United Airlines to Switch to Dynamic Pricing for Partner Awards
United Airlines announced back in April of this year that it would get rid of its award chart and move to a dynamic pricing model. The transition will happen on November 15th. Here’s what the website says about the switch:
For travel on or after November 15, we will no longer publish an award chart listing the set amount of miles needed for award flights. Award pricing will now fluctuate based on a variety of factors, including demand. Additionally, starting November 15, we will no longer charge a fee of up to $75 for award flights booked within 21 days of departure.
At the time it was said that awards on partner carriers in the Star Alliance such as Lufthansa and Air Canada will remain on a tiered system for now. But, Luc Bondar, head of MileagePlus, confirmed that the airline is also exploring the use of dynamic pricing on those fares. Now the website has been updated and it points at a dynamic chart for partner awards as well. The transition will happen on the same date, November 15th. Here’s what the website states:
The partner award chart will remain in effect for travel through November 14, 2019. For travel on or after November 15, 2019, there may be flights that require a higher number of miles than the amounts indicated on the award chart. When you search for awards while booking, you’ll see the applicable award level.
HT: ficoforums
6 thoughts on “United Airlines to Switch to Dynamic Pricing for Partner Awards”
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They always told us this, though – include a United connecting flight and a partner itinerary price may change. So far there’s nothing different about pure partner pricing November 15 onward. So it’s unclear at what point United varies partner pricing.
The last paragraph does not mention connections. All it says is that some partner awards may be higher than the chart. I don’t think that paragraph would be required if what they meant was “UA is dynamic, partner is fixed, UA+partner is dynamic” – that could be inferred from the fact that no fixed “UA+partner” award chart exists.
That’s how I read it too. But I guess it could be what Gary says as well.
HUGE bummer and HUGE deval of United miles… the partner awards remaining the same were the only reason I was holding on to United miles. Time to use them all up!
Yup