United unveils 2012 Mileage Plus program changes

United has released the details of the 2012 Mileage Plus program which effectively also covers Continental's OnePass program as that is being integrated into Mileage Plus on December 31. The following updates to the program are taken straight from United's own post on Milepoint.com and can also be view on United.com

1. New vocabulary. First, here’s some new nomenclature: The term Premier will live on but in a new context. It will replace the term “Elite”. With that will come some new three-letter acronyms:
   
   
   • PQM & PQS: Premier Qualifying Mile & Segment (formerly EQM/EQS)
   • CPU: Complimentary Premier Upgrade (formerly UDU and EUA)
   • RPU: Regional Premier Upgrade (formerly CR1 and RU)
   • GPU: Global Premier Upgrade (formerly SWU)
     
2. New tiers and qualification requirements. Heard any good rumors lately? Here are our new Premier tiers – all of which will have a minimum requirement of 4 paid flights on United, Continental and/or Copa:
   
   
   • Premier Silver: 25K PQM or 30 PQS
   • Premier Gold: 50K PQM or 60 PQS
   • Premier Platinum: 75K PQM or 90 PQS
   • Premier 1K: 100K PQM or 120 PQS
   • Global Services: Invitation only
3. Bonus Award mile changes. Here are the changes we’re making to premier and fare class bonuses:
   
   Premier bonuses:
   
   • Premier Silver: 25% bonus miles (no change)
   • Premier Gold: 50% bonus miles
   • Premier Platinum: 75% bonus miles
   • Premier 1K and Global Services: 100% bonus miles (no change)
   
   Fare Class bonuses for United/Continental:
   • Full-fare Economy Class (Y/B) fares: +25% bonus miles
   • Discounted Business Class (Z/P) fares: +50% bonus miles
   • Full-fare Business Class (J/C/D) fares: +75% bonus miles
   • 2-Cabin First Class (F/A) fares: +75% bonus miles
   • 3-Cabin First Class (F/A) fares: +150% bonus miles
     
4. New CPU geography for United, Continental and Copa.Our rationale for offering CPUs will almost entirely be based on how the premium cabin of the flight is marketed. Simply put - markets where the premium product is predominantly our domestic standard will be eligible for CPUs, and all others will not. Based on our current network, this is how our CPU program shakes out geographically:
   
   • Mainland U.S. (except p.s. markets JFK-LAX/SFO), Alaska and Canada
   • Hawaii (California to/from Hawaii, plus any other market operating with a domestic premium product, such as Chicago-Honolulu)
   • Mexico/Caribbean/Central America
   • Northern South America (except New York-Lima)
   • Southern South America (Copa flights only)
   • Asia/Oceania (except transpacific, Honolulu-Guam, Tokyo-Singapore/Bangkok nonstops)
   RPUs will be eligible in these same markets plus our p.s. and all Mainland U.S.-Hawaii markets.
5. Instant upgrades for full-fare Economy Class fares. Premier members traveling on certain full-fare Economy Class fares will be eligible for an instant upgrade as early as ticketing. Specifically, all premier members will be eligible for instant upgrades from Y and B fares, and Premier 1K members will additionally enjoy instant upgrades from M class fares. Y fares will instantly upgrade using last-seat availability. B and M fares will have expanded upgrade availability, but it won’t always be down to the last seat.
6. New CPU clearance windows. CPUs will begin processing automatically starting at 120 hours for Global Services, 96 hours for Premier 1K, 72 hours for Premier Platinum, 48 hours for Premier Gold and on the day of departure for Premier Silver.
7. New CPU hierarchy. Our CPU/airport standby upgrade hierarchy will be as follows:
   
   
   • Global Services
   • Y/B/M instant upgrades that weren’t confirmed in advance (sorted by fare class then premier tier)
   • Paid upgrades (i.e. GPUs, RPUs and mileage upgrades) sorted by status, fare class, and date of waitlist
   • All remaining premier customers by status, then fare class
8. Companion CPUs for all Premiers. Premiers at all levels will be able to extend their CPUs to one travel companion in the same reservation, including in the advance clearance window and with Y/B/M instant upgrades. This will happen automatically when the Premier reservation includes a single companion. In cases where there are more than two people in the reservation, or where the companion is in a separate reservation, the companion upgrade may be designated at the airport.
9. Economy Plus access at check-in for Premier Silver, improved access for all other levels. To ensure we have better seating options for our top premier levels, advance complimentary access to Economy Plus will be limited to Premier Gold members and higher plus one companion (Premier Platinums and above may have up to 8 companions). Premier Silvers and one companion will continue to enjoy complimentary space-available access to Economy Plus starting at 24 hours before departure.
10. Baggage changes for Premier Silver. The complimentary baggage allowance for Premier Silver and Star Alliance Silver members will be reduced to 1 complimentary checked bag weighing up to 50 lbs.
11. Aligned mileage expiration policy. Miles will expire if your account is left inactive for 18 months. Our definition of activity will be very easy to meet for earning or redemption in thousands of ways. This includes something as simple as a magazine subscription redemption – which can be had for as little as 400 miles.
12. New lifetime benefits. Big changes here, and we think you’ll agree this is the most generous lifetime program in the world. The following will take effect next spring (so please hold tight until then):
    
