Comments on: Star Alliance out of alignment: Are United and US Airways fighting codeshare wars? http://www.upgradetravelbetter.com/2007/06/14/star-alliance-out-of-alignment-are-united-and-us-airways-fighting-codeshare-wars/ Living the first class life -- at coach prices Fri, 20 Nov 2009 13:55:54 -0700 hourly 1 By: US Airways - United codesharing is still broken » Upgrade: Travel Better http://www.upgradetravelbetter.com/2007/06/14/star-alliance-out-of-alignment-are-united-and-us-airways-fighting-codeshare-wars/#comment-16238 US Airways - United codesharing is still broken » Upgrade: Travel Better Mon, 10 Sep 2007 11:59:34 +0000 http://www.upgradetravelbetter.com/2007/06/14/star-alliance-out-of-alignment-are-united-and-us-airways-fighting-codeshare-wars/#comment-16238 [...] move to North Carolina, perhaps. Hard to avoid US Airways in these parts. But having previously observed that United-US Airways codesharing and cooperation aren’t living up to their hype, I’m [...] [...] move to North Carolina, perhaps. Hard to avoid US Airways in these parts. But having previously observed that United-US Airways codesharing and cooperation aren’t living up to their hype, I’m [...]

]]> By: Chrisp http://www.upgradetravelbetter.com/2007/06/14/star-alliance-out-of-alignment-are-united-and-us-airways-fighting-codeshare-wars/#comment-15964 Chrisp Tue, 21 Aug 2007 04:03:37 +0000 http://www.upgradetravelbetter.com/2007/06/14/star-alliance-out-of-alignment-are-united-and-us-airways-fighting-codeshare-wars/#comment-15964 Interesting thread and interesting to watch and theorize on the US-UA relationship within the Star Alliance. One is the big guy, global player and founding member, the other adds some partner value with its Northeast, Southeast and Caribbean destinations and is growing its Star partnerships and code shares. As a frequent flier member of both programs (Mileage Plus and Dividend Miles) I have had no problem booking code share flights directly with the airline which I find on Orbitz and are not available at us.com or ua.com (I may be in the minority). I simply ask the agent to waive the fee as these flights were not available on their respective websites...I usually get a sigh or laugh...and then a "you're right, our website stinks" :> I have not experienced agents at either US or UA indicating no availability like the OP. Interesting thread and interesting to watch and theorize on the US-UA relationship within the Star Alliance. One is the big guy, global player and founding member, the other adds some partner value with its Northeast, Southeast and Caribbean destinations and is growing its Star partnerships and code shares. As a frequent flier member of both programs (Mileage Plus and Dividend Miles) I have had no problem booking code share flights directly with the airline which I find on Orbitz and are not available at us.com or ua.com (I may be in the minority). I simply ask the agent to waive the fee as these flights were not available on their respective websites…I usually get a sigh or laugh…and then a “you’re right, our website stinks” :> I have not experienced agents at either US or UA indicating no availability like the OP.

]]> By: Update: US Airways and United codeshare conundrums » Upgrade: Travel Better http://www.upgradetravelbetter.com/2007/06/14/star-alliance-out-of-alignment-are-united-and-us-airways-fighting-codeshare-wars/#comment-15182 Update: US Airways and United codeshare conundrums » Upgrade: Travel Better Fri, 22 Jun 2007 04:37:11 +0000 http://www.upgradetravelbetter.com/2007/06/14/star-alliance-out-of-alignment-are-united-and-us-airways-fighting-codeshare-wars/#comment-15182 [...] the difficulties in reserving a mixed US Airways-United itinerary on either airline’s website last week, I contacted the two airlines about their codesharing policies, looking for some clarification. [...] [...] the difficulties in reserving a mixed US Airways-United itinerary on either airline’s website last week, I contacted the two airlines about their codesharing policies, looking for some clarification. [...]

