On a single connecting trip, can I get one segment credited to one program and another segment credited to a partner's program?

This is for purposes of topping off accounts to get to redeemable balances.

I've used different programs for outbound and return, but not for different segments of the same one way trip.

My concern is that if I check in with program A, then change to program B at the connecting airport, that I will get program B for both segments when the computer does it's thing that night.

Is software complex enough to track FF info per segment?

In this case I'll be flying NWA.

Most airlines system will only allow for you to input one frequent flyer program for the reservation. Like you've mentioned, you can use one FF program on the outbound, and another on the return. However, I am not aware of any way a specific FF number can be entered for the first segment, and another specific FF number from another program be entered for the connecting segment.

If you can't achieve your goal by using one FF program on the outbound, and another FF program on the return, I would not bother inputting any frequent flyer number into the reservation at all. Keep all your boarding pass stubs and multiple copies of the ticket receipt (in case you have to mail/fax them into the FF service center), then you can request specific segment credit to the corresponding FF program and explain your intentions.

As above poster explained, do not put any frequent flyer number in the PNR and make sure to keep the boarding pass stubs secure and send a copy of your ticket and boarding pass for each flight segment to the airline you want your miles.

I've done this several times with a 4 segment itinerary, each flight segment going to a different airline, and I've received credit in each program. it works as long as you don't send the same segment to two different airlines, .

You can assign different FFPs to each leg at check in. I do this regularly putting longhaul flights on one FFP and short connecting flights on another. However it is not without risk as sometimes the entry of FFP gets saved against all the legs instead of just the one you want. It is more likely to work correctly, in my experience, where all flights on the PNR for one particular airline go to one FFP and flights for other airline go to another FFP. When you want to credit some flights of the same airline to different FFPs is the most common situation where it doesn't work as intended.

Thanks everyone for your helpful responses.

It also depends on the airline. I know for a fact that AA can and allows seperate FFP for each segment. I don't know about other airlines though.

On a side note, back in 1990, i would always send in my boarding pass even when I was credited for a flight. They would apply miles for the extra ticket.

It may depend on the airline.

As to United and Lufthansa, two airlines I've divided flights on one leg on, and done it repeatedly, there is no problem. Just go to the lounge (Red Carpet or LH FTV/SEN as the case may be) and ask them to put the next flight on the particular program you want. They enter the information in their computer, print out a new boarding pass showing the proper program and (usually) your account number, and you're good to go.

I also did it once on BA (splitting between BA and AA) with no problem.

I've never tried it on SkyTeam flights, though (e.g., splitting between Delta and Air France).