?book BMI, but fly United???
May 9th, 2008, 05:15 AM
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Oct 2007
Posts: 417
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
?book BMI, but fly United???
Got an email from BMI about a sale. clicked link & got BMI site, but small print indicates = United flights - no big deal. But...........
The business saver cost on BMI site (for United non-stop flight) is $1000 cheaper than on the United site? So.....is there some downside to booking on the BMI site - like I won't REALLY get business class on United? Kind of like booking a hotel room on Priceline - it really is a broom closet?
What's the deal????
The business saver cost on BMI site (for United non-stop flight) is $1000 cheaper than on the United site? So.....is there some downside to booking on the BMI site - like I won't REALLY get business class on United? Kind of like booking a hotel room on Priceline - it really is a broom closet?
What's the deal????
May 9th, 2008, 05:36 AM
#2
Original Poster
Join Date: Oct 2007
Posts: 417
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Just thought of other questions. So, if I book business class via BMI, but fly on United -
1. Which lounge will I use?
2. Which checkin?
3. Do I actually get assigned seats on BMI? If not, then at checkin, I could be bumped if United has assigned all the seats to "their" customers?
Hmmnm, I really would love to save the $1000 ($3000 since there are 3 of us), but I don't want to get shafted either!!!
1. Which lounge will I use?
2. Which checkin?
3. Do I actually get assigned seats on BMI? If not, then at checkin, I could be bumped if United has assigned all the seats to "their" customers?
Hmmnm, I really would love to save the $1000 ($3000 since there are 3 of us), but I don't want to get shafted either!!!
May 9th, 2008, 05:55 AM
#3
BMI and United have "codeshare" agreements - one airline's flight number placed on the other's airplane. It's very common. There may me several codeshare designations on your United flight - with BMI, USAir, and any number of other United partner airlines having their flight numbers assigned to the same flight.
If you buy your ticket for a United-operated flight through BMI, treat the flight exactly as if it was bought through United. You'll check in at UAL, UAL will assign you a seat (you may need to phone rather than doing it online) and you'll be seated in business class if that's what you bought. You won't get "bumped" by a United-paying passenger. (Basically with codeshares, the "ticketing" airline - BMI in your case - has purchased the rights to sell so many seats on a given flight "operated by" United. So that seat is taken out of United's available inventory for that flight as soon as you buy it from BMI - actually, earlier since it was pledged to BMI in the first place.)
If you buy your ticket for a United-operated flight through BMI, treat the flight exactly as if it was bought through United. You'll check in at UAL, UAL will assign you a seat (you may need to phone rather than doing it online) and you'll be seated in business class if that's what you bought. You won't get "bumped" by a United-paying passenger. (Basically with codeshares, the "ticketing" airline - BMI in your case - has purchased the rights to sell so many seats on a given flight "operated by" United. So that seat is taken out of United's available inventory for that flight as soon as you buy it from BMI - actually, earlier since it was pledged to BMI in the first place.)
May 9th, 2008, 05:56 AM
#4
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 12,885
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
It's called codesharing. No downside to it.
United alloted number of seats to BMI so they can sell it as their "own". UA sells these seats to BMI at a much lower fare. BMI can resell the seats for anything they want. UA will treat you just same as any other passenger.
You can use any StarAlliance lounge that's available in the terminal.
Seat assignment should be a breeze. Either BMI can do it for you or if not, then call UA with the record locator and they will do it for you.
United alloted number of seats to BMI so they can sell it as their "own". UA sells these seats to BMI at a much lower fare. BMI can resell the seats for anything they want. UA will treat you just same as any other passenger.
You can use any StarAlliance lounge that's available in the terminal.
Seat assignment should be a breeze. Either BMI can do it for you or if not, then call UA with the record locator and they will do it for you.
May 9th, 2008, 09:02 AM
#5
Original Poster
Join Date: Oct 2007
Posts: 417
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Thanks a lot guys. Looks like I can feel comfortable & GREAT about saving $3000!
However, I also went to Virgin & they have a sale on business - but only thru 8/31 & we are flying in Nov. I'll keep watching & hopefully I can grab the best deal!
However, I also went to Virgin & they have a sale on business - but only thru 8/31 & we are flying in Nov. I'll keep watching & hopefully I can grab the best deal!
