Why didn't you suggest single tickets on BR, CI, KE, or OZ? (I would normally include JL and NH, as well, but PVG-NRT options are still quite limited.)

PVG-ICN options are also very limited. Connections are really only feasible through TPE or HKG these days.

We now have 4 or 5 nonstops a day PVG-SIN but still not even daily on NRT or ICN, not to mention USA routes. It's ridiculous and expensive to try and travel out of China now eastbound.

Over the water segment must be United to have a chance of upgrade to business class.

CI/KE/BR/OZ/NH J fares to USA would cost lot of money, maybe $4,000+

ICN-SFO-BOS UA W Class is about $1,100 then I can use upgrade points. I found PVG-ICN OZ J for $600. Total price $1,700 is very reasonable.

PVG-SFO-BOS UA could cost $2500 in coach, $3,800 in PE, and $8500 in J. This is simply too expensive.

That's why I am wondering if OZ will check bags PVG-ICN-SFO over UA. Normally this should not be an issue. But it is normal these days involving China....

To be fair, I don't believe pre-pandemic UA issued tickets USA-TPE-PVG or anywhere in China. Neither revenue nor award. From memory, there is some regulatory issue which may have something to do with China's definition of "China" and Taiwan-China ticketing being beyond their view of the scope of the air services agreements with the US. Not sure, though.

We, as individual passengers, are free to buy two separate tickets and make the connection if allowed by the airlines.

OZ should check your luggage through if you are connecting on any Star Alliance operated flight.

Maybe you are right about revenue tickets

IME, UA did issue mileage tickets USA-TPE/ICN/NRT-China pre-pandemic. Or NRT-TPE-PVG. Or EWR-ZRH/FRA-China.

Now, China becomes a black hole in the UA system. UA only wants to sell tickets on 857/858 to China by charging a ransom, either revenue or award.

No argument on the pricing being ridiculous. I just don't think a US airline can issue a single ticket that routes to China connecting in Taiwan for some regulatory issue. ICN, NRT, FRA, no problem.

This pricing is like car rentals 18 months into the pandemic, you could get a domestic ticket for $250 but the car rental was $400/day. The rental car companies were quite happy at those levels even if their fleets were not fully deployed. Container prices from China to Long beach went from $2,500/box to $25,000. Air freight then followed. It's not just United behaving like that, it's another example of a market economy when supply is very restricted. Hopefully prices will fall as more connections become possible increasing supply.

China is indeed a black hole created by UA if you want to buy mileage tickets. Two one-way tickets are possible via TPE outbound (not ICN, TOK or HKG). The return has a few more choices such as HGH/PVG-ICN. You can book any mileage for travel within China, too.

Is there any merit for filing a DOT complaint about UA’s behavior?

BTW, AC and other *A mileage tickets to PVG were available last year, but not anymore. 😂😂

Although....
for the time being, and while my UA PlusPoints are still plentiful, I am doing East Coast USA - PVG return for ~U$2000 in E with a 100% upgrade rate using PP to J (so far).
This is comparable to pre-Covid when I used to do ~U$2000 for similar origin/destination in Premium Economy with upgrade to J; main difference is that the pre-Covid route was direct EWR-PEK, and now is EWR-SFO-PVG, and train to PEK.

It's not as convenient or fast, but so far I'm still getting to Beijing in style for about the same dough.

I'm pretty sure the DOT doesn't compel airlines to publish interline fares, and I'm even more positive that it doesn't have the ability to force foreign airlines to interline with US airlines.

UA jacked up 857/858 economy and Premium Plus fares significantly in the past week.

Try EWR-SFO-PVG fares again for next 10 months. $2,000 round-trip? It does not exist anymore.

Often it's $3,500 ONE WAY.

Premium Plus fare is even more outrageous.

https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...d5e85acbff.jpg

Nah, it's not that bad. I just snagged an E return EWR-SFO-PVG for U$1800 in April, booked yesterday.

It might be date-dependant, but here's a random search for a return flight, dep. April 21, returning May 21.:


https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...64402c5b5e.jpg

Finally I see that UA is selling PVG-ICN-SFO on mixed OZ+UA itinerary.

Except that UA wants $9,000 for coach fare.

https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...21a49018ea.jpg


Same for PVG-NRT-SFO on mixed NH+UA. The fare is $6,000.

https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...cacea900b5.jpg


These are outbound from China.

Maybe that is because AC was flying daily to PVG from YVR, daily to PVG from YYZ, and 3-4 times weekly from YUL pre-covid.
Today they are only flying 4 times a week from YVR. Why would you expect reward tickets at the same availability?

To be fair, that NH NRT-PVG round trip is now going for around $3000 in economy class.

Do you have to book through UA? First flight is $1987 on Asiana. Several options around the $1100 range on assorted airlines eg CX thru HKG.