ARCHIVE: Changing FFN / Frequent Flyer Number on AA Bookings
 

How can I change the FF number associated with an AA reservation - ideally online rather than by calling or at the airport? (e.g. to swap out an AA number for a BAEC one.)

Thanks. I forgot the quotes on FF when I searched before posting.

However, I may be mis-reading but I'm not sure that thread (nor the ones it links to) actually answer the question.

Cash booking on AA.com, all AA flights (i.e. no BA element). AA FF number entered at time of booking. How to later change that to BAEC number? Yes, I can call, but is there an online way?

Can't change FFP number on AA.com?
 

I made a booking on Travelocity.com with an itin starting with EK sectors followed by AA sectors (op. by BA).

The first surprise, having made this exact kind of booking before, was that Travelocity only allowed the input of specifically EK and AA FFP numbers, whereas in the past I was able to input my BAEC number without a problem.

Nonetheless I then was able to retrieve the booking on AA.com, but am still unable to change the FFP number (which was greyed out), and carries only my EK number which is meaningless in this case. Again, the last time I did this journey I seem to recall being able to amend FFP details on AA.com.

The third surprise is that I've actually called AA reservations and had them input by BA number (at which point the agent overwrote the EK number). I now see the correct BA number on AA.com, but the booking still hasn't ported over to BA.com (which, again, it did in the past).

Not that I'm overly bothered, but it's nice to have the FFP details in place and reduce the possibility of missing mileage claims later... :confused:

Bump! Is there a way to change the FFP number online on a AA reservation? or at least at OLCI?

Just call AA or BA. Ive had no issues adding or dropping it

Finnair website?

Ive actually for the last few times be unable to on their website... just call in and it takes 2 mins

I doubt that the non-EXP line "takes 2 mins". OP is oneworld emerald through BA, and oneworld does not provide reciprocal elite line privileges, so he's treated by AA call centers as if he isn't even a frequent flyer.

2 mins after talking with someone... better?

Actually, when I was BA Gold, when I'd call AA and give my reservation number that already had my BA number in it, I was always auto-routed to the EXP line. YMMV.

I asked a question in the oneworld Sapphire benefits thread about using my new (matched) airberlin status on AA. The side issue of getting the airberlin number into my existing AA reservation (currently booked using my AAdvantage number) came up. So, I though I would ask on this thread (since it's more relevant and since there was never an answer here) to make extra-special sure: If I call reservations and have the FF number on the reservation changed to my airberlin number (which has oneworld Sapphire status), the reservation will then be properly treated as having that status, right?

I has this unhelpful twitter exchange with @AmericanAir:
Can someone just confirm for me that this will all work and that I'll be able to update the FF number. It seems obvious that I would be able to, but you never know, and it would be nice to get the info from someone here rather than waiting on hold for an eternity. Thanks!

What FF # to use with no status? US/AA/BA
 

Wife has no status on US/AA/BA and bought first/biz class flt from USA to CDG on BA website that is AA flights. BA has a special offer now that gives you 20,000 bonus but wife has 14,000 Div Qualifying miles on USAir and this trip would add another 1.5 x aprox 10K div qualifying miles will make her only Silver on USAir that will be upped to Gold on AA in 2015. What ff would you use? Go for Silver on USAir? BA for bonus avois? AA Advantage bonus +challenge.

AA/US has a premium cabin bonus between now and the end of year for TATL that will earn her 20K RDM for the flight.

I don't see why AA would "forgive" the elite requirement. However, if she ends up w/c. 24,000 elite qualifying miles - she might be able to "boost" to status.

Depending on where she's starting from in the US - on a paid F/J fare - you might consider signing up and paying the fee for a "Platinum Challenge" on AA. It requires 10,000 EQP - and she would have PLT status through Feb. 2016.

You could sign her up for the US or AA trial sometime prior to the flights. I think that might be enough miles to reach US Silver/AA Gold.

