My boyfriend and I flew GMP-HND RT, JL on the outbound and KE operated, JL codeshare on the return. I'd actually never taken any codeshare. I've always been against it based on my knowledge from FT/blogs. I was very curious if my experience was normal.

We were on a Y class ticket. A full, expensive fare since it was a long holiday weekend and everything cheap was booked three months ago. KE was actually sold out on its own website, but JL was selling seats on KE metal.

JL on the outbound was very old school. We were on, presumably, a domestic 763 in Row 2 on what appeared to be their domestic business class. There was no distinction in seating, really, as we selected Row 2 at check-in online.

On the return to GMP, however.....

I presumed that, even though it is a JL flight number, and KE operated, that Morning Calm would apply to the ticket. I called KE (presumably, KL call center answered) and asked to add my (boyfriend's) Morning Calm number - denied. They said that because it was booked through JL, I had to call JL. It just seemed weird. I didn't call JL because check-in was in 24 hours. I know that Koreans don't really do early check-in anyway, so I wasn't too worried about the seat.

We arrived at HND and used the Morning Calm line (the bf has the actual card on him). They accepted us no problems, but then informed us that he wouldn't get KE mileage on the flight. I didn't try my DL number. Instead, we added our BA and AA numbers.

When we checked our bags, there was no Priority bag tag that they usually give.

The real kicker? We were seated in Row 62, literally the tail end. We checked in two hours early like everyone does. We asked to move closer to the front and were denied, save for middle seats.

In the end, it wasn't anything terrible. I know, white people problems. It was a short two hour flight. I was just VERY surprised at the different treatment. I, honestly, expected, Morning Calm benefits to still apply. Also, I expected, because of a full Y ticket that our seating options would be different.


What DID suck - the bags were SO SLOW getting to the carousel at GMP we missed our last limo bus to my house by literally five minutes. Boom! 40,000W taxi and haggling for long distance at 11 PM. I debated mentioning this to the staff (KE staff is all about customer service and I bet they would've offered some help with at taxi), but I wasn't sure. I feel like they would've said "yeah, you're Morning Calm, but we can't help you because this is a JL paid ticket."


Is this a normal experience for JL codeshare on KE?