manneca

I've done it that way on ORD-HKG-SIN (IIRC). I used a GPU to upgrade the ORD-HKG (using UA.com) but it wanted another GPU to upgrade the HKG-SIN leg. I called and got that segment waitlisted (on the same GPU). So, there may be problems either way. Note, this was several years ago, the first year of GPUs (at least for us former CO folks) so YMMV

FlyerBeek

Recently had a similar issue flying SIN-HKG-ORD on the same flight number (UA896). Was booked on the direct flight (SIN-ORD) and R space opened up only on the HKG-ORD segment. It took 3 agents, the first two said it wasn't possible but the last agent was able to split the segments and manually clear the upgrade on HKG-ORD. It did take her about 45 minutes to complete. Initially she said there would be additional tax, but nothing was charged. As with most everything UA, when all else fails HUACA.

-FlyerBeek

anandrag

What's MP policy on flights that make a stop but retain flight number? Do they credit it as if it were a non-stop or do they give credit for the sum if the 2 flights? Can make a huge difference in mileage.
I fear former and believe that's what AA does.
How about for upgrades? Do they do them for the flights separately? Gets confusing esp when there's an equipment and aircraft type change

Baze

If it is AAA-CCC that has a stop in BBB (even if plane change) then just get for AAA-CCC.
If it is AAA-BBB-CCC and just happens to have the same flight number you get mileage for both legs.

If is AAA-CCC you can call to have them split it so it is AA-BBB-CCC.

Clear as mud?

anandrag

How do I know whether intention was to have it be AAA-CCC or AAA-BBB-CCC? My case is a IAH-DEN-ANC. They also have it frequently for NYC-ORD-SFO

Baze

Been a while since I was on one of these, but if AAA-CCC with a stop was only given 1 boarding pass or the second boarding pass stated was a continuing passenger.

Also on the PNR (reservation) it just listed AAA-CCC. if it is AAA-BBB-CCC you will see separate flights on the PNR for each leg and they just happen to have the same flight number.

anandrag

It's listed separately as 2 different flights. Do I need to call UA for proper credit? Now or after flights? How about CPUs?

Baze

If it is listed as 2 separate flights then you should be good to go. They will post as 2 separate flights and CPU's will be based on 2 separate flights. They just happen to have the same flight number.

yfking

This happened to me last week on UA759, which is ORD - SEA, with a stop at SFO. I didn't realize it was a direct flight with 1 stop (shows up that way in my receipt) so I was surprised to see my account credited with 1720 miles, as opposed to roughly 2518 miles (so around 800 miles difference).

Had I read this thread earlier I'd have known to split the itinerary before travel - but now that it is after the fact, is there anything I can do at this point? Any advice?

tmelanio

I am returning SIN-ORD-EWR-TPA for which UA lists 11,033 miles.
I have a HKG layover between SIN & ORD which would make the real miles total 11,107.
SIN-ORD is one flight number with a stop at HKG.
My memory is shaky - I think UA in the past has credited me with the extra miles involved in a non-direct flight.
I know it is only 74 miles difference - but out of curiosity - is United going to credit me with 11,033 or 11,107?

IADFlyer123

11,033. It will consider it as one flight.

emcampbe

While generally true, believe the larger amount can be earned depending on how it was booked.

If booked as a standard OW (or RT) SIN-TPA then yes, would be considered the direct flight mileage. But if the segments were separated somehow - either manually or through booking a multi-city specifying SIN-HKG and HKG-ORD separately (for example, selecting multi-city and inputting three destinations as SIN-HKG, HKG-ORD and ORD-TPA), should get the higher mileage amount of the separate nonstop mileage.

OP - if you really want the nonstop mileage, can call and ask an agent to separate these two segments. May have to HUCA (based on past reports) as some agents may not do this. Also, will likely be charged a bit extra in taxes as they are often calculated differently once separated. Also, If looking to upgrade, this can also change those odds as R space on the direct is often different than separately on the two point-to-point segments.

rcwhitejr2

Tried to search on here for an answer to this question - no luck.

I am a 1K. On Friday flew from PBI to DEN via EWR. I always thought they would credit you the miles from PBI to EWR and then EWR to DEN, but in fact, because it is the same flight number it is considered one segment and they only credit you PBI-DEN. I called 1-800-UNITED1 and confirmed this is indeed the case.

If I had booked separate flight numbers, I would have gotten full mileage credit.

Relatively happy customer for lots of years, but I think this policy is absolutely ridiculous.

Baze

Been this way for YEARS. Even pre merger UA had it like this. Don't necessarily need separate flight numbers but just separate segments. f your itinerary says PBI-DEN with a stop in EWR and all same flight number get only PBI-DEN. But if says PBI-EWR-DEN even if has same flight numbers get credit for all legs. Sorry you had to find out the hard way.

rcwhitejr2

Eh, no easy way. Living out west you don't run into it so much. Still seems like a ludicrous policy. Thanks for the answer and listening to the vent.