Wirelessly posted (BlackBerry: BlackBerry8530/5.0.0.1030 Profile/MIDP-2.1 Configuration/CLDC-1.1 VendorID/417)

"What ff would you use?"

That depends very much on what your intended redemptions are. ;)

This.

http://www.usairways.com/en-US/divid...rred.html?re=1

7500 flown miles plus $200 will get her Silver (and then AA GLD) through Feb 2016.

http://www.flyerguide.com/Challenge_%28AA%29

5000 points plus ~$140 will get her AA GLD; 10000 points plus ~$200 will get PLT. She'll get 1.5x points per mile on a business class fare.

She has AA BA USair FF #. She will make silver elite if she uses US Air but US Air does not have bonus offer. Am I correct that the choice should be AA FF# since this can be a 20,000 bonus and the programs will be combined?

20K bonus is for RDM, not EQM. Programs will be combined in mid 2015.

I am going with SWAG suggestion of $200 challenge which will get her Plt plus registering for the 20k bonus miles. I am US Chairman and thinking of doing the same as I will not make chairman next year or even US Platinum just gold. Any thoughts on my pick?

The platinum challenge is now $240 (at least that was the price in July when a family member enrolled for it).

As for your "pick" do you mean PLT v. GLD on AA? There is a vast difference between PLT & GLD on AA - so if you have travel planned that will yield 10,000 EQP, then definitely opt for the PLT challenge.

When do I change my FF Number to BA?
 

hi there-

i am already qualified to ExP until feb 2016 and with my already planned trips over the next three months, i can qualify for BA Gold too.

for those that have done it, what are your strategies of using tools available to you via online booking?

specifically as relates to flights i already booked under my AA num:

(1) if i book JFK-LHR and want to use a SWU, do i keep my AA num in there then have them change it at the airport after i get the upgrade? does it matter?

(2) if i am coach LAX-JFK, and need my free bag allowance do i change my num at check in at the airport, or later in lounge?

(3) if flying int'l, obviously as BA Blue (lowest tier) i do not get flagship access but as a OW emerald i do--so is it a matter of just showing my card?

thanks all!

One question, do the benefits of getting BA Gold outweigh the cost of losing double RDMs? I am on the side of if you need to something sneaky to get a benefit, then you probably shouldn't be getting the benefit. However, if AA permits the practice of using EXP benefits when traveling as BA Blue, then that would be OK. If this is against AA policy, then it cannot be condoned on this forum. So, for the experts... What is the policy?

so this is my use case: my work is taking me international for the foreseeable future. i will be relying on the BA network in europe, hence need to qualify. in the US i'd say about 95% of my flts are the JFK-SFO/LAX routes which i have to pay J fares on anyhow as upgrades are no longer available.

i personally do not feel i'm "gaming" any system as i am a fully qualified executive platinum member on AA thru feb 2016. the details of using all i am entitled to, while on AA flt numbers and metal, but with a BA Blue FF number is where things get hazy on actual policy, hence the questions.

or rather: i am using the perks i'm entitled to, while on a BA FF number and no longer achieving any future qualification on AA. example: on any intl flt under my BA number, i'll be entitled to the admirals lounge solely due to my current OW Emerald status.

which FF number to use with no status?
 

Thanks. Will go for plat on AA for both.

My opinion on this, and I'm sure everyone has one, is that if you want AA FF benefits then you credit to your AA FF number. If you want your lower BA Blue benefits then you credit to your BA FF number. The benefits are tied to your FF number and I really doubt AA is intending for folks to get their AA benefits when using a diff FF number.

I'm in the same boat having requalified back in June. If there was any incentive to keep pushing beyond 100K, I'd stick with earning on AA. Since there isn't any published benefits beyond 100K, I'm diversifying just in case AA guts AAdvantage in the near term.

1) You can apply SWUs to a booking even if your AA account isn't applied to the booking. I've always done it weeks/months ahead of time but never at the airport. When I earn towards CX and fly AA my SWU success is 25%. When I earn towards AA my SWU success is 100%.

