United sells three-tier domestic first class from October 28, 2026

What happened

United began selling a Base domestic first class fare on October 28, 2026 that charges $199 to change and earns 0 MileagePlus award miles.

Live and Let's Fly priced a Los Angeles-Chicago Base fare at $724. Standard on the same flight was $804. Flexible was $984. The previous P fare was $744. Base appears $20 cheaper than before. Standard is $60 more than the old cheapest first class ticket. Standard restores free seat selection and 2 checked bags. Standard and Flexible have no change fee, though any fare difference still applies. The example Standard fare earned 2,202 award miles and 1 Premier qualifying flight. Flexible adds refundability and earned 2,703 miles. Base and Standard are not refundable.

Advance seat selection costs extra on Base. The fare includes 1 checked bag and earns 0 Premier qualifying flights. Eligible MileagePlus cardmembers can still earn bonus miles on the fare amount even when the ticket shows 0 award miles. Cash fares on United and United Express still count toward Lifetime Flight Miles.

Buy Standard rather than Base if the ticket needs to earn miles or a free change, and Flexible only when it must be refundable.

KEY FACTS

Starts

Oct 28, 2026

Numbers

$199: change fee on Base first class fares
$724: example Base first class fare on Los Angeles–Chicago
$804: example Standard first class fare on Los Angeles–Chicago
$984: example Flexible first class fare on Los Angeles–Chicago
0 miles: MileagePlus award miles on Base in the example
2,202 miles: MileagePlus award miles on Standard in the example
2,703 miles: MileagePlus award miles on Flexible in the example
$80: extra cost of Standard versus Base in the example
11%: Standard versus Base price increase in the example
$180: extra cost of Flexible versus Standard in the example
$744: previous P fare on the tracked flight
$20: how much cheaper Base appeared versus the prior cheapest first class fare
$60: how much more Standard appeared versus the prior cheapest first class fare

Where

Los Angeles–Chicago

Who qualifies

Anyone booking United domestic first class; cash fares on United and United Express, including these restricted premium fares, still count toward Lifetime Flight Miles

Takeaway

Price Standard (or Flexible if you need a refund) instead of Base whenever you care about award miles, a seat assignment, a second bag or avoiding a $199 change fee.