MileagePlus Archives - TravelSkills

Big United MileagePlus sale on Hawaii seats

November 28, 2017

The astonishing view from the St Regis Princeville on Kauai, Hawaii (Photo: Barkley Dean)

United has a special for MileagePlus members: A limited-time sale on award travel to Hawaii this winter.

This comes on the heels of an excellent fare sale with fares diving to around $350 round trip from many western cities.

The airline has cut the price of roundtrip economy class Saver award tickets to the islands from the usual 45,000 miles to 36,000 miles – a 20 percent reduction.

The offer is good for travel from January 7 through March 10 – but the booking deadline is the end of the day December 8.

The MileagePlus sale is available for travel on United from the mainland to all the island destinations it serves, including Honolulu, Maui, Lihue (Kauai), and the Big Island airports of Kona and Hilo.

To see all the terms and conditions, click here. Saver award tickets are capacity-controlled, so once they’re gone, they’re gone. In which case you ought to consider buying a cheap seat – as of today they are still on sale.

We checked to see if it was possible to book our well-flown path between SFO and Lihue for 36,000 in February. Found plenty of seats for 18,000 on the way down, but few if any on the return. Or, only available on one-stop flights vs nonstops. January shows more availability than February. How’d you fare?

In this case, what would you do: Redeem 36,000 miles or buy a ticket for around $350? Leave you answer below.

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New MileagePlus award travel pricing starts today

November 1, 2017

United’s new MileagePlus pricing scheme starts today. (Image: Jim Glab)

United announced it early last summer, but in case you forgot, some big changes in MileagePlus award travel start today (November 1).

The biggest change: The program’s Standard Awards, with fixed mileage costs for unrestricted award trips, have been eliminated. Instead, the program now has what it calls Everyday Awards – and their costs are variable, not fixed. The mileage cost for a specific trip will be tied to the dollar cost of that trip.

“Since flight prices fluctuate based on a variety of factors, we’ve decided to take those same factors into consideration for award travel pricing,” United said on its website. United will continue to offer MileagePlus domestic Saver awards (which are subject to capacity controls) at levels of 10,000 or 12,500 miles one-way for economy class seats, depending on distance.

When Delta adopted variable pricing for SkyMiles reward travel, it stopped publishing a mileage price chart. United still has a chart for its new MileagePlus Everyday Awards, but it only lists the maximum cost in miles for a reward trip. You can see the new award chart here.

The chart shows the maximum one-way cost of a domestic Everyday Award in economy class as 32,500 miles, vs. the old fixed rate of 25,000 miles. But since this is a maximum cost, the fluctuating price at the time of booking could still be 25,000, or less, or more—but not more than 32,500. MileagePlus members are more likely to encounter the maximum mileage price on popular longer-distance routes, like transcontinental flights.

MileagePlus award travel could cost more on transcon routes starting now. (Image: United Airlines)

Besides keeping fixed prices in place for domestic Saver awards, United said it will also make more seats available at those prices. But there will be some changes to Saver awards starting this month, like lower mileage prices on many short-haul, intra-regional economy seats for flights outside the U.S., like within Europe; increased Saver award prices in “select international markets;” and higher prices for United Business Saver Awards on premium transcontinental routes and some Hawaii routes.

The company also said that effective for award travel booked on or after November 1, all members (even elites) who fail to show up for their flights and want to redeposit their miles will face a $125 redeposit fee.

The coming changes will not affect Mileage Upgrade Awards, United said.

Thoughts on the changes? How does United program compare to others? Please leave your comments below.

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United app gets an upgrade

October 31, 2017

United’s app can now add electronic boarding passes from partner airlines. (Image: United)

With travelers becoming more reliant on their smartphones for all kinds of chores, the United app got several enhancements this week to increase its functionality.

For one thing, the airline now allows users to receive boarding passes via the app for onward connecting flights on 19 partner airlines. In talking with users, “we found that simply allowing our customers to access boarding passes for their entire itinerary within the same app made a big difference,” said Kate Gebo, chief customer officer at United. Participating carriers range from big ones like Lufthansa to small ones like Aegean Airlines. You can see a full list here.

Users can also turn to their United app now to make changes in their reservations, or to cancel them. Users will see these new options under Reservations Details, where they can follow the indicated steps to get a confirmation of their action. “As this new feature debuts, certain reservations, such as reservations purchased through third parties, will continue to United.com to allow customers to make changes,” the company said.

Don’t miss! United squeezes more seats into its long-haul 777-200s

United’s app has added several new features. (Image: United)

For iOS users, customers’ United Club and MileagePlus cards can now be stored in the Apple Wallet for easy access, United said. Users should log into their MileagePlus account in the app, select United Clubs and/or MileagePlus, and then hit the “add to Apple Wallet” icon under the digital card. “United Club members will still scan their boarding passes to access United Club locations before their flight,” United said. “Members who do not have their MileagePlus number tied to their boarding pass will be able to show their electronic card, along with a same-day boarding pass for United Club access.”

Another recent enhancement to the app is the addition of a beta “Track my bags” function, which will give users real-time updates of when their bag goes onto the aircraft, when it is unloaded, and when it reaches baggage claim. (Delta added a baggage tracker to its app in 2016.) United said it is also adding a 3D touch capability for Apple iPhone users whose devices support that feature. They can use it “to instantly navigate from their iPhone’s home screen to book a flight, check in, and view their flight status in the app,” United said.

Readers: What other features or capabilities would you like to see on United’s app? How does it compare to other airline apps?

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Deal: $945 SFO/LAX-Auckland roundtrip on United, Air New Zealand

October 11, 2017

Air New Zealand flies a 777-300 like this on its LAX-AKL run (Photo: Air New Zealand)

When fares to New Zealand dip below $1,000, it’s time to prick up your ears. Especially if you can go when it’s winter here and summer down there!

Today United and Air New Zealand announced a very good deal for flights between San Francisco SFO or Los Angeles LAX to Auckland AKL with fares from just $945 roundtrip. (Plus when booking on United you’ll earn a cool 13,000 MileagePlus miles for this looong roundtrip.)

What’s best about this sale is the timing… you’ll travel during the dark cold days of fall winter in the US to the sunny summer shores of New Zealand in late October, November, early December, late January and almost all of February, March.

Act fast: To get the deal, you must book your trip by Thursday Oct 12.

United:

A quick check of United’s fare calendar shows tons of availability in Feb and Mar for SFO-AKL (Image: United)

Air New Zealand:

Screenshot from Air New Zealand’s sale page

Qantas offered similarly low fares with a fare sale between SFO or LAX and Sydney last month– which has since expired.

Find the deals here: UNITED | AIR NEW ZEALAND

What’s the lowest price you’ve seen or paid for a round trip ticket to Australia or New Zealand? Will you take on this deal? Please leave your comments below.

