Huge Devaluation of United Miles (33-46% Increase in Award Prices)

[levelnine]

It appears to be mostly on European routes so far (eg US to Europe goes from 60K to 80K), but will probably occur to Australian routes at some point.

Applies to redemptions on partner airlines too.

Full details here:

Major United Mileage Plus Devaluation: 33%-46% increase in award prices to/from Europe

In this morning’s post about overvaluing flexibility, I called out what appeared to be a major devaluation on United Mileage Plus awards. One Mile at a Time has since reported on the extent of the devaluation, but I think there are a couple of nuances to add to what Ben reported. First, while...

frequentmiler.com

United MileagePlus MASSIVELY Devalues Miles

United MileagePlus has increased award pricing across the board, for travel on both United and partner airlines. These increases are huge.

onemileatatime.com

 

[SYD]

Fortunately, I’m down to my last 20 odd K miles with UA. It was a good program when I switched after AN when belly up but it has been going rapidly downhill in the last ~5 yrs or so (as have other programs…).

 

[Revenge]

Now I feel less bad about blowing my last 40,000 miles on some short-haul UA flights recently.

 

[Davidozusa]

booked lax Bne during summer in c for 88k per person, after the devaluation, so there are still opportunities ,just need to keep looking

 

[2APlease]

At the sell cost for MP points in 2022, this is essentially the confiscation of USD2500 from my account.
Despite being a 1K, UA lifetime Gold and 30+ year Mileage Plus member this devaluation is the end of the MP/UA road for me. Unlike Davidozusa, I have had no luck with reasonably priced MP redemptions for the last 12 months.
Krisflyer points may expire, but KF doesn't suffer the outright avarice of dynamic pricing afflicting US based programs that are now focused on credit card holders rather than flyers.

 

[Tiki]

US blogs reporting further devaluations and suggest South Pacific is next in the firing line.

OUCH! United's Devaluation Continues: Saver Award Pricing Jumps To Central America, South America, Middle East, India, And More - DansDeals.com

Last month United hired a new CEO of MileagePlus from Comcast with no airline experience. On May 1st, the airline raised saver award pricing on coach flights to Europe. On May 17th they raised saver business class flights to Europe, though on the 18th they lowered some of them that were priced...

www.dansdeals.com

A comparison between UA and AC showed a huge difference on the same route BNE-YVR-MIA (I didn't want an overnight conx in SYD and direct SFO not available even to card holders).
I wouldn't delay booking if you know your dates.

 

[Tiki]

And the axe has fallen. The same BNE-YVR-MIA I booked is up to 55k and that is conservative because my results reflect the extended availability from the UA credit card. Not sure about J but Y is up 11k on this route

 

[levelnine]

J awards Australia-USA have gone from 80K to 100K, an increase of 25%. Brutal devaluation.

 

[JohnK]

What a way to ruin a frequent flyer program.

I've been stuck on 21,000 miles for a long time. There's no value left even in economy.

 

[Gold Member]

What's a point worth? Here are our latest valuations

Ever wondered how to value a point? Remember, they're not created equal! This guide provides you with our estimates by program.

www.pointhacks.com.au

As of June 7th, the parent company of AFF (PointHacks) has chosen to declare the value of United points the same as their last determination at 1.6cpp (months ago?). This is despite recent local (AFF) evidence on this thread and broad based International evidence across several Bloggers in the past two weeks of a ~30% reduction in value across the board. Critically, this devaluation includes Australian Partner redemptions. I dispute this valuation and argue it’s closer to 1.2 cpp nowadays.

No doubt Pointshacks is across these UA changes, yet choose not to account for them. The PH team are paid Professionals, so I’m uncertain whether this is a case of negligence/incompetence or preferential treatment to UA while concealing kickbacks and preferential treatment ala Executive Traveller’s many “benefits”.

 

[levelnine]

No doubt Pointshacks is across these UA changes, yet choose not to account for them.

I agree that the latest devaluation warrants a downgrade in the value of UA miles.

Lucky from OMAAT devalued them 15%: How Much Are United MileagePlus Miles Worth Post-Devaluation?

Though Lucky's revised valuation is about 1.6cpp in AUD.

I'm surprised PH value QF points higher. I still think they represent better value than QF points because there's usually good last minute availability and prices/taxes are lower than QF. I guess QF are more flexible for your average Australian, but not sure how that figures into cash-equivalent value.

 

[SYD]

I agree that the latest devaluation warrants a downgrade in the value of UA miles.

Lucky from OMAAT devalued them 15%: How Much Are United MileagePlus Miles Worth Post-Devaluation?

Though Lucky's revised valuation is about 1.6cpp in AUD.

I'm surprised PH value QF points higher. I still think they represent better value than QF points because there's usually good last minute availability and prices/taxes are lower than QF.

There’s some evidence that QF are releasing some seats closer in (but not as consistent as AA and UA but you can book those AA F/J seats with QFF points)

guess QF are more flexible for your average Australian, but not sure how that figures into cash-equivalent value.

Wouldn’t they be factoring in the actual cost of a paid flight? Which of course are outrageously high at the moment…

 

[levelnine]

Wouldn’t they be factoring in the actual cost of a paid flight? Which of course are outrageously high at the moment…

Ahh yes, you're probably right. Though they haven't increased the value of QFF points this round.

 

[SYD]

Ahh yes, you're probably right. Though they haven't increased the value of QFF points this round.

Maybe a positive and negatives cancelled out?

As above, UA value doesn’t make sense…