Sep 17, 2016, 6:19 pm
Last edit by: WineCountryUA
Booking on United.com (016 ticket)
Pro
-Category bonus with United Chase Credit cards (ie- the Explorer Card earns two miles per dollar spent on United.com but not on Lufthansa.com, for example)
- Deal directly with UA on UA schedule changes
- UA change rules are generally more generous
Con
- Many partner flights will be booked as UA codeshare and this can make some things more difficult or impossible -- such as *A upgrades, seat assignments, actual partner fare class is hidden, ..
- While not a major thing, in irrops, codeshares can be an extra issue for the agent
= Due to plating restrictions, partners may not allow UA access to the partners best fares
Partner site
Pro
- Native flight numbers (No codeshare issues)
- Deal directly with partner for partner schedule changes
- Access to partner's lowest fares
Unclear
- partner flights will earn PQPs based on miles and multiple and UA operated flights will earn PQPs in the fare method -- which may be hard to determine in advance
Not hard rule which is better but a good chance for higher cost tickets PQPs on 016 ticket are better, and also for lower cost fares, you need to run the numbers.
Does not matter
-PQP earning & UA Lifetime mileage earning is unaffected by booking method
- On UA operated flight your UA elite benefits fully apply and you can use PlusPoints or miles to upgrade
Pro
-Category bonus with United Chase Credit cards (ie- the Explorer Card earns two miles per dollar spent on United.com but not on Lufthansa.com, for example)
- Deal directly with UA on UA schedule changes
- UA change rules are generally more generous
Con
- Many partner flights will be booked as UA codeshare and this can make some things more difficult or impossible -- such as *A upgrades, seat assignments, actual partner fare class is hidden, ..
- While not a major thing, in irrops, codeshares can be an extra issue for the agent
= Due to plating restrictions, partners may not allow UA access to the partners best fares
Partner site
Pro
- Native flight numbers (No codeshare issues)
- Deal directly with partner for partner schedule changes
- Access to partner's lowest fares
Unclear
- partner flights will earn PQPs based on miles and multiple and UA operated flights will earn PQPs in the fare method -- which may be hard to determine in advance
Not hard rule which is better but a good chance for higher cost tickets PQPs on 016 ticket are better, and also for lower cost fares, you need to run the numbers.
Does not matter
-PQP earning & UA Lifetime mileage earning is unaffected by booking method
- On UA operated flight your UA elite benefits fully apply and you can use PlusPoints or miles to upgrade
Pro/Cons of booking flights on partner site vs united.com
May 14, 2016, 7:13 am
#31
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May 14, 2016, 7:16 am
#32
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May 14, 2016, 7:30 am
#33
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May 14, 2016, 9:39 am
#34
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Book a single ticket to reduce risk in IRROPS.
I would probably default to UA b/c their customer service is a known quantity, and any changes up until date of departure will be made through the ticketing carrier. I've had very mixed experiences dealing with latin american carriers (never flown with LATAM though).
I would probably default to UA b/c their customer service is a known quantity, and any changes up until date of departure will be made through the ticketing carrier. I've had very mixed experiences dealing with latin american carriers (never flown with LATAM though).
May 14, 2016, 12:05 pm
#36
Join Date: Dec 2007
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Book a single ticket to reduce risk in IRROPS.
I would probably default to UA b/c their customer service is a known quantity, and any changes up until date of departure will be made through the ticketing carrier. I've had very mixed experiences dealing with latin american carriers (never flown with LATAM though).
I would probably default to UA b/c their customer service is a known quantity, and any changes up until date of departure will be made through the ticketing carrier. I've had very mixed experiences dealing with latin american carriers (never flown with LATAM though).
Rats ! I Can't get the 2 day open jaw that I want in SCL when I try booking multi-city on united.com
Website only wants to book as a continuation flight with a long 1 day layover (flight from IAH arrives 45 min. after connecting flight leaves, so engine books next available flight the next day).
Trying to book multi-city as:
IAH-SCL N/S
SCL-IPC 2 days later
IPC-IAH a week later
Does UA resist booking open jaw when non-SA connections are involved?
May 14, 2016, 12:08 pm
#37
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Rats ! I Can't get the 2 day open jaw that I want in SCL when I try booking multi-city on united.com
Website only wants to book as a continuation flight with a long 1 day layover (flight from IAH arrives 45 min. after connecting flight leaves, so engine books next available flight the next day).
Trying to book multi-city as:
IAH-SCL N/S
SCL-IPC 2 days later
IPC-IAH a week later
Does UA resist booking open jaw when non-SA connections are involved?
Website only wants to book as a continuation flight with a long 1 day layover (flight from IAH arrives 45 min. after connecting flight leaves, so engine books next available flight the next day).
Trying to book multi-city as:
IAH-SCL N/S
SCL-IPC 2 days later
IPC-IAH a week later
Does UA resist booking open jaw when non-SA connections are involved?
Try searching on google flights and see if you get the book on UA link.
If not, just call it in to add the LATAM segments. I had to call it in to add LAN's SCL-MDZ to a UA IAH-SCL.
May 14, 2016, 12:28 pm
#38
Join Date: Dec 2007
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Posts: 255
Earning RDM is a prerequisite for earning PQD, and LATAM earns no RDM in UAMP.
It's hard to tell if anything on UA.sux is a feature or a bug.
Try searching on google flights and see if you get the book on UA link.
If not, just call it in to add the LATAM segments. I had to call it in to add LAN's SCL-MDZ to a UA IAH-SCL.
It's hard to tell if anything on UA.sux is a feature or a bug.
Try searching on google flights and see if you get the book on UA link.
If not, just call it in to add the LATAM segments. I had to call it in to add LAN's SCL-MDZ to a UA IAH-SCL.
You mean actually call and speak to a real live person?
Hey, I do OK, but I'm not that rich !
I don't want to break the bank.
... Will try google ...
May 14, 2016, 12:44 pm
#39
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May 14, 2016, 1:38 pm
#40
Join Date: Dec 2007
Programs: CO Plat
Posts: 255
Earning RDM is a prerequisite for earning PQD, and LATAM earns no RDM in UAMP.
It's hard to tell if anything on UA.sux is a feature or a bug.
Try searching on google flights and see if you get the book on UA link.
If not, just call it in to add the LATAM segments. I had to call it in to add LAN's SCL-MDZ to a UA IAH-SCL.
It's hard to tell if anything on UA.sux is a feature or a bug.
Try searching on google flights and see if you get the book on UA link.
If not, just call it in to add the LATAM segments. I had to call it in to add LAN's SCL-MDZ to a UA IAH-SCL.
... Wow ... The google flights / book on united.com link really worked !
Was able to book the wide open jaw with exactly the flights I wanted, at the right price.
Thanks mduell !
You get a gold star. :-:
May 15, 2016, 11:05 am
#41
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May 15, 2016, 11:52 am
#42
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Sep 17, 2016, 5:29 pm
#44
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Booking Partner Airlines Via United vs Directly
Its been only a week since this years trip ended but it is time to plan next years already. Checking airfares on united.com and aircanada.com, the J/C class fare is the same on both sites for the same flights. What are the benefits and cons of booking directly through United vs through the Air Canada?