Switching FF programs with gold status.
 

Hello,

Perhaps this may be a stupid question, but I'm trying to figure out the best way to switch FF programs when you already have gold status with your original program. So I'm currently Air Canada Aeroplan, Star Alliance Gold for this calendar year. However, I will switching to Singapore KrisFlyer because I am moving (and will no longer fly enough on AC to achieve gold status), so I opened up an account with KrisFlyer.

Now, what's the best way to handle this? When I fly this year, I need to register my Aeroplan number so it recognizes me as gold status and to get into the lounge. But should I then go to the counter to have them switch my FF number to KrisFlyer? Should I do this at the customer service desk at the lounge or at the gate? Does it matter?

Any thoughts? Or am I over-thinking this? Thanks!

euges720

You probably need to do a quick search here but in my experience airlines have been reluctant to status match for FFers within an alliance.

Probably does not matter. Try at the lounge. The gate may be too busy. But you may meet resitance. And changing the ffp numbers does not always stick.

euges is not asking about a status match

If you can find a clued up agent that knows how to do it and their system allows it, you need to get your Aeroplan number loaded against FQTS, and your Kris Flyer number loaded against FQTV.

The following links explain it in more detail
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/air-n...fqtv-fqts.html

http://maphappy.org/2014/02/how-to-j...ms-seamlessly/

Yes. SQ and *A are one of few FF programs that permit you to use one FF number for benefits and a separate FF number to credit flights. So you can continue to enjoy your AC *Gold benefits as you build up status in the SQ program.

However, be sure to learn about the SQ program before doing this. It's somewhat unusual in that for their top status levels, cheap coach tickets don't count, nor do tickets on other carriers. Nevertheless, the benefits can be excellent and they tend to reserve good aspirational award ticket redemptions for their own FF miles.

Before deciding to go with SQ, be sure to check your (new) employer's travel policy, scedules for your likely routes, etc. You might want to rethink whether to stay with *A (for example, would it make sense to use CX, possibly crediting to AA?) and whether to pick SQ inside of *A (would TG, TK, A3, LH, or UA, for example, be better for you?). There are advanatages to having your elite status with the airline that you actually fly instead of a partner (for example, for Y+ seats on UA) but there can be disadvantages (for domestic lounge access when flying UA).