Originally Posted by
FlyingHighlander
For the most part (if I'm interpreting correctly), as long as I stay within the Star Alliance I'll earn United PQM and PQS. Only the PQD is forfeited when flying non-UA metal on a non-UA issued ticket.
I'll attempt to answer my own questions (happy to be corrected on any of this!):
Originally Posted by
FlyingHighlander 
I need to fully understand the miles earned in different scenarios, and how Star Alliance fits into the picture.
- A ticket sold by United, flying United metal (I understand this) PQM, PQS, PQD
- A ticket sold by United, flying some United metal, but also another airline (eg Air NZ to Auckland) (example). Do I get UA miles for the whole ticket, as if I flew their metal? PQM, PQS, PQD
- a) A ticket sold by a Star Alliance member, e.g. Air Canada, and it includes another Star Alliance member, EVA. (example). Does this kind of ticket help my UA status in any way? PQM, PQS Do I have to make a point of directing miles into UA Mileage Plus (instead of whatever carrier issued ticket?)
3. b) Or do I just get Air Canada miles?
3. d) And if I rack up miles with multiple Star Alliance members, is there any way to pool them together for award flights?
Do I have to make a point of directing miles into UA Mileage Plus (instead of whatever carrier issued ticket?)
I think you're overthinking this in terms of differentiating various scenarios. There are really two scenarios that you need to consider: 1) you are on United ticket stock, 2) you are
not on United ticket stock.
If you are on United ticket stock, you will earn PQM, PQS, PQD. The expanded booking information should state what you will earn per flight. Also worth noting: Million Miler Status only considers butt-in-seat miles ticketed by United, and flown on United metal.
If you are not on United ticket stock, you will earn PQM (and RDM) according to the fare class charts I posted above.
3a) Yes, this helps your UA status. You can credit these flights to UA for RDM and PQM. Yes, you must use your United MileagePlus frequent flyer number on the flight(s) in question in order to receive credit with MileagePlus (i.e. no double-dipping).
3b) Aeroplan would most likely be a poor choice to credit miles without a specific redemption in mind, as Air Canada is launching their own loyalty program in a few years.
3c) You seem to have skipped 3c.
3d) I believe only Lufthansa offers "pooling" of miles, and only among family members. You are certainly welcome to collect miles in multiple Star Alliance partners, and then redeem for separate-ticket one-way flights. Most would counsel against collecting in multiple programs, again, unless you have a specific redemption in mind (e.g. Lufthansa First Class and Singapore Airlines Suites bookings are restricted to Miles & More and KrisFlyer members, respectively).