Aeroplan confirmation number different from United - why?
Feb 16, 2017, 5:48 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2015
Location: DCA
Posts: 818
Aeroplan confirmation number different from United - why?
Not sure whether this is best suited for the Aeroplan, United or Star Alliance forum but it's a (recurring) issue for me with Aeroplan award tickets so figured I'd start here. I normally redeem Aeroplan awards for travel on United. However, the Aeroplan PNR/confirmation number doesn't work to lookup a flight (and change seats, etc) with United, which seems to have their own PNR that is totally different than the one Aeroplan sends me. Is there any way to find my United PNR online short of calling them? I have no status with United so that always entails a very long hold time...
Feb 16, 2017, 5:54 pm
#2
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Sep 2012
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You can call either Aeroplan, Air Canada, or United, and they can all tell you.
The reason it's different is basically that they use different reservation systems.
I've had bookings with at least 3 different references.
The reason it's different is basically that they use different reservation systems.
I've had bookings with at least 3 different references.
Feb 16, 2017, 5:58 pm
#3
FlyerTalk Evangelist
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If a ticket involves multiple airlines, it is quite common that each airline has a different PNR, especially if thoe airlines use different reservation systems (e.g. Amadeus, Sabre etc.)
What is always the same is the ticket number.
You should be able to access the reservation on the UA website using the ticket number (014xxxxxxxxxxx) and in turn see the six digit alpha-numeric UA booking reference)
What is always the same is the ticket number.
You should be able to access the reservation on the UA website using the ticket number (014xxxxxxxxxxx) and in turn see the six digit alpha-numeric UA booking reference)
Feb 16, 2017, 6:38 pm
#4
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2015
Location: DCA
Posts: 818
If a ticket involves multiple airlines, it is quite common that each airline has a different PNR, especially if thoe airlines use different reservation systems (e.g. Amadeus, Sabre etc.)
What is always the same is the ticket number.
You should be able to access the reservation on the UA website using the ticket number (014xxxxxxxxxxx) and in turn see the six digit alpha-numeric UA booking reference)
What is always the same is the ticket number.
You should be able to access the reservation on the UA website using the ticket number (014xxxxxxxxxxx) and in turn see the six digit alpha-numeric UA booking reference)
Feb 16, 2017, 11:07 pm
#6
Moderator, Air Canada; FlyerTalk Evangelist
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A phone call to UA is usually fairly quick. You may even be able to get the PNR through the automated system, without having to talk to someone.
Feb 16, 2017, 11:09 pm
#7
Join Date: Apr 2015
Location: YVR
Programs: UA Premier Platinum
Posts: 3,759
I think Jasper may be incorrect on accessing the booking on the UA site. You can check in with a ticket number, but I can't find a way to pull up a booking based on ticket number alone.
A phone call to UA is usually fairly quick. You may even be able to get the PNR through the automated system, without having to talk to someone.
A phone call to UA is usually fairly quick. You may even be able to get the PNR through the automated system, without having to talk to someone.
Anyway, I don't know why Aeroplan and AC.com don't automatically spit out the partner record locators. Most other airlines do it.
Feb 16, 2017, 11:15 pm
#8
Moderator, Air Canada; FlyerTalk Evangelist
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"Most"? The LH group don't. NZ doesn't. DL doesn't seem to. I don't fly a ton of different carriers, but the only one I've seen do it is UA...
Feb 16, 2017, 11:31 pm
#9
Join Date: Apr 2015
Location: YVR
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Feb 16, 2017, 11:42 pm
#10
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: YHZ
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Posts: 143
You can get it easily by going to the Star Alliance website and applying for a Star Alliance upgrade.....in the process of telling you that your booking is not eligible for an upgrade, it also spits out the partner's PNR
Feb 16, 2017, 11:58 pm
#11
Join Date: May 2013
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Feb 17, 2017, 1:08 am
#12
Join Date: Oct 2009
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Do you have a link?
Feb 17, 2017, 7:37 am
#14
Join Date: Nov 2002
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Feb 17, 2017, 8:14 am
#15
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: YWG
Programs: Aeroplan, MileagePlus, Marriott Rewards
Posts: 2,159
I've treated it as an article of faith for some time now that when booking, to always ask for PNRs for all relevant carriers on an itinerary. Then I periodically check each of those carriers' websites to make sure that nothing has changed with my booking.
There have been a couple of occasions where something significant has changed on segments involving one carrier, and I would never know it by just pulling up the reservation on Aeroplan. I've avoided unpleasant surprises at the terminal that way.
There have been a couple of occasions where something significant has changed on segments involving one carrier, and I would never know it by just pulling up the reservation on Aeroplan. I've avoided unpleasant surprises at the terminal that way.