Just booked a trip on CX through my credit card portal. Figured i use wheretocredit later to decide which partner airlines to credit too. When i went to my booking to add a partner number i already see a frequent flier number already enter by CX, i dont even have an account with them and now edit field wont activate wont let me change. Is that normal that they automatically create an flyer accout for your?

No
And wonder if that FFP is controlled by someone in the portal (is it even Cathay? or another FFP)

A recent data point from myself (01Dec25).

Flew from PVG to HKG on economy light (S) ticket via OTA. I added my QR emerald number to the booking, and pre-selected bulkhead seat. I also got all the OWE benefit on ground and onboard including First class check in and First Class priority tag, entering PVG CX lounge, the crew pre set the pillow, blanket and a Evian badge less water at my seat. The crew came to take my food order before take off, FP came by to say hi, my meal was delivered ahead of our passengers.

Out of curiosity, I tried to change my FFP number via CX app, right after aircraft pushback, from QR emerald to CX green and it succeeded. My app show I am Cathay green and prompted unpaid extra legroom seat for this PVG-HKG sector. After I refresh, when I try to change back to QR emerald, it shows error.

After 1 day, I did get my asiamiles and status point in my CX account.

It seems that for whatever reason, the IT system of CX still not sync with the policy, or I would say there is no way for them to stop passenger from changing FFP via CX app even after check in, and in my case after boarding.

I used to do this (changing FFP after onboard) when I was still OWS, because there is really no onboard benefit and would still be good for earning a few hundred miles instead of accumulating to those OW account with no mileage. But since I got OWE, usually I leave it to my OWE account even there is no miles earning to QR, because I somehow does not want to miss any onboard OWE benefit.

To be honest, I don’t see all this changes by CX is targeting double dip. I think they want to stop retroclaim to CX for status point to be earned in 2026 instead, so as to manage the number of DMs in 2027.

Exactly same issue. I want my long haul segment credit to one programme, and keep the little miles in CX with crediting a short haul one . but they do not allow it to change, not customer service. even you can opt to have different programme in different segments.. how bloody annoying!

Who did you book with - direct with CX or?

A pre-populated one is more worrying. Seems like someone in the portal is trying to steal your miles.

If true, that is the scenario CX is purportedly trying to prevent. Is that the case?

i did - whether it gets to the right person/ department is a separate question

i even wrote to oneworld

interesting - i used to do this but in August CX stopped allowing edits via the app (for me) to change FFP (i.e. from MH elite to CX green)

Directly online with CX. first it appears to have to add frequent flyer, and there is a button to choose if you want all segment in one FFP, u cannot click that, keep getting error message...

I know which former functionality you are talking about.

In this case, your only recourse is to enter the FFP according to the status you wish to enjoy seat assignment benefits from first, then sort out the sector-by-sector crediting FFP at check in desk. AHQ is creating more work for check in desks for sure.

i got a fully flexible one and that includes the seat selections (all). and on the website it also says its from the fare.

IDK tried a few phone agents some tried to change it but i wouldnt show on CX side but basically will have to see about getting it changed at the check in desk

At least can you/they see which airline's FFP.

CX's Cathay isn't very helpful for crediting small amounts of miles into.
So wonder is it QR/BA/IB/AY/QF https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/37367249-post26.html ?

Unfortunately a FFP that does NOT belong to me has been input in one of my future booking. I have no way to change / cancel it now, so as the online chat agent.

Any thoughts please?

Well, this is a legit case CX is trying to prevent.

Fix it at check-in

Just in case someone from Cathay reads this thread, seems RTW tickets don't work well after this change (or AA ticketed?)

• Have a RTW ticket with multiple Cathay Segments for four passengers.
• AA, QR, FJ, UL all have our membership numbers shown correctly (BA OWE). Cathay website shows "no membership number" on the initial website view, and when going into the passengers.
• Log in as Cathay member, which has previously fixed this... It seems like I can change, but I can't, however, checking "use the same FFP for all flights" shows the real (BA) FFP. Not that the status is flowing thru to seat selection unfortunately, or that I can save any changes anyway, it talks about calling in (yes I won't waste time on that)
• I can only see this obviously once I log in as the CX member (so that's only one of four passengers that become unlocked)

Luckily I am in business, not the end of the world, but its a reminder that changes like this need a bit of thinking about and proper testing. I am strongly supportive of the overall aim (stop fraud; stop people changing their FFP in the air/at the gate/in the lounge), but am not enjoying the actual implementation, which is just inconvenient and buggy.

It is being very paranoid, as even on the same ticket that means you need one login per passenger to make a change (I guess the rationale is that someone could change everyone else's FFP on a reservation except theirs at some point?)