United MileagePlus (Consolidated) - Tripped Up by STL-ORD Leg on STL-FCO Award Booking?

Starting the work to book a trip to Italy next May. Since we are using points for hotel and flights (and want to fly Business), thought it best to start as soon as possible. Was pleased to see one-way booking as possibility, as I then didn't have to wait for return date to get first flight booked. Did some homework, and booking via CO (versus UA) seemed the better way for "saver" rate.

So, this weekend I booked two-one way tix, 50K each: STL-ORD-PHL-FCO. First leg UA coach, second and third US, first and Envoy respectively. Was hoping for one less plane change, but figure I'll keep an eye out, and change if anything opens up. (Also got first trip leg booked at Hilton Cavalieri - very psyched!)

Reviewing all confirmations this a.m., there's an alert on US site regarding a problem with flights - please call. Call CO, and issue is with the STL-ORD leg (which is coach anyway!). She moves me to a flight out of STL that is an hour earlier - not really averse to having extra time, given the ORD connection - and all seems fine.

Wait a couple hours and look at updated confirmations - what do I see but another "can't confirm the STL-ORD flight on an award tkt". Back on the phone with CO - none of the 5 one-hour flights from STL-ORD are available for award travel. Huh? US can get me from ORD-FCO in Business, and UA can't manage one hour in economy?

CO agent also very confused - speculated it might have something to do with consolidating schedules or some system glitch. Anyone else have similar experience or care to speculate? (In both cases, I received a confirmation from CO.) I am thinking it best to give it a few days and see what happens. CO agent says "we'll have to get you there", but I am afraid the routing could get even worse!

CO's systems can be wonky with partners.

I would verify you really have been removed off the STL-ORD flight before worrying about it. The only way to do that is to look at the UA side of the record. If the flight is there, you're on it, it's just CO that's not showing it.

CO's systems drop flights all the time. The key is figuring out if it's a hard drop (i.e., you're really not on the flight anymore), or a soft drop (i.e., you're still on the flight, it just no longer shows on CO's side).

That said, if you want to capitalize on CO's system issues, you could act freaked out and ask CO to force you on STL-EWR-FCO at the Saver rate.

CO's systems drop flights all the time. The key is figuring out if it's a hard drop (i.e., you're really not on the flight anymore), or a soft drop (i.e., you're still on the flight, it just no longer shows on CO's side).



Thanks - does indeed seem to be a soft drop.



That said, if you want to capitalize on CO's system issues, you could act freaked out and ask CO to force you on STL-EWR-FCO at the Saver rate.

Ha ha - tried that one pretty quickly. Got the big "oh no, we can't too that" even more quickly.

Prepping to book the return flight this weekend - it hurts my head to plan so far in advance! Then it will just be the six or so flight time/number changes between now and then.

Can't complain, though, will be a great trip - all the better for being point-based!!