Changes coming to Mileage Plus Award charts

Editors Note: This is the first blog post by UnRoadWarrior’s first co-blogger – The Nomad. I would like to welcome him to the blog. Do leave a comment and make him feel welcome.

Major changes are coming to United’s (and of course the merged Continental’s) Mileage Plus Award Charts from June 15, 2011. Most sectors see a 5k to 10K increase in miles needed for round trip awards apart from domestic awards. From the point of view of economy passengers, I would say this is not really a good change. Most business and elite passengers will though, probably be elated by the decrease in award miles required for Europe and Asia trips.

Here’s is the United PR speak:

Here are some examples of what will be changing:

• We will lower the mileage requirement for domestic award trips that are less than 700 miles one way. OnePass members have enjoyed this benefit, and now Mileage Plus members can, too.
• Some destinations will be included in different regions. Most notably, Mexico will become its own region instead of being considered part of Central America.
• Some United and Star Alliance™ Award amounts will go up; however many popular award routes, including North America to Hawaii and the Caribbean, will remain the same.
• Some Mileage Plus Upgrade Award and Star Alliance™ Upgrade Award amounts will increase.

Here are some of the main differences in the new Mileage Plus Chart that I can see (miles are for one-way awards, double for roundtrip and standard one-way, Y-economy, C-Business, F-first)

1. Award for domestic destinations <700miles will be available for 10K miles in Y. Down from 12.5K
2. Southern South America to Central America will be 17.5K, 30K, 40K in Y, C, F . Down from 25k,40K, 50k
3. US/CANADA/ALASKA to Europe will be 50K in C. Down from 52.5K.
4. US/ CANADA/ALASKA to North Asia/South Asia will be 60k, 70K in C, F. Down from 62.5K,72.5K.

The increases:

1. Northern South America to US/CANADA/ALASKA will be 20K miles in Y, up from 17.5K.
2. Central America to Hawaii will be 37.5K, 47.5K in C,F up from 35k,42.5K.
3. Caribbean to Caribbean awards are 17.5K, 30K, 40K in Y, C, F. Up from 15K, 22.5k, 30K.
4. Caribbean to Hawaii will be 37.5K, 47.5K in C,F up from 35k,42.5K.
5. Southern South America to US/CANADA/ALASKA/Hawaii will be 30K in Y, up from 27.5K.
6. Southern South America to Caribbean will be 30K, 50K, 62.5K in Y, C, F . Up from 25k,45,55k
7. US/CANADA/ALASKA to Europe will be 30k in Y. Up from 27.5K.
8. Europe to Southern South America will be 47.5K in Y. Up from 45K.
9. US/CANADA/ALASKA to Japan will be 62.5K in C. Up from 60K.
10. US/CANADA/ALASKA to Middle East/Africa will be 40K, 60K, 75k in Y, C, F. Up from 37.5k.57.5k, 72.5K.
11. North Asia to South Asia will be 15k, 22.5K in Y,C up from 10k, 15K.

Will keep updating this as I notice more changes.