Originally Posted by username

I am trying to book some award trips for mid and late 2014 travel that involves connecting to a *A partner at US gateways. The problem is that for the domestic connection, only US has availability. UA serves the route but has no availability. For example, PHX-SFO-NRT.

If I booked Y for the trip, I would have to go by US's understsanding of the IATA MSC rules at check-in, right? (And, as I understand it, MSC does not care about elite status, right?) So, it would be the partner's rule for Y passenger?

If I booked C for the trip, then I guess it really does not matter - I get the C/F baggage allowance. The only interesting thing would be if I get lounge access in PHX - probably not since US will be in oneworld and I am continuing on *A.

Since the trip would have partner, I can't waitlist for UA. Regardless, if I switch to UA for the domestic segment any time after 2/1, I would be charged the higher mileage, right?

So, there is really no good / safe solution to this, right?

Thanks.