What's the deal with using DM miles (US Airways) for AC flights?
Mar 8, 2006, 7:59 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: Ontario, Canada
Posts: 470
What's the deal with using DM miles (US Airways) for AC flights?
Buddy of mine was looking at an available itinerary on AP.com (flights were between ONT and BC) while talking to a US DM agent. Agent sez the flights weren't available. Buddy has (currently) no status on US, and is P on AC (DM agent probably doesn't know what the caller's AC status is - maybe that doesn't matter to them).
What's the real situation when trying to book AC metal using DM miles? If AP is showing availability, shouldn't the booking work?
What's the real situation when trying to book AC metal using DM miles? If AP is showing availability, shouldn't the booking work?
Mar 8, 2006, 10:16 am
#3
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 1999
Location: Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Programs: OWEmerald; STARGold; BonvoyPlat; IHGPlat/Amb; HiltonGold; A|ClubPat; AirMilesPlat
Posts: 38,186
As noted, STAR partners have a different inventory on AC -- and other STAR flights -- so what an AE member might see would not necessarily be what the partner agent would. (Was your friend seeing AVENUE or CLASSIC awards. STAR would only have access to CLASSIC ones at the standard "price".) Also, you friend's AE status would have no impact on his being able to redeem his US miles/points for AC flights.
Mar 8, 2006, 11:06 am
#4
Join Date: May 2004
Location: YOW/YYZ/YUL
Programs: UA 1P, *A Gold, SPG Gold
Posts: 680
It can go the other way around too.... sometimes theres no classic AE seats available (and i'm not sure about DM) but UA/MP will have lots of seats available..... Also when AE wants you to fly say YUL-YWG-YEG-YVR, using MP miles, you can usually get a nonstop or at least one stop..... I've had much better luck booking AC itins using UA miles then AC miles....... also the fees are considerably less......
-mike
-mike