A LoyaltyLobby reader sent us a message about a rather unfortunate incident in which five airlines refused to grant credit for Cathay Pacific’s flights between Hong Kong and Singapore.
Readers are encouraged to email their questions, comments, and comments. Facebook, twitteror Instagram. I’ll try to cover it here a few times a week.
Reader email address:
I would like to share a silly story of mine that might be good content for your website. Although I have over 200 flights and have a wealth of knowledge and experience in the industry, it seems impossible to resolve this situation in my favor.
I flew Cathay Pacific’s business class flight from Hong Kong to Singapore in July last year. The ticket was issued by Expedia using a Lufthansa Group ticket number as part of a complex trip, and the Cathay Pacific ticket was sold by MIAT Mongolian to make it more complex. Before I started my trip, I had planned to claim either M&M miles or One World Avios after my flight.
This is where my problem started.
1. Lufthansa Group rejects M&M claim due to unrelated routes
sauce:
Earn award miles on the following flights:
- Hong Kong – Auckland, New Zealand both directions
- Hong Kong – Cairns, Australia both directions
- Hong Kong – Melbourne, Australia both directions
- Hong Kong – Sydney, Australia both directions
You can earn award miles on the following codeshare flights:
- Hong Kong – Zurich, Switzerland round trip
- Hong Kong – Frankfurt, Germany round trip
- Hong Kong – Munich, Germany both directions
2. Qatar Airways rejects the claim with a response
Dear Delete,
Thank you for contacting Privilege Club.
Regarding your request, in accordance with Qatar Airways Privilege Club policies, you may claim missing Avios for flights marketed and operated exclusively by Qatar Airways, One World or partner airlines.
Unfortunately, MIAT Mongolian Airlines is not one of the airlines listed above.
Thank you for your understanding and cooperation.
If we can be of further assistance, please let us know.
Sincerely,
privilege club team
3. Iberia rejects the claim without any explanation
4. British Airways rejects the complaint with a response
Dear Mr. Deleted
Thank you for requesting Avios and Tier Points for the following flights:
Flight number: OM5735
Departure airport: Hong Kong
Arrival airport: SIN
Travel date: 16 July 23
We appreciate that your flight was operated by Cathay Pacific, but unfortunately our contract with Cathay Pacific does not include codeshare flights sold as Mongolian Airlines, so we regret to inform you that your flight was operated by Cathay Pacific. I am unable to deposit money into my account.
I’m sorry I can’t help you right away, but if there’s anything else I can do to help, please let me know.
Please fill out a short survey about your experience. Click this link to answer: https://askba-faqemail.custhelp.com/c
thank you
british airways executive club
5. MIAT Mongolian Airlines rejects claim because membership period has expired
sauce:
For newly registered members: Applications must be made within 3 months from the date of account creation, and within 1 month from the date of account creation. Miles cannot be claimed for flights after the specified period.
summary
All five airlines refused to award miles. Lufthansa and Miat Mongolian Airlines clearly state on their websites why I couldn’t get one, which I understand, but One World members (Qatar, British Airways) can’t get a commercially available I explained that the airline was important, but Iberia did not respond at all (in fact, they never responded to any of my requests or questions!) .
In such a case, is it possible that there is simply no way to award miles for business class tickets on the most recognized and rated airlines within one world federation???? ???
Mileage posting is a minefield when it comes to airline marketing and operations. Generally, the airline that issued the ticket is irrelevant.
star alliance
The marketing airline is not involved, but the flight must be operated by a Star Alliance member airline. When flying on a codeshare flight, it can be difficult to decipher the underlying fare class of the operating airline.
While it’s easy to credit Lufthansa operations, Cathay Pacific sold flights to any Star Alliance program as long as the LH fare class was eligible.
one world
Eligible flights must be operated and marketed by a oneworld alliance member, although Qantas has quite a few exceptions.
All Qantas codeshares operated by non-oneworld partners will be credited to all oneworld partners, excluding those operated by Jetstar, a Qantas-owned airline.
sky team
Similar to oneworld, eligible flights must be marketed and operated by a partner airline.
exception
There are quite a few exceptions specific to frequent flyer programs depending on the non-affiliated partner.
Reader case:
The problem is that it is operated by Cathay Pacific and MIAT is the marketing airline. MIAT is not a member of any alliance, while Cathay is a member of the Oneworld Alliance.
I looked at Cathay’s website and it appears that flights sold by MIAT cannot be credited to Asia Miles. Therefore, his MIAT may be the only option that can give him credit for this particular flight.
conclusion
If you are booking a codeshare, you should pay attention to the marketing and operating airline, and possibly the underlying fare class.
Your case is unique and we hope that including this segment in your MIAT code will result in significant price savings. Luckily it was a relatively short flight.
I recently had a similar dilemma on a flight from Santiago to Sydney marketed by Latin American Airlines but operated by Qantas. Including segments in QF code can cost over $1,000. The flight was not automatically posted, but I was credited after I applied manually.