    
    • Continental and United lifetime earnings will be combined. You all guessed that much, but the key will be how we do it. Continental’s lifetime earnings have been EQM-based, and United’s have been based on actual flight miles. Starting in 2012, the program will be based on actual flight miles, however, we will make a one-time adjustment on the United side to boost everyone’s lifetime earnings to EQMs dating back to the beginning of the program
    • Lifetime premier benefits for 1 million miles = Premier Gold, 2 million = Premier Platinum, 3 million = Premier 1K, 4 million = Global Services
    • Million milers will be able to designate a spouse or significant other to always have the same premier tier as them (this includes when the million miler member earns a higher tier). The spousal premier benefits will be identical as the member, except they will not include RPUs and GPUs. This spousal benefit will replace the one-time and annual upgrade gifts, and hopefully you’ll agree this is a better deal
    • Continental’s Infinite Elite members (the limited few of you that earned this back in the early 90’s) will be grandfathered in and given lifetime Premier 1K status, but without the GPUs. We hope you’ll agree this is a generous resolution

I'm curious to hear what all of our Mileage Plus readers think of these changes. Do you think it is fair or have they taken too much away? Overall the buzz on the net does seem to think they are fair as there has been some give and take but one key thing that was rumoured that never came true was a revenue requirement for status. However, much like the Aeroplan changes earlier this year, there is a minimum flight requirement in the elite qualification process of 4 flights on United, Continental or Copa.

Feel free to comment below with your thoughts on the 2012 Mileage Plus program

News Round Up: Aeroplan, Xiamen Airlines, Delta, United and Malaysia Airlines

With quite a few new developments in the airline and travel rewards industry I thought it would be better to round up all the news snippets in one blog post rather then inundating you with multiple posts.

Aeroplan now providing status of 7 Year Old non-redeemed miles
Tying in to some of our earlier blog posts and interviews in the Canadian media about Aeroplan's 7 Year expiry, this new feature can be found when you log in to your Aeroplan account. Once logged, click on the 'Your Account' tab and about 1/3 of the way down there is a heading labeled "Account Expiry Status" and there you will find the link to inquire about when your non-redeemed miles are set to expire. The response is not automatic, you will receive an email within 3-4 business days with your mileage status or if they do not have an email address on file you can expect a letter to be sent to you within 20 business days.

Xiamen Airlines to join SkyTeam
The subsidiary of China Southern Airlines (already a member of SkyTeam) is planning on joining the SkyTeam alliance. The airline was approved for membership by the alliance and is slated to be a member by the end of 2012.

Delta and United Continental to raise bag fees again
This time the increase in bag fees is for International flights. The first checked bag still flies free but a second bag on United Continental has been increased to $70. Delta new charges are $60 for a second bag if checked online and $75 if checked at the airport. For Delta flights to Mexico and Central America the second bag no longer travels for free as they have now implemented a $30 fee.

Malaysia Airlines set to join OneWorld Alliance
Earlier this month MAS announced their plan to join the OneWorld Alliance and expects to have full membership within 12-18 months.

Continental & United agree to merge

Continental and United Airlines have agreed to merge the two airlines to create the worlds largest airline. Not too many details have been released and the deal will be subject to government approval. What we do know is that should the merger go through, the airline will be called United Airlines but will use the Continental colors and logo. Chicago will be the headquarters of the new airline however it appears Houston will be the main hub. At this point, the announcement does not affect any of the airlines flights or frequent flyer programs, both will continue to run independently until the merger closes, which is expected to happen by the end of 2010.

We will continue to keep our readers up to date on the merger, primarily on the frequent flyer side as more news develops. You can also visit the website created by CO and UA which details the merger.

