Originally Posted by
smxflyer
Wanted to book Avianca LIM-CUZ / JUL-LIM through United in order to earn PQD. I called the Premier desk asked the agent if possible and was rebuffed and given an explanation that it was bad business for United and for the consumer.
Anyhow, I searched for these flights on award travel and was able to select the option to pay cash instead of using miles (price was about $25 more than Avianca so worth it) and everything seems to have ticketed just fine on 016 stock. So it seems that it is possible through a backdoor route.
Yes this method is regularly used to book on AV.
I changed one of these AV tickets through UA by phone this weekend. The UA agent was absolutely shocked that a discount AV economy fare (P class) had only a $25 change fee. (They are also refundable for a fee of only $35.) The change process went smoothly once the agent accepted that the change fee was really only $25.
I really like AV. Just pray for no IRROPs . . . .