By Bryce Casson, Founder · Cardocrat · Updated June 2026
The short answer: United removed its published award chart on November 15, 2019, switching its own flights to dynamic, demand-based pricing with no minimum or maximum. Award costs have crept up since, with some routes and partner premium cabins rising sharply, though partner saver awards still follow legacy chart levels, which is where the value now hides.
The 2019 chart removal
On November 15, 2019, United stopped publishing an award chart and began pricing its own award seats dynamically, sliding costs up when demand is high. Like Delta before it, this removed the predictability that let members plan, and opened the door to steady increases on United-operated flights. See best ways to use United miles.
Where the devaluation has hit
United-operated awards have risen unevenly but clearly. Business class to Japan went from around 70,000 to 100,000 miles, economy to Europe from roughly 30,000 to 40,000, and in 2024 some short-haul partner business fares within Europe and Asia jumped by up to 200 percent. Dynamic pricing means the worst increases land on the most popular flights and dates. See dynamic pricing.
Where value remains
The saving grace is that United still prices partner awards, and the saver baseline, largely on the old chart levels, so Star Alliance partner business class booked through MileagePlus can still be reasonable when saver space is open. The play is to use MileagePlus miles for partner saver awards, not dynamically priced United metal on peak dates. See United Polaris guide and the devaluation overview.
Frequently asked questions
When did United remove its award chart?
November 15, 2019. United stopped publishing an award chart and moved its own flights to dynamic, demand-based pricing with no minimum or maximum award cost.
Did United partner awards get more expensive?
Partner saver awards still largely follow legacy chart levels, so they remain the best value, but some partner premium fares have risen, with short-haul business within Europe and Asia up to 200 percent higher in 2024.
Are United miles dynamically priced?
United-operated flights are, with no chart and prices that float with demand. Partner awards still price on a chart, so the value in MileagePlus now lives in Star Alliance partner saver redemptions.
How do I get value from United miles?
Use them for partner saver business class when space is open, rather than dynamically priced United metal on peak dates. Saver and partner pricing stayed closer to the old chart, while United own awards have devalued.
Bryce Casson, Founder of Cardocrat. Every card is ranked by what it actually returns, with all points valued at a flat 1 cent and offers verified against issuer sources. About the author.
