Originally Posted by
miamiflyer8
Well the same amount of time it takes to credit the miles, but me personally I'd find it easier to tell tell the agent the number instead of filling out an application for retroclaim.
Then make sure to have the number with you when you book the ticket/check in, a physical card is not required for that, it is maybe more convenient, but I would rather just have the number in my phone (and in the old days before smartphones, it would be stored under a contact
)