Thanks for all the insights. I decided to play it safe and called MP again to get rerouted. The agent couldn't find any other YYG-SFO routings with award availability, but agreed with me that the 43-minute transborder connection is a recipe for trouble.
Knowing that she'd probably see more options from a city with more United metal, I suggested connecting in YYZ. After a lengthy hold, she got a supervisor to approve routing me YYG-YYZ-ORD-SFO (AC then UA and UA), apparently on flights with no award availability. ^ She did have to collect $13 in additional taxes due to the routing change, but that was a small price to pay for the peace of mind of lengthier connections.
Originally Posted by
emcampbe
I'm not sure I've heard of Starnet blocking on AC. It's possible, but is usually reserved for the longhaul stuff, I thought.
That very well may be; the agent I just spoke with said there was no award availability but did not deny the existence of those flights.