UA840

The UA operated flights in which I am interested are about 2/3 the cost when issued as a US ticket as opposed to a UA ticket. My questions are, what are the implications?

Will I get lifetime UA miles?
Will I get CoS bonus?
Will I be able to upgrade using UA instruments?

THANKS!!!

mahasamatman

I'm 99% sure the answers are yes, yes, no.

JY4D

Yes, Yes, Yes. But you will only be able to upgrade on the day of departure.

mahasamatman

I thought you had to purchase those special 500-milers only usable on US metal, but I'd be happy to learn I'm wrong.

JY4D

You can use UA Upgrades from your Mileage Plus account on UA operated flights. If you are a US Dividend Miles member, you have to purchase those special 500 mile upgrades on UA operated flights.

LAX

What about US metal with an UA code? I know I will get elite bonus, but will it count towards the lifetime UA miles and the 500 miler threshold? Thanks in advance.

LAX

UnitedFFinAsia

LAX,
Have flown US Air numerous times in the past year using my MP number and I can confirm that you will get COS Bonus, EQM for Class of Service. However NO United Lifetime Flight Miles for flights flown on US Airways Codes flights even if it is a Code Share. They are only awarded for flying on UA Operated Planes. My mileage balance is quite hi but my Lifetime Mileage is quite low as my parents live in Philadelphia and my times I opt to save the $$$ and take the cheaper US Airways flight. I do seem to get the 500 mile rewards and you can use upgrades as well. I hope this helps.
-UFFA

cakobau

Yes, yes, and yes. From experience.

The key is that, in your scenario, the flights are UA metal with a US ticket. If you flip that around, the calculus changes.

We had a discussion about this a while back, and I posted a chart of sorts, but I can't find it, even using the Google search work-around. Maybe someone else can.

Anyway, a couple small but (I think) important points:

UA lifetime miles count, regardless of the flight # the ticket is purchased under, **as long as the flight is operated by United and your UA MP # is credited.** If you are using a US account, then all bets are off.

Upgrading is ONLY possible using UA upgrade instruments, but you will only clear standby at check-in, with no opportunity to waitlist. Many check-in agents are unaware of the possibility of upgrading a UA-operated US ticket, so print out the e-upgrade terms and conditions and highlight text like this:

For example, last year my wife and I bought ORD-CDG tickets on usairways.com, operated nonstop by UA, but with a US ticket number. Each ticket was several hundred dollars less than the same flights purchased from UA. When we checked in, the agent first said we couldn't upgrade a codeshare. I pulled out the T&C's, smiled, and said we could. Then she said we couldn't upgrade from W class. I pulled out the T&C's again, smiled, said she was referring to upgrades with MILES (we were using a gifted SWU), and said we could. Then she said we couldn't upgrade, because we weren't on the waitlist. I stopped smiling, but said that it was impossible to waitlist, since it was a codeshare. A manager finally came over, and within a few seconds our business class boarding passes were printing. The original gate agent came back just long enough to chide us with, "In the future, you should buy your tickets from United with United flight numbers." I bit my tongue. [In my mind, though...: "In the future, you should learn the rules... in the future, you should believe your customers if they have the rules printed from the website... in the future, I hope I get a better check-in agent..."] Force a smile, say thank you, and off to the RCC...

I only mention this because the US ticket/UA metal rules are as confusing for UA staff as they are for us. Bring printouts, and be prepared to fight for your miles and your upgrades. Hit 'em with the legal mumbo-jumbo!

cakobau

Found the earlier thread. See especially post #14 for the chart.

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=393324

LAX

According to your chart, US metal flights are treated as a straight US coded, US operated flights regardless of the airline codes associated with them even on code-shares for MP purposes. While UA metal flights are treated as a straight UA coded, UA operated flights regardless of airline codes associated with them even on code-shares. That's fair enough as long as I am clear on it. I obviously prefer to fly UA over US on any routes they compete because of E+, but sometimes US's prices (even on UA metals) are considerably less than UA and that makes me think twice before booking a straight UA code, UA metal flight despite of all the bonuses.

LAX

cakobau

That is correct.

Almost, with minor caveats. UA metal is the key for most matters -- earning redeemable miles, EQMs, million-miler status, 500-miler upgrades, elite bonuses. HOWEVER, if you purchased a US codeshare for a UA metal flight, you can NOT upgrade in advance or waitlist. You can only upgrade standby at checkin. You also forfeit the possibility of a united.com booking bonus.

ftgirl

The customary value of FF miles is what, 1-2 cents/mile? That makes the 1k booking bonus worth $10-20; the difference in fares for a US ticket/UA metal is usually far more than that. If it mattered, couldn't you buy miles for cash to make up the difference and still come out ahead?