United MileagePlus (Consolidated) - QF ticket vs UA ticket ?

My Travel Agent incorrectly booked my upcoming BNE-SFO trip on two separate tickets: a QF RT BNE-SYD and UA SYD-SFO. I quickly asked them to ticket the whole thing on UA as a single PNR, which they said they had done. I got the e-ticket receipt today and much to my surprise they actually ticketed the entire thing on QF (081 stock). I'm surprised that QF could/would ticket this itin. That aside is there any practical difference to what I can expect from UA being on a QF ticket rather than a UA ticket?

I'm a lowly general member these days if that affects anything. (And not looking forward to my first transpac in E- <sigh> )

(And not looking forward to my first transpac in E- <sigh> )

Yes, that would be miserable! You might consider buying the E+ option on the United flight at least...

Other than the fact that it's probably ended up being more expensive due to being booked as two separate fares (QF don't have any fares BNE-SFO that allow travel on UA for the long-haul, where UA does have BNE-SFO fares that allow travel on QF) there really shouldn't be any impact.

I would suggest checking on the QF website to make sure that it's listing all flights (including UA) just to make sure it's been booked correctly - otherwise if nothing else you're going to have problems interlining your bags.

Other than the fact that it's probably ended up being more expensive due to being booked as two separate fares (QF don't have any fares BNE-SFO that allow travel on UA for the long-haul, where UA does have BNE-SFO fares that allow travel on QF) there really shouldn't be any impact.

I would suggest checking on the QF website to make sure that it's listing all flights (including UA) just to make sure it's been booked correctly - otherwise if nothing else you're going to have problems interlining your bags.

QF website shows full itinerary (just as it does when the ticket is booked on UA stock (016)).

Surprisingly the fare is not only cheaper than the original two-ticket itinerary, but also cheaper than what the agent's online tool had been showing me as a UA fare.

Interlining on the outbound would not be an issue even if two tickets if both are on QF stock. Interlining on the inbound isn't an issue period :)

That aside is there any practical difference to what I can expect from UA being on a QF ticket rather than a UA ticket?

Nope.

You are subject to some QF policies rather than UA policies when it comes to handling changes and such but otherwise really not much of a difference.

The real mystery is why a GM, not locked into UA for any reason, would choose to fly UA on a trans-Pacific :confused:

Surprisingly the fare is not only cheaper than the original two-ticket itinerary, but also cheaper than what the agent's online tool had been showing me as a UA fare.)

Interesting... wonder if the YQ component got messed up somehow. Both QF and UA should have $680 in YQ, but is occasionally gets missed/undercharged for tickets like this...

The real mystery is why a GM, not locked into UA for any reason, would choose to fly UA on a trans-Pacific :confused:
The OP's handle doesn't suggest that they are UA GM.

E+ could be the major reason, cost the other.

QF's coach seats are definitely unbearable, so despite the old and ugly 747s of UA and their policy of not avoiding turbulence,I'd still prefer them.

The OP's handle doesn't suggest that they are UA GM.

No, but this does :

Programs: UA Nobody :(

No, but this does :

Programs: UA Nobody :(

As does this "I'm a lowly general member these days" :)

As to the why ... well it surprised me a little too as for the first time I didn't feel that I'd have to take UA. But my itinerary is actually more involved than what I outlined and trying to do it on non-UA was a real PITA schedule wise. Then on top of that was price - which is the main reason because I have to take the lowest reasonable fare, and non-UA priced out around $3000 vs $2400, and in fact ticketed for only $2300.

As for the E+ buy-up ... it is $159 for an aisle SYD-SFO. Just wondering how else I might spend that kind of cash to improve my travel experience. It is out of my pocket afterall.

Aside: hadn't realized they classified all the bulkhead and exit-row seats as E+ these days.

Interesting... wonder if the YQ component got messed up somehow. Both QF and UA should have $680 in YQ, but is occasionally gets missed/undercharged for tickets like this...

YQ component of AUD$685 listed. Base fare was $1393 (which includes additional leg to BOS). Fare basis KLE0ZCC0.

As does this "I'm a lowly general member these days" :)

As to the why ... well it surprised me a little too as for the first time I didn't feel that I'd have to take UA. But my itinerary is actually more involved than what I outlined and trying to do it on non-UA was a real PITA schedule wise. Then on top of that was price - which is the main reason because I have to take the lowest reasonable fare, and non-UA priced out around $3000 vs $2400, and in fact ticketed for only $2300.

As for the E+ buy-up ... it is $159 for an aisle SYD-SFO. Just wondering how else I might spend that kind of cash to improve my travel experience. It is out of my pocket afterall.

Aside: hadn't realized they classified all the bulkhead and exit-row seats as E+ these days.

$159 is barely ten bucks an hour, and worthwhile in my view, even if E+ on a 744 is a stingy 34". If you can nab an exit row, definitely worth it. But if you can think of better ways to spend $160 then don't feel obliged to do it just because some guy on flyertalk told you to. I've flown SYD-LAX and SYD-SFO a whole lot of times on a whole lot of airlines and almost always in regular economy, and it's perfectly survivable. Some people are just precious princesses. :cool:

..But if you can think of better ways to spend $160 then don't feel obliged to do it just because some guy on flyertalk told you to..
Well now that the OP is a GM, they have a real shot at a Biz TOD. And that is of course worth much more than the roughly 4 times less paid for E+ .