Jan 6, 2015, 9:07 pm
Last edit by: WineCountryUA
In *A, mileage earning is based on the rules for the operating carrier
There are three key pieces of info needed
1. The operating carrier of the flight segment (how marketed / codeshare do not matter)
2. The fare class of the operating carrier. This can be a problem if purchased as codeshare because the codeshare's fare class is not relevant.
3. Program you are crediting
If crediting to United MileagePlus, see the partner earning tables to determine earnings (both RDMs and PQMs)
There are three key pieces of info needed
1. The operating carrier of the flight segment (how marketed / codeshare do not matter)
2. The fare class of the operating carrier. This can be a problem if purchased as codeshare because the codeshare's fare class is not relevant.
3. Program you are crediting
If crediting to United MileagePlus, see the partner earning tables to determine earnings (both RDMs and PQMs)
How to find the fare class / mapping for codeshare mileage earning before purchasing?
Dec 9, 2014, 7:49 pm
#16
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No, never, I'd book the operating carrier instead of a codeshare regardless of booking class.
Dec 9, 2014, 10:53 pm
#18
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EF has a tool for codeshare fare class mapping.
A significant part of this is due the different fare structures of different airlines. It is a big mistake to use your understanding of one airlines fare structure to interpret another airline's structure. Someone familiar with UA's F fare class will be sorely disappointed with AC's F (the lowest of the low economy fare). or A fares.
A significant part of this is due the different fare structures of different airlines. It is a big mistake to use your understanding of one airlines fare structure to interpret another airline's structure. Someone familiar with UA's F fare class will be sorely disappointed with AC's F (the lowest of the low economy fare). or A fares.
Dec 9, 2014, 11:42 pm
#19
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I checked Seth's list at http://wandr.me/tools/staralliance_c...e_mapping.aspx ; he doesn't mention that AC B => UA U, but he also says that mappings he has are based on user reports only.
Yup, they do. For AC, "Y" and "B" are the full Latitude fares, see at e.g. http://www.aircanada.com/en/aeroplan...milesChart.pdf .
Inventory on AC3530 + AC5437 YYZ-ORD-SFO is
Code:
Y4 B4 M4 U0 H0 Q0 V0 W0 S0 T0 L0 K0 G0 A0 J0 C0 D0 Z0 P0 Y4 B4 M4 U4 H0 Q0 V0 W0 S0 T0 L0 K0 G0 A0
I see that it has a "reference => class codes" section which tells me that on AC, B fare = "ECONOMY", P fare = "Upgrade into Exec First from full-fare Coach (Y/B) or Premium Economy (O) fares on International flights.", and Z fare = "Upgrade into Exec First from full-fare Coach (Y/B) or Premium Economy (O) fares on North America flights."
I don't see an EF tool for "codeshare fare class mapping". I checked under Awards & Upgrades, Flight Availability, Flight Timetables, Flight Status, Flight Details, Seat Map, Fare Information, Travel Information, Support, and Reference; I also checked their user manual… don't see a tool for codeshare class mapping that tells me that AC B => UA U on a flight like this.
Dec 9, 2014, 11:50 pm
#20
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Dec 10, 2014, 12:06 am
#21
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That's partially true. That booking class table tells you what booking class you are allowed to book into if you book that carrier's flight number directly, not what the codeshares map to. While they are usually the same, there are some exceptions so you shouldn't rely on that as gospel. For example, I've run into situations in the past where, on a TATL W fare, the booking class table specifies W for Lufthansa, but when the same flight was booked as a UA codeshare operated by Lufthansa, it booked into V. (Fortunately, it was a discrepancy in my favor.)
This is a subtle distinction; let me know if this doesn't make sense.
Dec 10, 2014, 10:19 am
#23
Left Expert Flyer 4/23
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And indeed I've quoted the EF tool in my original post which shows that this particular AC fare basis would book into UA M when booked as a UA flight number. But I don't see an ExpertFlyer tool that tells you how to interpret the booking class from a codeshare to the prime carrier once you've issued the ticket.
