We flew down in Phoenix on Friday on an Air Canada codeshare flight with United Airlines.
An Air Canada codeshare flight is much better in every way.
The last time I booked Air Canada to Phoenix, I went to the seat assignment screen, pored over the available seats, carefully selected the two I wanted, and, voila!, got a "This operation cannot be completed" message." (When we got to the airport, Air Canada had assigned us seats about 12 rows apart. At least each seat was a middle seat -- you wouldn't want to have to sit by a window or an aisle.)
A codeshare flight is even better. With a codeshare flight, you select seat assignment, and it gives you the "This operation cannot be completed message" right away. This saves time, and you've still got an excellent chance of being assigned middle seats!
When I got to the airport, I had to check in at the United desk, because this wasn't really an Air Canada flight; it was a United flight pretending to be an Air Canada flight. What this means is that the check-in line is much shorter, and the staff friendlier.
I get to the woman checking baggage. She notes my Aeroplan number and the AC-Gold status. I inform her I don't think I'm really gold. She says it's in the computer, so, enjoy it! I used to be Air Canada Super-Elite in the days I flew over 100,000 miles annually with Air Canada. But those days ended shortly after 9/11. Anyway, Air Canada hasn't gotten around to letting United know, so, as far as United is concerned, I'm "Gold". Who am I to argue with the official computers of Air Canada and United Airlines?!
Anyway, because I was Gold, I didn't have to pay the $15/bag that United would have charged. We're up $30!
Plus, I'm told that our seats on the leg down to Phoenix from Denver are booked in the Economy Plus section -- more legroom, and we didn't have to pay the $60 each to get it. I'm up $150!
We get to Denver. I sense the connecting flight to Phoenix is overbooked. I can smell it. There are a bunch of stand-bys, and it's not looking good for them. I sit poised to pounce. The announcement comes on: "Ladies, and gentlemen, we are in an oversold position...". I pounce. I'm at the desk. I'm first in line. We're offered two free round-trip tickets anywhere United flies in the continental US if we are willing to go out on the next flight. I take it.
How do you put a value on them? I would say at least $500 each. So, now we're up $1150.
Downside: a four-hour wait at the Denver airport. Wait? Wait! I'm Gold. I've got Red Carpet lounge privileges. I show my boarding pass. The United guy waves us on through while continuing his phone conversation.
We luxuriate in the Red Carpet lounge.
Wait a minute. What about my car rental? I've booked an off-airport rental with Hertz -- did you know that PHX Phoenix airport has the highest airport car rental fees in the nation? They are unbelievable. There's a city tax and a state tax and a stadium tax and an airport tax and a tax tax, and a -- you get the picture. I'm already saving money by booking off-airport. But now we won't be getting in until later. I've got 16 days on the contract, two efficient 7-day periods, and two extra days at $60/day -- exhorbitant. I do the math. If we can do without a car Friday evening and Saturday, I can re-book the rental for Sunday morning and save $120 minus taxis. Minus $50 for taxis, we'll save another $70.
I redo the Hertz reservation. We end the day up $1220.
To top it off, the United jets were clean and new, and the service was impeccable.
Thanks, United!
All in all, a pretty good travel day.
And that's the way the Ball bounces -- from Toronto to Denver to Phoenix.
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