Excursionist Perk eliminated; instant elite upgrades on full-fare economy ended

Effective August 21, 2025 (announced May 21, 2025), United eliminated the Excursionist Perk — the free one-way segment on qualifying multi-city award itineraries that had replaced free stopovers in 2016 — for all new bookings, with existing bookings honored unless changed. The same date, Premier members lost instant upgrades at ticketing on full-fare Y, B, and M economy fares. United also removed its fixed mileage upgrade award chart from its website on November 24, 2025, shifting mileage upgrades toward variable pricing.