Star Alliance - Points on Air China? SAS?

Should my son use his United Mileage Plus number on hs flight on Air China? We called the travel agency that booked the flights and they said it wouldn't take in their system and to call Air China.

He is also flying SAS to Germany later- should he add his United Mileage Plus number as well?

Should my son use his United Mileage Plus number on hs flight on Air China? We called the travel agency that booked the flights and they said it wouldn't take in their system and to call Air China.

He is also flying SAS to Germany later- should he add his United Mileage Plus number as well?

If MP is his primary freqeuent flyer program, then yes he should -- assuming he wants to earn mileage and the purchased tickets are eligible for mileage accrual?

Thanks- I have no idea if they are- but I figure it won't hurt to add.

Hopefully, the Air China/SAS CSR or gate agent's will be able to to use your son's UA MP number in honoring your son's request for crediting his MP account.

Have your son check his boarding pass to see if his MP number is printed on it.

If the miles do get posted to Air China, their is a way to have them transferred to United, but its tricky and combersome to do, so at the risk of repeating myself, have him check his BP, and if it does not show them, have the gate agent update the record.

In any case, with any travel, keep your boarding pass until after the miles have been credited. Given all the merger related IT issues with United, I'd say he should keep them for at least two months AFTER they have been posted, in case they "disappear."

Thanks- I have called both the travel agency that issued the ticket and Air China and neither have been able to add it. His first leg is ORD to LAX which says Air China operated by United. This is a dumb question, but when we get to ORD does he check in at United or do we look for Air China? Also, I can't figure out was his luggage allowance is- Air China or United.
Will make sure he saves his boarding passes.

If the flight is operated by United, he should check in with UA. He can also checkin 24 hours earlier on the United website and enter his details (passport #), choose seat, add his MP #, etc.

Always check in with that Operates the first leg so in your case Air China Operated by United you would check in with United. Rule of thumb when connecting between 2 different airlines under the same alliance or codeshare the baggage rules of the first carrier applies for all flights so for your case it would be United baggage rules that apply because with the interline between Air China and United your bags should automatically get transferred to Air China because the first leg is not an international flight.

Thank you so much- I don't fly much internationally and the few trips I have taken were non-stop. Will the luggage on the first leg be on domestic or international rules. Since he's going ORD-LAX-PEK-PVG is his luggage checked straight through? Or will he pick it up to clear customs in PEK?

Since your son is transferring to a domestic flight in Beijing and your son will have to go through customs that means he'll have to pick up the bag he checked and re check it in for the domestic flight in the domestic terminal. The luggage on the first leg from ORD-LAX should transfer to the international flight he will just have to re check it in Beijing. Also if he isn't able to get his MP # in before the flight save the boarding pass after and you can request mileage through United website:http://www.united.com/web/enUS/content/contact/mileageplus/RequestMileageCredit.aspx

Thank you all so much- being 20 he just assumes this will all work out. And it probably will.

Thanks- Air China miles have not posted- but he sent me pictures of his boarding pass and I have requested credit- looks like he was not able to get the Mileage Plus number added at the airport. Would never have done this if not for flyertalk. Thanks.

And the points have posted! Thank you all.