United’s ‘basic’ business class will earn Basic Economy miles

United Airlines’ new unbundled Polaris Base business class fares will come with a sting – in fact, two stings – for frequent flyers.

Polaris Base rates will launch “in select markets this month”, ahead of a staged network-wide expansion throughout this year.

We already know that Polaris Base fares won’t include access to United’s exclusive Polaris Lounges, although United Clubs – and the business class lounges of Star Alliance member airlines – will still roll out the welcome mat.

Checked luggage will be restricted to a single bag, you’ll have to pay to select your seat, and Polaris Base ticket won’t permit changes or refunds.

Frequent flyers can live with some of these restrictions, especially as their MileagePlus Premier or Star Alliance Gold status is expected to still permit advance seat selection and a complimentary second checked bag.

Business class ticket, economy basic miles

However, United has revealed to Executive Traveller that its entry-level Polaris Base business class fare will earn MileagePlus Miles at the same rate as a Basic Economy fare.

“Miles for the new basic Polaris fares will earn at the Basic Economy rate, so it will be lower earn for that fare group,” a United spokesperson confirmed to Executive Traveller.

This rock-bottom earning rate will also apply to Premium Plus Base premium economy fares.

United Basic Economy tickets earn zero miles for travellers without MileagePlus Premier status, and between 2 and 6 miles per US$ spent on the base fare and surcharges (excluding taxes) from Premier Gold to Premier 1K.

So those same rates will apply to Polaris Base and Premium Plus Base tickets.

By comparison, standard Polaris and Premium Plus tickets start at a non-member earn rate of 3 miles per dollar, with 5 miles for Premier Silver, 6 miles for Premier Gold, 7 miles for Premier Platinum and 9 miles for Premier 1K.

This reduced mileage earn is the norm for airlines which have unbundled business class.

PQP yes, PQF no

The new unbundled business class and premium economy fares also won’t count as a Premier Qualifying Flight (PQF), which is one of the two metrics by which United determines MileagePlus Premier status.

Polaris Base and Premium Plus Base tickets will still attract Premier Qualifying Points (PQPs), which are awarded at 1 PQP per dollar spent.

“PQPs are based on spend, so they will earn less PQP but the rate of PQP is the same as other fares,” the United spokesperson said, however, “these fares will not earn PQF.”

To attain Premier status or leap from one tier to the next requires a combination of Premier Qualifying Points and Premier Qualifying Flights, or a much higher tally of Premier Qualifying Points.

For the sweet spot of Premier Gold, that’s 30 PQFs and 10,000 PQPs or 12,000 PQPs.

Business class savings, or the same entry-level?

As noted in our report on Polaris Base, United has not yet revealed how much cheaper its Polaris Base business class fares will be, compared to the current entry-level Standard fare – if indeed they are any cheaper.

The United Airlines spokesperson declined to share any Polaris Base pricing ahead of the launch on selected routes later this month.

However, United overnight released Polaris Base fares to South American destinations, showing an average gap between Base and Standard of US$$400.

It’s perhaps notable that United’s media release announcing the debut of the new Base tier didn’t even dangle the prospect of cheaper or more affordable fares.

Instead, the airline said only that “the base category offers customers the lowest price point.”

Industry observers note the arrival of an unbundled fare category triggers a broad tendency for fares to rise overall.

In the case of United Airlines, this could mean the price attached to today’s cheapest Polaris Standard fare slides down to become the Polaris Base price, so as to lure passengers into upgrading to a higher fare to get the full business class experience – especially when it comes to the safety net of changes and refunds.

Also read: Amazing United Premier Gold status shortcut – no flying required!