Why does a friend who works for Delta Air want my full SS#?
Jul 12, 2018, 1:05 am
#46
Join Date: Sep 2014
Programs: IHG Platinum
Posts: 629
So my question is; why does Delta need an individual’s social security number? Buddypasses are paid in advance of travel. I can understand giving it in an application for employment, although i’ve never heard of Delta not hiring someone with a BK for a gate agents job.
Seems to be an invasion of privacy to me. Delta literally had an IT meltdown, what, two years ago? If they can’t get SNAPP right with their outsourced IT, how would I trust them with my social security number?
All it takes is one breach, and Delta has a class-action lawsuit to deal with.
Seems to be an invasion of privacy to me. Delta literally had an IT meltdown, what, two years ago? If they can’t get SNAPP right with their outsourced IT, how would I trust them with my social security number?
All it takes is one breach, and Delta has a class-action lawsuit to deal with.
Jul 12, 2018, 5:13 am
#47
Join Date: May 2008
Location: Minneapolis
Programs: AA EXP, Hyatt Diamond, SPG Gold, GlobalEntry, Admirals Club, United Club
Posts: 1,948
How is it an invasion of privacy? Delta is saying - if you want free flights, give us your ssn. If you don't want free flights you can decline to provide your ssn.
Jul 12, 2018, 6:12 am
#48
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Jul 12, 2018, 6:30 am
#49
Join Date: Jul 2002
Posts: 3,642
The OP is not getting a Buddy Pass. The OP is being asked if she wants to be a travel companion.Travel companions can travel whenever they want at a very reduced rate. So the OP has to decide to give DL more information to get this spouse-like benefit or not.
Jul 12, 2018, 6:39 am
#50
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Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: DCA
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So my question is; why does Delta need an individual’s social security number? Buddypasses are paid in advance of travel. I can understand giving it in an application for employment, although i’ve never heard of Delta not hiring someone with a BK for a gate agents job.
Seems to be an invasion of privacy to me. Delta literally had an IT meltdown, what, two years ago? If they can’t get SNAPP right with their outsourced IT, how would I trust them with my social security number?
All it takes is one breach, and Delta has a class-action lawsuit to deal with.
Seems to be an invasion of privacy to me. Delta literally had an IT meltdown, what, two years ago? If they can’t get SNAPP right with their outsourced IT, how would I trust them with my social security number?
All it takes is one breach, and Delta has a class-action lawsuit to deal with.
The issue from the DL perspective is not that it won't get paid. Of course it will. The issue is whether the benefit is being abused
Jul 12, 2018, 9:25 am
#53
Join Date: May 2008
Location: Minneapolis
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Posts: 1,948
If it is income, wouldn't it be income to the employee, not to the friend? If it's to the friend, it would qualify as a gift, no?
Jul 12, 2018, 10:07 am
#54
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Location: San Antonio
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Jul 12, 2018, 6:33 pm
#55
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The buddy or companion (or any form of employee-related perk) would not generally be taxable income to OP, but it is a gift and depending on the volume of travel, could become a taxable gift by the "friend" to OP. DL bears the risk of poor accounting here and thus it is entirely reasonable for DL to track the value to OP and anybody else.
OP's easy alternative here is to complete a W-9, which exists for just this purpose, and send it to the friend. If concerned about loss in the mail, either hand deliver it or use Registered mail (not certified).
OP's easy alternative here is to complete a W-9, which exists for just this purpose, and send it to the friend. If concerned about loss in the mail, either hand deliver it or use Registered mail (not certified).
Jul 12, 2018, 8:20 pm
#56
Join Date: Apr 2006
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Everyone has? Delta is a global company. Surely many global employees don't have SSN themselves, and surely their companions don't either. It's even quite possible that a US-based employee would have a genuine non-US companion (foreign boyfriend/girlfriend). So surely there is a way to enter a companion without providing a SSN. Someone upthread mentioned passport, that has to be possible.
Jul 13, 2018, 3:20 am
#57
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Everyone has? Delta is a global company. Surely many global employees don't have SSN themselves, and surely their companions don't either. It's even quite possible that a US-based employee would have a genuine non-US companion (foreign boyfriend/girlfriend). So surely there is a way to enter a companion without providing a SSN. Someone upthread mentioned passport, that has to be possible.
Jul 13, 2018, 5:56 am
#59
Join Date: May 2008
Location: Minneapolis
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Unless there's something peculiar to airlines and discounts (which there very well could be), the discount would generally be included in the employee's income (if it's taxable at all). As far as I know, there's no provision allowing an employer to designate the taxable income as income to the friend of an employee. The ability to provide a companion/buddy pass is a benefit of employment and thus taxable to the employee (assuming taxable generally).
Jul 13, 2018, 10:34 am
#60
Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: SFO/TPA
Programs: DL PM
Posts: 199
Doctors need/want your SSN for two or three reasons. 1)billing, most insurance companies use SSN as a verification that the right insured is being pulled up, 2)in some states it's required for various issues under the law, and 3)it's needed in order to put a mark on your credit report for failing to pay.