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What are a million United miles worth?

October 3, 2017

TravelSkills reader CK feeling fresh after a United Airlines flight to Sydney, Australia

I have been a loyal United Airlines flyer for over 10 years. This loyalty has been driven primarily by the fact that I live in San Francisco – a United hub. However, I have clearly bought into the various perks that United puts in place to keep me coming back. I appreciate being able to board in Zone 1. I am happy to chill out in the Gold lounges across the globe. I am thrilled with the upgrades to business class – in fact, six of my last seven flights were upgraded. Pretty hard to beat that.

(This is a guest post from TravelSkills reader C.K.)

Yet, despite all the focus United has on paying extra special attention to its most loyal flyers, I was disappointed with an experience that happened on my last flight.

I was flying in business class from Sydney, Australia to San Francisco – returning from a quick week-long trip catching up with family and friends. I had been monitoring my Mileage Plus account and I knew that I was getting pretty close to hitting my 1 Million miles flown with United. For those familiar, you’ll know that United celebrates this event by awarding the flyer (and a companion) with lifetime Gold status. Meaning, forever lounge access on international flights; forever fast track; forever priority boarding. Pretty cool!

Various levels of United Million Milers- and the corresponding lifetime status awarded (Image: United)

As I was settling in for the 13-hour flight back to San Francisco, the Inflight Service Manager came over and welcomed me by name to the flight. She then noted that my name had a gold star next to it. These days, United flight attendants are using mobile devices connected to the Wi-Fi onboard to access real-time flight information, including passenger details. In this way, the flight attendant was able to click and find out why my name had been marked with a gold star. Her device confirmed for her that in the course of this flight, I would hit my 1 million miles with United. She turned to me and said, “You’re hitting your million miles. High five!”. We exchanged a high five and she then said, “I’m not too sure what that gets you…”. Nonetheless, she welcomed me again and then continued on with her work greeting other passengers.

United sends Million Milers a lucite plaque like this (Image courtesy Matthew Klint)

Now, I don’t want to be a diva about this. But I would have thought that hitting a million miles would warrant more than a high five. Further, shouldn’t the Inflight Service Manager actually know what it gets you? And even if she didn’t know, you would think that she could make it up. For example, offering a glass of champagne (okay, this one they already do as part of business class), or asking the pilot to come by and say congratulations and thank you, or even offering you a photo with the pilots in the cockpit to commemorate this milestone.

CK enjoying a few extra glasses of champers on a recent United flight

I wasn’t expecting them to have a cake in my honor, or a card with my name on it, or anything like that – since I realize the logistics of doing that are far too complicated. However, since they are now arming flight attendants with the information that a passenger has reached this milestone, they should also arm flight attendants with guidance on how to thank the passenger for all those years of loyalty.

Click here for a rundown of United’s Million Miler benefits

For an airline obsessed with going the extra mile to build loyalty, this was a simple fail in my book. I’m not too sure what I was expecting and nor do I know how often passengers reach this milestone. Perhaps these days it’s no big deal given the amount people fly. In my case, not content with my high-five, I decided I would create my own celebration by enjoying many glasses of champagne over the course of those next 13 hours

–C.K.- new member to United’s Million Mile Club

So readers, what do you think? Is a high-five enough recognition for a newly minted United Million Miler? If you are a million miler, are you satisfied with the level of recognition you get (or got) from United? Please leave your comments below.

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United messing with MileagePlus awards

June 29, 2017

MileagePlus award travel could cost more on transcontinental routes starting this fall. (Image: United Airlines)

United is the latest carrier to introduce variable pricing for award travel, with an announcement that it will do away with MileagePlus Standard Awards this fall and replace them with a new category called Everyday Awards, “with pricing that will vary from flight to flight.”

The company said that Standard Awards will no longer be available for reward travel booked starting November 1. However, United said it will continue to offer MileagePlus domestic Saver awards (which are subject to capacity controls) at levels of 10,000 or 12,500 miles one-way for economy class seats, depending on distance.

Unlike Delta, which did away with its SkyMiles awards chart when it switched to variable award pricing, United said it will still publish an Everyday Award chart listing the maximum price of a ticket in miles, although the actual cost might be less at the time of booking. Southwest Airlines also has variable award travel pricing, based on the dollar cost of a trip at the time of booking.

United Airlines Boeing 737-900 (Image: Chad Slattery / United)

A United executive told USA Today that once the change takes effect in November, a domestic Everyday economy class award could run as much as 65,000 miles roundtrip vs. the current fixed rate of 50,000 miles, especially on popular transcontinental routes. He also said that United plans to increase the availability of Saver award seats by more than 10 percent in domestic and Canadian markets.

United said on its website that changes to its Saver awards starting in November will include lower prices on many short-haul, intra-regional economy seats for flights outside the U.S., like within Europe; increased Saver award prices in “select international markets;” and higher prices for United Business Saver Awards on premium transcontinental routes and some Hawaii routes.

The coming changes will not affect Mileage Upgrade Awards, United said.

What’s behind the changeover to variable mileage pricing?” Since flight prices fluctuate based on a variety of factors, we’ve decided to take those same factors into consideration for award travel pricing,” United said on its website.

You can see United’s new Saver/Everyday award pricing chart here.

Thoughts in the comments, please!

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Marriott upgrades some United frequent flyers

March 16, 2017

Marriott has a new way to achieve United MileagePlus Gold status. (Image: Jim Glab)

For a few years now, Marriott Rewards has offered United MileagePlus Premier Silver status as a perk for its Platinum Elite members, but now it has added a better benefit for customers even higher on its loyalty pyramid.

Marriott Rewards members who achieve the super-exclusive Platinum Premier Elite level can now get MileagePlus Premier Gold benefits. Those include free upgrades confirmed up to 48 hours before departure; free access to extra-legroom Economy Plus seating; equivalent Gold status in United’s Star Alliance, with lounge access on international trips; two free checked bags; Preferred Access priority treatment for security and boarding; and eight award miles per dollar spent on United air fares.

Membership in the Marriott program’s Platinum Premier Elite level is awarded for one year, and only the top three percent of Platinums make it into this category. Designation as a Marriott Platinum Premier is based not on achieving a specific level of stays or spending, but rather on how much a Platinum-level member increases his or her account activity year over year. Other than the new MileagePlus Gold perk, the primary additional benefit of Platinum Premier status seems to be a dedicated phone line and e-mail address for bookings and other dealings with Marriott.

To achieve regular Platinum status, Marriott Rewards members must rack up stays totaling at least 75 nights a year.

If you achieve MileagePlus Gold status on your own, that makes you eligible to get reciprocal Marriott Rewards Gold status; that benefit was already part of the programs’ partnership. And by linking your Marriott Rewards account to Starwood’s SPG program, you get Gold status in that loyalty program as well.

