UA857 - SFO-ICN-PVG - 1 or 2 segment / PQF
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2020
Posts: 8
UA857 - SFO-ICN-PVG - 1 or 2 segment / PQF
Hi,
I have an upcoming flight (UA857), for which I got an email from United saying it will operate as follows:
"We will need to make an extra stop in Seoul to assign new crew members before continuing to Shanghai"
So far this year, I only have 2 united flown segments - so to qualify for Premier status I need minimum 4 United segments. When I asked the United agent (online) whether this flight will give me 2 segments or 1, he/she was unable to give a definite answer. The agent said, every takeoff and landing constitutes one segment. Online for him it showed SFO - PVG direct. When I told him my reservation shows 2 PQF, he was not sure why and asked me to call Reservations to confirm.
Any idea whether I will get 2 segment or should I do another United flight to be safe?
Thanks.
I have an upcoming flight (UA857), for which I got an email from United saying it will operate as follows:
"We will need to make an extra stop in Seoul to assign new crew members before continuing to Shanghai"
So far this year, I only have 2 united flown segments - so to qualify for Premier status I need minimum 4 United segments. When I asked the United agent (online) whether this flight will give me 2 segments or 1, he/she was unable to give a definite answer. The agent said, every takeoff and landing constitutes one segment. Online for him it showed SFO - PVG direct. When I told him my reservation shows 2 PQF, he was not sure why and asked me to call Reservations to confirm.
Any idea whether I will get 2 segment or should I do another United flight to be safe?
Thanks.
#2
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2003
Programs: UA*Lifetime GS, Hyatt* Lifetime Globalist
Posts: 12,324
Hi,
I have an upcoming flight (UA857), for which I got an email from United saying it will operate as follows:
"We will need to make an extra stop in Seoul to assign new crew members before continuing to Shanghai"
So far this year, I only have 2 united flown segments - so to qualify for Premier status I need minimum 4 United segments. When I asked the United agent (online) whether this flight will give me 2 segments or 1, he/she was unable to give a definite answer. The agent said, every takeoff and landing constitutes one segment. Online for him it showed SFO - PVG direct. When I told him my reservation shows 2 PQF, he was not sure why and asked me to call Reservations to confirm.
Any idea whether I will get 2 segment or should I do another United flight to be safe?
Thanks.
I have an upcoming flight (UA857), for which I got an email from United saying it will operate as follows:
"We will need to make an extra stop in Seoul to assign new crew members before continuing to Shanghai"
So far this year, I only have 2 united flown segments - so to qualify for Premier status I need minimum 4 United segments. When I asked the United agent (online) whether this flight will give me 2 segments or 1, he/she was unable to give a definite answer. The agent said, every takeoff and landing constitutes one segment. Online for him it showed SFO - PVG direct. When I told him my reservation shows 2 PQF, he was not sure why and asked me to call Reservations to confirm.
Any idea whether I will get 2 segment or should I do another United flight to be safe?
Thanks.
I did this flight(s) at its inauguration on July 8 and only received credits for direct SFO-PVG and one PQF.
Last edited by UA_Flyer; Nov 26, 2020 at 12:46 am
#3
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2017
Programs: AS 75K, DL Silver, UA Platinum, Hilton Gold, Hyatt Discoverist, Marriott Platinum + LT Gold
Posts: 10,495
Even for regularly scheduled commercial flights with the same flight number, and even those with pickup rights at the connecting point, it is still generally credited as if the flight had performed a nonstop.
#4
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2020
Posts: 8
It is an one segment for Mileage Plus credit purposes. The stop is for operational reason not for commercial reason. 857’s individual segments of SFO-ICN and ICN-PVG flight are not available for purchase separately and passengers cannot get on abs off at ICN.
I did this flight(s) at its inauguration in July 8 and only received credits for direct SFO-PVG and one PQF.
I did this flight(s) at its inauguration in July 8 and only received credits for direct SFO-PVG and one PQF.
#5
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: ZOA, SFO, HKG
Programs: UA 1K 0.9MM, Marriott Gold, HHonors Gold, Hertz PC, SBux Gold, TSA Pre✓
Posts: 13,811
#7
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Austin, TX
Posts: 21,387
The problem is, you don't need PQF. You need four UA-operated segments -- and I suspect that SFO-(ICN)-PEK with a single flight number will count as a single segment, because I think it operates under their previous set of rules.
#8
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2003
Programs: UA*Lifetime GS, Hyatt* Lifetime Globalist
Posts: 12,324
Are you certain? While it would certainly only have counted as a single PQS under the old system, every indication I've seen is that the new system really did intend to count direct flights as multiple PQF where appropriate. For example, the Island Hopper consistently appeared as 5 or 6 PQF.
I went to back and check the activity details, and did note the BIS mile credit as a direct SFO-PVG flight; however, the flight segment information did show 2.
Great catch! I guess OP can plan his/her trip as a 2-segment UA flight.
#9
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2020
Posts: 8
#10
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Austin, TX
Posts: 21,387
I'd say it comes down to your risk tolerance, as well as how inconvenient it would be if it only counted as one segment. If you're flying PVG-(ICN)-SFO next week, and then you've got a month in the US -- you could always hop on a flight to LAX or whatever to get your fourth segment anytime prior to the end of the year. If you're flying SFO-(ICN)-PVG, and not returning to the US until after January 1, you might want to keep the segment, just in case.
Hope this helps.
#11
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2020
Posts: 8
Oh, I misunderstood the previous post that it would count as 2 segment. Thanks for clarifying that it will be 2 PQF.
I am flying SFO-(ICN)-PVG early Dec and wont be back before Jan1. So, I suppose I will do the SFO-SMF over the weekend.
Thank you so much for making it clear Happy Thanksgiving.
I am flying SFO-(ICN)-PVG early Dec and wont be back before Jan1. So, I suppose I will do the SFO-SMF over the weekend.
Thank you so much for making it clear Happy Thanksgiving.
#12
Join Date: Feb 2015
Programs: Delta
Posts: 7
Any idea how the stopover affects entry requirements in China? I know they currently have a requirement where if you have a layover before entering China, you technically need both COVID-19 tests in the connection city. I would imagine United wouldn't have scheduled this flight through Seoul if passengers would be unable to enter the country.. for those of you who have flown it, can you confirm you only needed both tests in the US and nothing additional in Seoul? I'm heading over to Shanghai in early January and when I called United to ask about this they had no idea...
#13
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2015
Posts: 11,459
Any idea how the stopover affects entry requirements in China? I know they currently have a requirement where if you have a layover before entering China, you technically need both COVID-19 tests in the connection city. I would imagine United wouldn't have scheduled this flight through Seoul if passengers would be unable to enter the country.. for those of you who have flown it, can you confirm you only needed both tests in the US and nothing additional in Seoul? I'm heading over to Shanghai in early January and when I called United to ask about this they had no idea...
#14
Join Date: May 2012
Location: ORF, RIC
Programs: UA LT 1K, 3 MM; Marriott Titanium; IHG Platinum
Posts: 6,954
#15
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2020
Posts: 8
No effect on entry requirements since you don’t leave the flight.
Based on my travel experience, get the following two things ready before you get to the airport:
1. Health declaration (It should be green after you upload your two test results)
2. Customs declaration
Take snapshot of both as it will be needed before you board the plane and after you deplane in Shanghai.
Based on my travel experience, get the following two things ready before you get to the airport:
1. Health declaration (It should be green after you upload your two test results)
2. Customs declaration
Take snapshot of both as it will be needed before you board the plane and after you deplane in Shanghai.