Even if you don’t know where you’re going. Here’s why.

Some mileage award level changes go into effect on Oct. 13—and the closer the date, the greater the rush to redeem miles. We outlined many of the changes in the May 2006 First Class Flyer, but here are several examples of the increases:

• Business Class Saver Awards to Europe stay put, but Standard Awards increase from 150,000 to 180,000 miles.
• Regular First Class Saver Awards jump from 100,000 to 125,000 miles; Standard Awards increase 20,000 miles to 220,000.
• Asia: Rates don’t change for Saver Awards, but Standard Business Class awards skyrocket from 150,000 to 200,000 miles, and First Class from 200,000 to 240,000 miles.
• Australia: Business and First Class Saver Awards increase 20,000 miles each, while Business Class Standard Awards also soar from 150,000 to 220,000 (47%) miles; First Class Standard Awards jump from 200,000 to 270,000 (35%).
• Booking now is almost risk-free because United allows you to change the dates for up to a year at no charge. Changing the destination will cost $100.

Worst-case scenario: You don’t take the flights in which case you just redeposit the miles for $75. It’s your fee to hedge the increases.

Advanced tip: Make some of your “placeholder” bookings at the Saver Award level and some at the Standard (double miles for unrestricted travel) level. Decide which award to use, based on seat availability, when you make your plans definite. Keep the routing the same and you’ll avoid a change fee.

Current award charts: www.united.com/page/middlepage/0,6823,1137,00.html

New award charts: www.united.com/awardchanges