The Marriott-Starwood merger created all kinds of loyalty program linking possibilities. Here’s a summary of some ways to maximize your earnings and rewards.

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How to ride on United’s very first real Polaris flight

January 30, 2017

United’s first 777-300ER will debut February 13. (Image: United)

If you want to be among the very first to experience United’s Polaris business class on its first new 777-300ER, your miles can make it possible – but you must act fast.

As TravelSkills readers know, United introduced its new Polaris business class service late last year– but it has yet to roll out a plane with the new Polaris business class seat. United’s first Boeing 777-300ER with the new seats makes its domestic debut later this month.

The airline has scheduled a gala inaugural flight for the new aircraft – dubbed ‘New Spirit of United’ — on Monday, February 13, from Chicago O’Hare to San Francisco, and it has started an online auction where MileagePlus members can bid miles to win a pair of seats in the Polaris cabin.

The bidding deadline is noon CST on Monday, February 6, and at this writing the minimum bid is 241,000 miles. New bids can only be made in increments of 1,000 miles.

A window seat in United’s new Polaris business class. (Image: United)

What you’re bidding on is not only two Polaris tickets for the ORD-SFO maiden flight, but an entire package that also includes a pair of economy tickets to Chicago, two more for a flight home from San Francisco, and a hotel stay in San Francisco the night of February 13. You’ll also have access to United’s new Polaris lounge at O’Hare.

You must be 21 or older to participate, and you can’t check any bags – carry-ons only.

To see all the details and to submit a bid, click here.

The first scheduled service of a Polaris-equipped 777-300ER will be on a domestic route, linking United’s San Francisco and Newark Liberty International hubs. The new aircraft will fly six days a week from February 13 through May 4, the airline said.

On March 25, the new aircraft will make its international scheduled service debut, replacing a 747-400 on the very competitive San Francisco-Hong Kong route, where Singapore Airlines and Cathay Pacific both offer non-stop service.

Seatmap of United’s newest bird: The Boeing 777-300ER CLICK for details

The Boeing 777-300ER will have 60 business class seats— that’s up from around 50 in its 747s and 777-200s. Both Economy Plus and regular economy seating will be 10-across, configured 3-4-3. Economy Plus will offer 34 inches of pitch vs. 31 inches for regular economy. Currently, United’s 777s are 9 across in economy class.

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United devalues; Delta throws a bone, Chairman resigns

October 11, 2016

Bloggers are squealing about United’s award booking changes. But United says it’s for the better (Photo: Chris McGinnis)

Frequent travelers groaned and rolled their eyes again today as United unloaded another devaluation of its MileagePlus program. But Delta tossed its long oppressed silver medallion members a bone.

At United, as with other programs, devaluations feel like death by 1,000 cuts. Earlier this month, MileagePlus members had to swallow higher award travel change fees and accept fewer options for stopping over on award trips. Today, United restricted members’ ability to book multi-city trips, only allowing flight combinations that United creates for the trip and blocking the ability to manually build award itineraries.

At first, most miles & points bloggers thought this might be a mistake or glitch in the system. But in fact, it’s not and United released the following statement spinning the move as a positive: “The new MileagePlus redemption award changes have been designed to make multi-city searches easier, give our customers greater flexibility, offer the Excursionist Perk, and provide efficient options that meet their travel needs. Selecting the multi-city option where United offers nonstop service will break up the search into two separate awards. We believe our multi-city pricing is consistent with the industry. Additionally, our customers have greater flexibility when booking multi-city travel. United.com offers ways to optimize searches – for example, you can select preferred connection cities, specific airports, etc.”

You’ll find more details on United’s move here. Matthew over at Upgrd.com offers some an in-depth look at ways to get around the draconian new restrictions.

Graceful lineup of Delta tails at ATL (Photo: Chris McGinnis)

Over at Delta, SkyMiles Silver Medallion members are “now eligible for unlimited complimentary first class upgrades on award trips 24 hours prior to departure.” That’s a nice gesture, but the reality is that SkyMiles members with more valuable metallic cards will almost always snag those seats before a silver medallion does. Especially when traveling to, from or between a Delta hub like Atlanta, Minneapolis, New York or Los Angeles. Even gold medallions find few upgrades on those hub-to-hub flights. Plus, Delta is now selling those first class upgrades, too, making the chances of a silver getting one even dimmer. But hey, you never know when a free big seat may pop up. So enjoy it if you get it!

In related Delta news, the carrier announced today that Richard Anderson, who became Delta’s chairman after stepping down as CEO in May, is retiring effective immediately. The suddenness of Anderson’s departure (at age 61) has tongues wagging and wondering and only time will tell what the real story is here. Any ideas?

Don’t miss out on these popular TravelSkills posts:

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Popular: Celeb Trip Report + Etihad SFO + United elites + HHonors promo + CLEAR

May 1, 2016

Like many other airlines, Delta is starting to get rid of these graceful, gas guzzling old birds. (Photo: Delta)

Like many other airlines, Delta is getting rid of these graceful, gas guzzling old birds. (Photo: Delta)

Delta’s 747-400s are so old, the carrier is moving them into museums! Check out how Delta moved this big bird off airport grounds to a final resting place near Atlanta airport where it will soon go on exhibit.

TravelSkills’ 10 most popular posts over the last week (descending order):

1- A celebrity Reader Report: Japan Airlines first class LAX-Tokyo-SFO

2- All Etihad, all the time, at SFO, JFK

3- United entices former MileagePlus elites

4- Routes: Delta-London, Lufthansa cuts first class, More OpenSkies +

5- United Club improvements: hot breakfast, menus, beepers

6- Hilton HHonors new double point offer & IHG, SPG promos

7- A new lie-flat seat on busy California corridor

8- CLEAR expands to Delta hubs; Diamonds get it free

9- On being missed :*(

10- Another giant hotel chain sold to Chinese investors

Hey guess what? TravelSkills editor Chris McGinnis is taking off for Cuba this week on the first cruise ship allowed to sail from the US (Miami) to a Cuban port (Havana) in 50 years! It should be an historic event and I’ll try to share snippets of the trip here. However, I’ve been warned about spotty-to-non-existent internet, so it may have to wait until next week. So stay tuned! I’m getting there on a new cruise line called Fathom Travel, which is part of Carnival Corporation. We will call on Havana, Cienfuegos and Santiago (see above for our itinerary.) Why is this trip so special for Chris? Well, read about what happened the first time he reported on travel to Cuba on CNN! (Phew!)

In case you missed yesterday’s post: Uber is testing new fees for those who make drivers wait. Thoughts?

