Jul 5, 2017, 12:02 pm
Last edit by: Prospero
Changing a Frequent Flyer Number on AA Bookings
You may find the Frequent Flyer Number area grayed out, or be unable to change FFN online via aa.com. Alternatives:Call AA reservations at 800-433-7300.
Tweet @AmericanAir and ask the Twitter team to do it - though the best way is to have them follow you first and then send them a DM to keep your information private.
Request the FFN change at the check-in counter or, if you arrive before they get very busy, the gate.
Using the Finnair or Royal Jordanian website to change your FFN seems to no longer work. (AA use Sabre, several other one world airlines use Amadeus.)
NOTE: If switching from AAdvantage to another scheme's FFN, please be aware: Benefitting from a privilege granted for your AAdvantage status and changing your FFN to earn on another airline is generally prohibited by AAdvantage Terms and Conditions. Doing so might risk that benefit (e.g. upgrade).
From the AAdvantage Terms and Conditions (link)
Earning AAdvantage Miles
"You cannot accrue partner airline miles with your partner frequent flyer number if you have already used your AAdvantage number to obtain AAdvantage program benefits such as First or Business Class upgrades, baggage fee waivers or complimentary access to Preferred/Main Cabin Extra seats. Additionally, you cannot redeem partner airline miles with your partner frequent flyer number and obtain AAdvantage program benefits such as priority boarding and access to preferred seats."
Older and obsolete posts have been moved to ARCHIVE: Changing FFN / Frequent Flyer Number on AA Bookings
Updated 5 Jul 2017 by JDiver
Change FFN / frequent flyer number on AA booking? (master thread)
Dec 6, 2020, 1:19 pm
#106
Join Date: Aug 2016
Location: BOS
Programs: AA PP, DL PM
Posts: 2,086
In my experience, you have to "book for someone else" when booking your award on BA's website and enter your own details.
Dec 6, 2020, 3:09 pm
#107
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: SFO
Programs: UA 1K, AA EXP, Hyatt Glob, Hilton Diamond, Marriott Plat, Total Wine & More Reserve
Posts: 4,519
Correct. Especially important to not have your BA number entered into the reservation when making the booking. This makes the process of getting the AA number added later on much simpler.
Dec 7, 2020, 11:05 am
#108
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: RBKC
Programs: AA EXP and Eurostar Carte Blanche
Posts: 3,850
Jun 30, 2021, 3:12 pm
#109
Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: SFO
Programs: UA 1MM 1K, BA Gold
Posts: 431
What's the latest on adding/changing FFN? Booking some flights for September and don't know yet if I want to credit to AA or BA. Don't need any benefits as I'll be buying First. Is the best strategy to just leave FFN empty and enter at checkin?
Jul 1, 2021, 1:08 am
#110
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: SFO
Programs: UA 1K, AA EXP, Hyatt Glob, Hilton Diamond, Marriott Plat, Total Wine & More Reserve
Posts: 4,519
I'd leave it blank if you're unsure.
Sep 15, 2021, 10:46 pm
#111
Join Date: May 2009
Location: CA
Programs: AA/BA, HH/SPG
Posts: 12
In case it helps someone since I was under the impression it was no longer working, I was able to update a BA award flight on AA that had pre-filled my BA FFN by using the Finnair manage booking to update passenger information with my AA FFN.
Nov 30, 2021, 4:50 am
#112
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: WAS/TYO
Programs: UA 1K, AA EXP (3MM), DL PM, BONVOY TITANIUM, HYATT GLOBALIST, HILTON DIAMOND, IHG DIAMOND AMB, et al
Posts: 5,913
I'm trying to change the FFN on a BA Avios booking. All the usual sites (AY, RJ, QR) no longer seem to work? I know AY was working as recently as a few weeks ago, but now there's no ability to edit the FFN field. Any suggestions that don't involve calling in?
-FlyerBeek
-FlyerBeek
Dec 29, 2021, 9:52 am
#113
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: London / Los Angeles
Programs: Hilton Diamond, IHG Diamond Ambassador, Marriott Platinum, Hyatt Globalist, BA Silver
Posts: 1,631
I'm trying to change the FFN on a BA Avios booking. All the usual sites (AY, RJ, QR) no longer seem to work? I know AY was working as recently as a few weeks ago, but now there's no ability to edit the FFN field. Any suggestions that don't involve calling in?
-FlyerBeek
-FlyerBeek
Dec 29, 2021, 10:17 am
#114
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: AUS
Programs: BAEC Gold, AA PPro, Hyatt Globalist, Amex Plat
Posts: 7,043
I'm trying to change the FFN on a BA Avios booking. All the usual sites (AY, RJ, QR) no longer seem to work? I know AY was working as recently as a few weeks ago, but now there's no ability to edit the FFN field. Any suggestions that don't involve calling in?
