Apr 10, 2019, 1:10 pm
UA award booking questions / issues / experiences for Air India (AI)
Dec 11, 2024 | 3:40 pm
#61
Join Date: Dec 2008
Posts: 3,332
Hi,
I booked a BOM-JFK award flight on AI (business I space) on UA.com. A few days UA contacted me and said AI wouldn't confirm the space (and that any Air India X or I space on any route hasn't be able to be confirmed recently). For rebooking, the agent insisted that the 200-mile radius rule apply if I wanted to depart from an alternate airport. DEL is 700 miles away (and business class on DEL-EWR is sold out anyway for the dates I can travel). I asked if I could fly SIN-SFO-EWR instead on UA metal (and figure out BOM-SIN on my own), but the agent insisted that I would have to pay the difference in miles (which is a lot). I hung up. Am I just SOL?
I booked a BOM-JFK award flight on AI (business I space) on UA.com. A few days UA contacted me and said AI wouldn't confirm the space (and that any Air India X or I space on any route hasn't be able to be confirmed recently). For rebooking, the agent insisted that the 200-mile radius rule apply if I wanted to depart from an alternate airport. DEL is 700 miles away (and business class on DEL-EWR is sold out anyway for the dates I can travel). I asked if I could fly SIN-SFO-EWR instead on UA metal (and figure out BOM-SIN on my own), but the agent insisted that I would have to pay the difference in miles (which is a lot). I hung up. Am I just SOL?
Anyone else have success booking AI with UA on the phone? They claim they can see 1 seat in I class but AI won't confirm it.
Aeroplan and even Lifemiles have no issues ticketing AI. Is UA blocking AI intentionally?
This has been going on for months - UA won't show any AI flights in X, I, or O.
Dec 22, 2024 | 10:09 am
#62
Join Date: Jul 2023
Posts: 10
United miles to India
United Airlines is not showing Air India in their award booking to India. It is actually convenient to fly by Air India, but for reasons not known, United is not at all showing Air India. Mostly United shows Lufthansa, Singapore airlines and Thai airways. It is all together a different issue that United has drastically under valued award miles forcing members to cough up more and more miles. Any views from members?
Dec 22, 2024 | 1:57 pm
#65
Moderator: United Airlines
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: SFO
Programs: UA LT Plat 2MM, Hyatt Discoverist, Marriott LT Gold, Hilton Silver, IHG Plat
Posts: 72,957
As this existing thread shows, AI is very stingy on business award (I) space (similarly for Economy X space).
Jan 8, 2025 | 1:08 pm
#66
Join Date: Jul 2023
Posts: 10
I tried to book a ticket to India using United Award miles. But, in spite of trying several options and dates, Air India is not shown at all in United Award booking. Is it that Air India has not made available award seats or is it United is purposely blocking Air India?. As we know, because of direct non stop flights by Air India, it is convenient to fly by that using United award miles. Will this issue be ever resolved?
Jan 9, 2025 | 10:13 pm
#67
Join Date: Sep 2008
Posts: 137
Hi,
I booked a BOM-JFK award flight on AI (business I space) on UA.com. A few days UA contacted me and said AI wouldn't confirm the space (and that any Air India X or I space on any route hasn't be able to be confirmed recently). For rebooking, the agent insisted that the 200-mile radius rule apply if I wanted to depart from an alternate airport. DEL is 700 miles away (and business class on DEL-EWR is sold out anyway for the dates I can travel). I asked if I could fly SIN-SFO-EWR instead on UA metal (and figure out BOM-SIN on my own), but the agent insisted that I would have to pay the difference in miles (which is a lot). I hung up. Am I just SOL?
I booked a BOM-JFK award flight on AI (business I space) on UA.com. A few days UA contacted me and said AI wouldn't confirm the space (and that any Air India X or I space on any route hasn't be able to be confirmed recently). For rebooking, the agent insisted that the 200-mile radius rule apply if I wanted to depart from an alternate airport. DEL is 700 miles away (and business class on DEL-EWR is sold out anyway for the dates I can travel). I asked if I could fly SIN-SFO-EWR instead on UA metal (and figure out BOM-SIN on my own), but the agent insisted that I would have to pay the difference in miles (which is a lot). I hung up. Am I just SOL?
The key issue I am seeing is complete lack of availabiltiy on decent partners/routes whether AI or Lufthansa or Swiss, etc for flights in and out of India even for Feb. My gut says there is some partner issues for India route with UA using miles.
Jan 10, 2025 | 12:28 am
#68
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: SFO
Posts: 4,195
I tried to book a ticket to India using United Award miles. But, in spite of trying several options and dates, Air India is not shown at all in United Award booking. Is it that Air India has not made available award seats or is it United is purposely blocking Air India?. As we know, because of direct non stop flights by Air India, it is convenient to fly by that using United award miles. Will this issue be ever resolved?
Mar 15, 2025 | 9:34 pm
#69
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: GVA (Greater Vancouver Area)
Programs: D.R.E.A.D. Gold card holder
Posts: 53,182
I would definitely say United is blocking AI awards. I see award space available through Aeroplan in all three classes of service, but nothing at all for Mileage Plus.
Mar 15, 2025 | 9:47 pm
#70
Join Date: Dec 2008
Posts: 3,332
It's been like this for ages, but didn't use to be maybe 1.5 years ago. No idea what the hell has happened.
Mar 16, 2025 | 3:24 am
#71
Join Date: Jul 2023
Posts: 10
Earlier , United used to issue tickets to India involving Vistara ( they had code share) and sometimes with Air India ( interline arrangement) . But now, for quite sometime, United totally blocked Air India. This is very disappointing for United mileage members intending to travel to India.