A spectacular view from a corner room at the mid-century mod Radisson Royal Hotel in Copenhagen (Photo: Chris McGinnis)

View from a corner room at the mid-century mod Radisson Royal Hotel in Copenhagen. Radisson is now owned by Chinese investors (Photo: Chris McGinnis)

Radisson sold to Chinese investors

Links to stories from other sources that we thought you’d like to read:

Delta to temporarily close ATL South security entrypoint (Will it get a new CLEAR lane? Probably)

Uber’s position on tipping has not changed (sez Uber)

Ellen Degeneres producing new airport show for Travel Channel

Wendy Perrin’s advice for international travelers

Say what?? Passengers left $766K behind at TSA checkpoints last year

How to score when airlines change schedules on you

Chengdu's modern airport is the fourth busiest in China - but not big enough! (Photo: Christian Ortiz / Flickr)

Chengdu’s current airport is the fourth busiest in China – but not big enough! (Photo: Christian Ortiz / Flickr)

China plans new $11 billion airport near Chengdu

Uber remains in legal limbo at ATL

Amazon considers buying entire airport in Germany

BBC reports on the frustrations and delays of air travel in China

Will undersea maglev trains someday travel NYC-London in four hours?

Google said to be developing new all-in-one travel app

Lufthansa wants to combine Brussels Airlines with its Eurowings subsidiary

Rate of lost bags worldwide hits lowest level ever

Which Midwestern city has the highest hotel rates? Not Chicago.

This week’s most popular Instagram post

“Endangered species” (Instagram- CLICK to follow Chris!)

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United entices former MileagePlus elites

April 26, 2016

United hopes to lure some former elites back to the airline with big bonuses. (Image: Jim Glab)

In an effort to draw some of its formerly loyal frequent flyers back into the fold, United Airlines has come out with a targeted promotion offering them lots of bonus miles to return.

United has sent out emails to former MileagePlus elites with targeted offers of bonus award miles that could reach into six figures, depending on how many Premier Qualifying Dollars (PQDs) they spend on United and United Express flights according to thepointsguy.com.

The site cited one reader who got an offer that would let him earn up to 180,000 bonus miles if he met all three of the earning “milestones” set down for him – in that case, 45,000 bonus miles for $8,000 PQDs; 60,000 more for $12,500 PQDs; and another 75,000 for $17,000 PQDs.

It noted that the targeted offers to former MileagePlus elites varied considerably from one individual to another in the spending targets and resulting bonus miles they would provide. Recipients have until July 6 to sign up for the offer. Former members who didn’t get an email from United can check their eligibility for MileagePlus targeted offers here.

Last year, United changed the MileagePlus program so that it requires members to spend certain minimum amounts of PQDs in order to reach elite status tiers.

Readers: If you are a former MileagePlus elite, did you get an offer like this? Would it be enough to draw you back to being a United loyalist? If not, what would?

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Briefs: New Virgin planes, Delta PJs, MileagePlus store, JetBlue’s app

December 16, 2015

Virgin America’s new Airbus A321neos will hold 24 percent more passengers than its A320s. (Image: Airbus)

Virgin America is ordering some new, larger aircraft; Delta is offering free pajama/lounge suits to some long-haul passengers; United MileagePlus members can shop with miles in a real store; and JetBlue has a new and improved version of its app.

With a fleet that has always relied on Airbus A319s and A320s, Virgin America announced it is moving on up to the next-generation Airbus A321neo. The carrier has initially ordered 10 of the next-generation planes for delivery starting in early 2017. Besides reducing fuel burn by 20 percent compared with the current Virgin fleet, the A321neos will be have a greater passenger capacity thanks to a longer fuselage. The Virgin configuration will hold 185 seats, about 24 percent more than its current A320 models.

Delta’s new front cabin loungewear only comes in gray. (Image: Delta)

Delta has a new amenity for passengers traveling in the Delta One cabin on flights from Los Angeles to Sydney and Shanghai: In-flight sleepwear/loungewear, so you don’t have to get your nice clothes all wrinkled on those ultra-long trips. The unisex cotton loungewear only comes in gray, with a choice of two sizes: small/medium or large/extra large. They’re available now on the LAX-Sydney and LAX-Shanghai flights, and will be introduced in March 2016 on all Delta flights between the U.S. and China, including Shanghai, Hong Kong and Beijing.

United’s Miles Store at Newark Terminal C.(Image: OTG)

Don’t have time for holiday shopping? If you’re a United MileagePlus member, you can shop and pay for your purchases with miles at an actual retail store during this holiday season. United’s new Miles Shop, created by airport restaurant and retail specialist OTG, is in Terminal C at United’s Newark hub. A variety of gifts and electronics are on the shelves, including luggage, headphones, books, travel kits and power adapters, as well as kids’ toys and clothes. Items are prices from 600 to 50,000 miles. If you pay the old-fashioned way (i.e., cash or credit), you’ll earn 5 miles per dollar spent.

JetBlue said that its iPhone and Android apps have been improved: Customers can now use the apps to select and change seat assignments after check-in, buy ‘Even More Space’ seats and other ancillary services, cancel a check-in for rebooking, and use the phone’s camera to input credit card and passport information. JetBlue also released a new app for the iPad, designed for its larger screen. Besides accessing the usual customer service functions, iPad users can also use the new app to browse through destination guides for many of JetBlue’s 93 destinations.

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Is Copa Airlines right for you?

September 28, 2015

Copa Airlines flies to 12 U.S. destinations, now including SFO (Photo: Peter Biaggi/SFO)

Last week, Panama’s Copa Airlines touched down in San Francisco, the carrier’s 12th U.S. destination.

TravelSkills was at the airport to welcome the airline to town, and grabbed a quick interview with Fernando Fondevila Leyton, Copa’s commercial regional manager for North America who was as eager to answer our questions as we were to ask them.

Here are some interesting points we picked up in that conversation.

First a little history. Does that livery look familiar? It’s because at one time, Continental owned 49% of Copa Airlines, and at that time the carrier adopted Continental’s look and its OnePass program as its own. Continental eventually divested itself of its interest in Copa, but the carrier kept the look (which now looks almost like United) and has no plans to change it.

Copa is a member of the Star Alliance and has full reciprocity with the United Mileage Plus program. Also, United Club members get access to all five Copa Clubs.

Until earlier this year, Copa used United’s MileagePlus program as its own, but launched its own program, ConnectMiles last summer. The big deal here is that ConnectMiles will match the your elite status with other airlines– all you have to do is join ConnectMiles and then send them a screenshot of your current elite statement and a copy of your card, and you are in.

And get this, once you get your status matched, Fondevila explained that it’s good all the way through February, 2017. What’s best for members of United’s MileagePlus program is that gold status on a foreign Star Alliance partner carrier means you get access to United Clubs when flying domestically– something you don’t get as a U.S. member.

