Hi all - I'm planning a business trip that requires me to be in Kona on March 21 (only). I'd prefer not to stretch this out any longer than necessary, so my ideal trip is out on the 20th and back on the 22nd (arriving back in DC on the 23rd). As that is easter weekend, ticket prices are expectedly high. I am willing to stay extra days if I can justify the increased lodging expenses via cheaper airfare.

ITA is showing fares of ~$1500. United.com is showing more than that. usairways.com is showing a fare of ~1100 that ends up booking on all UA metal, except for HNL-KOA on Hawaiian.

Are their any caveats I should be aware of if I book this trip via usair, but put in my united ff#? Will I still have economy plus access via my UA 1P status? I'm not interested in upgrading, so that is no issue. I already see (on the united website) that I earn EQMs as normal. I'm a recent convert to UA (after many years on AA), and haven't booked anything with US (codeshare or otherwise) for years. The whole idea of booking a codeshare flight via a partner that is cheaper than booking directly on the host airline seems a bit backwards to me.

Thanks