About $30,000, once the total is adjusted for passengers who are going on to other destinations and for those using frequent-flier tickets.

The program has 40 million members and 12 million unredeemed frequent-flier tickets.

That would make many connections easier and could increase the range of frequent-flier tickets available to them.

A. Most other carriers have agreed to accept American tickets - although not frequent-flier tickets - if they have space available.

Using a frequent-flier ticket from his brother-in-law, Randolph flew to Montreal on Wednesday night and played the first round on six hours of sleep, having never seen the course.

No, the reservations agent told her, frequent-flier tickets to both cities were booked for July.

In addition, Continental said it would not accept American frequent-flier tickets, although most other carriers will, if they have space.

The fee will not apply to awards used to upgrade to a higher class of service, or to frequent-flier tickets that travelers book at www.united.com.

Ms. Wilson recalled a snag that developed when one family member flew on a corporate jet, the others used frequent-flier tickets and the flight schedules were thrown off by a storm.

It started with the frequent-flier tickets.