Which frequent flyer programs exclude foreigners?
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: LAX
Programs: UA 1K MM, AA EXP, Alaska MVP75, Hyatt Diamond, SPG Gold, Marriott Gold, Hertz 5Star, Avis First
Posts: 728
Which frequent flyer programs exclude foreigners?
I recently tried to sign up for Virgin Blue's Velocity Points program, only to learn that one can only join with a home address in Australia or New Zealand. This rule strikes me as completely asinine, and it makes wonder what other programs exclude foreigners from participation. I cannot think of any of the major program that do, given that I am a member of many such programs operated by airlines or hotel chains based outside of the US (where I live). I know some programs, like UA's mileage plus, have some different rewards for US versus non-US members; but anyone can join. Does anyone know of other programs with exclusionary rules like this?
#3
Join Date: Mar 2005
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#4
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2000
Posts: 14,210
BD has always had an official policy of only allowing residents of the countries it serves to have memberships. This is of course has always been full of holes for two reasons, 1) All they have ever asked for is an address, and 2) It is my understanding that they have always allowed those from countries they have withdrawn from to continue their membership (and there are quite a few countries on that list).
#5
FlyerTalk Evangelist, Moderator: American Express, Citi, Diners Club, Signatures
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Miami & London
Programs: AA & Marriott Perpetual Platinum; HH Gold
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Amtrak Guest Rewards "Membership is open to all residents of the U.S. and Canada."
https://www.amtrakguestrewards.com/i...loc=TandC.html
https://www.amtrakguestrewards.com/i...loc=TandC.html
#6
Join Date: Sep 2001
Location: Washington, DC
Programs: UA Plat MM, AA Gold, Hyatt Explorist, Hilton Gold, IHG Plat, Marriott Titanium Elite
Posts: 5,015
BD still flies to Chicago and Las Vegas in the USA, but it does NOT officially allow US residents to join Diamond Club. It also flies to Antigua, Barbados, Denmark, Germany, Italy, Norway, Russia, Saudi Arabia, and Switzerland. Residents of these countries are not officially eligible to join. So why does BD not allow residents of those countries to join?
#7
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: BOS, MHT
Programs: AA ltg, B6, DL, UA, AS, SPG/Marriott Plt, HH, Hyatt
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in the US it seems rather easy to sign anyone up for anything provided you dont mind putting down, say, your own home address for some friend or relative you know in the FF sign up pages. Hey, for all the airline cares, you and them all own and operate a multi-family boarding house! This has also worked for me and friends who wanted to combine family account information with BA.
All and all, I have even used the same email address for at least 10 -15 people. It's all done with computers these days... so it can legitimately work, as long as you satisfy the requirements of the sign up process.
MM

All and all, I have even used the same email address for at least 10 -15 people. It's all done with computers these days... so it can legitimately work, as long as you satisfy the requirements of the sign up process.

#9
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: Freeload Univ. Where are you sitting?
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