Similar question: I booked an AA flight on AA.com and entered in my Qantas number (elite status) to get the seats I wanted. But I want to accrue AA miles -- but keep my preferred seats. If I switch the ff numbers to AAdvantage (I assume I can figure out a way to do this), will I be allowed to keep the preferred seats without a fee?

Thanks.

It's usually not a problem if you change it over prior to flying! Although a couple of times I've done that and the booking has still credited to BAEC - calling BAEC then to negate the flights in BAEC so you can retrospectively claim credit in AA isn't hard, it's just slow.

The benefits you get *should* be the ones according to the program you are using. I bet there are ways to switch and have it work, but in other threads (which I am admittedly not interested in searching for right now :)), there has been mention that to get benefits afforded by FFP X, you need to credit the flight to that FFP X. And it seems like either AA is monitoring this more closely recently or possibly that more folks are trying to do it and failing and posting about it.

I did the opposite. Redeemed Avios then switched the FFP to AA and was allowed to reserve MCE seats.

Yeah, free tickets are no problem. I "buy" Avios award tickets for AA/US travel all the time and use my Qantas status for the benefits. No problem because I'm not earning any mileage.

Here, though, on an AA revenue ticket I want both the premium seat assignments (through my Qantas status) AND the mileage (through AAdvantage). Now that I have my MCE seats reserved, can I switch my ff number (I assume there's a way to do that) without losing the free MCE seats?

You won't know until you try. I don't think anyone here can give you a definite answer.

Have you (or anyone) been able to do this online? I've done it in the past, but only by calling (which is obviously a royal pain and not even possible at times).

I did it by tweeting the AA team. Sent them the BA locator and they look up the AA locator, switch the FFP number and off I go.

There comes a point when seat selection is totally open. With AA I think that is T-24. Switch you FF program and number at the airport check-on. Guaranteed to work... And not a big deal if dropping off luggage,

Happy wandering

Fred

I have done this quite a few times- moreso in the days when the cheapest AA fare buckets would not earn with QF.

I'd switch to AAdvantage using the AAngels in the lounges; ensuring the AA number was on the BP.

One time in the F/L at LAX I was handed both BP's back with the advise to use the 'EMERALD' BP to board.

Why isnt this simply a feature on aa.com - seems absurd! I am on the phone trying to simply change from AA FF to BA number on a reservation that hasnt yet been flown, the agent is taking over 15 minutes and has had to call the helpdesk twice.

qf ow sapphire vs aa oneworld gold
 

JFK-GIG confirmed in J using SWU from a friend who is EP. any thoughts?

edit title: "vs aa oneworld ruby"

Besides "nice friend"?

Depends upon what the question is...

The flyer's FF number is all that matters for the flight. If AA has your AA number on record, you may have to wait until at the gate to change to another program.

IME, yes. However, if there's any kind of schedule or equipment change you may lose that MCE seat.

I have an AA booking made on their webpage when logged on to my AAdvantage profile so it has the AA FFP number. I want to put the miles to BA, but the option to change the number is greyed out. Is it possible to change it during OLCI or only at the airport check-in or by calling AA?