Originally Posted by
iahphx
So it seems like all the major Chinese airlines are joining the "big 3" international alliances.
On my upcoming trip, I'll be flying domestic flights on China Eastern (Skyteam) and Air China (Star). I hold "Elite Plus" status in Skyteam and "Gold" status in Star. As a practical matter, does this get me anything on these airlines?
I presume I have lounge access. But it's hard to get reliable lounge information. Skyteam doesn't list any China lounges in their directory. Star seems to indicate that Air China has lounges in (at the least) Beijing and Chengdu. Does anyone maintain, in English, a "master China lounge index"?
BTW, in Shanghai, I'm flying to Canada on AC. Is there a Star Alliance lounge there that makes sense to use?
Other than lounge access, do I get anything? I presume no upgrades, right? What about elite seating, or preboard? If I buy my ticket on ctrip or elong (I have no idea the fare class) will I earn ff miles? And will they actually post? I did call China Eastern on their USA phone number and put in my DL ff number. The agent seemed to know what to do. She said no advance seat assignments, however.
Thanks.
I can only comment on *A for elite.
Most of the decent sized airports have a CA lounge that you'll be able to use with your *A flights.
On the Int'l flight from PVG, at check-in, they usually give me a pass to a specific lounge which is near the gate.
On domestic flts, you'll be able to use the *Gold or F check-in lane which often has a minimal line.
I've always gotten mile credit for my CA flts all purchased on elong or ctrip, 50% credit for classes: L Q G S
V U W there's no credit for classes: X I O R N T E, 100% credit for all classes above these. If my number isn't on the record, I show my UA card and they put the number on at check-in, they're pretty used to it.
Though check your BP to see that your FF# is entered correctly, they once entered UNxxx instead of UAxxx and it took a lot to get the miles.
I've also gotten credit for all the flts eligible for DL miles.
No upgrades, no elite seating, no advance seating on discount tkts.