Earning miles with partner airlines

I'm flying to San Antonio, Texas next week and have a query about earning miles on partner US airlines.

Chose to fly via LAX so could upgrade to UC with miles rather than Continental via Houston. Booked connecting flight from LAX to San Antonio with US airways as thought I would be able to earn VS miles. Just found out the flight is code share with United/Skywest so don't think I can earn.

Should I give this one up or should I get a FF account with either airline and may be use their miles with VS in future?

Is United in Star Alliance? bmi might be an option, you can spend their miles on VS flights.

I flew LAS-MCO last year and booked it via US Airways web site so thought i had a US airways flight, it had a airways US flight number, and received email from them and could access the booking through their web site.

When i got to the airport the plane was United and i found out it was a code share, but the next day the miles had posted to my FC account.

So i guess as long as you booked it with US airways as their flight it should be ok and you should receive the miles.