufthansa only makes them available to United’s program members within a few days of departure.
Meanwhile ANA first class from the Midwest and East Coast appears to have jumped to an eye-popping 242,000 miles – an instantaneous doubling in price.
United Airlines plans to announce ‘family pooling’ of mileage this wee. This is a nice benefit where your kids can help you earn miles towards an award more quickly, and your once a year traveling in-laws can too. Miles get used faster, and become more useful.
Gary Leff is one of the foremost experts in the field of miles, points, and frequent business travel -- a topic he has covered since 2002.
Co-founder of frequent flyer community InsideFlyer.com, emcee of the Freddie Awards, and named one of the "World's Top Travel Experts" by Conde' Nast Traveler (2010-Present) Gary has been a guest on most major news media, profiled in several top print publications, and published broadly on the topic of consumer loyalty. More About Gary »
