My oh my, there is just so much to learn in this FF business.

I recently made two reservations from Seattle to Toronto and back via UAL Connections on line. Immediately after completing the reservations, I called Mileage Plus to upgrade our seats. They happily upgraded the outbound seats but advised that I would have to talk with the International Desk to get seats and/or upgrades on the return portion as it was operated as a code share flight by Air Canada.

The first international operator with whom I spoke was very helpful (or so I thought) and advised that while there was no possibility of upgrading on a code share flight, that I would receive my full 100% bonus points and the flight would count toward status miles.

I was, of course, somewhat disappointed that I would be stuck in coach but figured I could endure for a few hours imitating a sardine.

But, then, (ah ha) my friends auh20, Quiet Lion, pguta011 and BlondeBomber came rushing to my assistance and said, "No, No, No, they have fibbed to you. You won't get bonus point or status points." What a flight without status points, YIKES. That's worse than a day without sunshine. I might be required to re-register on Webflyer as a Junior Member.

I called the PremEx desk and they said I would have to talk to International to get the tickets changed. I called International and was told that it was MY FAULT for going "outside the UAL system" and making my reservation on United Connections, that they had nothing to do with United Connections and that it would cost me $75.00 to change each ticket. (A classic example of shifting responsibility!) WHAT? When I asked to speak with a supervisor, I was told that it would do no good whatsoever to talk with a supervisor because they would tell me the same thing. I then asked for the operator's name and she promptly hung up. Oh isn't this a grand way to make friends and influence your customers.

I called back to the PremEx desk and was referred to Customer Service which might be answering phones again sometime in the not too distant future (as a result of the fire), but I didn't have time to wait. One more call to the PremEx desk got me referred back to the Internation Desk, but this time I had the presence of mind to ask for the name and location of the operator FIRST.

Well, "June in Denver", turned out to be a real princess and with great efficiency, charm and a true spirit of Customer Service, changed the reservation and noted the file that the changes would be made Without Charge. I was so very close to resigning my PremEx status and scuttling off to find another airline that I cannot say, before June came to my rescue.

It is hard to believe that an old lady like me, who spends half her life on an airplane, still has so much to learn. Thanks guys for all the help!