Washington Times - United Admits to StarNet Blocking!
Jun 9, 2011, 11:58 am
#2326
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: SAN
Programs: UA 1MM/1K, HH Diamond
Posts: 6,832
Just wanted to add a data point. We just booked 2 C seats on SA for JFK-JNB-CPT for next April. ANA showed plenty of availability around the dates we wanted, and UA saw the same. I had thought JFK-JNB awards were impossible, but apparently not. ^
Jun 20, 2011, 12:24 pm
#2327
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: New York, NY
Posts: 1,982
Star alliance blocking is still alive and well at UA. Makes me suspect it's too in-grained in their reservations system and they cannot easily get rid of it. My point of reference, TG flights out of BKK on Jul4. All seem to be blocked, be it PVG or HKG, while CO shows availability.
Jun 20, 2011, 12:38 pm
#2328
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Honolulu, HI
Programs: UA 1K 1MM, AA Exec Plat
Posts: 1,240
Even on continental flights. I was trying to book a YUL-EWR-XXX reward flight operated by continental. It was available on CO website, but UA agent couldn't see it available.
I called continental and booked it from my account.
I called continental and booked it from my account.
Jun 20, 2011, 12:47 pm
#2329
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Jun 29, 2011, 5:45 am
#2330
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It seems the CO website may be emplying UA's ol' StarNet blocking trick.
I'm seeing BKK-ZRH on TG C not available on CO but available on NH's tool. Same story with a FRA-ZRH LX flight. Travel in December/January.
I'm seeing BKK-ZRH on TG C not available on CO but available on NH's tool. Same story with a FRA-ZRH LX flight. Travel in December/January.
Jun 29, 2011, 7:26 am
#2331
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Join Date: Apr 2001
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Availability on "native" metal is often different than that to partners. Not a huge surprise there.
Is it the same logged out? Co.com has problems from time to time with premium cabin awards on some partners when logged in as an elite because of the way they code some awards internally. If they can book it on the phone it is likely a case of the website being annoying, not a willful blocking of the award space.
Is it the same logged out? Co.com has problems from time to time with premium cabin awards on some partners when logged in as an elite because of the way they code some awards internally. If they can book it on the phone it is likely a case of the website being annoying, not a willful blocking of the award space.
Jun 29, 2011, 7:30 am
#2332
Join Date: May 2007
Location: WAS
Programs: UA 1K, AS MPVG
Posts: 482
I can't tell if the CO site is blocking or just not not working very well. I've definitely seen flights that ANA shows but CO doesn't. But I've also encountered a few instances where the site will show a flight in combination with other flights (i.e., A-B as part of A-B-C) but then not show it when doing a direct A-B search. I get a sense that CO's award search is not very consistent.
Jun 29, 2011, 11:01 am
#2333
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You wont see any LX flights online 
You also wont see TK,CA,SQ
Now, if they told you on the phone, there is no space on that flight, that would be an issue.
I've also found some TG inconsistencies - but only online - on the phone they had the flights - there certainly are a lot of bugs to the online system, so I wouldnt blame *net blocking just yet.
You also wont see TK,CA,SQ
Now, if they told you on the phone, there is no space on that flight, that would be an issue.
I've also found some TG inconsistencies - but only online - on the phone they had the flights - there certainly are a lot of bugs to the online system, so I wouldnt blame *net blocking just yet.
Jun 29, 2011, 9:28 pm
#2334
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http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/conti...s-flights.html
call CO and see if you get it.
Jun 30, 2011, 5:59 pm
#2335
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: LAX
Programs: UA Platinum/2MM
Posts: 181
Just tried to book awards tickets for my sister and her husband. ANA site showed availabilities on dates we wanted. But GS agent said there was none. I told him that I saw it on ANA site but he says "but I am not seeing it." 
Jun 30, 2011, 6:19 pm
#2336
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Jun 30, 2011, 6:30 pm
#2337
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they usually say that what is available to ANA does not need to be made available to UA.
Jun 30, 2011, 7:45 pm
#2338
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Jun 30, 2011, 9:46 pm
#2339
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