Some programs allow you to enter 2 FFN's against your flight. One for status benefits and another for earning. I think UA do this but does CO?

Can I earn on my BD account, whilst using my CO elite status to get access to exit row seats?

Sorry if this was asked before but I could not find the answer.

I was going to start a thread with a related question, having searched unsuccessfully. It's close enough to go here, I think, without counting as thread hijacking -- anyone who can answer your question will probably answer mine in doing so.

Mrs MH and I flew a couple of CO segments yesterday, with luggage. I put my BD number into the reservation to get the *G benefit of checking bags free, intending to change it to my LH number at the lounge for M&M mileage credit. (I've done something similar with UA in the past, soy.)

The CO gate agent and two lounge agents refused to make the change, citing "policy", unless I paid $50 for the bags. Given time pressure at the airport, and the fact that we really need the 2,500 M&M status miles, I paid.

Were the CO agents right? If not, what could I have said to convince them and have I got a chance of getting the $50 back?

I believe the CO agents were wrong. Per CO's posted baggage policy (link: http://www.continental.com/web/en-US.../checkbag.aspx), you were entitled to free checked bags. It states bags are free if you are a Star Alliance Gold member. It does not list any requirement that you must associate the Star Alliance Gold frequent flyer # with your ticket.

You need to get these right FQTS vs FQTV. You can have both in your reservation.

There was a similar thread in the Miles & More forum.

Many LH SEN's (like me) prefer to collect miles with BMI, but want to have their status recognized in case of OP UP's.

As most reservation systems dont support both data fields, I usually make the reservation with my SEN Number and change at the gate to BMI.

You're right, I know. The problem is that three CO agents were convinced that CO's policies require them to enter the *G number on the reservation to justify waiving the checked bag fee. They weren't being lazy or unpleasant, they just genuinely believed that their systems would not allow them to do what I was asking them to do.

That only applies if the airline uses those two fields. CO doesn't.

Yes, there have been threads there and elsewhere: BD, *A, SQ and some threads (often about E+) on the UA forum. I think I'll try the *A forum again to see if anyone has access to a definitive *A text on the general question of taking advantage of status benefits without crediting mileage to the programme where status is held.

I've done this on LH and UA. Not always easy, as gate staff can often be snowed under, but ultimately almost always possible. The problem this trip was that the CO agents refused to make the change without collecting the checked bag fee.

CO does require the status come from the crediting carrier for everything except lounge access.

A polite complaint (using CO's online form) about being charged for bags despite *G status brought an apology from CO's "Alliance Customer Care" and the $50 is being refunded.

Is that something they're allowed to do under the alliance?

Or is this just one of those things where the CO agents are deathly afraid to override the computer in the customer's favor?


Glad it got sorted. Not sure there's much you could have done to avoid it, other than put in the statused account, check the bags, then change it on your own by checking again at a kiosk or online (i.e., without a human). If you had kept the CO employees out of the picture, it may have worked better.

I don't think so, and their decision to refund suggests they're not convinced either (there was nothing about a "one time exception"). But I suspect CO's training manuals only cover the simple case where just one FFP is involved.

You may well be right. I wonder. Can anyone report on successfully changing FFPs (from status to non-status) online or at a kiosk after checking bags?

Will it still not work to put in two numbers if it is a CO ticket on UA metal?