United Airlines to Increase Miles for MileagePlus Members on Specific Partner Flights

United Airlines has made some changes to its MileagePlus rewards program, affecting the value of business-class flights within Europe and Asia. According to experts at View FromThe Wing, the airline has put a new rule that makes it challenging to get business class flights using rewards points within Europe and Asia.

This change, effective overnight between April 30th and May 1st, has led to increased mileage requirements for specific routes. For example, flights between Frankfurt and Istanbul now cost 49,000 miles for a business class reward ticket, while they previously cost much fewer miles.

Usually, business class travel within Europe and Asia offers a premium experience, with airlines providing fully flat or angled flat seats even on shorter flights. However, United's recent policy change may affect the accessibility of these premium cabin rewards, making them more expensive for MileagePlus members.

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United Airlines previously announced the introduction of MileagePlus pooling, allowing families and friends to combine their miles for collective earning and redemption. While this pooling feature might help travelers get more miles collectively, it does not address concerns about increased mileage requirements for premium cabin flights within Europe and Asia.

While some MileagePlus members might not be happy about this change, it reflects the evolving dynamics within the airline industry. United aims to optimize its loyalty program while balancing costs and benefits to align with changing market conditions and competitive pressures.

Overall, United Airlines' decision to devalue MileagePlus rewards for intra-European and intra-Asian business class flights may impact travelers who rely on their miles for luxurious travel experiences within these regions.