As [merely] silver elite, traveling tomorrow on a codeshare with UA [TUS - LAX - DEN], I was not aware that I would have to check in at United. In the past, when traveling codeshare DL or HA, I always checked in on CO.com 24 hours in advance, selected the better seats and was done. Traveling from TUS, I usually scored the exit row for the connecting flight (usually out of IAH), since I was checking in hours earlier than the hordes traveling direct from the bigger city

Not so anymore. I have to go to UA.com to check in - I have slug status (meaning nothing) with UA. Once there, 23 hours and 57 minutes in advance but not only can I not select the preferred seats without paying E+ fees, I can't select the exit row at all.

I called the CO elite desk and the CSR told me UA doesn't let CO elite select those seats and CO doesn't let UA elites select them...AND I would have to pay UA baggage fees as my status did not apply on UA. Surely, I missed something here.

I called UA and this CSR said I WOULD get my complimentary bag check, but that I couldn't select the preferred seats - I had do it at the airport tomorrow.....which, hello, kinda defeats the purpose of checking in 24 hours in advance to select a seat towards the front, doesn't it? I know I am only silver, but the one benefit was being able to select the first row (yes, of coach), or the exit row at no charge.

I know I should pay better attention HERE, but I just don't have the time or energy to read everything every day. This flight is a pseudo MR to get the last miles to be silver again for next year...but if this is how it is gonna be, then what is the point?