To get the status match, you must first join Connect Miles, then email the screenshots of your other-airline elite card or statement to accounts@connectmiles.com. If you don’t get an answer, call them at 1-844-287-0304 to inquire about your status.

Copa Airlines big business class recliners onboard 737-800s (Photo: Copa)

Now, let’s talk about Copa’s planes. The first thing you need to know is that Copa does not offer lie flat business class seats on its flights. Instead, you get big roomy recliners with leg rests. That’s fine for the relatively short duration of most flights from the US to Central America. But it’s tougher on the 6-7 hour overnight flights from SFO or LAX to Panama City (PTY). The same goes for connecting flights deep into South America to cities such as Buenos Aires, Montevideo or Rio de Janeiro, many of which are overnight flights where competitors like United, American, Delta and LAN offer lie flat seats.

Plus, there is no premium economy class product and seat pitch is the standard 31 inches. However, there’s some good news for those flying in economy class– Copa does not charge economy class passenger for the first two checked bags. It also offers complimentary hot meals, full bar and individual in-seat in-flight entertainment on all flights. Here’s what SeatGuru says about Copa’s 737-800.

Copa Airlines economy class on a 737-800 (Image: Copa)

Copa has one Latin America’s youngest fleets– most of its 737-800s are less than four years old and have the popular “Sky” interiors with oversized luggage bins and mood lighting. There are 16 business class seats and 138 economy seats on each plane.

Fondevila says that Copa has one of the best on-time performance records in the industry, most recently at about 91% ontime.

Some other tidbits about Copa that we picked up in our chat with Fondevila:

>Copa is short for Compania Panamena de Aviacion.

>Copa is a Star Alliance partner, but it does not yet have a code share agreement with United on the SFO-Panama City (PTY) route. Fondevila said that they two airlines are working on that, though.

>Copa flies to 55 cities in Latin America, including eight in Brazil and nine in Colombia using Boeing 737 and Embraer 190 aircraft.

>Why fly to Panama City on business? Well, for one thing, the expansion of the Panama Canal is due to open in spring 2016. Also Panama City is home to the largest container port in Latin America, so shipping is big business

Panama City’s Tocumen International Airport (Photo: Joao Carlos Medau / Flickr)

>Copa’s Panama City hub at Tocumen International Airport, which it calls the “Hub of the Americas,” is a key connection point– Fondevila said that 60%-70% of its traffic is connecting, and only 30%-40% is local traffic. Transit passengers do not pass through immigration and customs at PTY, which makes connecting at the small airport fast and easy.

>PTY has a new airport terminal under construction which should open in 2018.

>The 10,000 square foot Copa Club at PTY (and elsewhere in the region) is open to United Club members as well as nonmembers with Premier Gold status.

>Copa’s San Francisco-Panama City flight is a red-eye, departing SFO at 11:19 pm and arriving in Panama City (PTY) the next day at 8:32 am- good timing for business trips. The early arrival also connects to a big bank of Copa flights headed elsewhere in the region. Returning from Panama City the flight departs in the morning at 9:41 am arriving SFO at 2:54 pm.

>Right now, fares are great, considering the distance of this flight. You can fly round trip SFO-PTY for as low as $400 in economy class or about $1,200 in business class, depending on the season.

>Copa has been flying LAX-PTY since 2000 and now offers 3-4 daily roundtrips.

NOTE: Be sure to click here to see all recent TravelSkills posts about: SFO could get world’s longest flight + PreCheck: Fewer free rides + Plight of the tall traveler + Photos: New United first class seat + 6 secrets for snagging low fares

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Virgin America to Hawaii + Delta Sky Club SFO opens + Air fares go down + Labor Day crowds

August 23, 2015

Virgin America’s using Richard Branson’s star power to promote new Hawaii flights (Image: Virgin America / YouTube)

A few newsy nuggets from other sources that we missed on TravelSkills last week:

Virgin America teams up with Airbnb, GoPro & LinkedIn to promote new SFO-Honolulu & Maui flights

The ceremonial last-ever US Airways flight is set for October 16.

British Airways/Iberia parent IAG closes deal to buy Aer Lingus.

Carriers are tightening up admissions to their airport lounges.

Delta's big new Sky Club opens at SFO this week!

Delta’s big new Sky Club opens at SFO soon!

Delta is throwing a party this week to celebrate the opening of SFO’s new Sky Club, and TravelSkills will be there– with a camera! So stay tuned…

Flying over Labor Day weekend? It’s going to be crowded.

Look, up in the sky! It’s a bird. It’s a plane. In fact, it’s a Delta plane.

Amazing but true: Air fares (but not ancillary fees) dropped 5.6 percent last month.

TSA test project lets flyers give instant feedback on their inspection experience.

How airlines are using “microsites” to promote new products directly to consumers.

United cuts MileagePlus point prices for award travel to South America.

The Star Alliance now offers round-the-world premium economy fares.

NOTE: Be sure to click here to see all recent TravelSkills posts about: Upgraded Hilton HHonors app + New perks for Starwood/AmEx cardholders + Alaska/AA airport lounge benefits + New international routes

Quick note: TravelSkills will be in vacation mode during August, with only periodic posts. We’ll be back at full steam in September so stay tuned! And enjoy your summer. –Chris

Getting a decent upgrade on United

July 6, 2015

Getting an upgrade on a flight to Paris is tough (Photo: Chris McGinnis)

Getting an upgrade on a flight to Paris is tough- but possible! (Photo: Chris McGinnis)

A reader query…

Dear Chris:

I have been saving my miles to use for an upgrade from coach to business on round trip United nonstop SFO to Paris/CDG. Planned to travel beginning October.

I called and had the ticket all booked ($1289.00) and ready to go. Then the agent said, “you are aware that there is a $550 co-pay each way’? So the ticket would have been $1289. 00, + the 20,000 miles each way, + $1,100 dollars. I said forget it.

Is it even possible to get a reasonable upgrade on these flights?

D.R.

Hey D.R. First off, congrats on getting that $1289 economy class roundtrip fare on SFO-CDG- that’s a good deal, especially if you can use your status to sit in economy plus. And September in Paris is spectacular! No crowds, great weather, friendly locals…

But getting a big, flat business class seat on United’s popular Boeing 767 SFO-Paris flight is a tough nut to crack. Especially in October when business travel is back in force and United can sell those seats at a premium.

We did a quick scan of business class fares on the SFO-CDG nonstop and found them in the $8,000 to $9,000 range.

United’s business class fares SFO-CDG in early October

So that fare + copay of $2,389 plus 40,000 miles is still a lot cheaper than buying a ticket.

Even when you calculate your 40K United miles at about 1.5 cents per mile ($600, or $2,989 total), you still come out way ahead of the business class fare.

