UA award tickets no longer have the $75 close-in fee, and some routes have already started to see higher redemption rates under “dynamic pricing.” For example, a domestic 8,000-mile route can now price as high as 15,000 miles. Dynamic pricing has not been rolled out across the board yet, but it probably will be soon. Meanwhile, the close-in fee is being replaced with miles:
- 3,500 miles for partner award flights
- 2,500 miles for bookings within seven days
- 2,000 miles for bookings between seven days and 26-27 days
- 1,500 miles for bookings between 26-27 and 30 days
An Example
XMN—PVG on partner Air China previously cost only 8,000 miles. Today, on 11.15, redemptions for 11.16 no longer show a Close-in fee, but the lowest near-term redemption rate is now 11,500 miles. Ticket prices do tend to be a bit higher closer to departure, matching the dynamic pricing model~Correction: the 3,500 miles is replacing the close-in fee; this is a UA change specifically for partner airlines.
For award bookings a bit farther out, off-peak ticket prices are cheaper, and for now they can still remain at 8,000 miles. For example, here is a January 2020 date I selected:
Then during Chinese New Year, which is peak season, ticket prices rise sharply. The redemption rate also appears to float, with miles climbing to 15,000:
