Using UA miles for Asiana ticket
Dec 31, 2018, 4:28 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Oct 2016
Posts: 119
Using UA miles for Asiana ticket
I am trying to use UA miles for tickets on Asiana, both within Asia and back to the US. When I look at ANA I can find availability for some flights I'd want but when I look on the website, and call UA (and check Aeroplan's website) none of them show the same flights as available. Does ANA have greater availability using Asiana? Is there something I am missing?
Thanks
Thanks
Dec 31, 2018, 5:12 am
#2
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: PHX
Programs: AS 75K; UA 1MM; Hyatt Globalist; Marriott LTP; Hilton Diamond (Aspire)
Posts: 56,480
Probably phantom availability on the NH (ANA) website. If two of the three main booking platforms (UA, AC, NH) show no space, chances are space displayed on the third (in this case, NH) is phantom (i.e., it doesn't really exist).
Dec 31, 2018, 11:46 am
#5
Moderator: United Airlines
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: SFO
Programs: UA Plat 1.997MM, Hyatt Discoverist, Marriott Plat/LT Gold, Hilton Silver, IHG Plat
Posts: 66,859
It is believed that *A partners pull the award inventory from Starnet (and hence the phantom inventory issue seen by many programs) and not from the partner directly, so blocking by the operating carrier would have to be at the purchase point (as SQ did at one time), not at the search.
Dec 31, 2018, 1:35 pm
#7
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: SFO/DFW
Programs: AA-EP, A3*G, UA*S
Posts: 290
I've booked two TPAC flights in the past on Asiana through ANA -- both of which showed as not available both on United and expertflyer. Didn't really check AC. But it was ticketed by NH and I flew it without issues.
In the above instance there was availability +/- a few days on NH but nothing on UA/EF.
In the above instance there was availability +/- a few days on NH but nothing on UA/EF.
Jan 6, 2019, 7:09 pm
#8
Original Poster
Join Date: Oct 2016
Posts: 119
Yes, it seems to be like UA has significantly less ability to book Asiana and ANA seats than does ANA. I ticketed my seats with no problem using ANA miles but was never able to with UA miles, either by phone or online. It is clear this isn't ANA seeing phantom availability, more United blocking or being blocked from issuing Asiana/ANA tickets in certain instances.