]]> By: S A http://www.upgradetravelbetter.com/2007/06/14/star-alliance-out-of-alignment-are-united-and-us-airways-fighting-codeshare-wars/#comment-15106 S A Mon, 18 Jun 2007 16:50:41 +0000 http://www.upgradetravelbetter.com/2007/06/14/star-alliance-out-of-alignment-are-united-and-us-airways-fighting-codeshare-wars/#comment-15106 This post hit FlyerTalk this morning. In the discussion, someone there is spreading the rumor that US/UA codeshares are ending, which sounds like BS. http://flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=705155 This post hit FlyerTalk this morning. In the discussion, someone there is spreading the rumor that US/UA codeshares are ending, which sounds like BS.
http://flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=705155

]]> By: Mark Ashley http://www.upgradetravelbetter.com/2007/06/14/star-alliance-out-of-alignment-are-united-and-us-airways-fighting-codeshare-wars/#comment-15078 Mark Ashley Fri, 15 Jun 2007 15:12:41 +0000 http://www.upgradetravelbetter.com/2007/06/14/star-alliance-out-of-alignment-are-united-and-us-airways-fighting-codeshare-wars/#comment-15078 The variation in <em>award</em> inventory across Star Alliance partners is a slightly different issue, but it falls under the same heading of intra-alliance inconsistency. Japan's ANA has an online tool that lets you check Star Alliance award availability, if you're an ANA program member. But seeing availability on, say, Lufthansa award tickets via the ANA system doesn't mean that you can book the same Lufthansa flights with your United miles (or any other Star Alliance program's miles, for that matter.) That sort of inconsistency is maddening. Inconsistency is one of the biggest reasons people hate the airlines. You'd think they'd realize that. The variation in award inventory across Star Alliance partners is a slightly different issue, but it falls under the same heading of intra-alliance inconsistency.

Japan’s ANA has an online tool that lets you check Star Alliance award availability, if you’re an ANA program member. But seeing availability on, say, Lufthansa award tickets via the ANA system doesn’t mean that you can book the same Lufthansa flights with your United miles (or any other Star Alliance program’s miles, for that matter.)

That sort of inconsistency is maddening. Inconsistency is one of the biggest reasons people hate the airlines. You’d think they’d realize that.

]]> By: Mark Ashley http://www.upgradetravelbetter.com/2007/06/14/star-alliance-out-of-alignment-are-united-and-us-airways-fighting-codeshare-wars/#comment-15077 Mark Ashley Fri, 15 Jun 2007 15:08:10 +0000 http://www.upgradetravelbetter.com/2007/06/14/star-alliance-out-of-alignment-are-united-and-us-airways-fighting-codeshare-wars/#comment-15077 Ok, so I think we're on the same page, and that, regardless of the label used, we both perceive intentional "blocking" of partner flights available for sale. Your suggestion that this is "normal in situations where 2 airlines codeshare each other on the same route but do not have a revenue sharing agreement" may also be the new reality, but it hasn't always been this way. Perhaps that, in a nutshell, is my point. And if the airlines won't sell each others' inventory, but travel agencies <em>will</em>, then score one for the agencies. Perhaps that is the practical takeaway. Ok, so I think we’re on the same page, and that, regardless of the label used, we both perceive intentional “blocking” of partner flights available for sale.

Your suggestion that this is “normal in situations where 2 airlines codeshare each other on the same route but do not have a revenue sharing agreement” may also be the new reality, but it hasn’t always been this way. Perhaps that, in a nutshell, is my point.

And if the airlines won’t sell each others’ inventory, but travel agencies will, then score one for the agencies. Perhaps that is the practical takeaway.

]]> By: S A http://www.upgradetravelbetter.com/2007/06/14/star-alliance-out-of-alignment-are-united-and-us-airways-fighting-codeshare-wars/#comment-15076 S A Fri, 15 Jun 2007 14:39:35 +0000 http://www.upgradetravelbetter.com/2007/06/14/star-alliance-out-of-alignment-are-united-and-us-airways-fighting-codeshare-wars/#comment-15076 Yes. Star Alliance awards cooperation is broken too. My friends in Japan who use their ANA points never have trouble booking flights. For example, I'm under the impression that UA blocks Singapore Airlines flights. Both cash fares and awards. UA won't let me book the flight, but my friends in Japan can. Irritating. And to the person who said that this isn't just star Alliance, my booking experience with OneWorld has been better. At least more consistent. Yes. Star Alliance awards cooperation is broken too. My friends in Japan who use their ANA points never have trouble booking flights. For example, I’m under the impression that UA blocks Singapore Airlines flights. Both cash fares and awards. UA won’t let me book the flight, but my friends in Japan can. Irritating. And to the person who said that this isn’t just star Alliance, my booking experience with OneWorld has been better. At least more consistent.

]]> By: none@none.com http://www.upgradetravelbetter.com/2007/06/14/star-alliance-out-of-alignment-are-united-and-us-airways-fighting-codeshare-wars/#comment-15075 none@none.com Fri, 15 Jun 2007 14:22:20 +0000 http://www.upgradetravelbetter.com/2007/06/14/star-alliance-out-of-alignment-are-united-and-us-airways-fighting-codeshare-wars/#comment-15075 UA also intentionally blocks LH transatlantic awards. UA also intentionally blocks LH transatlantic awards.

