Different * Alliance Statuses on Different Airlines Q
May 1, 2012, 10:53 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: CHO
Programs: Hyatt Dia; MR Gold; SPG Plat; UA Plat; US Silver, *A G
Posts: 54
Different * Alliance Statuses on Different Airlines Q
Looking for some clarification-- I am * Gold with United and * Silver with USAirways. Recently in CLT I tried to board a USAirways flight with the other *Gold passengers, I showed the GA my United Card indicating * Gold status and was told that my *G status with United did not matter since I was * Silver with USAirways and needed to wait to board with my assigned Zone 2.
Now, my issue is not with having to wait to board but rather I am confused as to whether or not I should have been able to board with the other * Gold passengers. It was my assumption that I should be allowed to.
I ask because I am travelling internationally through CLT again in a few weeks (again on US Airways) and wanted to take advantage of the * Gold benefit of lounge access with international travel on *Alliance carriers. I am concerned that when I go to enter the US Airways Club that I will run into the same issue.
Shouldn't the higher status trump? TIA.
Now, my issue is not with having to wait to board but rather I am confused as to whether or not I should have been able to board with the other * Gold passengers. It was my assumption that I should be allowed to.
I ask because I am travelling internationally through CLT again in a few weeks (again on US Airways) and wanted to take advantage of the * Gold benefit of lounge access with international travel on *Alliance carriers. I am concerned that when I go to enter the US Airways Club that I will run into the same issue.
Shouldn't the higher status trump? TIA.
May 1, 2012, 1:00 pm
#2
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Kitchener, ON, Canada
Programs: UA 1K
Posts: 1,266
Looking for some clarification-- I am * Gold with United and * Silver with USAirways. Recently in CLT I tried to board a USAirways flight with the other *Gold passengers, I showed the GA my United Card indicating * Gold status and was told that my *G status with United did not matter since I was * Silver with USAirways and needed to wait to board with my assigned Zone 2.
Now, my issue is not with having to wait to board but rather I am confused as to whether or not I should have been able to board with the other * Gold passengers. It was my assumption that I should be allowed to.
I ask because I am travelling internationally through CLT again in a few weeks (again on US Airways) and wanted to take advantage of the * Gold benefit of lounge access with international travel on *Alliance carriers. I am concerned that when I go to enter the US Airways Club that I will run into the same issue.
Shouldn't the higher status trump? TIA.
Now, my issue is not with having to wait to board but rather I am confused as to whether or not I should have been able to board with the other * Gold passengers. It was my assumption that I should be allowed to.
I ask because I am travelling internationally through CLT again in a few weeks (again on US Airways) and wanted to take advantage of the * Gold benefit of lounge access with international travel on *Alliance carriers. I am concerned that when I go to enter the US Airways Club that I will run into the same issue.
Shouldn't the higher status trump? TIA.
May 5, 2012, 8:59 pm
#3
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: ORD, HKG
Programs: UA*G, AA Emerald, HHonors Diamond, Hyatt globalist
Posts: 10,281
Now, my issue is not with having to wait to board but rather I am confused as to whether or not I should have been able to board with the other * Gold passengers. It was my assumption that I should be allowed to.
I ask because I am travelling internationally through CLT again in a few weeks (again on US Airways) and wanted to take advantage of the * Gold benefit of lounge access with international travel on *Alliance carriers. I am concerned that when I go to enter the US Airways Club that I will run into the same issue.
Shouldn't the higher status trump? TIA.
I ask because I am travelling internationally through CLT again in a few weeks (again on US Airways) and wanted to take advantage of the * Gold benefit of lounge access with international travel on *Alliance carriers. I am concerned that when I go to enter the US Airways Club that I will run into the same issue.
Shouldn't the higher status trump? TIA.
May 6, 2012, 9:11 am
#4
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: SEA/ORD/ADB
Programs: TK ELPL (*G), AS 100K (OWE), BA Gold (OWE), Hyatt Globalist, Hilton Diamond, Marriott Plat, IHG Plat
Posts: 7,763
What is on your boarding pass trumps any cards you may be carrying.
Fortunately, you can get both your US and UA numbers onto your reservation at the same time. Call Center agents (and checkin/gate agents) can see 2 different fields regarding your frequent flyer number - the FQTV field, and the FQTS field.
The FQTV field is where your credit goes. If you are crediting to US Airways Dividend miles, you would ask for your US number into the FQTV field. If you want UA miles, then the UA number goes into the FQTV field.
The FQTS field is the field which your status comes from. By default, the number in the FQTV field also goes into the FQTS field. However, you can ask for the number to be changed in the FQTS field to reflect a different status.
A lot of agents won't know how to do this, so expect a lot of "let me check with my supervisor" over the phone. But once it gets done, it makes your airport experience pretty hassle-free.
Fortunately, you can get both your US and UA numbers onto your reservation at the same time. Call Center agents (and checkin/gate agents) can see 2 different fields regarding your frequent flyer number - the FQTV field, and the FQTS field.
