Does anyone have any experience with how well the CX computer system (and CX agents) handle multiple FF numbers?

I am flying YVR-JFK-YVR booked on a single itinerary and want to credit each segment to different FF accounts.
Current plan is to have the first segment sent in and have the agent enter the 2nd for automatic credit.

Is it too dangerous to ask them to put in one FF number for the outbound and to change to another for the inbound?

terenz,

i was booked on a CX flight from HKG-MNL-HKG on the same day in the same record. As a matter of fact I flew back on the same airplane with the same crew. The agent in MNL took my number and was able to successfully change the number without affecting credit for my first flight.

If you are going to give any numbers I would call cathay and tell them what u want. then verify this was done at check in. If u are on a same day return and simply add a number to the record on the return u risk a bactch job of some sort picking up the number for your first leg also.

u might be better just sending in both to the airlines.

good luck,
rich

Terenz- My advise is to not give any FF number to Cathay at all. Instead, just present the ff programme that you want to use for that flight to Cathay at check-in. If you have connecting flights, wait until you've done one flight and just before boarding the other one, change your ff number to reflect the other one.

This goes for all airlines' computer systems. It is extremely difficult for them to 'select' sectors to credit to which programme. Only a few airlines can segment select - unfortunately none of the oneWorld carriers can do that.

Better stick to the above plan ...

If you do give the number AT check-in, do they enter the number for the entire itinerary or *just* that particular flight?

Celestar

I tried this with CP and it ended to be a costly problem. Gave them my AA number on one CP outbound leg and got the miles for it. On the inbound, I asked the gate agent to use my BA number and the BP was printed with my BA number on it. What I ended up getting was miles to the AA account only. Had to take another weekend to get the CP flight on my BA account.

Not sure which two carriers you want to have these flights credited to, but just a warning about that YVR-JFK-YVR trip if it is booked in M calss: it will qualify for mileage on Cdn+, but is an ineligible fare for AAdvantage. And you will also have to argue with CX agents to even get them to enter you AA number onto the file since it is not a mileage accrual fare. AA has also adjusted the fine print on the 100K oneworld promotion (I assume you want to use this for a 4th or 5th partner on each carrier) to clarify that non-mileage accrual flights are not eligible. This was not the case in their original material.

If you are elite on one of the airlines you want miles credited to, use that as the first carrier on the outbound flight, and let the number stay in the file. Most flights out of JFK are heavily booked and upgrading of oneworld elites is common. That was my experience last month ex-JFK. Just don't forget to change your FF program number on check-in.

Also, always use the J or F class check-ins. These are staffed by more senior agents who are the ones that can make changes in the computer as a matter of course. Newer agents often don't have the same level of familiarity and find this rather more challenging.

Shareholder

Thanks for the tips. I have this all figured out. The miles are to go to BA Canada and CP (M fares eligible for both). Seating availability is good on both flights at this time (at least 9 seats available for all fare classes bookable at this date - 50 unallocated Y seats on the inbound and 30 on the inbound) so I doubt if they will upgrade (am CP gold/sapphire). I will flash my CP Gold care at them though. I was thinking of photocopying the BP and ticket at either the YVR Empress or MP lounge and faxing it to BA on x'mas day!


[This message has been edited by terenz (edited 12-22-1999).]