United MileagePlus is updating how members book multi-city award travel and handle award flight changes or cancellations. Beginning Oct. 6, members will be able to build multi-city award itineraries with search filters tailored for that purpose. Rather than the former Round-the-World award option, members can now book multiple one-way awards to assemble a multi-city trip.
The program introduces the Excursionist Perk, which provides a free one-way award flight within eligible multi-city award itineraries that contain three or more one-way award flights. This new benefit replaces previous stopover policies; discounted stopovers are discontinued.
United is also changing how flight change and redeposit fees are assessed. Fees will depend on how far in advance a new flight is booked relative to the original flight date. For general (non-status) members, changes made 61 days or more before the original flight date carry a $75 fee; changes made 60 days or less before the original flight date carry a $125 fee. Premier Silver members will pay $50 and $100 under the same timing bands. Premier Gold members will pay $25 and $75. Premier Platinum members will pay $0 for changes made 61 days or more in advance and $50 for changes within 60 days. Premier 1K and United Global Services members will not be charged change fees at any time.
For members outside the United States, change fees will be processed in local currency. These fee and booking changes also take effect Oct. 6.