Earning MP miles on UA's air partners
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: port broad reach
Programs: NorthSails® | Starboard | ION
Posts: 6,525
Summary
When it comes to earning miles on UA's air partners, MP tries to keep it generally along the lines of flying UA earning:
However, as MP states that
there are exceptions to this general guideline. These are scattered throughout the various UA websites and summarized in this thread.
The information below may not be the most up-to-date and may be incomplete (see BD, for example), as the FFPs can often change with little or no notice and the websites can be slow in updating. Please report errors, omissions, and changes in the program, or if your information or experience differs from that below, so as to keep this current and accurate.
Thank you for all your contributions.
I hope these charts are of value to all of you.
- 150% actual miles for paid First Class (FC)
- 125% actual miles for paid Business Class (BC)
- 100% actual miles for paid Economy (EC)
However, as MP states that
...the miles accrual of United marketed code share flights operated by other carriers is based on the accrual rule of the operating carrier...
The information below may not be the most up-to-date and may be incomplete (see BD, for example), as the FFPs can often change with little or no notice and the websites can be slow in updating. Please report errors, omissions, and changes in the program, or if your information or experience differs from that below, so as to keep this current and accurate.
Thank you for all your contributions.
I hope these charts are of value to all of you.
Last edited by WindFlyer; Sep 30, 2004 at 1:40 am
#2
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: port broad reach
Programs: NorthSails® | Starboard | ION
Posts: 6,525
*A Partners
The FAQs
THE CHART
US Airways (US)
FC: 150% actual miles, 500-mile minimum; all FC booking classes
BC: 125% actual miles, 500-mile minimum; all BC booking classes
EC: 100% actual miles, 500-mile minimum; all EC booking classes
As noted above, US flights earn Premier Boni, which do not count as EQMs.
Lufthansa (LH)
FC: 150% actual miles, 500-mile minimum; booking classes F, A
BC: 125% actual miles, 500-mile minimum; booking classes C, D, Z; class R earns 0%
EC: 100% actual miles, 500-mile minimum; booking classes Y, B, M, H, Q, V, W, S, G, K, L, T; classes N and E earn 0%
As noted above, LH transatlantic flights earn Premier Boni, which do not count as EQMs.
Air Canada (AC)
WORLDWIDE:
BC: 125% actual miles, 500-mile minimum; booking classes J, C
EC: 100% actual miles, 500-mile minimum; all EC booking classes
DOMESTIC FLIGHTS WITHIN CANADA:
BC: 125% actual miles, 500-mile minimum; booking classes J, C
EC: 100% actual miles, 500-mile minimum; full-fare booking EC classes Y, M
EC: 50% actual miles, 250-mile minimum; all other discounted EC booking classes
Air New Zealand (NZ)
FC: 150% actual miles; booking class F
BC: 125% actual miles; booking classes C, D, Z
EC: 100% actual miles; booking classes Y, A, B, H, T, V, W
NOTE:
All Nippon Airways (NH)
INTERNATIONAL FLIGHTS:
FC: 150% actual miles; booking classes F, A
BC: 125% actual miles; booking classes C, D, J
EC: 100% actual miles; full-fare EC booking classes Y, B
EC: 70% actual miles; discounted PEX fares, EC booking classes M, H, K, W, S
EC: 50% actual miles; tour GIT and IIT fares, EC booking classes G, T
DOMESTIC FLIGHTS WITHIN JAPAN:
BC: 125% actual miles; full fare Super-seat (booking classes TBP)
BC: 100% actual miles; discounted Super-seat (booking classes TBP)
EC: 100% actual miles; full fare (booking classes TBP)
EC: 70% actual miles; discounted published fares (booking classes TBP)
EC: 50% actual miles; tour IIT fares (booking classes TBP)
EC: 0% actual miles; tour GIT fares (booking classes TBP)
Asiana (OZ)
FC: 150% actual miles; booking classes F, A, P
BC: 125% actual miles; booking classes C, D, J, Z; class R earns 0%
EC: 100% actual miles; booking classes U, Y, E, B, M, H, Q, V, K, W, L, T; classes G, N earn 0%
Austrian (OS)
Due to recent changes in OS's program this information may be outdated as of 9/30/04.
Will post updated information as available.
BC: 125% actual miles; all BC booking classes
EC: 100% actual miles; all EC booking classes; class P earns 0%
British Midland (BD)
TRANSATLANTIC FLIGHTS:
If you have information on this please post it.