Continental to offer extra legroom in Economy, for a fee

Rather then rehashing it, this is what I got in my recent email from Continental:

"On March 17, 2010, we’ll be introducing a new option allowing you to purchase seat assignments for unreserved, Economy Class seats that feature extra legroom. Depending on the type of aircraft and row, seats with extra legroom offer a minimum of seven additional inches of legroom.

You will have the ability to purchase seat assignments when checking in at continental.com or at an airport kiosk during the normal check-in period, beginning 24 hours prior to flight departure. The price of these extra legroom seats will vary depending on a number of factors, including the length of the flight and market.

Consider this choice when you want extra legroom for more comfort on your flight.

We appreciate your business and thank you for choosing Continental."

Three U.S. Majors raise luggage fees....again!

Continental, Delta and United have all followed US Airways lead and raised their checked luggage fees once again. This is at least the second time in the past twelve months that they have done this. As U.S. airlines continue to struggle financially they are finding that ancillary revenue streams such as checked luggage fees are lucrative and what help them keep afloat. The question is how much and how far are the airlines willing to push the customers to pay for these services that used to be free in the past and are still free on some airlines like Southwest and WestJet. Of course the airlines charging the fees hope that the customers become accustomed to the fees and in some ways many have, they want to travel, they need to travel and although they are not happy about it they pay the fees so that they can conduct their business or go on that much needed vacation.

By the way, the latest round of increases see the CO, DL and UA fees go to $25 for the first checked bag and $35 for the second. Discounts are available for those who prepay online. Elite Members of each airlines frequent flyer programs continue to be exempt from the checked luggage fees.

Continental Announces New OnePass Elite Benefits

This was received this an email from Continental last week. The following new benefits are being offered for Elite levels in Continental's OnePass program:

System-wide Upgrades
Platinum Elite members who earn at least 100,000 Elite Qualification Miles (EQMs) or 120 Elite Qualification Points (EQPs) will earn four, one-way electronic System-wide Upgrade certificates. These certificates can be used in conjunction with any published fare on Continental, Continental Micronesia or Copa Airlines flights and are not subject to additional fees.

New Elite level — OnePass Presidential Platinum Elite
Presidential Platinum is a new invitation-only Elite tier designed to reward Continental’s top Platinum Elite members with some exciting new benefits. Members who achieve this level will be given all the benefits of a Platinum Elite member, plus top priority in Elite Upgrade recognition and flight standby, a dedicated VIP phone line and 25,000 bonus miles.

The initial spending qualification will be $30,000*, and Elite members will be able to track their eligible spending at continental.com starting mid-year 2010.

*$30,000 is the inaugural spend threshold for 2010. In subsequent years, this threshold may change in order to preserve the exclusivity of this program.

October: a busy month for Rewards Canada and the Frequent Flyer Industry!

You may have noticed not much has gone on here on the Rewards Canada Blog for the past two weeks or so. We had been busy preparing for and attending the FFP-ARAC conference (Frequent Flyer Program - Ancillary Revenue Airline Conference) hence the lack of posts here or updates on the Frequent Flyer Bonuses Group of websites. Now we are back at it, bonuses are being posted on the websites as of Monday and I am ready to get back to blogging as well.

October 2009 has proven to be a busy month for the frequent flyer industry with loss of multiple FF programs and changes in the face of alliances. This month we have seen one of the worlds largest programs, Northwest's World Perks completely disappear as it has been fully integrated into Delta's SkyMiles program. In Europe, we lost two frequent flyer programs with Brussels Airlines Privilege program closing down and the airline joining parent company Lufthansa's Miles and More program. Finally TUIFly's Bluemiles program vanished on Oct 24 to become part of Air Berlin's Top Bonus program.

On the alliance front, the big news is Continental officially joining the Star Alliance. Most major airlines in the Star Alliance (United, Air Canada, Lufthansa as examples) have already or will be in the next week or so launching codeshares with Continental. As well all the frequent flyer programs have been connected so that members can earn and burn on Continental in their favorite program and vice versa for OnePass members.

Brussels Airlines has also announced that they should officially join the Star Alliance on Nov 9 with the same features outlined for Continental.

The only thing left to be announced this year on the Frequent Flyer program front is the launching of WestJet's reward program and I was assured by WestJet at the FFP-ARAC conference that it will happen before the end of 2009.

With that being said, I am happy to be back at the business of posting bonus offers and FFP news and hope that our readers are too.

