Separate Frequent Flyer Number for Outbound & Return Legs?
Jun 2, 2013, 11:16 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: San Francisco, CA
Programs: Starwood Platinum, Amex Centurion
Posts: 40
Separate Frequent Flyer Number for Outbound & Return Legs?
Hi all --
Is it possible to use my United FF# for the outbound portion of a round trip, but switch to a different FF# (say, US Air) for the return?
This may sound like an odd need, but I am doing a premier match and don't want to hit 18,000 miles until after July, so that I get an extra year of status. For an upcoming trip, I'd like to get upgraded for the outbound, but don't want to accumulate miles for the return. The timing is very delicate!
Thanks --
PC
Is it possible to use my United FF# for the outbound portion of a round trip, but switch to a different FF# (say, US Air) for the return?
This may sound like an odd need, but I am doing a premier match and don't want to hit 18,000 miles until after July, so that I get an extra year of status. For an upcoming trip, I'd like to get upgraded for the outbound, but don't want to accumulate miles for the return. The timing is very delicate!
Thanks --
PC
Jun 2, 2013, 11:20 am
#2
Moderator: United Airlines
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: SFO
Programs: UA Plat 1.995MM, Hyatt Discoverist, Marriott Plat/LT Gold, Hilton Silver, IHG Plat
Posts: 66,854
Recent reports suggest the FF in the record at time of posting, not time of flight, is determining the account. So if the outbound posts before your return flight, things should work out. This means there needs to 3,4,5 day gap.
A shorter gap may lead to an unexpected outcome.
Jun 2, 2013, 12:04 pm
#3
Original Poster
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: San Francisco, CA
Programs: Starwood Platinum, Amex Centurion
Posts: 40
Interesting, thanks. I'll be sure to add a datapoint after this all works out.
By posting, do we mean "the moment miles are attributed to my United Mileageplus account, and visible on my profile?" If so, since posting takes place well after the flight itself, why would the size of the gap be relevant? Switching FFNs pre-return would mean I'd have my US Air number on record both during the time of the flight, and at the time of posting.
Incidentally, there are 4 days between legs, so I'm solidly in the grey area.
I think I am going to be safe and switch both legs to US Air now, even if that means I risk forfeiting my upgrade on the outbound, which has now cleared.
By posting, do we mean "the moment miles are attributed to my United Mileageplus account, and visible on my profile?" If so, since posting takes place well after the flight itself, why would the size of the gap be relevant? Switching FFNs pre-return would mean I'd have my US Air number on record both during the time of the flight, and at the time of posting.
Incidentally, there are 4 days between legs, so I'm solidly in the grey area.
I think I am going to be safe and switch both legs to US Air now, even if that means I risk forfeiting my upgrade on the outbound, which has now cleared.
Jun 2, 2013, 6:58 pm
#4
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: Up In The Cloud
Programs: UA 1K MM; BA S, AA G; AS G; DL | SPG P50, M G, CC G, IHG P, HLT S | Hertz PC, Avis F
Posts: 682
The safest way is to call UA to cancel your UA number after you've flown the outbound.
After you've flown the return, ask for credit retroactively from US (and maybe UA for the outbound).
After you've flown the return, ask for credit retroactively from US (and maybe UA for the outbound).