Best way to book a flight on Swiss - on ual.com or swiss.com?
Sep 24, 2013, 9:02 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2011
Posts: 100
Best way to book a flight on Swiss - on ual.com or swiss.com?
I am a UA Gold (1MM). I want to book a flight ORD-ZRH on Swiss. The same flight is avail. as a code share on UA. Trying to decide if it makes any difference to book on UAL.com or swiss.com; i.e. can I select seats on the Swiss flight on ual.com?
Sep 24, 2013, 10:57 pm
#4
Join Date: Apr 2008
Programs: UA1k 3mm, HH-LifeDiamond, Mar-LifePlatElite
Posts: 351
If you book the code share, you will still need the swiss flight confirmation number, and have to go to swiss.com to change seats etc. You will not be able to access seat assignments within your united reservation on united.com.
Im not sure if it applies to your situation or not, but if you are planning to use a star alliance mileage plus upgrade award, you need to book the flight as a Swiss flight number. Swiss, (as I learned the hard way) will deny the upgrade award outright if it is ticketed as a codeshare UA flight, even if it meets all the fare requirements (and even in my case if the fare was exactly the same price). It was not very clear in the rules on UA's web page - so keep that in mind if that's something you are looking at.
Im not sure if it applies to your situation or not, but if you are planning to use a star alliance mileage plus upgrade award, you need to book the flight as a Swiss flight number. Swiss, (as I learned the hard way) will deny the upgrade award outright if it is ticketed as a codeshare UA flight, even if it meets all the fare requirements (and even in my case if the fare was exactly the same price). It was not very clear in the rules on UA's web page - so keep that in mind if that's something you are looking at.
Sep 24, 2013, 11:04 pm
#5
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: PHX
Programs: AS 75K; UA 1MM; Hyatt Globalist; Marriott LTP; Hilton Diamond (Aspire)
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Echoing the other comments, unless you need the PQD, there is no good reason to book the flight as a codeshare. It will just complicate things.
Sep 25, 2013, 3:06 am
#6
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: NYC
Programs: AA EXP, Hilton GLD, Marriott Plat, NEXUS/GE
Posts: 2,872
Im not sure if it applies to your situation or not, but if you are planning to use a star alliance mileage plus upgrade award, you need to book the flight as a Swiss flight number. Swiss, (as I learned the hard way) will deny the upgrade award outright if it is ticketed as a codeshare UA flight, even if it meets all the fare requirements (and even in my case if the fare was exactly the same price).
Sep 25, 2013, 3:15 am
#7
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: ICT
Programs: AA EXP, UA Plat, DL G, Marriott Gold
Posts: 1,330
In my experience, it doesn't matter if I use the swiss locator or ticket number: I can't change seats on swiss.com
A quick call to a surly swiss agent has solved this every time though.
A quick call to a surly swiss agent has solved this every time though.
Sep 25, 2013, 7:00 am
#9
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2011
Posts: 100
So, sounds like booking on swiss.com is the better way?
The airfare on Swiss shows up as "economy saver" (I believe one leg is K one is L). It shows up as only 50% "miles & more". Does this apply to Gold StarAlliance partners as well?
The airfare on Swiss shows up as "economy saver" (I believe one leg is K one is L). It shows up as only 50% "miles & more". Does this apply to Gold StarAlliance partners as well?
Sep 25, 2013, 12:32 pm
#10
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: ORD
Programs: UA 1K
Posts: 16,901
http://www.united.com/CMS/en-US/mark...spx?ItemId=297
neither K or L will earn you any miles.
Sep 25, 2013, 1:10 pm
#11
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: BGM/ PHL
Programs: US (Silver, *A Silver), AA, Starbucks (Gold)
Posts: 2,242
According to this chart:
http://www.united.com/CMS/en-US/mark...spx?ItemId=297
neither K or L will earn you any miles.
http://www.united.com/CMS/en-US/mark...spx?ItemId=297
neither K or L will earn you any miles.