United MileagePlus has just significantly hiked the cost of international first class awards. These increases are rough, though I’m not sure this change matters all that much, quite frankly.
United MileagePlus raises ANA & Lufthansa first class award costs
While United no longer has international first class on its own planes, the airline does allow first class redemptions on Star Alliance partner airlines. It would appear that for flights as of Wednesday, April 24, 2024, the program has considerably increased international first class redemption rates.
For example, Lufthansa first class awards between the United States and Europe are increasing in cost from 121,000 miles to 154,000 miles one-way, representing an increase of 27%.
Meanwhile All Nippon Airways first class awards between the United States and Japan are increasing in cost from 121,000 miles to 242,000 miles, representing an increase of 100%.
United MileagePlus no longer publishes award charts, so there’s not much transparency when it comes to prices being updated. I’d assume this isn’t a glitch, though, as it’s hardly the first time United has hugely increased partner redemption rates.
This devaluation is bad, but shouldn’t matter for most
It goes without saying that a 27% price increase is rough, while a 100% price increase is downright painful. However, I’d argue the implications here are fairly limited.
For one, both All Nippon Airways and Lufthansa make very little first class award space available nowadays, so there are much more limited opportunities than in the past to lock in these seats with miles.
The other point is that United MileagePlus hasn’t actually had very competitive award costs for these redemptions. For both All Nippon Airways and Lufthansa first class, you’ll find better redemption rates through Air Canada Aeroplan and Avianca LifeMiles. Furthermore, for All Nippon Airways redemptions, you’ll find the best values through Virgin Atlantic Flying Club.
So for the most part, savvy travelers shouldn’t be booking these first class awards through United MileagePlus to begin with.
It’s sad to see the direction that United MileagePlus has taken in recent years when it comes to partner redemption value. United just doesn’t seem invested in offering good partner award opportunities, especially in premium cabins. Just as United is looking up to Delta when it comes to passenger experience, it seems the airline is also following Delta’s lead when it comes to the value of miles.
Bottom line
United MileagePlus is massively increasing award redemption costs for international first class travel, including for travel on All Nippon Airways and Lufthansa. In some cases, first class award redemptions are increasing in cost by up to 100%, which is brutal.
MileagePlus wasn’t the best way to book these awards before the latest changes, and it most definitely isn’t the best way to book these awards after the changes.
What do you make of these MileagePlus award updates?
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