US Airways Dividend Miles - Seat bookings on UA codeshare flight

I am trying to book a flight from HKG to SFO.

Turns out that if I book with US Airways (codeshare US8516), I save $200 and I end up in higher booking class with more miles accruing than if I booked the same flight (UA862) on the United site.

The only glitch is that the US Airways site won't let me book a seat since it's a codeshare flight.

Does anyone know whether - after I book on US Airways without a seat assignment - United will allow me to book a seat online or via their call centre?

Few days ago I booked flight on US and friend of mine booked the same flights on UA. He couldn't select the seats. So I called, gave US agent US confirmation that I've got from him and she put us together on all flights.

So if you book US code share call US to select the seats.

Thanks for your reply. Does anyone know whether my US booking reference/confirmation number will work on the UA website or the UA call centre?

Few days ago I booked flight on US and friend of mine booked the same flights on UA. He couldn't select the seats. So I called, gave US agent US confirmation that I've got from him and she put us together on all flights.

So if you book US code share call US to select the seats.

This only works if the flight is operated by US. US cant assign seats for flights operated by UA.

Thanks for your reply. Does anyone know whether my US booking reference/confirmation number will work on the UA website or the UA call centre?

Most of the time I've found that it will but that was before the website merger. I'd say call US and get the UA confirmation #, then go to the UA website to do seating.

...call US and get the UA confirmation #, then go to the UA website to do seating.

That works ... it is what I do too.

It depends. If you give them your United MP# then the United system will see the flights immediately and you can then use United to select your seats. Otherwise, get the United booking number and call United..

This only works if the flight is operated by US. US cant assign seats for flights operated by UA.



Most of the time I've found that it will but that was before the website merger. I'd say call US and get the UA confirmation #, then go to the UA website to do seating.

This has been my experience as well.

Thanks for all the advice everyone. Flyertalk is great.

I have to call US to get UA's PNR, then go to .bomb to assign seats. I usually switch FF# to UA's, change my seats to E+, then switch back to US FF#. Oh, and the seats on usairways.com update in a couple of days.

This is all correct. US will have a PNR for the flight as will United. I don't recall if US has the UA PNR, but United certainly will. Call UA with your flight info (flight number, name, dates) and they should be able to 1) give you your United PNR, 2) give you seat assignments, and 3) confirm if your DM number is registering.