Continental adds second bag fee for Transatlantic flights

Following in the footsteps of some other U.S. majors, Continental will charge $50 for a second checked bag on certain economy class tickets. The fee is effective as of Sep 15 for all tickets bought on or after Aug 27. If you pay online when booking your ticket, the price is reduced to $45. Elite members of Continental's OnePass program, First or Business class fares, Full fare Economy (Y Class), Continental PresidentialPlus and the military traveling on official orders are all exempt from the fee

Continental Airlines returns to Edmonton

In another Star Alliance connection, Continental will be returning to Edmonton as of November 2 with daily flights from Houston. Flights are timed to connect with Continental flights to Latin America and Southern U.S. and will be operated with a mix of Boeing 737-500s and 737-700s

Flight times as follows:
Edmonton-Houston Dep 0640 Arr 1156
Houston-Edmonton Dep 1800 Arr 2145

Continental sets Oct 27 as entry date into Star Alliance

From Continental email sent Aug 12:

Travel through Oct. 24, 2009
OnePass members can continue to earn and redeem miles and make reward reservations on SkyTeam partners through Oct. 24, 2009. All reward travel on these partners must be completed on or before Oct. 24, 2010.

Travel on Oct. 25 and Oct. 26, 2009
If you travel on a Star Alliance airline on Oct. 25 or Oct. 26, we will make every effort to ensure you automatically receive OnePass mileage credit (including Elite Qualification Miles/Points) and eligible customers receive lounge access. Please save copies of your travel documents for Oct. 25 and Oct. 26 — eTicket receipts and original boarding passes — until mileage credit is confirmed on your OnePass statement.

Travel Oct. 27, 2009 and beyond
When the transition to Star Alliance occurs on Oct. 27, 2009, OnePass members will begin earning base miles and Elite Qualification Miles/Points and be able to redeem miles on Star Alliance airlines.

Bonus Page Updates Jun 11, 09

Alaska Mileage Plan | Continental OnePass | Emirates Skywards | Hilton HHonors | Thai Airways Royal Orchid Plus | US Airways Dividend Miles

Overview
- Double Mileage Plan miles between Seattle and Atlanta or Houston
- Up to triple Skywards miles between Dubai and Luanda
- Double HHonors points for stays at the Beverly Hilton
- Double Royal Orchid miles between Bangkok and Oslo
- 2,000 bonus Dividend Miles on your first flight with US Airways

Bonus Page Updates May 21, 09

May 21, 09
China Airlines Dynasty Flyer | Continental OnePass | Delta SkyMiles | GoldpointsPlus | United Mileage Plus

Overview
- Earn 500 Bonus Dynasty Miles for using KIOSK or E-Checkin
- 20% Bonus OnePass miles when your transfer miles between OnePass accounts
- Earn up to 50,000 bonus SkyMiles on Delta's new international routes
- Earn 1,000 bonus Gold Points per night starting with your third night
- Earn double Mileage Plus miles for stays at 3 Langham Hotels locations.

Bonus Page Updates May 12-14, 09

May 14, 09
Continental OnePass | Marriott Rewards

May 13, 09
Best Western Rewards | Hilton HHonors | Sol Melia MaS Rewards | Turkish Miles and Smiles

May 12, 09
Czech Airlines OK Plus

Overview:
- Earn 500 bonus OnePass miles for booking CO flights online
- Various Reward Points or Free nights with Marriott's newest promo
- Complete update of the Best Western Rewards page with tons of new offers
- Complete update of the Hilton HHonors page with lots of new offers
- Double MaS Rewards for stays at the new Meliá Hotel de La Reconquista - Oviedo.
- Double Miles&Smiles miles for those under 24 on all flights for a week
- Earn up to 4,o00 bonus OK Plus miles between Toronto and Prague

Bonus Page Updates May 1, 09

May 1, 09
American AAdvantage | bmi Diamond Club | Continental OnePass

Overview
- Earn up to 15,000 bonus AAdvantage miles between New York and Tokyo or Zurich
- Earn double Diamond Club miles between London LHR and Cairo or Tel Aviv
-Targeted OnePass offers for first flight with Continental

Bonus Page Updates Apr 28 and 29, 09

Apr 29, 09
TAP Portugal Victoria

Apr 28, 09
Brussels Airlines Privilege | Continental OnePass | Delta SkyMiles | Emirates Skywards | Jet Airways JetPrivilege | Korean Air SkyPass

Overview
- Earn Triple Victoria miles for Avis Car rentals worldwide
- Double SkyMiles for Starwood stays in Australia
- Earn up to 7,500 Skywards Miles for United Flights between the U.S. and Sydney or London
- Earn up to Triple SkyPass miles for Accor Hotel stays Worldwide

Continental, Delta, Northwest all follow with bonus miles offers to the U.K.

