United Introduces Changes to Mileage Plus

United Airlines announced several new benefits and changes to its frequent flyer program, Mileage Plus. To give members more flight redemption options, United has reserved a percentage of Saver Award seats on every flight to every international and domestic United destination through March 15, 2007. Saver Awards, available with some restrictions on United-operated flights and United's partner airlines, offer award travel for the fewest required miles. Effective immediately, and for the remainder of 2006, Mileage Plus is also offering Short Haul Saver Awards, which enable Mileage Plus members to take short trips (for example, Chicago-Washington Dulles or San Francisco-Seattle) using up to 40 percent fewer miles. Flights up to 700 miles each way on United, United Express and Ted within the 48 contiguous states and between the U.S. and Canada qualify. Only 15,000 redeemable miles are required for a roundtrip United Economy Short Haul Saver Award ticket, which normally requires 25,000 miles. Effective Oct. 16, 2006, the number of miles required to redeem for many Standard and select Saver Awards will change. As an example, the domestic Economy Standard Award redemption amount will increase from 40,000 to 50,000 miles, matching most other U.S. carriers' current standard award levels. Also effective Oct. 16, 2006, Mileage Plus will introduce fees for Standard and Saver Award travel booked less than 14 days in advance. A fee of $75 will apply for travel ticketed six days or less prior to departure and $50 for travel ticketed 7–13 days prior to departure. As always, there will be no fee for travel ticketed 14 days or more prior to departure. Fees will not apply to United's most loyal customers—1K Mileage Plus and Global Services members. A new award chart reflecting all changes is available at [www.united.com/awardchanges].