]]> By: The Global Traveller http://www.upgradetravelbetter.com/2007/06/14/star-alliance-out-of-alignment-are-united-and-us-airways-fighting-codeshare-wars/#comment-15071 The Global Traveller Fri, 15 Jun 2007 05:46:48 +0000 http://www.upgradetravelbetter.com/2007/06/14/star-alliance-out-of-alignment-are-united-and-us-airways-fighting-codeshare-wars/#comment-15071 You are right in that my circumstances are not exactly identical to yours. I should have called it yield management rather than inventory management above, apologies for confusing the issue slightly. My points remain valid (I think) - that US is just trying to maximise it's return and this kind of "blocking" is normal in situations where 2 airlines codeshare each other on the same route but do not have a revenue sharing agreement. You are right in that my circumstances are not exactly identical to yours. I should have called it yield management rather than inventory management above, apologies for confusing the issue slightly.

My points remain valid (I think) – that US is just trying to maximise it’s return and this kind of “blocking” is normal in situations where 2 airlines codeshare each other on the same route but do not have a revenue sharing agreement.

]]> By: Mark Ashley http://www.upgradetravelbetter.com/2007/06/14/star-alliance-out-of-alignment-are-united-and-us-airways-fighting-codeshare-wars/#comment-15068 Mark Ashley Fri, 15 Jun 2007 02:20:16 +0000 http://www.upgradetravelbetter.com/2007/06/14/star-alliance-out-of-alignment-are-united-and-us-airways-fighting-codeshare-wars/#comment-15068 Who says I don't enjoy them? ;) If my trip hadn't been cancelled, I'd probably be sitting there, dripping BBQ sauce onto my shirt. Mmmm... BBQ... I think the rocking chairs are cute. I just prefer to choose just how long I need spend in the airport, rocking in them. Who says I don’t enjoy them? ;) If my trip hadn’t been cancelled, I’d probably be sitting there, dripping BBQ sauce onto my shirt.

Mmmm… BBQ…

I think the rocking chairs are cute. I just prefer to choose just how long I need spend in the airport, rocking in them.

]]> By: Rob http://www.upgradetravelbetter.com/2007/06/14/star-alliance-out-of-alignment-are-united-and-us-airways-fighting-codeshare-wars/#comment-15067 Rob Fri, 15 Jun 2007 02:10:19 +0000 http://www.upgradetravelbetter.com/2007/06/14/star-alliance-out-of-alignment-are-united-and-us-airways-fighting-codeshare-wars/#comment-15067 Mark... how could you not like partaking in the famous Charlotte rocking chairs overlooking RJ's and B733's? Mark… how could you not like partaking in the famous Charlotte rocking chairs overlooking RJ’s and B733’s?

]]> By: Mark Ashley http://www.upgradetravelbetter.com/2007/06/14/star-alliance-out-of-alignment-are-united-and-us-airways-fighting-codeshare-wars/#comment-15066 Mark Ashley Fri, 15 Jun 2007 00:56:54 +0000 http://www.upgradetravelbetter.com/2007/06/14/star-alliance-out-of-alignment-are-united-and-us-airways-fighting-codeshare-wars/#comment-15066 GlobalTraveller: Did you purchase your flights on USAirways.com and/or directly from US Airways, and with US flight numbers? (If I understand correctly, you have UA flight numbers. Correct me if I am wrong.) If you have UA flight numbers, or if you bought US-numbered flights from someone other than directly from US Airways, such as via a travel agency, then your mixed-airline itinerary doesn't disprove my thesis. My hypothesis is that the <em>airlines themselves</em> are limiting sales of each others' flights. In particular, US Airways appears to be blocking sales of UA-operated flights. I am NOT arguing that it's impossible to buy a mixed itinerary. GlobalTraveller: Did you purchase your flights on USAirways.com and/or directly from US Airways, and with US flight numbers? (If I understand correctly, you have UA flight numbers. Correct me if I am wrong.) If you have UA flight numbers, or if you bought US-numbered flights from someone other than directly from US Airways, such as via a travel agency, then your mixed-airline itinerary doesn’t disprove my thesis. My hypothesis is that the airlines themselves are limiting sales of each others’ flights. In particular, US Airways appears to be blocking sales of UA-operated flights. I am NOT arguing that it’s impossible to buy a mixed itinerary.

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