Originally Posted by
TravellingMan
Every time I have asked for a paper certificate, they have asked me for all the flight details, record locator number and such. So nothing has changed there. The printing it on the certificate is what has changed. It is not about the secondary market, it is about revenue leakage from UA to LH.
The last time I did this, October 2012, I was required to give a valid LH PNR as a requirement to get the certificates. I had asked for them, first, before booking, and my request was refused. When I asked again, after booking, the request was granted.
So, for me, the requirement to book a flight as a precondition for getting the paper, is also not new.
However, what seems to be new is the linking of the paper to the specific segment. This was never done before. The PNR allowed the request to be granted, but then, the paper could be used anywhere, anytime. Now, if you can't clear on the intended segment, they are worthless until recycled.