Novice question here...

In the past I've gotten away with putting in a mileage number for a friend/relative when flying an airline that they frequent, and vice versa...

Is this still possible?

Are there systems in place to prevent this?

Do particular airlines make this more prohobitive (thinking AS/NW/CO)?

Many thanks!

Most of the computer sytems will reject a FF number if the name on the reocrd does not match exactly with the name on file for the FF member.

I have know several people whose children have the exact same name as the parents and there is no way for the airlines to catch this unless they all fly at the same time.

The only way they can catch you if your children fly with your FF# is if they check your profile and notice the birthday

Or you could open a 'household' account with BA - or maybe the 'Family Plan' with KE - where mileage can be 'pooled' by flying on AA or DL, respectively.

Contact BA at 1-800-955-2748 or KE at 1-800-525-4480 for the details.

In this computer and security conscious era, I think it is dicey to try unless your kid has your same name. Otherwise, whenever I have given a FF number, the agent checks the profile and name - on line, I would guess, would be even more strict. When you check in, you have to present picture ID except for children. So maybe your kid could get by with it, but I doubt if you could.

Airlines, particularly UA, AA, and LH, consider this FRAUD and,if you are caught,
you are liable to find your accumulated
mileage forfeit and account canceled. And it certainly is not in the spirit of FT, at least the older members of FT.

I tried this once a few years ago (before I knew better) and it didn't work. I used to think that if I bought a ticket for someone, then I should get the miles! How naive I was. My NW Worldperks account showed "name mismatch" for the segments in question. I then did some research and found the rules prohibit earning miles for someone else...like the previous posters said...the name must match. I have the same name as my father, so we could probably use a common account, but he doesn't fly very often.

Aloha

"Not in the spirit of FT"?

Sorry, perhaps I'm not too familiar with that spirit.

Is it in the spirit of FT for an airline to charge nearly full-fare when one is flying to a funeral, or not to offer a bereavement fare at all if that funeral is not for an immediate relative?

Is it in the spirit of FT to lose or damage baggage and have no remorse towards the passenger?

Is it in the spirit of FT for an airline to foul up one's reservation on the phone, then not acknowledge it later when one's holiday plans are already cemented, causing said holiday to be completely fouled?

Is it in the spirit of FT for an airline to stand behind so much small print that the average consumer practically needs a lawyer to negotiate through all the red tape?

I could go on... the point is, airlines are basically running a scam, and these loyalty programmes are a part of that. So would I purposely try to beat the airlines at their own racket? Think aboout it!

Not in the spirit of FT means, not in the spirit of FlyerTalk.

Nappy, all of us have experienced the things
you mention many, many times and you will find many posts evidencing anger and frustration with the airlines for their often unreasonable, unfriendly, bloodyminded and even contradictory policies and behavior but all of that is irrelevant to your question. I merely pointed out to you the risk you assume when you do something that they not only frown on but consider a capital crime. As to the matter of FT spirit, you will find little, if any, endorsement here for any activity that encourages any violation of mileage plan rules. Some of the more recent members may not be aware of what I mean but older ones who have been here a couple of years or more do and perhaps one or more of the more distinguished ones will elaborate on what I mean by "spirit of FT."

And do be aware that the airlines do read these boards from time to time and a post like yours is a real red flag to them. Randy, perhaps you would comment.

[This message has been edited by nathan detroit (edited 04-29-2001).]

no, and I certainly wouldn't suggest that anyone here should commit any crime. If these are the airline's policies, so be it. They've got better legal representation than do most of us here, so of course their situation is win-win... save for the occasional PR blunder.

For better or for worse, some experiences in our society have become a game, and flying is one of them (buying a car is another that comes to mind). So we do what we can, within legal means of course, to win the game.

Cheers,
N

No crime is being commited when a child/parent uses the others FF number. Show me a law that states this. The worst case is you will not get the miles posted to your account. There is no way to prove that you did not accidently mix up the two numbers.

How many children out there have the exact same name as their parent? Not that many for the airlines to be worried about.

As long as the people involved are aware that it is not allowed per policy, they can make up their own minds as to what is the right thing to do.

!!!!

At last a good reason to give your kid the same name as yourself (or have a common name like John Smith - (in the UK!))