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...

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.

See link for Air China mileage earning rules

It doesn't matter what codes are on your ticket, it is the metal that counts.;)

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.

It's a shame that codeshare flights don't earn the mileage bonuses, but, unfortunately, that's life.