So it really depends on how badly you want this:

2-1-2 BusinessFirst class seats on United’s 767-300ER

Or are willing to sit through this:

Economy class on a United 767 (Photo: United)

What would YOU do? Please leave your comments below.

NOTE: Be sure to click here to see all recent TravelSkills posts about: Two new nonstops to India + New Centurion lounge opens + Planespotting 101: Airbus + Pay to join loyalty programs? + More!

Big changes at United.com

May 12, 2015

NOTE: Be sure to click here to see all recent TravelSkills posts about: Premium economy on Lufthansa + Chinese tourists on notice + Fast trains in Spain + United’s 787 Dreamliner plans + New Oneworld lounge at LAX + Global Entry at Oakland

United’s new homepage (Image: United)

Want to be among the first to check out the overhauled version of United Airlines’ website? You’ll find it at https://beta.united.com/ual/en/us/ .

The company said its redesign is intended to make the site “sleek, modern and touch-friendly,” and includes new personalized features and tools for flight selection.

Among the new features:

Users can search for flights using various criteria like Wi-Fi availability, preferred connection cities, type of aircraft or availability of in-seat power plugs.

Search results show a 15-day window (seven days before and after the selected date), and fares are displayed in “each way” increments.

Before buying a particular flight, MilagePlus members can see what kind of upgrade availability it has, and redeem any MileagePlus upgrade prior to purchase.

Customized widgets for MileagePlus members let them see their upcoming trips, saved searches and alerts.

United promises the new site will be touch-friendly “no matter the device style or device brand.”

United’s new flight search shows upgrade availability. (Image: United)

United said it expects to fully launch the updated homepage and booking features– which were designed with plenty of customer feedback — this summer.

Change is hard, but what do you think? Put your thoughts in the comments below!

Say what? Even more cuts to United MileagePlus

November 21, 2014

Just a few weeks ago, United matched Delta in boosting by 20 percent the amount of dollar spending required in 2015 for MileagePlus members to achieve elite status levels in 2016. And now United has made some more “updates” to its loyalty program starting early next year that will further chip away at the benefits of Premier membership.

Effective February 1, MileagePlus Premier members who ask for an Upgrade Award on United’s enhanced-service “p.s.” routes (New York JFK-Los Angeles and JFK-San Francisco) will be charged a co-pay in addition to miles — something they’re currently exempt from. That co-pay can range from $75 to $250 one-way, depending on booking class. (United’s complimentary Premier Upgrades do not apply on p.s. routes.)

In another change taking effect February 1, United will no longer pick up the $100 cost of membership in Customs and Border Protection’s Global Entry trusted traveler program, which allows speedy re-entry to the U.S. from international trips — and also gives members access to TSA’s domestic PreCheck security checkpoints. Currently, United provides a Global Entry payment code to eligible Global Services, Premier 1K and Premier Platinum members of MileagePlus. (That will still be available through the end of January 2015.)

United’s Premier Gold members who require lots of luggage will be sorry to see that when they travel on a domestic economy ticket on or after February 1, their free checked bag allowance will drop from three pieces to two. (For most international markets, it will remain at three.) The domestic economy allowance will still be one free checked bag for Silver members and three for Platinums and 1Ks.

Starting April 15, elite-level members who use their miles to acquire an award ticket for someone else will find that their own Premier trip benefits will no longer be granted to that second person for the award trip; instead, the recipient’s Premier status — if any — will determine which perks will apply.

Photo: Bernal Saborio / Flickr

Finally, some changes are coming to United’s relationship with its Latin American partner Copa Airlines effective July 1. As of that date, flights on Copa won’t count toward the minimum segment requirement for MileagePlus Premier status, and flight miles on Copa won’t be applied to a member’s lifetime MileagePlus mileage balance. MileagePlus Premier members will keep many of the benefits they currently have for trips on Copa, like an extra bag allowance, priority reservation waitlist, priority standby and so on; and they’ll still earn Premier qualifying miles — and can take award travel — on Copa. United said the reason for those changes is that Copa will roll out its own loyalty program in July.

Taken individually, the new MileagePlus rule changes might not have too much of an impact on any single member. But collectively, they represent a continuing pattern of benefits erosion that could well make members wonder what might be coming next.

Declining program benefits, along with rising fees, post-merger quality-of-service problems and other indignities led one disgruntled MileagePlus loyalist to pen an essay that appeared in the prestigious New Yorker magazine this month under the headline “Why I Left United Airlines.”

What do our MileagePlus readers think of these new changes? Are they deal breakers — or no big deal? Post your comments below.

>>Take a peek at what you may have missed on TravelSkills.com this week! <<

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United changes rules + Radical plan for NYC airport + Centurion “Studio” + Uber’s friends in DC

November 17, 2014

Somewhere over Greenland up in the bubble on a United B747 (Photo: Chris McGinnis)

AIRLINES.

Did you get the email from United last week? As expected (and as usual) the carrier mimicked Delta’s recent move to increase the amount of dollars members must spend to get (or maintain) Premier status. The 20% bump up applies to qualifying activity in 2015 for status in 2016. The 25K spend threshold on MileagePlus co-branded credit cards for status is not affected by this. Details here. So far, American is still sitting back, watching and remaining vague about any plans it has for the move toward a revenue based program. So what do you think? Last time we wrote about airlines’ new revenue requirements, the general reaction from TravelSkills readers was, “Mmmeh, I’ll easily meet those spending requirements.” And some even lauded Delta and United for weeding out the gamers who don’t pay much but have figured out wily ways to snag awards and upgrades. Please leave your comments below.

AIRPORTS

New Amex Centurion “Studio.” American Express can’t always find a airport space large enough for its super popular Centurion Lounges, like the brand new on in San Francisco. Such is the case in Seattle (SEA), where Amex announced that will open a smaller Centurion Studio instead. Amex says: “The Centurion Studio will be a retreat for Card Members but in a smaller space, featuring some of the amenities Card Members say are most essential: comfortable seating, charging stations, fast and free WiFi, and complimentary healthy snacks and beverages.” Amex told TravelSkills that it will be located “right off the Main terminal towards concourse B, post-security and easily accessible to all terminals.” It will be interesting to see how the smaller studio handles crowds…we’ve heard from several TravelSkills readers already about overcrowded conditions at the SFO lounge and elsewhere….

A grand re-imagining of New York’s LaGuardia Airport- enter on Riker’s Island & take a train to your plane (ReThink NYC)

Visionary plan for LaGuardia. The New York Times reports that one local resident who thinks big has a grand plan for remaking LaGuardia Airport. His concept would move airport access much closer to Manhattan and expand the airport from two runways to four, and have as many as 160 passenger gates. How could this be? The airport would take over nearby Rikers Island — currently home to a big city jail — and put all the passenger gates there, freeing up space at the existing airport for more runways; a transportation terminal at the southern tip of The Bronx would bring in passengers from subways and Amtrak trains; and the whole thing would be linked with underground trains. Talk about outta-the-box thinking!

