Upgrading when booked on United but Air NZ metal
Mar 14, 2016, 2:09 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Sep 2010
Programs: Air NZ Gold Elite, Qantas Platinum
Posts: 164
Upgrading when booked on United but Air NZ metal
Hi all
Have been booked in economy to the States and back on United (complicated reasons but this is not changeable). Both flights are operated by Air NZ (to San Fran on way there; from Houston on way back) but the flight numbers are obviously United.
Rang Air NZ this evening to talk about upgrade options. Unsurprisingly Air NZ recognition and points based upgrades are out. Fair enough. I assumed I would be able to use points for a Star Alliance upgrade. No can do apparently.
This seems utterly ridiculous - the agent confirmed there is no possible way to upgrade, even though I am traveling on Star Alliance carriers, I have plenty of APD, and it's even an Air NZ plane.
So, what to do - change itinerary and take actual United planes via Australia? I hear they are horrible in Y; but upgrades could come through?
Have been booked in economy to the States and back on United (complicated reasons but this is not changeable). Both flights are operated by Air NZ (to San Fran on way there; from Houston on way back) but the flight numbers are obviously United.
Rang Air NZ this evening to talk about upgrade options. Unsurprisingly Air NZ recognition and points based upgrades are out. Fair enough. I assumed I would be able to use points for a Star Alliance upgrade. No can do apparently.
This seems utterly ridiculous - the agent confirmed there is no possible way to upgrade, even though I am traveling on Star Alliance carriers, I have plenty of APD, and it's even an Air NZ plane.
So, what to do - change itinerary and take actual United planes via Australia? I hear they are horrible in Y; but upgrades could come through?
Mar 14, 2016, 2:25 am
#2
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: MEL CHC
Posts: 21,022
What is booking class?
You need to check if codeshares are eligible
FT
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/star-...-y-b-only.html
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/unite...-carriers.html
Star
http://www.staralliance.com/en/benefits/how-to-upgrade/
www.staralliance.com/en/benefits/upgrade-awards/
You need to check if codeshares are eligible
FT
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/star-...-y-b-only.html
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/unite...-carriers.html
Star
http://www.staralliance.com/en/benefits/how-to-upgrade/
www.staralliance.com/en/benefits/upgrade-awards/
Mar 14, 2016, 12:36 pm
#4
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: New Zealand (most of the time)
Programs: Air NZ Elite *G, Honors Gold, IHG Platinum Elite
Posts: 6,118
There are no options for an upgrade when you're flying codeshare.
*A upgrades exclude codeshare flights, as do RU and OneUp and paying extra at the gate.
*A upgrades exclude codeshare flights, as do RU and OneUp and paying extra at the gate.
Oct 29, 2016, 8:44 pm
#5
Join Date: Dec 2007
Programs: Air New Zealand Elite
Posts: 446
Looking at this situation as the fare akl-sfo next April is showing $597 on a united codeshare flight booked via air NZ site. Does anyone know if you can apply for upgrade with united frequent flyer membership? Would they take into account that the traveller is an air NZ elite? Just a long shot as the price to fly on an air NZ flight is $960 or so.
Oct 29, 2016, 11:27 pm
#6
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Australia
Posts: 6,338
I suspect not... again due to the mismatch between operating carrier and FFP.
For the OP's 2nd question... presumably if you are booked on UA metal through UA you could upgrade... but I would think only with UA upgrade instruments...OR as a *A upgrade if booked in Y or B
For the OP's 2nd question... presumably if you are booked on UA metal through UA you could upgrade... but I would think only with UA upgrade instruments...OR as a *A upgrade if booked in Y or B
Last edited by trooper; Oct 29, 2016 at 11:35 pm
Oct 29, 2016, 11:58 pm
#7
Join Date: Dec 2007
Programs: Air New Zealand Elite
Posts: 446
I suspect not... again due to the mismatch between operating carrier and FFP.
For the OP's 2nd question... presumably if you are booked on UA metal through UA you could upgrade... but I would think only with UA upgrade instruments...OR as a *A upgrade if booked in Y or B
For the OP's 2nd question... presumably if you are booked on UA metal through UA you could upgrade... but I would think only with UA upgrade instruments...OR as a *A upgrade if booked in Y or B
Oct 30, 2016, 12:40 am
#9
Join Date: Dec 2007
Programs: Air New Zealand Elite
Posts: 446
Oct 30, 2016, 12:41 am
#10
Join Date: Dec 2007
Programs: Air New Zealand Elite
Posts: 446
Oct 30, 2016, 1:53 am
#11
Join Date: Apr 2016
Programs: NZ Gold (*G)
Posts: 92
The lack of ability to upgrade on these code share flights seems crazy, I do wish they would change the rules. Although I assume they have good reasons.
I can sort of understand them not liking an upgrade in this situation, but if an Air NZ Eleite is flight on a United Plane with an NZ flight number I feelthey should be able to use Recognition Upgrades and APD upgrades.
I can sort of understand them not liking an upgrade in this situation, but if an Air NZ Eleite is flight on a United Plane with an NZ flight number I feelthey should be able to use Recognition Upgrades and APD upgrades.
Oct 31, 2016, 6:28 pm
#12
Join Date: Aug 2014
Programs: NZ Elite (*G)
Posts: 82
Obviously wouldn't bank on it, but I've also had two flights AKL - SFO on UA 787 with a row of three seats to myself in Economy Plus. Happily made a makeshift bed.
Id say a high proportion of pax departing AKL on that route will be Air NZ bookings, meaning it is less likely they will know about economy plus or that you can upgrade, until on the plane.
Even with UA HVP being put in Economy Plus, there seem to be a large number of seats still available as it doesn't appear to be a popular flight.
Bit of potential consolation prize I guess.
Id say a high proportion of pax departing AKL on that route will be Air NZ bookings, meaning it is less likely they will know about economy plus or that you can upgrade, until on the plane.
Even with UA HVP being put in Economy Plus, there seem to be a large number of seats still available as it doesn't appear to be a popular flight.
Bit of potential consolation prize I guess.
Oct 31, 2016, 6:58 pm
#13
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: New Zealand (most of the time)
Programs: Air NZ Elite *G, Honors Gold, IHG Platinum Elite
Posts: 6,118
The lack of ability to upgrade on these code share flights seems crazy, I do wish they would change the rules. Although I assume they have good reasons.
I can sort of understand them not liking an upgrade in this situation, but if an Air NZ Eleite is flight on a United Plane with an NZ flight number I feelthey should be able to use Recognition Upgrades and APD upgrades.
I can sort of understand them not liking an upgrade in this situation, but if an Air NZ Eleite is flight on a United Plane with an NZ flight number I feelthey should be able to use Recognition Upgrades and APD upgrades.
AKL-SFO on the other hand is different. It's a revenue sharing agreement so the usual reasons for not allowing upgrades don't apply.
The problem is United don't have PE so they would need to still keep 2x RU to get to BP. How would UA and NZ pax be ranked when it comes to applying upgrades? And how would NZ pax feel if they missed out on an upgrade on NZ metal because a UA pax got one? All these put the problem in the too hard basket.