Hi, need some expert help on a situation:-

1. purchased a reward flight on united from San Fran to Mexico. Booked it some time ago, and have the tickets.

2. am joining a connecting flight on ANA to Tokyo on the same day as it return from Mexico City...but only have 1 hour and 30 minutes.

Both airlines claim they can not put my baggage straight through, because the staralliance contract isn't signed.

ANA only have one flight a day, and reward booking on united are full.

I am also told I ahve to clear customs in San Fran.

1. Will I make in in 1 hour 20 minutes.

2. If I talk to united when I am in the US, will I be able to change the reward flight (an Ansett Australia reward flight).

3. Can I pay some extra and upgrade to business for the one leg (if required).

ANY help would be appreciated

Will

Odds are better to getting an answer to this question in either the United forum or the Star Alliance forum.

Regardless of "Star Alliance" contract or not, many airlines for years have had interline baggage agreements. As far as these 2 airlines I have no idea.

At SFO, with limited instance, there are no "transit passengers". I suppose that there is some INS secured transit lounge, but have never seen it. 1:20 is plenty of time at the existing terminal. This is one thing I will miss when the new terminal opens... just how close everything is. At the time I expect your UA flight to arrive (late AM), if you are a US Citizen, you should be done with immigration in 5 mins. Baggage is another story, but on an A320 (I would expect), it shouldn't take too long... good luck.

[This message has been edited by Eastbay1K (edited 06-08-2000).]

luggage: two years ago - in SFO (international) - coming (on UA) from MEX and going (on UA) to Calgary I didn't have to get my luggage through costums but was, after picking the luggage up in the area before costums clearing, I was able to recheck-it (after I inquired with UA staff, that solution was nowhere published/announced - but it worked). I did label the luggage in MEX through to Calgary.

StarAlliance agreement: ANA signed already in late 1999 (and UA is a founding member).

Upgrades: probably not possible (if not for operational reasons = overbooking of the lower class).

Risks of missing the connecting flights: If the incoming flight is (very) late, than you have a problem. But UA flights leaving in MEX in the early morning were (my experience is limited to about 6 flights MEX-SFO in the last three years) always on time.