-FlyerBeek
-FlyerBeek
Regards
Jan 1, 2022, 12:57 pm
#115
Join Date: May 2006
Location: GA
Programs: VA-PLT, QF-GLD, DL-GM, UA-ex1K, AA-exPLT, HH-DM, IHG-PLT, MR-GLD
Posts: 8,242
I booked an AA itinerary with AA miles. But I wanted to use my QF or QR status for seats & lounge access. Any solutions?
Very strange, AA gets paid by those airlines when I use lounge access. I don't get this policy... seems very customer unfriendly and the cost to the airline is next to nothing, or they might even lose revenue!
Very strange, AA gets paid by those airlines when I use lounge access. I don't get this policy... seems very customer unfriendly and the cost to the airline is next to nothing, or they might even lose revenue!
Jan 1, 2022, 1:16 pm
#116
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: MEL CHC
Posts: 21,029
I booked an AA itinerary with AA miles. But I wanted to use my QF or QR status for seats & lounge access. Any solutions?
Very strange, AA gets paid by those airlines when I use lounge access. I don't get this policy... seems very customer unfriendly and the cost to the airline is next to nothing, or they might even lose revenue!
Very strange, AA gets paid by those airlines when I use lounge access. I don't get this policy... seems very customer unfriendly and the cost to the airline is next to nothing, or they might even lose revenue!
"You cannot accrue partner airline miles with your partner frequent flyer number if you have already used your AAdvantage number to obtain AAdvantage program benefits such as First or Business Class upgrades, baggage fee waivers or complimentary access to Preferred/Main Cabin Extra seats. Additionally, you cannot redeem partner airline miles with your partner frequent flyer number and obtain AAdvantage program benefits such as priority boarding and access to preferred seats."
Have you tried to change the ffn with AY, RJ or QR web site manage my booking?
But the best way is book the AA award for "another person" that happens to have QF/QR status [And who may look like you!]
Jan 2, 2022, 5:34 pm
#117
Join Date: May 2006
Location: GA
Programs: VA-PLT, QF-GLD, DL-GM, UA-ex1K, AA-exPLT, HH-DM, IHG-PLT, MR-GLD
Posts: 8,242
From the wiki
In some ways you are doing the opposite. You are not trying to get an AAdvantage program benefit by changing the ffn.
Have you tried to change the ffn with AY, RJ or QR web site manage my booking?
But the best way is book the AA award for "another person" that happens to have QF/QR status [And who may look like you!]
In some ways you are doing the opposite. You are not trying to get an AAdvantage program benefit by changing the ffn.
Have you tried to change the ffn with AY, RJ or QR web site manage my booking?
But the best way is book the AA award for "another person" that happens to have QF/QR status [And who may look like you!]
I've not been able to retrieve this booking on AY, RJ, JL, or QR sites. I haven't tried calling yet, but it sounds like that isn't usually successful either.
I guess next time, yes, I will book the award for another guy with my name and QF status... haha
Jan 13, 2022, 11:56 am
#119
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: In the air
Programs: Hyatt Globalist, Bonvoy LT Plat, Hilton Gold, GHA Tit, BA Gold, Turkish Elite
Posts: 8,720
Big warning to anyone looking to do this. I booked a couple of flights as "Web Awards" and have been told by Twitter that the T&Cs say that you're not allowed to change your FF number to any other programme under this special category (which sounds like a ton of BS to me). I have no status with AA but OneWorld Emerald with BA, so I had been planning on taking 200 pounds of baggage with me. I might have to just drop the tickets and write off 40K AA miles - this makes AA miles essentially worthless to me in general unless I can find a way to book over the phone without it inheriting my AA frequent flyer number.
I've tried Air Maroc, etc. and none of the websites appear to be kicking up the AA locator.
I've tried Air Maroc, etc. and none of the websites appear to be kicking up the AA locator.
Jan 15, 2022, 12:44 am
#120
Join Date: Jan 2014
Posts: 742
Big warning to anyone looking to do this. I booked a couple of flights as "Web Awards" and have been told by Twitter that the T&Cs say that you're not allowed to change your FF number to any other programme under this special category (which sounds like a ton of BS to me). I have no status with AA but OneWorld Emerald with BA, so I had been planning on taking 200 pounds of baggage with me. I might have to just drop the tickets and write off 40K AA miles - this makes AA miles essentially worthless to me in general unless I can find a way to book over the phone without it inheriting my AA frequent flyer number.
I've tried Air Maroc, etc. and none of the websites appear to be kicking up the AA locator.
I've tried Air Maroc, etc. and none of the websites appear to be kicking up the AA locator.
Also to the above poster. AA award reservations are 100% refundable right now. So cancel it and you'll be reimbursed.