BC: ??? miles; (booking classes?)
EC: ??? miles; (booking classes?)
UK <-> EUROPE FLIGHTS:
BC: 750 miles; all BC booking classes
EC: 250 miles; all EC booking classes
DOMESTIC FLIGHTS WITHIN UK:
BC: 500 miles; all BC booking classes
EC: 250 miles; all EC booking classes
LOT Polish Airlines (LO)
TRANSATLANTIC FLIGHTS:
BC: 125% actual miles; all BC booking classes
EC: 100% actual miles; booking classes Y, B, M, H, Q, V, G
EC: 50% actual miles, 500-mile-minimum; booking classes W, S, E, K, T, L
FLIGHTS WITHIN EUROPE:
BC: 125% actual miles; all BC booking classes
EC: 50% actual miles, 250 mile-minimum; booking classes Y, B, M, H, Q, V, G
EC: 25% actual miles, 250 mile-minimum; booking classes W, S, E, K, T, L
Scandinavian Airlines (SK)
BC: 125% actual miles; all BC booking classes
EC: 100% actual miles; all EC booking classes
EXCEPTIONS:
Singapore Airlines (SQ)
FC: 150% actual miles; booking classes F, A, P
BC: 125% actual miles; booking classes C, D, J, Z
EC: 100% actual miles; booking classes Y, B, M, H
EC: 0% actual miles; booking classes Q, V, G, N, T
NOTE:
Spanair (JK)
Due to recent changes in JK's program this information may be outdated as of 9/30/04.
Will post updated information as available.
BC: 125% actual miles, 500 miles minimum; all BC booking classes
EC: 100% actual miles, 500 miles minimum; all EC booking classes
Thai Airways International (TG)
FC: 150% actual miles; all FC booking classes
BC: 125% actual miles; all BC booking classes
EC: 100% actual miles; all EC booking classes
Varig (RG)
FC: 150% actual miles; all FC booking classes
BC: 125% actual miles; all BC booking classes
EC: 100% actual miles; all EC booking classes
EXCEPTION:
- Flight miles earned *A partners count both as redeemable miles (RDMs) and toward elite status (EQMs).
- Premier Boni (25% for 2P, 100% for 1P/1K) are only earned on all US flights and on LH transatlantic flights, although there have been instances of Premier Boni posting on other LH flights.
- Flight miles earned *A partners count toward the 125k- and 150k-BIS-mile thresholds for extra SWUs in 2004.
- Miles earned on *A partners do not count for MM status, or 10k thresholds for e500 or CR-1 upgrade certs.
- When flying on a *A partner code share, the operator of the flight must also be a UA partner for the flight to earn miles.
Example: OS flight number on AF metal = no miles earned - For information on the earning schemes of *A partners' FFPs check out Sydfly's excellent thread on the *A forum.
THE CHART
US Airways (US)
FC: 150% actual miles, 500-mile minimum; all FC booking classes
BC: 125% actual miles, 500-mile minimum; all BC booking classes
EC: 100% actual miles, 500-mile minimum; all EC booking classes
As noted above, US flights earn Premier Boni, which do not count as EQMs.
Lufthansa (LH)
FC: 150% actual miles, 500-mile minimum; booking classes F, A
BC: 125% actual miles, 500-mile minimum; booking classes C, D, Z; class R earns 0%
EC: 100% actual miles, 500-mile minimum; booking classes Y, B, M, H, Q, V, W, S, G, K, L, T; classes N and E earn 0%
As noted above, LH transatlantic flights earn Premier Boni, which do not count as EQMs.
Air Canada (AC)
WORLDWIDE:
BC: 125% actual miles, 500-mile minimum; booking classes J, C
EC: 100% actual miles, 500-mile minimum; all EC booking classes
DOMESTIC FLIGHTS WITHIN CANADA:
BC: 125% actual miles, 500-mile minimum; booking classes J, C
EC: 100% actual miles, 500-mile minimum; full-fare booking EC classes Y, M
EC: 50% actual miles, 250-mile minimum; all other discounted EC booking classes
Air New Zealand (NZ)
FC: 150% actual miles; booking class F
BC: 125% actual miles; booking classes C, D, Z
EC: 100% actual miles; booking classes Y, A, B, H, T, V, W
NOTE:
- Assume booking classes not listed above do not earn miles.
