Using FF miles with Partner Airline?
Apr 24th, 2008, 10:59 AM
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2004
Posts: 855
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Using FF miles with Partner Airline?
I am finally eligible for a free international ticket with my Continental miles. When I check the schedule for Paris, the only direct service available for the miles I have is with partner airline Air France. Has anybody ever had a problem with a FF seat on a partner airline? Would such a passenger be the first to get bumped if a flight were overbooked?
Apr 24th, 2008, 01:03 PM
#3
Join Date: Feb 2004
Posts: 23,073
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
When there's an irregular operation situation, award ticket holders are often at the bottom of the food chain, regardless whose miles you're using.
But I don't see Air France is particularly poor in overbooking. In fact, CO has one of the highest involuntary bump rates among US airlines.
But I don't see Air France is particularly poor in overbooking. In fact, CO has one of the highest involuntary bump rates among US airlines.
Apr 25th, 2008, 10:50 AM
#7
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 10,514
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I have used CO FF miles for travel on Air France and it was not a problem. In fact, on the return leg I was even upgraded.
BTW before you call and rack up the $15 call center service charge, check CO online for reward seats - you can see CO, NW and Delta.
BTW before you call and rack up the $15 call center service charge, check CO online for reward seats - you can see CO, NW and Delta.
Apr 25th, 2008, 11:31 PM
#9
rkkwan, United Mileage Plus has a rule where no changes are permitted on an award ticket involving Star Alliance partners once travel has begun. If you fly to Bangkok on a United award and, once there, wanted to change the return date then you could do it if your ticket is all-UA but not if any *A partner flight was on the ticket.
I was wondering if the CO program had such a rule which the OP might want to be aware of.
I was wondering if the CO program had such a rule which the OP might want to be aware of.
Apr 27th, 2008, 04:12 PM
#11
Join Date: Mar 2008
Posts: 636
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Continental's website says:
International Airline Partner reward cancellations or changes must be made through the Airline Partner Reward Desk at least 10 business days before reward travel begins.
By contrast, it looks like you can change a reward ticket on Continental at any time (even after you start travellng), but you'll have to pay a fee. (I think you have to pay a fee to change a partner reward, too.)
International Airline Partner reward cancellations or changes must be made through the Airline Partner Reward Desk at least 10 business days before reward travel begins.
By contrast, it looks like you can change a reward ticket on Continental at any time (even after you start travellng), but you'll have to pay a fee. (I think you have to pay a fee to change a partner reward, too.)
Aug 20th, 2008, 08:15 PM
#12
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 6,127
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
If Continental's partner, Air France, seems to have a good reputation for CO's reward tickets I'm wondering why there is (for my dates) availability on AF whereas all the Continental flights have been taken. I'd rather fly on AF as it'll be nonstop from my city. Is this correct? The CO agent says that if there should be a problem concerning the AF flight before departing the States it's Continental's responsibility whereas if there's a problem in Paris then it's AF's responsibility. Not sure because the AF agent said that it's all Continental's responsibility.
Aug 20th, 2008, 11:47 PM
#13
Join Date: Feb 2004
Posts: 23,073
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Reputation has nothing to do with anything. It's just that CO releases few FF seats for most flights, especially early on.
Both my parents and I have used CO miles on AF. No issues. One can get pull up reservations on airfrance.com, get seat assignments, do online check-in, etc.
Both my parents and I have used CO miles on AF. No issues. One can get pull up reservations on airfrance.com, get seat assignments, do online check-in, etc.
Aug 23rd, 2008, 09:45 AM
#17
Join Date: Feb 2004
Posts: 23,073
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I used the 005-xxxxxxxxxx e-ticket number from the CO reservations to view everything on AF, including the AF PNR. So, subsequently, I only use the 6-digit AF PNR; only need to put in the long e-ticket number for the very first time.
Aug 23rd, 2008, 01:57 PM
#18
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 6,127
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Ok, thanks. My reservation doesn't show the e ticket number just the CO reservation number which I provided to CO. The CO agent was helpful and asked if I'd like to have the AF confirmation number which I did not realize existed. It would be helpful if CO listed it next to their reservation number. It worked well and with the AF confirm. no. one can access the reservation on the AF site and make seat and meal selections.
