Odd Message on Multi-Segment Itinerary
Apr 23, 2004 | 11:43 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: Chapel Hill, NC - UA Nobody (sigh)/0.925MM, HHonors Diamond
Posts: 3,510
Odd Message on Multi-Segment Itinerary
I've been using Frequent Flyer Assistant to schedule/price:
RDU-ORD-NRT-BKK-HKG-PVG-SFO-IAD-RDU.
The UA Create itinerary page gives me these non-UA choices:
BKK-HKG on Thai or Cathay Pacific
HKG-PVG on Dragonair or China Eastern Air
So I select Cathay Pacific and Dragonair flights on those legs, hit Price this selection, and get:
We are unable to continue processing with the airline(s) you have selected.
Same thing if I select Thai. I was able to price it last week with Cathay. Did something change RE UA's relationship with these airlines? Why is it giving me these choices if they're not valid? Thanks.
RDU-ORD-NRT-BKK-HKG-PVG-SFO-IAD-RDU.
The UA Create itinerary page gives me these non-UA choices:
BKK-HKG on Thai or Cathay Pacific
HKG-PVG on Dragonair or China Eastern Air
So I select Cathay Pacific and Dragonair flights on those legs, hit Price this selection, and get:
We are unable to continue processing with the airline(s) you have selected.
Same thing if I select Thai. I was able to price it last week with Cathay. Did something change RE UA's relationship with these airlines? Why is it giving me these choices if they're not valid? Thanks.
Apr 23, 2004 | 2:22 pm
#2
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: BRS
Programs: BA GLD
Posts: 1,927
What type of fare are you trying to use? If it's First, Business, Full Fare Economy, or the highest Economy Excursion (B*EX) fare, then they are all mileage based, so it shouldn't be a problem. If it's a lower fare, then it's a routing based fare, and Shanghai isn't on the routing to Bangkok, your point of turnaround. But it should also price by breaking the fare in Bangkok, and using a Y fare BKK-HKG-SHA on any carrier, then the UA fare back home. It prices fine in Sabre.
Apr 23, 2004 | 2:40 pm
#3
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: Chapel Hill, NC - UA Nobody (sigh)/0.925MM, HHonors Diamond
Posts: 3,510
Originally Posted by sftrvlr
What type of fare are you trying to use? If it's First, Business, Full Fare Economy, or the highest Economy Excursion (B*EX) fare, then they are all mileage based, so it shouldn't be a problem. If it's a lower fare, then it's a routing based fare, and Shanghai isn't on the routing to Bangkok, your point of turnaround. But it should also price by breaking the fare in Bangkok, and using a Y fare BKK-HKG-SHA on any carrier, then the UA fare back home. It prices fine in Sabre.
Apr 23, 2004 | 8:00 pm
#4
Join Date: Nov 2000
Location: Upcountry Maui, HI
Posts: 13,722
Yeah, I've had that problem too. It's often easier to price it out on travelocity.
-David
-David
Apr 23, 2004 | 8:10 pm
#5
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: Chapel Hill, NC - UA Nobody (sigh)/0.925MM, HHonors Diamond
Posts: 3,510
Originally Posted by LIH Prem
Yeah, I've had that problem too. It's often easier to price it out on travelocity.
-David
-David
Apr 23, 2004 | 8:38 pm
#6
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: IND
Programs: UA Million Miler (Lifetime Gold), Hilton Diamond, Marriott Gold
Posts: 3,533
I started experiencing the same problem yesterday. Been watching the price on ORD-HKG-MNL and back the same way. Could book a ticket with Cathay on the HKG-MNL route last week. Now it gives me the same message you got.
Apr 23, 2004 | 10:17 pm
#7
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: NYC
Programs: BAEC Silver, AA LTP 2MM
Posts: 3,358
I've had so many problems booking multi-carrier int'l itin's on ual.com that I no longer bother trying. Just call.
Apr 24, 2004 | 7:38 am
#8
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: Chapel Hill, NC - UA Nobody (sigh)/0.925MM, HHonors Diamond
Posts: 3,510
Originally Posted by UAL_Rulez
I've had so many problems booking multi-carrier int'l itin's on ual.com that I no longer bother trying. Just call.
May 12, 2004 | 8:12 pm
#9
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: IND
Programs: UA Million Miler (Lifetime Gold), Hilton Diamond, Marriott Gold
Posts: 3,533
Has anyone been able to buy/price international tickets with a segment on another airline not in United's list lately? I'm still getting this weird message. It'll cost me $200 more to buy the tickets separately than as a multi-city flight. Problem with other sites is not being able to see the fare class so I know for sure that I'm eligible for an upgrade.
May 12, 2004 | 8:50 pm
#10
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: Bay Area, CA
Programs: UA Plat 2MM; AS MVP Gold 75K
Posts: 35,092
Originally Posted by linsj
Problem with other sites is not being able to see the fare class so I know for sure that I'm eligible for an upgrade.
May 12, 2004 | 9:13 pm
#11
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2002
Location: Saipan, MP 96950 USA (Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands = the CNMI)
Programs: UA Silver, Hilton Silver. Life: UA .60 MM, United & Admirals Clubs (spousal), Marriott Platinum
Posts: 18,052
Originally Posted by Chapel Hill Guy
The problem with just calling is that, like linsj, I've been checking the price periodically and not quite ready to book. Calling and describing the eight segments and exact flights I want takes a lot of phone time. It sure was a lot easier just submitting an FFA itinerary to check prices.
May 12, 2004 | 10:39 pm
#12
Join Date: Mar 2000
Location: UA 1K 3MM, UA 1P/1K since mid '80s; CO Bronze/Silver since mid 80's, Austin, Texas
Posts: 1,279
Never use the UA website for international fares. You will be put on other airlines, quoted absurdly high fares, and sent on the most improbable routings. Just dial the toll free number. You will save time. You will save money. You will get more miles (remember that there aren't the bonus miles on TG or BD).
I've had some success on domestic itineraries on the UA website. And I'll check the UA website out of curiosity. But it really takes some time-consuming tinkering in the multi city mode.
Just call.
I've had some success on domestic itineraries on the UA website. And I'll check the UA website out of curiosity. But it really takes some time-consuming tinkering in the multi city mode.
Just call.