Big improvements planned at DCA. Airlines at Washington Reagan National have come to terms with the airport authority on a plan to invest $1 billion in facility improvements over the next 10 years. The plan calls for construction of a regional airline concourse linked to the north pier; connecting the three B/C piers inside security by moving TSA checkpoints from level 2 to level 3, making for easier connections between American Airlines flights; adding a new parking garage; and overhauling Terminal A.

Bonus Offers: How about a round trip to Hawaii or Mexico for less than $100 on US Airways? Or enough points for two roundtrips and a big jump on coveted Companion Status on Southwest? More…

CARS

(Photo: Uber)

Uber gaining Capitol friends. A new report finds that ride-sharing service Uber is making big inroads among Congress people and their staffs. Specifically, their use of Uber for local transportation increased from a zero percent market share in the 2010 election campaign to 61 percent this year. “Uber has overtaken taxis in both number of rides and amount spent,” the researchers said.

SFO adds another private ride provider. San Francisco International Airport, which in recent weeks reached agreements allowing UberX, Lyft and Sidecar to operate there, has issued a pilot permit to another operator — Wingz (www.wingz.me). Unlike the others, Wingz specializes only in airport transportation, offering a $35 flat rate to SFO for a private ride with “an awesome trained and background-checked driver.” Service should begin within 30 days.

Note: This is part 2 of our weekly “Catch Up” — have you read Part 1?

Study tracks rental processing time. How effective are car rental firms’ express service programs for business travelers? The latest rental customer satisfaction study from J.D. Power finds that the vehicle pick-up and return process for business renters averages 41.5 minutes (including the shuttle ride) — only about three minutes less than the process takes for leisure renters. Overall customer satisfaction dropped slightly this year after rising steadily since 2009. Enterprise, National and Alamo topped the J.D. Power list this year. Hertz ranked #4.

Extra Bonus! Here’s an easy way to top off your Chase Ultimate Rewards balance with 20,000 points!

HOTELS

Hackers said to steal business travelers’ data at hotels. Internet security giant Kaspersky is warning business travelers about a corporate espionage campaign it calls “Darkhotel” that targets senior executives staying at luxury hotels — especially U.S. executives doing business in the Asia/Pacific region. The hackers “trick the person into downloading and installing a backdoor that pretends to be an update for legitimate software, such as Google Toolbar, Adobe Flash or Windows Messenger,” Kaspersky said, and can then hunt for stored passwords and logins as well as business data. The firm said travelers should be “suspicious” of suggested software updates when they are abroad, and should use a VPN provider. Has this ever happened to you– or anyone you know? Do you take any precautions when using a Wi-Fi connection in your hotel? Please leave your comments below.

In Case You Missed It…

Delta customers have new options (a secret passageway?) at San Francisco International.
Chris evaluates Korean Air’s San Francisco-Seoul 777 service.
Check out these Honolulu hotels for business travelers.

Note: This is part 2 of our weekly “Catch Up” — have you read Part 1?

New extra bonus offer: Get a whopping 50,000 Rapid Rewards points by signing up for Southwest’s Premier card – that’s enough for TWO free tickets.

>>Take a peek at what you may have missed on TravelSkills.com this week! <<

Like what you just read? Then say so! Scroll back up to the top and LIKE the post on Facebook, post it on Linked In and/or tweet it!

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United award redemptions surprise

November 3, 2013

Doh! Why do I keep playing this frequent flyer game? (Photo: Striatic)

MileagePlus members experienced a rude awakening last Friday morning when United announced a significant increase in its “prices” for frequent flyer awards starting Feb. 1, 2014.

Airlines adjust their award charts every few years to take into account internal cost increases, so United’s move is not uncommon. However, the magnitude of some of the increases is cringe-worthy.

Let’s start with the positive. United did not touch the cost of an economy class award redemption in the U.S., which remains at 25,000 miles, and it continues to offer one-way award redemptions, unlike some other majors. Plus, for travel less than 700 miles, the cost of a United Airlines award will remain at 10,000 miles. Compared to other major carriers, United’s program is frequently lauded for ease of use and relatively easy redemptions.

Also, United is providing advance notice– if award travel is booked before Feb. 1, 2014 (no matter when you actually fly), you can still redeem at the current levels. This is nice for those making summer 2014 travel plans, and kudos to United for at least providing a 90-day notice. However, keep in mind that United will ding you for more miles if you make any modifications to your plans after the new award charts go into effect on Feb 1.

Now, for the bad news: First, there are now two award charts: one for awards redeemed solely on United and its Latin American partner Copa and one for Star Alliance and other airline partners. The United award chart saw some increases, but not as many or as severe as the bloodbath on the partner chart. This makes sense since United does not have to pay another airline for redemptions on its own metal; the only cost is the loss of a seat being sold on its own aircraft.

Only a handful of redemptions on the United award chart have increased in price. For example, economy awards between the U.S. and Hawaii increase from 40,000 to 45,000 miles; and business class awards on United between North America and Europe go from 100,000 to 115,000 miles. That’s not so bad considering Delta just upped the same redemption to Europe to 125,000 miles beginning June 2014. In fact, none of the United-only award chart increases are that tough to swallow since inflation is expected over the years.

A business class seat on United partner Aer Lingus' new flight starting in April will soon cost 140K miles (Photo: Stephen White)

A business class seat on United partner Aer Lingus’ new SFO-Dublin flight starting in April will soon cost 140K miles (Photo: Stephen White)

The biggest hit is with partner redemptions in first and business class. Despite claims that Star Alliance is designed to make international travel easier and more pleasant for flyers, United has now done just the opposite dramatically increasing the mileage needed to fly to certain destinations on partners. Never mind that United may not fly there. If you want to go to a non-United destination, you’re soon going to have to part with major miles…

United explains: “We’re increasing miles required in these markets for the first time in several years to account for the increased cost of providing transportation, particularly in the premium cabin and particularly on the MileagePlus partner carriers…We faced a decision other airlines have faced — to either increase the number of miles required for partner awards or to eliminate them altogether.”

But this is not the only reason for the increase. With mileage earning opportunities coming out of our ears, it increasingly obvious that too many customers have too many miles, and this is hurting the precarious United balance sheet. Revisions to its partner award chart help United by reducing the amount of money it has to pay partner carriers for these easily-earned miles by its own customers.

Here are some of the hardest hit zones.

Here is a link to the current award chart. Here is a link to the new award chart.

>Flights to Europe on partners from North America in business class jump 40% from 100,000 miles roundtrip to 140,000 miles roundtrip. Want to go in first class? It used to be 135,000 miles. Now it is 220,000 miles! Luckily, economy class roundtrips remain the same at 60,000 miles roundtrip.

