Originally Posted by BenjaminNYC
What if you booked it as an AC flight number? Is there some advantage to booking a UA flight number? It's not like you get UA BIS miles or anything... And with AC flight, you get the same EQM no?
Actually, as of late, it's been CHEAPER to book using the AC flight # directly LAX-YVR.
To answer your question, if you book with an AC flight number, not only can you call AC directly to reserve seats, you can do it on united.com. The AC seatmap ONLY shows up if you DON'T book the codeshare flight. Try a dummy booking.
For codeshare flights, that's what I do. I make a dummy booking on ual.com with the AC flight #'s, find out what's available - call UA and tell them to book that seat, and I get it every time.
On UA codeshares UA can't see AC's seatmap, but they can request the seat. If you do your homework and find out what seats are available, it'll work every time (it has for me) - provided the agent knows they can do it. Calling the Int'l desk usually gets you in touch with a knowledgable person.