The FQTV field is where your credit goes. If you are crediting to US Airways Dividend miles, you would ask for your US number into the FQTV field. If you want UA miles, then the UA number goes into the FQTV field.
The FQTS field is the field which your status comes from. By default, the number in the FQTV field also goes into the FQTS field. However, you can ask for the number to be changed in the FQTS field to reflect a different status.
A lot of agents won't know how to do this, so expect a lot of "let me check with my supervisor" over the phone. But once it gets done, it makes your airport experience pretty hassle-free.
May 6, 2012, 9:17 am
#5
Suspended
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: DCA
Programs: UA US CO AA DL FL
Posts: 50,262
Plat?
With the establishment of a Platinum status on UA & US, you may want to think about the value of maintaining status on 2 separate *A carriers. If you earned under only one program, you would most likely have a higher status than you have on either carrier now.
I would pick the carrier in which UG's are the most important. Both UA & US offer freebie UG's to elites, but only their elites, not *A.
Needless to say, you also need to consider the possibility that US acquires AA. It's unlikely that the new US-AA would be allowed to stay in *A as a condition of such an acquisition.
I would pick the carrier in which UG's are the most important. Both UA & US offer freebie UG's to elites, but only their elites, not *A.
Needless to say, you also need to consider the possibility that US acquires AA. It's unlikely that the new US-AA would be allowed to stay in *A as a condition of such an acquisition.
May 6, 2012, 5:41 pm
#6
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Los Angeles, CA; Philadelphia, PA
Programs: OZ Diamond
Posts: 6,140
What is on your boarding pass trumps any cards you may be carrying.
Fortunately, you can get both your US and UA numbers onto your reservation at the same time. Call Center agents (and checkin/gate agents) can see 2 different fields regarding your frequent flyer number - the FQTV field, and the FQTS field.
The FQTV field is where your credit goes. If you are crediting to US Airways Dividend miles, you would ask for your US number into the FQTV field. If you want UA miles, then the UA number goes into the FQTV field.
The FQTS field is the field which your status comes from. By default, the number in the FQTV field also goes into the FQTS field. However, you can ask for the number to be changed in the FQTS field to reflect a different status.
A lot of agents won't know how to do this, so expect a lot of "let me check with my supervisor" over the phone. But once it gets done, it makes your airport experience pretty hassle-free.
Fortunately, you can get both your US and UA numbers onto your reservation at the same time. Call Center agents (and checkin/gate agents) can see 2 different fields regarding your frequent flyer number - the FQTV field, and the FQTS field.
The FQTV field is where your credit goes. If you are crediting to US Airways Dividend miles, you would ask for your US number into the FQTV field. If you want UA miles, then the UA number goes into the FQTV field.
The FQTS field is the field which your status comes from. By default, the number in the FQTV field also goes into the FQTS field. However, you can ask for the number to be changed in the FQTS field to reflect a different status.
A lot of agents won't know how to do this, so expect a lot of "let me check with my supervisor" over the phone. But once it gets done, it makes your airport experience pretty hassle-free.
LAX
May 6, 2012, 6:09 pm
#7
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: SEA/ORD/ADB
Programs: TK ELPL (*G), AS 100K (OWE), BA Gold (OWE), Hyatt Globalist, Hilton Diamond, Marriott Plat, IHG Plat
Posts: 7,763
It works on all airlines, although some place their own restrictions - I think on SQ, one of the fields (don't remember which) is restricted to only Krisflyer numbers if you are using 2 different numbers.
Running across an "I don't think so" attitude generally just requires a hang-up and call back to get it fixed. I've found that airlines which outsource call centers to India, Phillipines, etc. tend to be more open to doing it - simply because they assume that it's something they should know but were never trained in, so they actually check with the supervisor to try to learn it.
Running across an "I don't think so" attitude generally just requires a hang-up and call back to get it fixed. I've found that airlines which outsource call centers to India, Phillipines, etc. tend to be more open to doing it - simply because they assume that it's something they should know but were never trained in, so they actually check with the supervisor to try to learn it.
Last edited by PVDtoDEL; May 7, 2012 at 3:39 am
May 7, 2012, 10:05 pm
#8
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Los Angeles, CA; Philadelphia, PA
Programs: OZ Diamond
Posts: 6,140
It works on all airlines, although some place their own restrictions - I think on SQ, one of the fields (don't remember which) is restricted to only Krisflyer numbers if you are using 2 different numbers.
Running across an "I don't think so" attitude generally just requires a hang-up and call back to get it fixed. I've found that airlines which outsource call centers to India, Phillipines, etc. tend to be more open to doing it - simply because they assume that it's something they should know but were never trained in, so they actually check with the supervisor to try to learn it.
Running across an "I don't think so" attitude generally just requires a hang-up and call back to get it fixed. I've found that airlines which outsource call centers to India, Phillipines, etc. tend to be more open to doing it - simply because they assume that it's something they should know but were never trained in, so they actually check with the supervisor to try to learn it.