Dec 10, 2014, 12:16 pm
#24
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If I understand your question, the Booking Class search is part of the Fare Information results page. A third icon next to every fare result along side the Fare Rules and Routing Rules buttons. It's mentioned on the lower half of page 10 of the User Guide: http://www.expertflyer.com/user-guide.pdf
(1) When AC fare basis ELW38RCE SFO-DUB is used to book an AC flight number on a segment within North America, what booking class is booked on the AC flight? Answer: B.
Code:
IF VIA AC E- FARES BETWEEN USA-AREA 2
E REQUIRED BETWEEN CANADA-AREA 2 FLTS
1750-1999 AND
B REQUIRED BETWEEN CANADA-USA FLTS
1750-1999
VIA AC E REQUIRED WHEN AVAILABLE E- FARES WITHIN
NORTH AMERICA
VIA AC B REQUIRED E- FARES WITHIN NORTH AMERICA
AREA 2
VIA AC B REQUIRED E- FARES WITHIN AREA 2
Code:
VIA UA M REQUIRED WITHIN AREA 1 IF VIA AC E- FARES VIA PACIFIC
(3) When AC fare basis ELW38RCE SFO-DUB is used to book an AC flight number on a segment within North America, and it books into AC B, but the flight is a codeshare operated by United, what fare class does United say they received from Air Canada?
The answer (per screenshots above) is "U" — but I don't see a way to find this out without making a reservation and seeing what UA says they received from AC.
Do I misunderstand? Does Expertflyer have a tool that will answer (3)? The actual booking class on the operating carrier does make a difference for things like upgrades and mileage accrual.
Dec 25, 2014, 8:25 am
#25
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How to determine the fare class for mileage earning on codeshare before purchasing?
Hi -
Attempting to get qualifying miles on UA. Flying JFK-MUC-JNB. Ticket stock is LH. MUC-JNB is SA operated. Is there a way to tell underlying fare class for SA without buying the ticket and calling SA?
Thank you!
Attempting to get qualifying miles on UA. Flying JFK-MUC-JNB. Ticket stock is LH. MUC-JNB is SA operated. Is there a way to tell underlying fare class for SA without buying the ticket and calling SA?
Thank you!
Dec 25, 2014, 10:03 am
#26
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What is the flight number? If it's a LH marketed flight number operated by SA, you may have a codeshare mapping problem -- best to buy the ticket, then check the fare class on the SA view of the reservation, then refund it within 24 hrs for free if you get the wrong fare class. (Double check that your agency / carrier gives a free 24-hr refund.)
If it's a SA flight number operated by SA, then even though the ticket is issued by LH, you'll be OK (you'll get the fare class stated on the e-ticket and stated at booking time).
If it's a SA flight number operated by SA, then even though the ticket is issued by LH, you'll be OK (you'll get the fare class stated on the e-ticket and stated at booking time).
Dec 25, 2014, 2:06 pm
#28
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Qualifying fare code
Since this is an ex-USA trip, DOT regulations apply on a 24 hour free hold or a full refund within 24 hours of purchase. So find out which one is used by the airline or agency you purchase from, hold or purchase ticket based on the answer, then call SA to find out what the fare code is on their flight. If it's not what you want, cancel ticket.
Dec 25, 2014, 4:28 pm
#30
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Best you are gonna do is buy (or hold) the ticket then look at the SA view of the reservation and check the fare classes they see then cancel it if it doesn't work for you.
Even for carriers who don't offer a free 24-hr refund, you can usually get an ARC void from a travel agent, for example Orbitz is pretty good about cancelling trips within 24 hrs of purchase for almost all carriers for free (which is a thing that travel agents can generally do). Worst case, if LH doesn't offer 24 hr free refund on the itinerary you want, you can usually book with Orbitz then check the SA view of the itinerary to see what the fare class is and cancel/refund.
After you do this exercise, please report the fare class you get — it is proprietary/secret knowledge and publishing it publicly will help educate consumers.