muji

I had planned to convert my 7,000 UA miles to Marriott, but I am just a lowly general UA member, and a Marriott Gold member - so the system would not allow me to make a transfer.

Wanted to check if I could somehow transfer my 7,000 miles to somewhere where I could get at least some value for them.
(I won't be earning any more United miles, so the miles will soon expire.)
I think there is no option (except for getting a magazine subscription, which I don't want).
Is this correct?

Aussienarelle

I believe you can donate miles (not sure if there is a minimum) and you do not receive a benefit except knowing you are helping someone else (so altruistic benefits).

STEPHANKOENIG

I am planning a trip TPA - HAM with my wife. Will be there for two months or so.
In between, I need to fly back to the US for a few days (legal appointment).

Can I book the flights together with my wife and in between buy my own flight HAM - TPA from Germany?

Or is there any restriction on this kind of booking?

EmailKid

Seems you have a legitimate reason for a return in middle of your journey, you are likely not skirting any minimum stays, so I would think you should be fine. Assuming UA, otherwise, if with any other carrier, it would be a nonevent.

IMHO a nonevent even with UA, though there may be some who disagree.

STEPHANKOENIG

Yes, LH and UA. Need 170K miles for MM ;-)

EmailKid

Um, pretty sure LH does not count toward MM.

STEPHANKOENIG

Correct. But UA does not fly into HAM anymore.

jsloan

I don't see any issue with this, and I don't think UA will either. As you point out, nested ticketing is only a problem when it skirts a fare rule. In this case, I think UA would happily sell two tickets, even if the nesting is planned in advance.

yulflier

Just booked a ticket with UA. I am a FF with AC, a lowly 25K, however the reservation says: Frequent Flyer: AC-XXXXXXXXX Premier Gold

Does that mean that I get Premier Gold benefits?

fumje

Interesting. I'll be surprised if anyone knows for certain, but you may as well try for the lounge, or whatever you like. Perhaps chances of access are low if it's a MLL.

If you view your reservation, what do your baggage allowances show?

yulflier

I'll definitely give it a shot as I have a 10 hour layover, worst case scenario I'll use a Priority Pass credit. Two free bags (I think this is standard going to Brazil but I haven't been in 8 years). Origin and destination for checked baggage1st bag charge2nd bag charge1st bag weight and dimensions2nd bag weight and dimensionsMontreal, QC, CA (YUL - Trudeau)
to Rio de Janeiro, RJ, BR (GIG - Galećo)0 CAD0 CAD50lbs(23kg) - 62in(157cm)50lbs(23kg) - 62in(157cm

fumje

Seems like *G then. Good luck!

findark

I wouldn't be too sure.. Brazilian law mandates the high baggage allowance so it's probably not enough to tell.

fumje

Good point, I was not familiar with that rule.

psychoidiot

Sorry- My issue was earlier in the thread where the UA DID put me on that HK-CAN flight but didn't tell me, so that messed up my outbound flight. I thought I was going to have to stay an extra day but an hour long phone call fixed it. My question is that I should be trusting what the united.com reservations says then?? At the time of the original request of putting me on the HKG-CAN flight, it was there but when I called to confirm (since I was hung up on while rep was confirming this), the next CSR told me that I was not confirmed and it would drop off (I am about to get on my plane to HKG at this point). and the Supervisor confirmed the same. Seeing as both of them were wrong, should I have just tried when I landed at HKG? I collected my luggage and checked in and didn't get boarding passes at ORD for the HKG-CAN flight. I didn't make an attempt at HKG airport to check since I didn't want to miss the bus. So angry, the United care Representative did offer a $300 voucher for the issue but if I didn't have a crap ton of points lying around, I would have just flown Hainan and never fly United if I don't have to, so frustrating.