All Nippon Airways (NH)
INTERNATIONAL FLIGHTS:
FC: 150% actual miles; booking classes F, A
BC: 125% actual miles; booking classes C, D, J
EC: 100% actual miles; full-fare EC booking classes Y, B
EC: 70% actual miles; discounted PEX fares, EC booking classes M, H, K, W, S
EC: 50% actual miles; tour GIT and IIT fares, EC booking classes G, T
DOMESTIC FLIGHTS WITHIN JAPAN:
BC: 125% actual miles; full fare Super-seat (booking classes TBP)
BC: 100% actual miles; discounted Super-seat (booking classes TBP)
EC: 100% actual miles; full fare (booking classes TBP)
EC: 70% actual miles; discounted published fares (booking classes TBP)
EC: 50% actual miles; tour IIT fares (booking classes TBP)
EC: 0% actual miles; tour GIT fares (booking classes TBP)
Asiana (OZ)
FC: 150% actual miles; booking classes F, A, P
BC: 125% actual miles; booking classes C, D, J, Z; class R earns 0%
EC: 100% actual miles; booking classes U, Y, E, B, M, H, Q, V, K, W, L, T; classes G, N earn 0%
Austrian (OS)
Due to recent changes in OS's program this information may be outdated as of 9/30/04.
Will post updated information as available.
BC: 125% actual miles; all BC booking classes
EC: 100% actual miles; all EC booking classes; class P earns 0%
British Midland (BD)
TRANSATLANTIC FLIGHTS:
If you have information on this please post it.
BC: ??? miles; (booking classes?)
EC: ??? miles; (booking classes?)
UK <-> EUROPE FLIGHTS:
BC: 750 miles; all BC booking classes
EC: 250 miles; all EC booking classes
DOMESTIC FLIGHTS WITHIN UK:
BC: 500 miles; all BC booking classes
EC: 250 miles; all EC booking classes
LOT Polish Airlines (LO)
TRANSATLANTIC FLIGHTS:
BC: 125% actual miles; all BC booking classes
EC: 100% actual miles; booking classes Y, B, M, H, Q, V, G
EC: 50% actual miles, 500-mile-minimum; booking classes W, S, E, K, T, L
FLIGHTS WITHIN EUROPE:
BC: 125% actual miles; all BC booking classes
EC: 50% actual miles, 250 mile-minimum; booking classes Y, B, M, H, Q, V, G
EC: 25% actual miles, 250 mile-minimum; booking classes W, S, E, K, T, L
Scandinavian Airlines (SK)
BC: 125% actual miles; all BC booking classes
EC: 100% actual miles; all EC booking classes
EXCEPTIONS:
- No accrual on flights within Norway.
- No accrual on STO-GOT, STO-MMA, STO-LLA, STO-UME, STO-AGH, STO-RNB, STO-SFT.
Singapore Airlines (SQ)
FC: 150% actual miles; booking classes F, A, P
BC: 125% actual miles; booking classes C, D, J, Z
EC: 100% actual miles; booking classes Y, B, M, H
EC: 0% actual miles; booking classes Q, V, G, N, T
NOTE:
- According to SQ, if any sector of an itinerary is booked in a non-earning class, the entire itinerary will not earn miles.
Spanair (JK)
Due to recent changes in JK's program this information may be outdated as of 9/30/04.
Will post updated information as available.
BC: 125% actual miles, 500 miles minimum; all BC booking classes
EC: 100% actual miles, 500 miles minimum; all EC booking classes
Thai Airways International (TG)
FC: 150% actual miles; all FC booking classes
BC: 125% actual miles; all BC booking classes
EC: 100% actual miles; all EC booking classes
Varig (RG)
FC: 150% actual miles; all FC booking classes
BC: 125% actual miles; all BC booking classes
EC: 100% actual miles; all EC booking classes
EXCEPTION:
- No accrual on CGH-SDU.
