I'm a United Premiere Executive. I'm trying to book a *A flight from Los Angeles to Beirut, Lebanon.

bmi offers an attractive Business Class fare. There are four segments to the round trip:

• Two segments are regular bmi flights.
• One segment is Air New Zealand (a *A member).
• BUT...
• The fourth segment is operated by Virgin Atlantic, who aren't *A members.

So, will I get *A credit for the Virgin leg?

Thanks in advance for any help...

Nope you won't get UA credit BUt you can credit to a CO onepass account and since the merger got DOJ approval the merger seems to be going forward so you'd get your EQM and RDM

http://www.continental.com/CMS/en-US...aspx?ItemId=77

Thanks for the quick feedback!

So to confirm: the actual mileage credit depends on the actual "operated by" carrier (Virgin in this case) not the airline who sells me the segment (bmi).

Right?

If so, then here's the related question: can I split the mileage credit so the three *A legs go to my *A account (United), and the fourth leg goes to the CO Onepass account?

That is correct.

A partner of a partner is not necessarily a partner.

If you can get the VS PNR, you should be able to go to their website and enter your CO number. Or you can always give them your OnePass # at the airport. That shouldn't affect the other *A segments.

Gtown said it right. You can credit any 1, part or all segments to any 1 or multiple programs. even outside of the alliance. If you flew UA, VS, BA, and AF you could link each segment to the desired program you'd like(providing they accept credit).

Also could you provide the actual route? are you flying BD to Beirut and VS back?

OUTBOUND
Bmi 3982 LAX - LHR
operated by Air New Zealand -- NZ 0002
Depart: 4:30pm
Arrive: 11:00am
1 stop
Business 10hr 30min Boeing 747

Change planes. Time between flights: 5hr 5min

Bmi 997 LHR-BEY
Depart: 4:05pm
Arrive: 10:55pm
Business 4hr 50min Airbus A321
Total duration: 20hr 25min
This is an overnight flight.

RETURN
Bmi 906 BEY-LHR
Depart: 9:00am
Arrive: 12:15pm
1 stop
Business 5hr 15min Airbus A321

Change planes. Time between flights: 3hr 30min

Bmi 5033 LHR-LAX
operated by Virgin Atlantic -- VS 0023
Depart: 3:45pm
Arrive: 7:20pm
Business 11hr 35min Airbus A340
Total duration: 20hr 20min

The CO rule linked by arma in the second message in this thread could be interpreted to mean that you have to book this segment under the codeshare CO flight number (if there is one) if you want to get CO credit.

> * OnePass Elite qualification miles and points may only be earned on
> Continental Airlines codeshare flights operated by Virgin Atlantic.

You might want to double-check that CO will in fact credit this BD codeshare.

cheers,

Henry

I can't say whether you will get RDMs but you can only get EQMs on UA with a *A carrier.

It could be interpreted that way, however CO has what they call a "bug they do not intend to fix" in their system. So long as the flight has a CO code on it - and VS 23 carries CO 9693 these days - then the miles will post to CO as both RDMs and EQMs assuming the fare class paid earns. Given that the OP is looking to fly in Biz that shouldn't be a problem.

And even if the flight didn't have a CO code on it the RDMs would still be earnt. Given that it isn't enough miles to make status directly with CO and that it seems unlikely that UA and CO EQMs will combine for status in 2011, I'd think that all the OP is going to get out of this is RDMs when the plans merge.

If the trip is too far out it is possible that the rules could change on earning following the merger closing (ETA: Oct. 1). CO had VS as a partner to be able to offer more flights to LHR. Given that UA operates to LHR from ORD, SFO, LAX and IAD in direct competition with VS it would seem quite feasible that the VS partnership could come to an end pretty abruptly. Or not. But we simply do not know right now.

Wow, so confusing. Thanks for helping me understand the complexities.

You'd think that if bmi sells me the ticket as a codeshare, I should be able to get the miles with either carrier. Kind of a bait-and-switch otherwise, no?

Anyway, I suppose three legs are better than none...

Next related question: I've never flown any of these airlines (bmi, Air New Zealand or Virgin Atlantic). Are their business class offerings all decent and competetive? Good seats, laptop power ports, etc.? (or is this material for a different forum?)

The BD marketed flight operated by VS can be credited to VS, BD, SQ and NZ. In each case only redeemable miles applies.

Air NZ has fantastic business class (better than first on some airlines) - great seat, service, food & drink.

VS seat is the same as NZ seat (NZ bought a license from VS to use it).

And CO, for RDMs and EQMs. :-:
You can get credit from both the operating and marketing carriers. Not necessarily "full" credit as no status miles, but you do get something.