Originally Posted by
UNITED959
I like the "no FF number" idea.
Not to mention you can always have your FF number added to the res at check-in if so desired. (Moral qualms may apply, depending on your stance.)
Problem is you lose out on some elite perks (such as perhaps clearing E500s sooner on UA, for example) by not having the # in there until the end--and risk not being able to get the seats you want for airlines which reserve some seats for elites. (UA E+, exit rows on some others, for example.)
Originally Posted by
UNITED959
AFAIK, loyalty programs (mine being UA MP, AA, HH, and SPG) are created for individuals - so the question of "how do they expect to transfer the points" helps to make my case.
This is a very good point; the T&C of most loyalty programs don't allow for the accruing of bennies to someone other than the named traveler (there are some exceptions to this, of course).
Are they proposing something like, "Hey, you need to track which ones are 'ours,' and then we'll ask you to redeem them as directed later?" That would be a nightmare IMHO to track and manage.