Last edited by WindFlyer; Oct 1, 2004 at 3:14 am
#3
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: port broad reach
Programs: NorthSails® | Starboard | ION
Posts: 6,525
Other Air Partners
The FAQs
THE CHART
Aeromar (VW)
EC: 100%, 250 mile-minimum; all classes
Air China (CA)
FC: 150% actual miles; all FC booking classes
BC: 125% actual miles; all BC booking classes
EC: 100% actual miles; full-fare class Y only
EC: 70% actual miles; all discounted EC booking classes
NOTES:
Aloha Airlines (AQ)
100%, 500-mile minimum; all booking classes
NOTES:
BWIA West Indies Airways (BW)
FC: 150%, 300 mile-minimum; all FC booking classes
BC: 150%, 300 mile-minimum; all BC booking classes
EC: 100%, 300 mile-minimum; all EC booking classes
Cayman Airways (KX)
100%, 500-mile minimum on U.S.-Cayman Islands flights; all booking classes
100%, actual miles on inter-island flights; all booking classes
Emirates (EK)
FC: 150% actual miles; booking class F
BC: 125% actual miles; booking class J
EC: 100% actual miles; booking classes Y, B, K, H, Q, L, V, G, M
Virgin Blue (DJ)
You may earn UA miles while flying on select DJ intra-Australia flights (all EC) as follows:
Some more information and discussion can be found here and there.
- Miles earned with these partners are redeemable miles only (RDMs) and do not count as status miles (EQMs).
- No Premier Boni are earned with these partners.
- Code-shared flights operated by partners of the carriers in this chart are excluded.
THE CHART
Aeromar (VW)
EC: 100%, 250 mile-minimum; all classes
Air China (CA)
FC: 150% actual miles; all FC booking classes
BC: 125% actual miles; all BC booking classes
EC: 100% actual miles; full-fare class Y only
EC: 70% actual miles; all discounted EC booking classes
NOTES:
- Only applicable on CA-operated flights with a UA codeshare flight number.
- Excludes China-Japan flights.
Aloha Airlines (AQ)
100%, 500-mile minimum; all booking classes
NOTES:
- Includes Island Air-operated flights (AQ5000-5999).
- Excludes Marshall Islands flights (HNL-KWA-MAJ)
BWIA West Indies Airways (BW)
FC: 150%, 300 mile-minimum; all FC booking classes
BC: 150%, 300 mile-minimum; all BC booking classes
EC: 100%, 300 mile-minimum; all EC booking classes
Cayman Airways (KX)
100%, 500-mile minimum on U.S.-Cayman Islands flights; all booking classes
100%, actual miles on inter-island flights; all booking classes
Emirates (EK)
FC: 150% actual miles; booking class F
BC: 125% actual miles; booking class J
EC: 100% actual miles; booking classes Y, B, K, H, Q, L, V, G, M
Virgin Blue (DJ)
You may earn UA miles while flying on select DJ intra-Australia flights (all EC) as follows:
- You must be booked on the UA codeshare (see this post for a current list of codeshares)
- Your intra-Australia segments are part of a UA transpac revenue ticket
Some more information and discussion can be found here and there.
Last edited by WindFlyer; Sep 30, 2004 at 2:10 am
#4
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: port broad reach
Programs: NorthSails® | Starboard | ION
Posts: 6,525
(reserved for future use)
#5
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: New York, NY
Programs: UA 1K
Posts: 130
Excellent post with valuable info - can the moderator make this a sticky?
#6
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: SYD, Australia......Hotels: HHon LT Diamond, Hyatt LT Glob, Marriott AMB (LT Gold), IHG AMB (20 years of SCC and RoyAMB dropped 2024)...Airlines: BA GGL (OW Emerald), LH FTL (*S), QF Plat (LT Gold), VA, UA Silver (*S), SQ Silver (*S)
Posts: 2,101
Originally Posted by WindFlyer
EQMs
Flight miles (not counting Premier Boni) earned on a *A partner also count as EQMs.
Lufthansa (LH):
Flight miles (not counting Premier Boni) earned on a *A partner also count as EQMs.
Lufthansa (LH):
- FC: 150% actual mileage; (booking classes F, A)
- BC: 125% actual mileage; (booking classes C, D, Z; class R earns 0%)
- EC: 100% actual mileage; (booking classes Y, B, M, H, Q, V, W, S; classes N and E earn 0%)
#7
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: Chicago, IL, US
Posts: 2,210
Originally Posted by jasonheard
Excellent post with valuable info - can the moderator make this a sticky?
Last edited by glg; Sep 8, 2004 at 12:34 am
#8
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: weekdays:ATL; weekends:Elsewhere
Posts: 1,094
Thanks for the great info! I would suggest that this be added to the FAQ, if not made a "sticky" in its own right.
