This may have been covered before, but I am still uncertain. I will be flying to Estonia in several weeks. I am flying to London first, then Airpass to visit friends first in Oslo, then on to Tallinn (pick up BMidland and SAS) and back by way of a visit in Vienna (pick up Austrian and Lufthansa).

My question is the BD flight LHR/OSL. It has a BD number (3702), but is operated by SK. Will this count. I have checked several times with United Mileage Plus, and they say every Midland flight counts except those code shared with UA (3800 series). This doesn't seem to agree with some statements I have seen here, but maybe each airline has their own definitions of what counts as a "qualifying" flight.

Do I have a problem?

Bruce

It will count as the actual airline you are flying on, in this case, SK. The question is, how are you getting to Europe? If you are on a consolidator ticket with UA, they may not be counting your class of service, in which case you should register with another plan befroe you leave and take MP off your file.

And don't forget. Flights after July 7th do not count as the bonus is over unless you register with Varig's plan.

Thanks. This is what I suspect is true, even though Mileage Plus has told me differently. Do you have any idea where this might be down in writing?

No problem, I am upgraded on United "H"

Bruce

I asked the following specific question to UA MP

The e-mail reply was

So I suspect it is the metal that counts as with other *A airline rules.

So far, all flights on other * carriers that I have credited to MP have posted under their "real flight number" whether booked as a code-share or not. So, my experience agrees with your suspicion.

The trouble is that the UA rules are so vague, not just on what counts as "code shared", but on "intercontinental" and class of service as to create a lot of uncertainty. And compound that by the fact that each airline appears to have its own set of rules.

Earlier I was told that "intercontinental" only meant transatlantic and had to be round trip on the same carrier. Now that seems to have changed. Then I was told by a UA ticket agent hat Air Pass segments wouldn't count. Later, I was told they would.

Then I was told that UA code shared flights would credit to the metal carrier, but other code shared flights (like between SK and BD would credit to the booked airline. This seems absurd, but then you have to consider that this is UA, I have an email into MP on this, but no answer yet. May not get an answer back until July. Am sure something will be wrong, but I am also sure that I will have a lot of company.

Bruce

Bruce

There is of course no guarantee that there is any consistency to the mess, but for reference: I flew on LH and OS metal under SK code earlier this year. Both flights posted to MP as their operating carrier, i.e., LH and OS.

I just flew on RG7190 (AC 990) from YYZ-GRU. It posted to my MP account as RG.. (already have a RG metal flight). Is this a problem?

I read a lot of threads on this in Star Forum. IIRC it was widely agreed that the METAL you are on is what will count into the promo, NOT the flight number you book it under, or whose paper it is written on. As UA confirmed above - AC metal and UA flight number = an "AC" flight for the purposes of this promo.

How much slack they will allow when the undoubted confused screams of anguish in these areas reach them after it finishes is the only unknown.

And you will have FAR more chance getting a break discussing it with UA or AC than trying to verbally arm wrestle with Mexicana, Varig, Thai or All Nippon.

LOL - the visions of trying to get those guys to change their mind gives me a headache just THINKING about it!

------------------
~ Glen ~

I just feel the need to step in and muddy the waters a little more.

I just had a long conversation with RG Smiles... which appears to be an exception to the rule previously mentioned. I was assured that credit for this promotion will go to the carrier listed on the tkt.

Just food for thought if you're planning on dumping miles into Varig in addition to other *A carriers.

Another question here - does United Express/Atlantic Coast count as UA metal for the promotion? I only have one day to fill the required UA segment(s), so I would really appreciate hearing from the wiser (than me) ones here. :-)

Yes

yes (UA Antlantic Express)