United Alters MileagePlus Benefits

November 19, 2014 MileagePlus announcements MileagePlus is making several announcements today.  2015 Premier® benefits  Traveler benefits on award tickets MileagePlus members will be notified via the monthly MileagePlus statement email and information posted on united.com. 1. Premier benefits 2015 MileagePlus Premier benefit changes As of February 1, 2015, the following MileagePlus Premier benefits will change a. Baggage: Premier Gold members traveling on domestic Economy tickets will only receive two (2) complimentary checked bags, changed from the current allowance of three (3). b. Global Entry payment reimbursement: MileagePlus members will no longer receive a payment code for the $100 Global Entry application fee. c. Mileage Upgrade Award on Premium Service (p.s.) routes: Premier members will no longer be exempt from the co-pay when requesting a MileagePlus Upgrade Award on the p.s. route (JFK to/from LAX or SFO). Read more here.    2. Traveler benefits on award tickets Effective April 15, 2015, Premier travel benefits for customers traveling on an award ticket for United- and United Express®-operated flights will be determined by the traveler's own Premier status, even if another member's miles were used to purchase the award ticket. Read more here. English: united.com/copaupdates   united.com

Airlines on Track to Rake in $50 Billion in Fees in 2014

Airfares that are quoted are only a percentage of the actual cost of travel.  Increasingly, airlines who never miss any opportunities to tack on a multitude of fees, will end up collecting about $50 billion in 2014 just on ancillary fees.  The trend will continue in 2015 and beyond.  Fees represent the biggest source of new revenue for airlines and will grow about 15% annually for the foreseeable future. www.premieretravel.com