US Airways Dividend Miles (Pre-2005 America West merger) - Why are *A awards available to AC but not US?

:( I understand that US DM members have better access to US awards than other *A. Same goes for all *A programs. But my understanding was that if a seat on a LH flight was available to an AC Aeroplan holder, it would be available to a US DM holder. I am looking for an LH or LH/BD award from FRA-EDI and back. AC is showing wide-open award availability on their system online which shows *A awards. US has nothing - coach or business. I'm confused.

Star Awards are not displayed on US' website. You need to call and speak with an agent. Awards come from the same class of service so the same inventory will be available.

WRT higher priority for each program's own members, I believe this is only the case with certain airlines (for a standard award)- UA and LH off the top of my head. US and AC are not among them - the same seats can be claimed by a FFP member of any Star carrier including the airline's own. However, US premium awards are only available to Dividend Miles members, AC Avenue awards are only available to Aeroplan members, etc.

I called twice (as I thought the first agent seemed a little unknowledgable) and was just trying to use a 20K intra-Europe coach award which was showing a dozen options under Star-Alliance Awards on the AC website. Both US agents said nothing available. That's why I'm confused - even if LH did give there own members better availability like UA, why would an LH flight be available to AC members but not US?

STS --

I understood your first post and can respond that several of us have also reported similar findings here on FT. I have not seen an OFFICIAL response from US or other *A carriers on this topic, but know your situation to be not out of the ordinary.

Beats me why AC members can access LH inventory while US members can't. Seen it before, though. :(

:) the FT rule of if you don't like the answer, hang up and call again came true this time as well

On the fourth attempt, the agent once again said no go on my *A itin (though AC was showing full avail). She said, let me try something else and said she would send a manual confirmation request. 90 seconds later, I had the exact flights I wanted.

so I don't have a clue as to what on earth requires a manual request but it's a good lesson for *A bookings to ask for them to request confirmation - it worked quickly and got me what originally was supposedly sold out