Also, one point of clarity:
My understanding is that this rule states that if you are on somebody else's metal, the rules for earning on that carrier will prevail, even if the flight is marketed with a UA flight number.
Here is an example for clarity. You purchase a United issued discount economy ticket for United flights UA9681 and UA9682 in M class of service (routing IAD-NRT-IAD). These flights are "United marketed code share flights operated by other carriers". Even though the flight has a UA flight number, you will earn miles "based on the accrual rule of the operating carrier" which in this case is ANA.
If this were in fact a United operated flight, you would normally earn 6752 miles each way (13504 miles roundtrip). However, flights on ANA only earn 70% mileage in discount economy, so, even though you purchased a ticket on a flight with a United flight number, you still only earn 4726 miles each way (9452 miles roundtrip). You are also not eligible for any Premier Bonuses.
Also, one point of clarity:
The mileage accrual of United marketed code share flights operated by other carriers is based on the accrual rule of the operating carrier.
Here is an example for clarity. You purchase a United issued discount economy ticket for United flights UA9681 and UA9682 in M class of service (routing IAD-NRT-IAD). These flights are "United marketed code share flights operated by other carriers". Even though the flight has a UA flight number, you will earn miles "based on the accrual rule of the operating carrier" which in this case is ANA.
If this were in fact a United operated flight, you would normally earn 6752 miles each way (13504 miles roundtrip). However, flights on ANA only earn 70% mileage in discount economy, so, even though you purchased a ticket on a flight with a United flight number, you still only earn 4726 miles each way (9452 miles roundtrip). You are also not eligible for any Premier Bonuses.
#9
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: NYC
Programs: AA Lifetime Gold
Posts: 242
In other words, does this mean don't bother to pay the extra money for the codeshares (vs booking *A) as you are treated as an elite of a partner airline, not a native elite, with no accompanying benefits ?
#10
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: port broad reach
Programs: NorthSails® | Starboard | ION
Posts: 6,525
Originally Posted by The Lurker
Here is an example for clarity. You purchase a United issued discount economy ticket for United flights UA9681 and UA9682 in M class of service (routing IAD-NRT-IAD). These flights are "United marketed code share flights operated by other carriers". Even though the flight has a UA flight number, you will earn miles "based on the accrual rule of the operating carrier" which in this case is ANA.
If this were in fact a United operated flight, you would normally earn 6752 miles each way (13504 miles roundtrip). However, flights on ANA only earn 70% mileage in discount economy, so, even though you purchased a ticket on a flight with a United flight number, you still only earn 4726 miles each way (9452 miles roundtrip). You are also not eligible for any Premier Bonuses.
If this were in fact a United operated flight, you would normally earn 6752 miles each way (13504 miles roundtrip). However, flights on ANA only earn 70% mileage in discount economy, so, even though you purchased a ticket on a flight with a United flight number, you still only earn 4726 miles each way (9452 miles roundtrip). You are also not eligible for any Premier Bonuses.
I will note that above.
#11
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: London
Programs: UA Gold
Posts: 47
25% Business Class bonus on * = EQM?
It seems UA credits 125% for business class travel with most Star Alliance airlines. Are these EQM? Is there any way (status, business class, other) to get more EQM than actual miles flown when flying with other Star Alliance Carriers? Thanks for any thoughts.
#12
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Seattle, WA, USA
Programs: Bar Alliance Gold
Posts: 16,271
Originally Posted by starjunkie
It seems UA credits 125% for business class travel with most Star Alliance airlines. Are these EQM?
Is there any way (status, business class, other) to get more EQM than actual miles flown when flying with other Star Alliance Carriers? Thanks for any thoughts.
#13
Join Date: Mar 2002
Location: DAL
Posts: 3,400
SQ's program is appaling! Are those all the booking classes in Economy?
#14
Moderator, Hilton Honors
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: on a short leash
Programs: some
Posts: 71,422
The no mileage on whole itin booking codes referred to for SQ are cheap econ fares.
#15
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: NYC
Programs: AA Lifetime Gold
Posts: 242
SQ website: is it a joke?
It doesn't help that the SQ website invariably books your itinerary with one or more legs in an FFP-ineligible class. And they deserve a medal for the web-based booking design: presenting three or four seemingly random choices for every search. How brilliant. Now maybe they want to write a primer on how one should input the date/time/city info to get meaningful search results.