glennhaak

Yes, I would call them to make sure they know upfront what's going on because you've read stories of accounts being frozen/closed after transferring in points to a newly opened account.

Xandrios

I would say that mostly the people abusing the system are aware of these kind of limitations; hence calling them and telling them you are aware of these limitations implies that you are not a regular customer.

Could swing both ways, personally I don't think I'd call beforehand.

carnarvon

Well, he is certainly not a regular FB customer, as he never credits anything to his FB account, to the point it got closed.

I think the blocking of awards is not done manually, but automatically based on several factors, some unknown to us. Whether calling could trigger a freezing of the miles or prevent a locking is left to everyone's betting on one or the other....

brunos

Frankly, I don't see what "calling first" would achieve, except possibly adding another flag. The system automatically target some behavior and calling won't change the system.

1) Like all airlines, AF tries to prevent bartering miles.
2) AF has a distaste for people who never fly them and just open an account to transfer cc miles and get an award.
Hence they set up many hoops to prevent it. The more it is advertised, the happier they are.
As soon as the booking involves a third party (another name) you are more likely to be targeted. That does not mean that a Mr and Mrs XX would not be allowed and the hoops might be minimal.

SDQBound

Reviving this thread.
I have not earned miles on FB in a year or so, since I moved from France and I earned FB miles mainly from short haul flights and AFKL Amex Card.

I am trying to book a ticket using my last few miles, and transferred 10K from AMEX to complete the amount of miles required. The reservation system tells me there's an error and I should contact customer service or try again later. I have redeemed miles multiple miles (account was created in 2014). Any chances I am running into the same "potential fraud" as the OP? If this is the case, what's the best solution?

Goldorak

fifty_two

depends what you are trying to book . probably there is something unusual with your request

s0ssos

Do you understand the word "although"? How many locations does AF/KL have in the USA, for example, where people may live?
So I'd presume you would say it wouldn't be too onerous for Garuda to ask people to stop by its offices to ticket for its frequent flier membership as well?

irishguy28

In my case, no; there's one 32km away!

That said, I have never engaged in the type of activity that has ever alerted FB, or any other FB, to impose this restriction.

s0ssos

That's why I have never engaged in any points transfers to FB, after reading these. Even though my account is years old, it would be purely a transfer to book a flight. And too many hassles, so it doesn't seem to be worth it.
(now for Garuda I tried to transfer to take advantage of their deal but citi somehow said it didn't go through, so I was done with that)

What I don't understand is the thought process behind preventing people from making bookings with transferred points. They get paid for the points from Amex, or whoever. But it seems the bigger picture is this is taking away a paid ticket, as in the person buying it from the points broker is saving money. However, unlike credit card fraud (actually I'm not sure who eats the fraudulent charge, would have presumed credit card issuer but maybe not) the airline doesn't have to worry about a chargeback of the points, because they aren't "their points"-they are points transferred from Amex, who would have to worry about that.

irishguy28

Because in almost all reported cases, the transaction looks like it could be in breach of 1.4.7 of the T&Cs.
People knowingly attempting to breach the rule will simply give up and not attend. Of course, some who are not breaching the rule will also give up; but that's why FB gives the benefit of the doubt to people who have a "history" of flying with that account.

All others can be spoken to in person and their circumstances more closely looked into.

SDQBound

SDQBound

Ditto

I had similar issue booking a GOL domestic flight, a short call to the plat line sorted it out (I had to pay the tax over the phone), they said their IT department is working on the issue...

SDQBound

Called FB again:
1 hour hold on English line.... 45 minute hold on the French line... Zero hold time on the Spanish line .
They wanted to double check that this ticket was authorized by me, after providing all the necessary information and satisfying their inquiries, I was able to book the ticket.

Lesson learned... only transfer AMEX points when absolutely necessary, and if I ever do it again, I will make sure I call ahead (Seems that they prefer this method).