An oops moment is coming for those who like to use their United MileagePlus miles for premium cabin travel. As you know, United does not publish an award chart, so they claim their reward redemption rates are dynamic. But usually, the rates are the same over many days. Overnight, United MileagePlus has changed the pricing for international first-class awards, at least for tickets originating/terminating in the USA.

United MileagePlus raises first-class award costs.

United Airlines no longer offers first-class international flights on its own aircraft. However, the airline has access to Star  Alliance partner inventory on partners such as Lufthansa, ANA, and Air India. As of Wednesday, April 24, 2024, it appears the programme has hiked up international first-class redemption rates, at least when travelling to/from the USA.

USA—India nonstop First Class redemptions on Air India used to cost as low as 88,000 United MileagePlus Miles (there was a way to make it work). The usual ask was about 154,000 United MP Miles. Now, it is priced at 242,000 MP Miles, a 175% increase from the lowest available cost of 88,000 Miles. This is the case for both non-stop and one-stop tickets on Lufthansa and Air India.

Similarly, All Nippon Airways First Class redemptions between the United States and Japan have gone up from 121,000 miles to 154,000 miles one-way (representing an increase of 27%)

India to Europe Pricing remains the same as earlier.

All the data points I’ve seen over the morning indicate that the hike in pricing is only for routes originating/terminating in the US. Between India and Germany or India and the UK, the old first-class rates apply. So, if you’d not want to go trans Atlantic from India, there is no reason to worry, for now.

It is worth mentioning that first-class space is hard to come by nowadays, especially LH F. Other partners are better at redeeming LH F, anyway. However, United’s USP is that there are no charges to cancel or rebook, and the miles with United MileagePlus do not expire.

Bottomline

United MileagePlus is massively increasing award redemption costs for first-class international travel. For now, the impact seems to be limited to flights that originate or terminate in the United States, including travel on Air India, All Nippon Airways and Lufthansa. In some cases, first class award redemptions are increasing in cost by up to 175%.

What do you think of these MileagePlus award updates? What other programmes should we look at now?

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