Is Aeroplan blocking UA award seats?
Apr 20, 2017, 5:36 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: YVR
Posts: 1,465
Is Aeroplan blocking UA award seats?
I am looking for 5 business class seats to Europe for my family without scamcharges, and found ORD-FRA UA flight on March 20, 2018. Here is the screenshot from UA website:
The same 5 business class seats are also showing as available on LifeMiles:
And on ANA:
However, Aeroplan website shows nothing:
Not even a single business class seat on that flight, let alone 5. Is Aeroplan blocking UA award space?
The same 5 business class seats are also showing as available on LifeMiles:
And on ANA:
However, Aeroplan website shows nothing:
Not even a single business class seat on that flight, let alone 5. Is Aeroplan blocking UA award space?
Apr 20, 2017, 6:03 pm
#2
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: YWG
Posts: 2,272
Apr 20, 2017, 6:10 pm
#3
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: YVR
Posts: 1,465
Note that Aeroplan is also blocking economy award seats on this UA flight.
I also tried Aeroplan app, same results.
I tried several other dates as well, where UA has economy or business award seats to Europe, and they are not showing on Aeroplan website.
Apr 20, 2017, 6:30 pm
#5
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: YVR
Posts: 1,465
Playing further with that, it looks like Aeroplan is restricting all UA availability to less than 330 days out, while other programs have no issue booking at more than 330 days out.
This is critical since I am looking for 5 business class seats, which are extremely unlikely to remain available until the flight is within 330 days, since other programs have earlier access to those seats and will book them before I get a chance with Aeroplan.
This is critical since I am looking for 5 business class seats, which are extremely unlikely to remain available until the flight is within 330 days, since other programs have earlier access to those seats and will book them before I get a chance with Aeroplan.
Apr 20, 2017, 7:02 pm
#6
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: Canada
Programs: UA*1K MM
Posts: 23,301
I dont think its blockage per se (until you call in and they ll also say not available)
or maybe its too far out for Aeroplan?
Hasnt it been proven in the past that the website will only display up to 6 options....
...and if they just happen to be high scamcharge options on mixed cabin AC metal ... well... AC just made $1000!
or maybe its too far out for Aeroplan?
Hasnt it been proven in the past that the website will only display up to 6 options....
...and if they just happen to be high scamcharge options on mixed cabin AC metal ... well... AC just made $1000!
Apr 20, 2017, 7:06 pm
#7
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: SFO
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I dont think its blockage per se (until you call in and they ll also say not available)
or maybe its too far out for Aeroplan?
Hasnt it been proven in the past that the website will only display up to 6 options....
...and if they just happen to be high scamcharge options on mixed cabin AC metal ... well... AC just made $1000!
or maybe its too far out for Aeroplan?
Hasnt it been proven in the past that the website will only display up to 6 options....
...and if they just happen to be high scamcharge options on mixed cabin AC metal ... well... AC just made $1000!
Apr 20, 2017, 7:31 pm
#8
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: YOW
Programs: AC-SE100K, AC-3MM, Marriott- LT Titanium, SPG RIP
Posts: 2,958
I would call in and ask specifically for those flights. Though they will probably say that they can only see what you can see online...
I agree, those flights should be available.
Let us know what happens.
I agree, those flights should be available.
Let us know what happens.
Apr 20, 2017, 7:59 pm
#10
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Canada
Programs: Marriott LT Gold, IHG Club, Hertz Gold, Aeroplan, Avios, SkyMiles, Thrifty, AMEX
Posts: 985
Apr 20, 2017, 9:43 pm
#11
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: YVR
Posts: 1,465
Apr 21, 2017, 12:31 pm
#12
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: YVR
Programs: OZ Diamond, Jiffypark Manhattan Gold
Posts: 4,485
"Refuses to fly via IST" because you get a slightly more annoying security check?
That's pretty unreasonable.
In the end did you call and find the availability? I have a problem with AP only showing the scam charge options too, but it is what it is. I got a round the world trip for 100k and like $300 avoiding the scam airlines, by doing the research and then calling. It sucks to call and pay the $40 or whatever, but I got exactly what I wanted, much to the surprise of the agent.
That's pretty unreasonable.
In the end did you call and find the availability? I have a problem with AP only showing the scam charge options too, but it is what it is. I got a round the world trip for 100k and like $300 avoiding the scam airlines, by doing the research and then calling. It sucks to call and pay the $40 or whatever, but I got exactly what I wanted, much to the surprise of the agent.
Apr 21, 2017, 3:43 pm
#13
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: YVR
Posts: 1,465
Yes, I called Aeroplan. This flight is not available by phone either.
Confirmed: Aeroplan blocks all UA award availability beyond 330 days.
Apr 24, 2017, 1:18 pm
#14
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: YVR
Posts: 1,465
As expected, by the time the UA flight date moved within 330 days and becomes bookable by Aeroplan, all business class seats are gone.
So other A* programs have first access to UA award seats at more than 330 days, while Aeroplan members only get what is left over, which is usually nothing on high demand routes. This is a serious issue.
How to approach trying to resolve that? I called Aeroplan and asked, but was fed the usual BS saying UA releases different inventory to different partners, and do not release anything to Aeroplan beyond 330 days.
So other A* programs have first access to UA award seats at more than 330 days, while Aeroplan members only get what is left over, which is usually nothing on high demand routes. This is a serious issue.
How to approach trying to resolve that? I called Aeroplan and asked, but was fed the usual BS saying UA releases different inventory to different partners, and do not release anything to Aeroplan beyond 330 days.
Apr 24, 2017, 1:22 pm
#15
Join Date: Apr 2015
Location: YVR
Programs: UA Premier Platinum
Posts: 3,759