United, US Airways start sharing fliers By Barbara De Lollis, USA TODAY United Airlines and US Airways today begin sharing fliers on 192 daily flights in a bid to lure passengers from competitors and raise needed revenue. The carriers, which tried to merge two years ago, are the only major airlines operating under bankruptcy court protection from creditors. The flight sharing, approved by regulators in October, lets each airline sell seats on flights operated by the other airline. The airlines gain the ability to market more flights and more destinations than they offer individually. Northwest and Continental airlines have a similar deal. United will increase service to 14 cities in the East and Caribbean, while US Airways will increase its schedule or gain service in 10 Western cities. US Airways gains service to Oakland, Sacramento and San Jose, Calif.; Portland, Ore.; and Salt Lake City. Under the arrangement: An eastbound traveler can fly from Santa Ana, Calif., to Chicago O'Hare on United and catch a US Airways flight to Washington Dulles on one ticket. A westbound traveler can fly from Charlotte to O'Hare on US Airways, then catch a United flight to Portland, Ore., on one ticket. "It gives our customers more options," says United spokeswoman Chris Nardella. United and US Airways expect to broaden their pact in the future, she says. United and US Airways also will announce today: Flight miles earned on each airline will count toward 2004 elite status in the other's frequent-flier program. Elite fliers will receive 25% to 100% mileage bonuses for paid flights on the other airline. Starting March 1, United and US Airways elite fliers will receive priority boarding and other benefits on the other carrier. Starting April 1, frequent fliers will be able to redeem award travel on either carrier. Customers like Jim Bozora can earn frequent-flier miles on United when taking US Airways' East Coast Shuttle. US Airways frequent flier Carl Howard will be able to redeem miles for family vacations on United. *************************************************** The owner of Roger's Trinbago Site/TnTisland.com Roj (Roger James) escape email mailto:ejames@escape.ca Trinbago site: www.tntisland.com Carib Brass Ctn site www.tntisland.com/caribbeanbrassconnection/ Steel Expressions www.mts.net/~ejames/se/ Site of the Week: http://www.hilofoodstores.com TnT Webdirectory: http://search.co.tt *********************************************************