The day has arrived: United award charts are no more
It's Nov. 15 and, as expected, that means that United Airlines officially no longer has published award charts for United-operated flights. Let's all pause for a moment of silence over the loss of yet another award chart.
Free from an award chart, the airline's frequent-flyer program can now charge whatever it wants for award flights, and the award prices can change as frequently as the program desires for United-operated flights. (Partner award charts do remain, at least for now.)
United is hardly the first frequent flyer program to go down this road. Delta SkyMiles led the way among the "Big 3" carriers in the U.S. with dynamic award pricing and award-chart free living beginning in 2015. American Airlines is now also actively inching toward dynamic award pricing. This trend is largely not great news for those of us who like to get outsized value from our miles at the pointy end of the plane, but the good news is that today didn't bring with it any surprises.
Update: Maybe it did. Further updates below.
Today, in a post-award chart world, United-operated flights still price at saver-award levels as we knew them, especially in economy. That means 12,500 miles for most domestic awards, 22,500 miles to Hawaii, 30,000 miles to Europe, etc. The program doesn't charge that award price every single day, and it can charge as much as it wants, but those tried and true award amounts are still very common.
Nov. 15 evening update: These award searches were largely run in the mid- to late-afternoon on Nov. 15. However, as first reported by Running With Miles and confirmed with my own searches, many routes are now pricing a few thousand miles higher than they were a few hours ago. Most interestingly is that some partner awards -- specifically those on Lufthansa, at a minimum -- are also now pricing at levels above the posted partner award chart. You can read the full (new) story here. Short version: More changed on the evening of Nov. 15 than we expected and United did confirm the changes are not technical problems.
Just as there were when the airline first moved toward dynamic award pricing several months ago, there are award flights that price as few as 5,000 miles each way. There's even a part of the United site that will direct you to some of these lower-than-normal awards under the title of "Featured Awards".
The free Excursionist Perk — valid for a free flight for those booking bigger award trips across zones — is also, thankfully, still available.
Now, as you move to the front of the plane, business/domestic first class awards are much harder to find at the traditional saver-award levels. They still exist, but you can go months (or longer) without spotting one on some routes, such as on United-operated business class flights to Europe, Hawaii, etc. However, that situation isn't new, and certainly didn't just begin today.
As was calculated by TPG's Points Lab, having a United credit card still helps you save miles in this new pricing system. So, even in the current era of dynamic pricing, it's still worth it to have a United credit card if you fly United. None of that changed today.
One positive change that did kick in was the elimination of the close-in booking fee. Want to go to Europe tonight? That'll start at 30,000 miles and $5.60 in economy on lots of routes. Want to escape the cold to go to Hawaii tomorrow? That'll start at 22,500 United miles and $5.60 in economy. There's no longer a last-minute $75 booking surcharge.
Unlike with some other dynamically-priced programs, the United award price doesn't necessarily jump just because the flight leaves soon.
Bottom line
There's no question that today is a bit of a sad day for long-term fans of United's MileagePlus, and even Continental OnePass before that. However, we didn't wake up to a whole new program that looks different from yesterday, just because Nov. 15 arrived. MileagePlus has been inching toward today for months.
If you want to keep up with other upcoming United MileagePlus changes, check out these articles:
- United is taking the miles out of MileagePlus
- United making big changes to earning elite status in MileagePlus
- Last minute strategies for earning United elite status
- How to earn United elite status faster by flying partners in 2020
- United MileagePlus wrong for you? 3 Star Alliance partner programs to consider
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There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
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- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
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- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.
Rewards Rate
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
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You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.Annual Fee
$325Recommended Credit
Credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.Excellent to Good
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.