Other Asian, Australian and South Pacific Frequent Flyer Programs - Does CA interline with UA?

Having read some new regulations leading to a few airlines stop interlining bags on separate tickets (in US forums on US & LX metals amongst others), does CA still interline with UA? Any recent experience appreciated. TIA.

LAX

Having read some new regulations leading to a few airlines stop interlining bags on separate tickets (in US forums on US & LX metals amongst others), does CA still interline with UA? Any recent experience appreciated. TIA.

LAX

What route?

Yes CA interlines with UA, I did it 1.5 weeks ago(and several weeks before that). However like many other places, if you move domestic to international you will have to pickup your bags and recheck them.

Yes CA interlines with UA, I did it 1.5 weeks ago(and several weeks before that). However like many other places, if you move domestic to international you will have to pickup your bags and recheck them.

Did you book through UA?

I'm trying to book a combined UA/CA ticket through UA and having real problems. UA said to book two separate tickets, but that leaves me in a jam if there's any delays between the two tickets.

I did book through UA, sometimes just feed it as a multi segment trip

I did book through UA, sometimes just feed it as a multi segment trip

I actually called. I got an itinerary on ITA, just couldn't seem to get dates that UA.com was happy with, no matter what I tried. Agent said (yesterday) that I had a reservation, but it would take 24 hours for CA to get back. Tonight I call, just to double check everything's OK before I purchase (reservation expires at midnight tonight).

Tonight's agent says the first agent did it wrong, that if there's no confirm from CA in 12 hours, it means the flights are full/unavailable. She suggests cancelling and rebooking as two separate tickets, one on UA, one on someone else. I went straight to the CA website (and Kayak) and found the flights and they don't appear sold out. I don't want to book as two separate tickets because then I have no protection.

When you booked online, was there any delay? Did it just go through with all legs?

I don't want to book through Kayak or a TA, because if there's any issues, I want to be dealing directly with the airlines (on one PNR).

What route?

It's PEK-LAX on CA then LAX-ORD/IAH on UA. My friend hasn't booked the second ticket yet because of what has been posted in the US forum. If CA doesn't interline with UA (on separate tickets), then he will need to build a bigger cushion between the flights. BTW, what would be considered a safe connection at LAX (international to domestic)? TIA.

LAX

It's PEK-LAX on CA then LAX-ORD/IAH on UA. My friend hasn't booked the second ticket yet because of what has been posted in the US forum. If CA doesn't interline with UA (on separate tickets), then he will need to build a bigger cushion between the flights. BTW, what would be considered a safe connection at LAX (international to domestic)? TIA.

LAX

Will he be checking bags? Does he have Global Entry? Elite status?

I would allow 3 hours (or more). He'll have to clear immigration - without GE, that could be a while. If he has checked bags, he'll have to pick them up, get in line again for customs, and then re-check them (pretty quick). I'm guessing he'll have to change terminals. You can check terminal maps to see how far apart the terminals are, but I'd allow at least 10-15 minutes there. Then he'll have to go through TSA again. If he's elite, that will save time in line.

It's PEK-LAX on CA then LAX-ORD/IAH on UA. My friend hasn't booked the second ticket yet because of what has been posted in the US forum. If CA doesn't interline with UA (on separate tickets), then he will need to build a bigger cushion between the flights. BTW, what would be considered a safe connection at LAX (international to domestic)? TIA.

LAX

If the destination is ORD, your friend might consider booking a nonstop on AA or UA, and perhaps adding a hidden city. But, miles are generally the best way to play the game during the summer.

I actually called. I got an itinerary on ITA, just couldn't seem to get dates that UA.com was happy with, no matter what I tried. Agent said (yesterday) that I had a reservation, but it would take 24 hours for CA to get back. Tonight I call, just to double check everything's OK before I purchase (reservation expires at midnight tonight).

Tonight's agent says the first agent did it wrong, that if there's no confirm from CA in 12 hours, it means the flights are full/unavailable. She suggests cancelling and rebooking as two separate tickets, one on UA, one on someone else. I went straight to the CA website (and Kayak) and found the flights and they don't appear sold out. I don't want to book as two separate tickets because then I have no protection.

When you booked online, was there any delay? Did it just go through with all legs?

I don't want to book through Kayak or a TA, because if there's any issues, I want to be dealing directly with the airlines (on one PNR).


It went through in a few moments.

I had additional multiple additional CA segments in china, and multiple extra UA segments in the US, and had no issue. This is still a case of all being booked on the same itin. 2 years ago I did a split ticket and it went through as well. UA and CA seems to be pretty well integrated as far as booking goes, I've never had an issue buying from them including CA segments in economy, business, or first.

Yes CA interlines with UA, I did it 1.5 weeks ago(and several weeks before that). However like many other places, if you move domestic to international you will have to pickup your bags and recheck them.

Did CA arrive in T2? If so, where did you drop off the through-checked bags? TIA.

LAX

Did CA arrive in T2? If so, where did you drop off the through-checked bags? TIA.

LAX

You have to take them around to UA to drop off, yep switch terminals. But they will be tagged already and just need a scan. I had to do this on the way out, but it otherwise went all the way. I am not a master of LAX by any means so don't take this as the final answer, there may be an easier way to recheck the bags!

Did CA arrive in T2? If so, where did you drop off the through-checked bags? TIA.

LAX

You have to walk out of Terminal two, take A bus (terminal connections) to UA in #6 (elite) or #7 (non elite check in), or walk (across the parking lot is the direct route). Waiting for various times in Terminal 2, it various from 10 min, to over an hour

You have to walk out of Terminal two, take A bus (terminal connections) to UA in #6 (elite) or #7 (non elite check in), or walk (across the parking lot is the direct route). Waiting for various times in Terminal 2, it various from 10 min, to over an hour

Thanks. What's the point of interlining if I have to drag everything over to T6 & recheck them?

LAX

My experience has been that if you tried to book interline CA numbered revenue flight on UA ticket stock(for example EWR-PEK-some chinese city on 016 tkt) you will have problems. But if you book your seat on the UA code-share CA flight, you should be fine, and the seat should confirm immediately in most cases. But the fare is usually high fare if you try to book in advance because CA does not release their discounted seats to UA until one month till departure.

This past weekend I had PEK-DLC-NRT. (CA->NH) All on 1 ticket.

I was checking in with CA at PEK T3 and none of the agents even had a clue what interlining was. They insisted that I had to pick up my bag in DLC and check it in with NH again. Granted, it wasn't a connection with UA but the point was that the CA staff were unfamiliar with the process regardless of what the connecting airline was which should be a pretty standard procedure. When I gave them my UA *G card to at least get my Priority Tag on it, they even proceeded to enter it in the reservation as UN rather than UA (2nd time I've had CA do that now). At least it was the 2nd bag to come off the belt in DLC, so didn't have to wait at all, just had to lug it to the check-in counters again.

This past weekend I had PEK-DLC-NRT. (CA->NH) All on 1 ticket.


Just out of curiosity, why did you subject yourself to that routing?

Just out of curiosity, why did you subject yourself to that routing?

Holiday weekend in Japan and award ticket. Even revenue tickets are either very high or zeroed out on our holiday weekends on the non-stops from Beijing/Shanghai/Hong Kong/Taipei if you're not planning weeks or months in advance, getting award tickets on the direct route is nearly impossible, however DLC/TAO/HGH/CAN-NRT are much less of a problem