I just booked a flight from LAX to CDG via IAH and FRA. I noticed that mileage it is saying I will receive for the LAX-IAH-FRA will be 5,785 miles (i.e. as if I flew LAX-FRA direct) versus the 6,368mi actually flown (LAX-IAH-FRA).

Has anyone had any luck calling CO to get the full credit for the EQMs after the fact? I know UA has been known to do this from time to time

Really?

Yep.. there's a thread on UA about this

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/unite...10-policy.html

You wont have any luck getting the credits after you fly.
What you need to do is call right now, and ask them to split the LAX-IAH-FRA in to two segments. This may add a few dollars in taxes. (some agents do not charge you).

I tried with 6 or 7 different reps and they refused to do it for my mom. As a result, the EWR-IAH leg of her flight was full of EUAs as well.

That sucks. Well, per the rules, they dont need to do it...since they sold it as "one flight". However, I have had good luck with this issue....I cant believe you called so many times and none of them did it.

The big reason for me is that upgrade chances are better when the flights are split.
Especially, when you are returning from TATL trip...and you are supposedly "continuing" on the same flight from EWR (which we all know does not happen)..
In that situation, the domestic upgrades never go through correctly....

That's exactly the situation here. She is flying on a "direct" MUC-IAH.

I tried to explain to the elite desk reps that people are going to get EUA'd instead of her getting the upgrade and it was like a broken record... "no reward inventory. Can't upgrade her."

She is on tomorrows MUC-EWR and there are 25 seats in first with 13 booked. The waitlist expired without her getting upgraded, which is ridiculous! Have of first class is open! Her first leg is within Europe on Lufthansa (CO Codeshare) so she can't even check in for the flight to get on the upgrade standby list until she gets to MUC.

I'm assuming she didn't clear because they couldn't confirm her on the EWR-IAH leg which is now fully booked with EUA'ers. Talk about a ....ed situation.

Fortunately for her, no one else is on the upgrade standby list and she'll probably be ok on the TATL leg.

They generally do it for PE's, but rarely for anyone else. Any agent CAN do it... it's a matter of if they WILL or WANT TO do it!

(This past year the "Direct" IAH-SEA-ANC flight was a big one for splitting for the EUAs)

I even referenced that!

"Several of my good friends had their segments split on IAH-ANC as to fix your broken upgrade system. Is there anything you can do?" Her: "It's against the carriage of contract!!!"

/facepalm

Her first flight on LH is what is throwing her off..not getting her on the u/g standby for the TATL leg (I presume mileage/SWU-based u/g?).

The second part EWR-IAH --- not going through because of the TATL "direct" flight.

I believe these things are on the low priority for CO (to get fixed). She has to deal with it at the airport with the agents. Too bad for her.

I figured about the LH flight. Elite desk told me that she was on the waitlist although she wouldn't appear until she checked in for the flight. Is she right? Doesn't sound consistent from what I've heard. I'm landing at IAH 15 minutes before her coming in from nola, and I'm dropping her off. We-care is gonna get a letter from both of us if I have to listen to her about not getting upgraded.

Uh oh!! Sounds like your mom is going to be upset if this did not go through!!

Well, the waitlist does expire at 24 hours prior to flight. Then, at check-in, she should automatically appear on upgrade standby. In your mom's case, that LH sector is spoiling it. Technically she will be checked-in when she checks-in with LH. However, tell her to make sure at MUC with CO whether she is on the u/g standby.
Pl keep us posted!

I just called CO, and they are re-ticketing (since I'm less than 24 hours in reservation) for a non-direct flight. Fare difference = $10 (all taxes) and gets me +1600EQMs!

They would not agree to split the PNRs, but are offering to re-ticket.

Yes, take that deal! 10 bucks is a good deal for the number of miles.

Agreed! Take it.


This is one of my pet peeves on CO. A couple of the CLE flights to Euruope are now "direct" via EWR. Makes searching even difficult.