LAX
May 8, 2012, 9:42 pm
#10
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Los Angeles, CA; Philadelphia, PA
Programs: OZ Diamond
Posts: 6,140
LAX
May 9, 2012, 9:06 am
#12
Original Poster
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: CHO
Programs: Hyatt Dia; MR Gold; SPG Plat; UA Plat; US Silver, *A G
Posts: 54
Hi All,
I do need to think about why I was maintaining the two statuses on UA and US--no real good reason and since I fly 4 segments a week I should just consolidate going forward. Now to the immediate question at hand. I'm flying US internationally through CLT. No upgrades avail so my BP will read US Silver.
As i mentioned I am UA *Gold. According to the *A website (quoted below) I should be able to access the CLT USAirways Lounge during my layover by showing my UA *A Gold card and my international US BP. Correct? I am unsure given the above the BP trumps all scenario. I want to avoid any potential hiccups as my wife has little patience for that sort of thing and I want our early morning departure to go smoothly for all involved.
Quoting the *A Website
Star Alliance Gold Customers Travelling in Any Class: Customers have access to any Star Alliance member carriers' owned lounges with the Star Alliance Gold logo at the entrance.
Customer must present proof of Star Alliance Gold level status via a valid frequent flyer program Star Alliance Gold level card or other valid indication of Star Alliance Gold level status
Customer must also present a boarding pass for travel on a Star Alliance flight departing from the local airport
Customer is entitled to one guest
United and US Airways Star Alliance Gold customers may only access the United Clubs and US Airways Clubs within the U.S. when travelling in conjunction with a Star Alliance international flight.
I do need to think about why I was maintaining the two statuses on UA and US--no real good reason and since I fly 4 segments a week I should just consolidate going forward. Now to the immediate question at hand. I'm flying US internationally through CLT. No upgrades avail so my BP will read US Silver.
As i mentioned I am UA *Gold. According to the *A website (quoted below) I should be able to access the CLT USAirways Lounge during my layover by showing my UA *A Gold card and my international US BP. Correct? I am unsure given the above the BP trumps all scenario. I want to avoid any potential hiccups as my wife has little patience for that sort of thing and I want our early morning departure to go smoothly for all involved.
Quoting the *A Website
Star Alliance Gold Customers Travelling in Any Class: Customers have access to any Star Alliance member carriers' owned lounges with the Star Alliance Gold logo at the entrance.
Customer must present proof of Star Alliance Gold level status via a valid frequent flyer program Star Alliance Gold level card or other valid indication of Star Alliance Gold level status
Customer must also present a boarding pass for travel on a Star Alliance flight departing from the local airport
Customer is entitled to one guest
United and US Airways Star Alliance Gold customers may only access the United Clubs and US Airways Clubs within the U.S. when travelling in conjunction with a Star Alliance international flight.
May 9, 2012, 10:22 am
#13
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: SEA/ORD/ADB
Programs: TK ELPL (*G), AS 100K (OWE), BA Gold (OWE), Hyatt Globalist, Hilton Diamond, Marriott Plat, IHG Plat
Posts: 7,763
The lounge dragon could very well deny you entry to the lounge because the *G isn't on your boarding pass.
That's why it's best to use FQTS/FQTV as outlined above.
That's why it's best to use FQTS/FQTV as outlined above.
May 9, 2012, 10:29 am
#14
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Minneapolis: DL DM charter 2.3MM
Programs: A3*Gold, SPG Plat, HyattDiamond, MarriottPP, LHW exAccess, ICI, Raffles Amb, NW PE MM, TWA Gold MM
Posts: 100,417
The OP should probably consolidate into either the UA or US FF program, but there could be reasons not to do so. One is the uncertainty about a potential US/AA merger which would presumably move US into one world. A second reason is wanting to get benefits that UA and US provide to only their own elites, notably free upgrades but also free Y+ on UA. The new Plat level at 75K that COdbaUA has introduced means that it's time to rethink this choice; previously 75K total would only have been 1P unless the OP had wanted to reach for 1K but now those 25K miles on UA rather than US would lead to a higher status level.
May 9, 2012, 4:05 pm
#15
Original Poster
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: CHO
Programs: Hyatt Dia; MR Gold; SPG Plat; UA Plat; US Silver, *A G
Posts: 54
Ok, I'll call US and go the FQTS/FQTV route for this upcoming trip and hope that does the trick.
As far as consolidating FF programs I am up in the air. I fly 4 segments per week getting in and out of CVL. As a result, I'm usually on 1 class planes making the upgrade possibilities for my business travel a non issue.
Decisions, decisions. I can say that being US Gold would have ensured an upgrade on the flight to aruba I'm taking Friday...the wife is not pleased.
As far as consolidating FF programs I am up in the air. I fly 4 segments per week getting in and out of CVL. As a result, I'm usually on 1 class planes making the upgrade possibilities for my business travel a non issue.
Decisions, decisions. I can say that being US Gold would have ensured an upgrade on the flight to aruba I'm taking Friday...the wife is not pleased.