First class redemptions on Lufthansa to Middle East or Africa? Some prices are up 87%! (Photo: Chris McGinnis)

>Flights to most of Africa on Star Alliance partners used to go for 120,000 miles in business class and 150,000 in first. Now, it’s 160,000 in business class and 260,000 in first class. Ouch.

>The biggest jump comes on flights from North America to the Middle East where roundtrips were 120,000 miles in business and 150,000 miles in first. Now, they cost 160,000 miles in business and 280,000 miles (up 87%!) in first if using Star Alliance partners. Partner redemptions to Asia and Australia saw similar painful increases.

While United did give us 90 days of notice, which is fair, the magnitude of the increase on many awards is certainly not. Customers are lashing out on Facebook and Twitter using the carrier’s recent “Flyer Friendly” advertising campaign against it. Search for the #FlyerUnfriendly hashtag on Twitter and you’ll see what we mean.

What do you think about United’s move? Will you have time to book your award travel before Feb. 1? Will you change your travel or airline loyalties in 2014? Or… are changes in redemptions somewhat irrelevant to you since you are more focused on status/recognition and upgrades than award trips? Please leave your comments below.

—Chris McGinnis & Ramsey Qubein

>Airline cat fight benefitting TravelSkills Readers

>8 things to like about Delta’s new California Shuttle

>Clock is ticking on latest Fall/Winter nationwide fare sale

>United’s newer, thinner seat

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Double miles on United, Southwest + $100 hotels in NYC

October 22, 2013

Flying down the coast on a fine fall day peering down at Pacifica & Devil’s slide (Chris McGinnis)

When demand for air travel declines during the fall and winter months, airlines and hotels roll out promotions to keep us on the road and in the sky, which helps build up those banks of loyalty points.

For example, yesterday United MileagePlus launched a double miles promotion valid during the very slow weeks leading up to Thanksgiving– from now through November 21 only. But the promo is full of catches and limiting loopholes.

For example, you’ll only earn double miles on domestic US flights in the contiguous 48 states, which is a clear sign that this promo is a reaction to Southwest’s double points offer (see below).

It only applies to flights booked and flown between now and Nov 21. So for example, if you already have a reservation to fly United next week, you won’t earn double miles on it.

Finally, and most irritatingly, it also does not apply to the lowest fare classes. And as usual, the double miles are BONUS miles and do not count toward your annual PQMs.

Registration is required and you’ll find full details here.

(Photo: Chris McGinnis)

Southwest Airlines Rapid Rewards kicked off the double points promo last week, good for all flights booked and traveled between now and Nov 21.

What’s nice is that this DOES apply to Southwest’s cheapest Wanna Get Away fares, where you’ll earn six bonus points per dollar spent. More expensive Anytime fares earn 10 bonus points and Business Select fares earn 12 bonus points.

Registration is required and you’ll find full details here.

Virgin America is offering double Elevate points through Dec 31 to those booking more expensive (and roomy) Main Cabin Select or first class fare. Details here. Virgin has also slashed fares for trips during the two weeks leading up to Thanksgiving. Check out the deals here.

It’s not just airlines trying to pump up the volume during slower months…. hotels are getting in on the act, too.

For example, Best Western is offering up to 20% off its standard rates for those booking on its website and selecting “Internet Only” rates for stays between now and Nov 24. It’s also offering a nice bump of 1,000 points to members of Best Western Rewards. Details here. (Disclosure: I’m a contributor to Best Western’s YouMustBeTrippin.com blog.)

Anyone who has traveled to New York recently has felt the pain of some of the highest hotel rates in the country. But that will change during the cold dark weeks of early January.

Newly renovated lobby at Affinia Manhattan hotel (Affinia)

From Jan 3-12, you’ll find rates of $100, $200 and $300 available at a variety of properties, (many of which currently go for nearly $500 a night), so the savings can be substantial.

For example, the popular Affinia Manhattan is going for $100 per night; the hip and brand new Refinery Hotel (garment district) and Jade hotel (Greenwich Village) are going for $200 per night. For $300 you can squeeze in the trendy new Thompson LES (Lower East Side) for $300.

For a full listing of participating hotels and how to get the discount see this.

—Chris McGinnis

>Two posh new lounges coming to SFO

>Airline cat fight benefitting TravelSkills Readers

>8 things to like about Delta’s new California Shuttle

>Clock is ticking on latest Fall/Winter nationwide fare sale

>United’s newer, thinner seat

>Delta dumps SFO-Tokyo flight

>Slideshow of the swish new Star Alliance lounge at LAX

***

Big changes for United MileagePlus members

June 18, 2013

United’s new spending thresholds for Premier status

United MileagePlus members will soon have to show their loyalty to United not only by how much they fly, but by how much they pay. Beginning with flights in 2014, Premier status for 2015 will be based miles flown and dollars spent each calendar year.

The same segment and Premier Qualifying Mile (PQM) requirements will remain in place. But starting next year, you will have meet a new PQD (Premier Qualifying Dollar) threshold.

To achieve Premier Silver, you must fly 25,000 miles and spend at least $2,500 on United. If both are not met, you will not earn status. For Premier Gold, the minimum spend is $5,000; for Platinum, it’s $7,500; and for 1K, you must spend at least $10,000.

PQDs are based on money spent on United-marketed flights only (taxes and fees excluded)—this does NOT include money spent on ancillary fees for bags, upgrades, in-flight food/bev, etc. However, it does include spending on fuel surcharges, which can be significant on international flights. Spending on United-marketed flights will include Star Alliance partner and code-share flights– but only those with ticket numbers beginning with United’s code 016. So, for example, dollars spent on a Lufthansa-operated flight will count– but only if your ticket is purchased from United.

United has not revealed how members will be able to track their PQDs yet.

One way around the new rules: Spending at least $25,000 in a calendar year on any MileagePlus Chase co-branded credit card exempts you from the spending thresholds (but not the mileage/segment requirements). However, there is no PQD waiver for Premier 1K qualification- you must spend a minimum of $10,000 to earn 1K status.

Meeting or beating these new spending thresholds may be easy for some, but for others, not so much. For example, to attain or maintain Gold status (50K miles + $5K spend), you would have to buy an average of ten $500 United tickets over the course of a year. How easy or hard do you think this will be? Please vote in our poll!

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Like Delta, which announced a similar policy last winter, United is betting that this will weed out the flyers that “game the system” for status or simply buy the lowest fares. In the end, the new spending thresholds are going to hurt leisure travelers (who bring United the least revenue) most. Big spending business travelers might find that with fewer Premiers to compete with, it’s easier to board early and upgrade.

What do you think about United’s moves? Will this affect your loyalty to United? Please leave your comments below.

—Chris McGinnis

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