If you are flying on Continental, Delta or Northwest and connecting to one of their flights that go to London, Manchester or Edinburgh you may be able to earn up to 50,000 bonus miles in their respective frequent flyer programs. All bonus offers until June 30 and require free registration

Continental earns:
* 50,000 Bonus Miles on BusinessFirst round-trip tickets purchased and flown in J, D and Z classes
* 25,000 Bonus Miles on select BusinessFirst or Economy Class round-trip tickets purchased in A, Y or B classes of service.
See the full details and link to the registration page here

Delta earns:
* 50,000 Bonus Miles for paid BusinessElite/Business Class (fare classes J/C/D/S/I on Delta-coded flights and J/C/I/Z on Northwest-coded flights)
* 25,000 Bonus Miles for paid Premium Economy Class (fare classes Y/B/M on Delta-coded flights and Northwest-coded flights)
See the full details and link to the registration page here

Northwest earns:
NW World Business Class (J/C/I/Z) DL Business Elite (J/C/D/S/I) and earn 50,000 bonus miles
F NW Coach (Y/B/M) DL Economy (Y/B/M) and earn 25,000 bonus miles
See the full details and link to the registration page here

Bonus Page Updates Apr 23 & 24

Apr 24 Pages with new and/or updated bonus offers
Accor A|Club | Delta SkyMiles | Hilton HHonors | Miles & More| Northwest WorldPerks| Priority Club |

Apr 23 Pages with new and/or updated bonus offers
Air Berlin Top Bonus | Air Jamaica 7th Heaven | Cathay Pacific Asia Miles | Continental OnePass | United Mileage Plus

Overview
- Earn up to 6,000 Bonus A|Club points for booking Accor stays online
- Earn up to 25,000 Bonus SkyMiles for non-flight partner activity
- Earn 10,000 bonus HHonors points for Conrad stays of 3 nights or more
- Earn Double Miles and More miles between Munich and Tel Aviv,
- Earn up to 25,000 Bonus WorldPerks miles for non-flight partner activity
- Get free Callaway golf equipment and up to 25,000 bonus Priority Club points for Crowne Plaza stays
- Earn Triple Flying Club miles for Hilton stays Worldwide
- Earn double Top Bonus miles for Best Western stays in Germany or Luxembourg
- Earn 500 7th Heaven Rewards miles for joining the program
- Complete update of the Asia Miles page
- Earn up to 50,000 Bonus OnePass miles for flying to the U.K.
- Earn Quadruple Mileage Plus miles for Shangri-La and Traders Hotels stays

Bonus Pages Updates Mar 27, 09

Mar 27, 09 Pages with new and/or updated bonus offers:
American AAdvantage | Continental OnePass | El Al Matmid Club | Midwest Miles | Miles & More | QANTAS Frequent Flyer

Overview
- Earn up to 50,000 bonus AAdvantage miles on U.S. to U.K. flights
- Earn double OnePass miles between Newark and Charlotte
- Earn 15-20 bonus Matmid miles on flights between Tel Aviv and Kiev
- Earn double Midwest miles when you fly on day the Milwaukee Brewers win
- Earn double Miles and More miles between Frankfurt Rzeszow
- Complete update of the QANTAS Frequent Flyer page with new flight, car and hotel offers

Bonus Page Updates Mar 25, 09

Mar 25, 09 Pages with new and/or updated bonus offers:
Brussels Airlines Privilege | Continental OnePass | Northwest WorldPerks | Priority Club | Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer | United Mileage Plus

Overview
- Earn double Privilege miles on your first two flights with Lufthansa and/or Swiss
- Earn double Elite Qualifying Status miles for flying on Continental
- Earn 1,000 bonus WorldPerks Miles for National Car rentals in the U.S. or Canada
- Complete update of the Priority Club pages with many new offers
- Receive a free future upgrade when you fly on any Singapore Airlines flight in an fare class that accrues miles.
- Earn double Elite Qualifying Status miles for flying on United

Most U.S. Majors now offering Elite Qualifying Bonuses

Following close on the heels of American Airlines Elite Qualifying offer launched last week, the rest of the major U.S. airlines have now launched their own Elite Qualifying offers for Spring 2009.

I have compiled all of them to date on one page on Rewards Canada and will continue to update it should more offers come up. You can visit the page here

To date these are the airlines with some sort of Elite Qualifying Offer
American
Continental
Delta
Midwest
Northwest
United