Miles Ahead

I was on 7615. I saw I had cleared the upgrade list on the app about an hour before scheduled departure, but the boarding pass never changed its seat number. (It still hasn't)

In any event, it was nice that they upgraded a UA*G.

canadiancow

Were you on the upgrade list prior to clearing, or did your name only show up once you'd been upgraded?

The AC app's BP won't update for cabin/seat changes made at the gate like that. It's unfortunate.

Miles Ahead

My name showed up only when I cleared. Or rather, I didn't check until an hour before and was surprised to see I had cleared.

Thunderroad

Did a quick search and came up empty, so...

I'm Premier Platinum with UA, considering AC for an upcoming trip to Canada. I know that as a Star Alliance Gold I get certain perks for international trips, but am a bit unclear on seating perks (if any) or if others apply in North America. So, some questions for anyone who has AC experience:

1. Does my status get me complimentary access to AC preferred economy seats (the ones with a few inches more legroom - I assume roughly the equivalent of UA economy plus) on a revenue ticket?
2. If I use UA miles for an AC award ticket, will my UA status will get me access to preferred economy?
3. If I use Aeroplan miles or the miles from some other program for which I lack status, may I nevertheless use my UA status and thus get access?
4. Does any of this change if I book the AC metal flights as UA tickets?
5. As a Star Alliance Gold, do I have access to lounges if transiting through Canadian airports?
6. Does my status get me early boarding?

Thanks for any help!

sbm12

For 5 & 6 the answer is yes.

For 1-4 my experience has always been no prior to getting to the airport but it has been a while since I tried.

kohswisscheese

1/2/3: No access to preferred seating, a friendly agent might grant access but YMMV. Have had some luck asking in the Lounge and at the Gate when flights are not full.
5: Yes to AC Maple Leaf Lounge access and other *A lounges, including on domestic.
6: Yes to early boarding as *G, typically Zone 2 via the priority lane

4: No impact on any of the above

mr8

As a *G you should have access to any Maple leaf lounge anywhere (US domestic included). You should also get UA Club access when flying to/from Canada since it would make it an international flight.

Thunderroad

Thanks for the quick and useful replies, folks. And thanks to the mod for moving my post to this informative thread.

Thunderroad

Ok, a few more questions that I think fell between the gaps of my previous questions. I have some SQ miles to burn, but no status on SQ beyond basic membership. If I use them instead of UA miles to book award tix:

1. Does it kill my lounge access, by virtue of the AC itinerary record not having me as a *A Gold?
2. If so, what if I present my UA membership card at the lounge, since that includes *A Gold?
3. Is it possible to insert my UA # in the AC record to use my status to get early boarding, lounge access and (as noted in a few previous posts in this thread) an outside shot of an upgrade?

Thanks again for any help.

FlyerTalker70

Doesn't matter what airline program you use to book award flights with *A airlines the process is always the same, call the airline or go to manage reservations for the award ticket and update the frequent flyer number to your United one. The moment you do that you'll get access to all your *A Gold benefits. I've done this for LX, MS, AC and UA flights issued by Aeroplan as a UA Gold elite. In the case of AC I believe you have to call them update to do it (can't be changed online) but have done it before, literally takes a minute.

Alternatively, you can use the priority lane to check in, presenting your United card and telling them to update your FF card (can also be done at lounge) although doing it online or over the phone is by far the easiest. As others have noted, you won't get AC specific benefits like preferred seating since you're a UA elite, but you wouldn't get that anyways unless you're an elite with AC.

If travelling to/from Canada you'll have *A lounge (including all UC) the whole way, even if you're on a UA domestic leg like LAX -> SFO since the whole itinerary is marked as International.

Hope that helps.

Safe Travels,

James

mr8

I'm not very familiar with SQ miles, but if they let you book award tickets for other people (like UA), then you should be able to book it for yourself as another person with your UA MP number attached.

aacharya

As two data points, when I flew last year on the BRU-YYZ/YUL-EWR RTs (error fare), I was able to choose and pick the preferred economy seats for free during OLCI, but only on the BRU-YYZ/YUL and YYZ/YUL-EWR legs.

I wouldn't pay $100 for them, as I prefer to spend money on flights versus seats but the bulkhead seats behind Premium Economy on the Dreamliner are the most comfortable economy seats on the plane.

FlyerTalker70

Agree 100% about paying extra for preferred seating. Only did this once in my life on a UA flight from AKL to SFO where arguably the extra leg room was worthwhile as I wasn't Gold at the time.

Just thought I'd provide a data point of my own on this one. In January I flew YYZ to DXB on AC using my Aeroplan miles (with reservation updated to have my UA Gold card on file). During OLCI was offered the standard economy seats for free and chose a seat directly behind the bulkhead row seats. The flight was on a 777 if memory serves me correct. Saw the bulkhead row seats and were not impressed at all. It offered marginally more leg room but certainly wasn't worth the $45 AC was demanding for them. IME AC's Preferred Seats can't hold a candle up to UA's E+ seating which I get for free as a Gold (regardless of fare purchased). In particular the exit row seating on the 777 allows you to fully extend your legs and still not touch the wall. Most importantly, I can book a window seat and get out of the seat and into the aisle without having to step over anyone, a feat you can't even do in J!

Safe Travels,

James

bocastephen

Just an added data point - not only will you not receive free access to preferred seats, but you will not have free access to standard seats either. *G or not, everyone must pay for any AC seat at this point.

FlyerTalker70

Just to clarify that point. During OLCI you can select a standard seat for free but anytime before check in you'll have to pay for seat selection (unless you're on a Flex fare or better or are Super Elite with Air Canada). I'm waiting for the day that AC actually charges to select a seat at check in forcing me to skip seat selection during check in and play the seat lottery at the gate!

Safe Travels,

James