2) I haven't tried it nor would I. AA has given me a generous extra 5 lbs of baggage but YMMV.

3) Just show your boarding pass and EXP card. I've done this a dozen times at AA and CX F lounges with no problems. I've tried to find a policy that says this is against the rules. Still haven't found anything. Oneworld policy doesn't say you have to be earning towards an Emerald program to access F lounges. I still need to read AA's policy.

I didn't answer your root question and Mikelat is right. Everyone will have their own opinion. I'd book it with your EXP account. After its ticketed, call in and change the booking to your BA account. Changing it at checkin or at the lounge is pushing it per my moral compass.

so the the question of using a SWU on a TATL: i called and requested one, on my AA booking. the agent said fine and i also on THE SAME CALL said i need my BA FF# added instead and she said..."i can request it, but i have no idea where you fall in line" despite the fact that (and this is the corporate attorney in me) the literature reads that as an exp member, i am entitled to my exp benefits. nothing talks about using an alliance FF# that may not be of equal stature.

recall: i EARNED all the benefits already.

Do the AA, you will not qualify for US Challenge, since your bought your tickets with BA, which means they have a BA flight number, but operated by AA.

To be clear - I see it as completely fine to use SWUs regardless of which program you credit to. Its just if you have to waitlist, AA is going to use the status of the program to which you are crediting the flights when determining your place on the waitlist.

Yes, you earned the benefits in the AA program and they're tied to your AA account. You, as far I can read from here, did not earn the benefits in your BA program. Benefits are tied to a program, not a person. The airline's only tracking is per FF number.

Try calling up AA and ask them if you get your AA EXP benefits when flying on a different FF program or number. I suspect they'll say No and even your lawyering may not help you :)

I understand how to change to another OneWorld FFP#, but how about if I want to change to a non-OW #, like AS. Is it possible to take care of it myself online? I will call/tweet if and only if must.

How to change AA reservation frequent flyer number (consolidated)
 

I have a purely AA booking: booked on AA.com, and all flights are on AA. I want to change my FFP# to another oneworld program. I know I can do it on Finnair.com, and I have the AA PNR, but all these systems do not recognize it:

-Finnair.com
-VirtuallyThere.com
-BA.com

I know the issue is AA uses SABRE and Finnair needs the Amadeus PNR. I have read about the BA.com translation method but it doesn't recognize my AA PNR. Neither does VirtuallyThere.com.

Any other self service suggestions?

If all your flights are on AA, why would you have an Amadeus PNR at all? I don't think they are even generated in that situation. Or maybe I'm oversimplifying.

So there's no way to change FFP# on Finnair.com if you have a purely AA booking?

If you've got an AA booking with just AA flights, as you've stated, you're not going to have an Amadeus booking at all. Therefore no tools that use Amadeus will see your reservation.

Call AA to have your FF# changed. Bob's your uncle.

OK, thanks for confirming.

Not as easy as it sounds at least for 1 EXP agent today. After telling me it couldn't be done, I'd lose my already issued SWU's and I'd have to pay for checked luggage he somehow made the change happen (he said) but I have not confirmed that it really went thru.:(

Is your SWU on waitlist or confirmed?
Once your SWU upgrade clears, you get a new Ticket.
In order for they to take away the SWU from you they would have to re-ticket you in economy, which is not just 2 clicks, so I don't think that anything was done to your upgraded ticket just by trying to change your FF number.

There is a another option talked about here a lot. Hang up and try another agent.

Worst case scenario, you can keep everything as it is and try to change your FF at the airport, ONLY for the outbound (if possible).

The SWU's were previously confirmed and seem to have worked out today as we checked in on line and all 3 segments are good as booked months ago and US # shows for FFP. Will need to get someone to undo it for BA flights as they won't help with US trial and need those miles for AA plat.