codeshare flight miles?
May 24, 2009 | 9:04 pm
#1
Original Poster
Suspended
Join Date: Apr 2009
Programs: AAdvantage Gold
Posts: 1,614
codeshare flight miles?
I'm a Premier Exec with United and my favorite feature about it is the 100% RDM bonus, which is one of the reasons I try to fly on UA Metal exclusively. I fly United 888 and 889 between SFO and Beijing quite often and this is where the 100% RDM bonus really adds up fast. I notice that United also has flights 4453 and 4454 which is the codeshare operated by Air China.
My question is: Do I still get the 100% RDM bonus if I take the United 4453/4454 codeshare? and Does it still count towards my lifetime miles count? I would book this flight as United 4453/4454 rather than as Air China 985/986.
I'm asking this because last year I had to fly Beijing-Sydney nonstop on Air China and only got 50% RDM miles and NO elite bonus. I'm afraid if I take the United 4453/4454 flight, I will only get 50% miles and also lose out on the 100% premier exec bonus. Considering that it's approx 6000 miles each way, the UA Metal + 1P bonus = 24000 RDM. If Air China only gives 50% miles with no bonus, then i'd only end up with 8000 RDM, a factor of 1/4.
My budget only allows me to buy the cheap coach seats. I am not interested in a mileage upgrade on UA as the 777s they fly between Beijing and SFO is still the rather old business class seat that I feel is just marginally above domestic first class...
My question is: Do I still get the 100% RDM bonus if I take the United 4453/4454 codeshare? and Does it still count towards my lifetime miles count? I would book this flight as United 4453/4454 rather than as Air China 985/986.
I'm asking this because last year I had to fly Beijing-Sydney nonstop on Air China and only got 50% RDM miles and NO elite bonus. I'm afraid if I take the United 4453/4454 flight, I will only get 50% miles and also lose out on the 100% premier exec bonus. Considering that it's approx 6000 miles each way, the UA Metal + 1P bonus = 24000 RDM. If Air China only gives 50% miles with no bonus, then i'd only end up with 8000 RDM, a factor of 1/4.
My budget only allows me to buy the cheap coach seats. I am not interested in a mileage upgrade on UA as the 777s they fly between Beijing and SFO is still the rather old business class seat that I feel is just marginally above domestic first class...
May 24, 2009 | 9:08 pm
#2
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2004
Posts: 23,999
If your flight is on Air China metal (even if it's a UA codeshare), you won't earn lifetime miles or the elite bonus miles. As you experienced last time, you might not even earn 100% RDM's/EQM's.
May 24, 2009 | 9:55 pm
#3
Moderator: United Airlines
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: SFO
Programs: UA LT Plat 2MM, Hyatt Discoverist, Marriott LT Gold, Hilton Silver, IHG Plat
Posts: 73,175
See link for Air China mileage earning rules
May 24, 2009 | 11:48 pm
#4
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 1999
Location: New York, NY, USA
Posts: 12,811
It doesn't matter what codes are on your ticket, it is the metal that counts.
May 25, 2009 | 8:41 am
#5
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: SFO/SJC
Programs: UA Silver, Marriott Gold, Hilton Gold, IHG Platinum
Posts: 16,206
And the booking code on the operating carrier determines how many RDM/EQM you get. On a codeshare, the UA fare code translates to an equivilant one on Air China. UA has a list, linked above, on how much each code earns. When flying on UA metal, all published fares earn 100% RDM/EQM. However, on other carriers this is not necessarily the case.
May 25, 2009 | 9:56 am
#6
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: SFO/NYC
Programs: UA/AS; Bonvoy
Posts: 287
It's a shame that codeshare flights don't earn the mileage bonuses, but, unfortunately, that's life.