Can I get miles for someone else's flight?
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2008
Posts: 454
Can I get miles for someone else's flight?
I'm booking flights for my parents. Can I accrue their miles onto my Mileage Plus number? The system seemed to bawk when I booked it for my dad saying the name didn't match. But it didn't have a problem when I booked for my mom.
#3
Suspended
Join Date: Jan 2001
Location: ORD / DUB / LHR
Programs: UA 1K MM; BA Silver; Marriott Plat
Posts: 8,243
Regardless of the names being close / matching, it can easily result in the loss of all of your miles and the closure of your account if it was discovered that you were doing this intentionally.
#4
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: LAX
Programs: UA-1K, Hertz-Gold, Marriott-Gold, PC-Platinum, SPG
Posts: 2,777
Seriously, you can't do that for MP, mom or dad.
#6
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: NYC
Programs: AA EXP, B6 Mosaic, UA Platinum, others
Posts: 1,270
The closest legitimate thing you can do is purchase them with a United Airlines credit card. Some earn as much as 3 RDM for each $1 spent, which could easily be more than the flight miles on some routes.
#8
Moderator: United Airlines
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: SFO
Programs: UA Plat 1.99MM, Hyatt Discoverist, Marriott Plat/LT Gold, Hilton Silver, IHG Plat
Posts: 66,567
#9
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: LAX/BOS/HKG/AMS/SFO...hmm, I need a life.
Programs: United1K, AA ExPlAAt, DL MM/Gold, Hilton Diamond, Avis First
Posts: 13,316
#10
Moderator: United Airlines
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: SFO
Programs: UA Plat 1.99MM, Hyatt Discoverist, Marriott Plat/LT Gold, Hilton Silver, IHG Plat
Posts: 66,567
althought that does require enough miles in the account to do the booking, potentially an issue for an infrequent traveler.
#11
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: SFO
Posts: 311
However, United DOES have a frequent buyer program, but its not nearly as straightforward or rewarding as Mileage Plus. Search for threads about "Perks Plus" for info. Its only intended for legitimate businesses purchasing tickets, so you'd also have to convince them you are a business.
Only way I've discovered to benefit in this sort of situation.
Only way I've discovered to benefit in this sort of situation.
#12
Join Date: Dec 2008
Posts: 449
Pre 9/11 the airlines didn't check names so thoroughly when you put in your FF# on the ticket. If your last name matched the member's name, you could sometimes get away with it with using the parents/offspring (assuming they weren't flying with you). Now it's impossible, unless possibly you are a Jr. buying a ticket for your dad (and neither of you used Jr., Sr. in your name).
#13
Join Date: May 2003
Location: Redwood City, CA USA (SFO/SJC)
Programs: 1K 2010, 1P in 2011, Plat for 2012,13,14,15 & 2016. Gold in 17 & 18, Plat since
Posts: 8,824
Pre 9/11 the airlines didn't check names so thoroughly when you put in your FF# on the ticket. If your last name matched the member's name, you could sometimes get away with it with using the parents/offspring (assuming they weren't flying with you). Now it's impossible, unless possibly you are a Jr. buying a ticket for your dad (and neither of you used Jr., Sr. in your name).
#14
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: NY
Programs: GP plat, SPG plat
Posts: 289
#15
Join Date: May 2010
Location: AVP & PEK
Programs: UA 1K 1.8MM
Posts: 6,275
This IS possible!
I had the same question as the OP......googled it, and came across this page and one from United:
https://www.united.com/web/en-US/con...ghtsearch.aspx
Relevant section:
Can I book a ticket for someone else with my MileagePlus miles?
Yes, you may request to have a MileagePlus award ticket issued in someone else’s name.
FWIW
EDIT: oops, I misread the OP's situation, and relied too much on google's search result. Never mind then. Two different things.
https://www.united.com/web/en-US/con...ghtsearch.aspx
Relevant section:
Can I book a ticket for someone else with my MileagePlus miles?
Yes, you may request to have a MileagePlus award ticket issued in someone else’s name.
FWIW
EDIT: oops, I misread the OP's situation, and relied too much on google's search result. Never mind then. Two different things.
Last edited by narvik; Apr 28, 2013 at 3:40 pm Reason: added