This trip report is really to say don't bother flying US unless you really have to.
Then it's a beef about VS doing these deals to credit miles on US airlines without negotiating any other perks.
Finally it's a how to game the system piece.
1. US - garbage. Service is generally not that great, though the Caesar salad was actually edible. Costs for drinks are more than other airlines. The worst part - no entertainment at all, six hour cross country flights - nothing[n]
2.Why does VS do a deal to allow you to earn miles, but not get any other benefits, such as priority boarding, free checked baggage etc, priority check in use. I have no idea but it's a bit annoying.
3. Here's the fun part. I still have a couple of months of United Premier Associate left, so I book my ticket with that FF#. That get's me free checked bags (2) and priority boarding - zone 2. But what I do when I get to the gate is say my tavel agent made a mistake and can they amend the FF and use my Virgin #. RANT - why does VS change your number every time your status changes - just dumb[V]. On the return my flight was now booked on the VS FF and because I managed to catch an earlier flight I was in zone 4. So when Zone 2 boarded I produced my Mileage Plus Silver card and was allowed to board.
Hope this helps others.
Haven't tried to claim missing mileage credit on United - that wouldn't be right[}:)]
