United changes frequent-flier program

United Airlines on Tuesday announced changes to its frequent-flier program that mirror those made by Delta Air Lines earlier this year, basing miles earned on the amount spent rather than miles flown.

The Chicago Tribune reports United’s new MileagePlus program’s switch to frequent-flier awards based on fares, rather than miles flown, will take effect on March 1, 2015, and will apply to flights on United, United Express and most United-issued tickets for the airline’s partners.

United is the busiest airline serving Hawaii, and flew more than 2 million passengers to the Islands in 2012, according to PBN research.

The Chicago Tribune reports Brian Karimzad, director of MileCards.com, says American Airlines, which is the only major carrier that continues to use miles flown as a basis for rewards, will likely also switch to a dollar-based system, although that likely won’t happen until American completes its merger with US AIrways.

From the Hawaii Business News site: http://ow.ly/xR5jm