Agent got miles
May 22, 2003 | 5:18 am
#3
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: here, there and everywhere
Posts: 160
Heard that many agents succeeded in doing this as airlines' system weakness unable to check passengers names and FFP numbers.
They did accrue over 100k miles and got redemption for their family .
They did accrue over 100k miles and got redemption for their family .
May 22, 2003 | 6:13 am
#4
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Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: London
Programs: Mucci. Nothing else matters.
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Heard that some airline staff have been arrested for fraud for doing precisely that - looking for pax with similar names but with no FF numbers. Don't know what's happened to that case.
May 22, 2003 | 7:59 am
#5
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: NYC/PSP
Programs: AA EXP, A3 Gold
Posts: 4,157
It definitely happens. A travel agent of mine was a huge consolidator for British Airways in one of their midwest US cities(won't name the one for privacy reasons). A few years ago BA terminated all relations with him for such suspect activity. I didn't mind that I wasn't getting miles, though. He was always able to upgrade me to Club, and a few times First!
May 22, 2003 | 9:26 am
#6
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: USAir Chairman's Pref, Marriott Platinum, Hilton Gold, etc...The Beach, NC USA
Posts: 748
There is a whole separate set of mile/point accrual you are able to get as a business. I would imagine most travel agents do this. When you book the travel you register the passenger number and your separate business ID. The company gets points, the passenger gets miles. With points the company is able to accrue, at a much slower rate, certificates, club memberships, upgrades, etc... I have set my company up for this program with US and DL, but I'm sure all airlines have this as a business program. DL is pathetic as to what type of tickets do not qualify. I think I have registered about 68 tickets representing about 200 segments, and about 12 segments qualified. Any company can do this (we are a publishing company).
May 22, 2003 | 11:29 am
#7
Moderator: Hyatt Gold Passport & Star Alliance
Join Date: May 1998
Location: London, UK
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Posts: 12,759
I phoned to put a mileage plus number in to a friend of mine's United reservation - only to find that there was one there already! I wonder - she is part of a 34 person group!
May 22, 2003 | 5:13 pm
#8
Original Member
Join Date: May 1998
Posts: 2,513
<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by Skip Middleton:
There is a whole separate set of mile/point accrual you are able to get as a business. I would imagine most travel agents do this. When you book the travel you register the passenger number and your separate business ID. The company gets points, the passenger gets miles. With points the company is able to accrue, at a much slower rate, certificates, club memberships, upgrades, etc... I have set my company up for this program with US and DL, but I'm sure all airlines have this as a business program. DL is pathetic as to what type of tickets do not qualify. I think I have registered about 68 tickets representing about 200 segments, and about 12 segments qualified. Any company can do this (we are a publishing company).</font>
There is a whole separate set of mile/point accrual you are able to get as a business. I would imagine most travel agents do this. When you book the travel you register the passenger number and your separate business ID. The company gets points, the passenger gets miles. With points the company is able to accrue, at a much slower rate, certificates, club memberships, upgrades, etc... I have set my company up for this program with US and DL, but I'm sure all airlines have this as a business program. DL is pathetic as to what type of tickets do not qualify. I think I have registered about 68 tickets representing about 200 segments, and about 12 segments qualified. Any company can do this (we are a publishing company).</font>
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Free Frequent Flyer Miles
May 22, 2003 | 11:20 pm
#10
Join Date: Mar 2000
Location: Santa Cruz, CA USA
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Posts: 7,293
<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by Markie:
I phoned to put a mileage plus number in to a friend of mine's United reservation - only to find that there was one there already! I wonder - she is part of a 34 person group!</font>
I phoned to put a mileage plus number in to a friend of mine's United reservation - only to find that there was one there already! I wonder - she is part of a 34 person group!</font>
May 23, 2003 | 1:16 am
#11
Original Member
Join Date: May 1998
Posts: 2,513
<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by Skip Middleton:
Gary- Do you have a website that has something to do with travel?</font>
Gary- Do you have a website that has something to do with travel?</font>
Or are you looking for my web site on which I write about my travels and offer information on how to travel cheaply? If so, look at the links at the bottom of the left menu on the web site below.
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Free Frequent Flyer Miles
May 23, 2003 | 11:38 am
#12
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: DEN
Programs: UA 1P-1MM, Marriott LT Titanium
Posts: 4,145
<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by JerryFF:
United's computer, and the computers of most major airlines, compare the FF number entered into the PNR with the name on record for that #. If they don't match, the computer doesn't accept the FF# into the record. Even a single letter mismatch in the last name will result in rejection of the FF #.</font>
United's computer, and the computers of most major airlines, compare the FF number entered into the PNR with the name on record for that #. If they don't match, the computer doesn't accept the FF# into the record. Even a single letter mismatch in the last name will result in rejection of the FF #.</font>
May 23, 2003 | 12:21 pm
#13
Join Date: Nov 2002
Posts: 8,227
<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by tods27:
I beg to differ on this point. Several times last year I had my TA purchase tickets on United for relatives in order to take advantage of a corporate discount. In all cases, my FF number ended up on the record. Some of the passengers had the same last name, but some did not. United accepted the FF number every time. I had to call United to have them change out the FF number to the correct one.
</font>
I beg to differ on this point. Several times last year I had my TA purchase tickets on United for relatives in order to take advantage of a corporate discount. In all cases, my FF number ended up on the record. Some of the passengers had the same last name, but some did not. United accepted the FF number every time. I had to call United to have them change out the FF number to the correct one.
</font>
May 23, 2003 | 6:01 pm
#14
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: May 2002
Location: YEG
Programs: HH Silver
Posts: 57,015
As a TA, I wouldn't even consider trying to 'swipe' someone's miles. But that's just me and I can guess there are a few less reputable types in this industry. Why risk the airline's rather if discovered as well?
It's also been my experience that depending what booking vehicle the agent is using, it does kick back mismatched names and FF numbers.
While we're on the subject, I have taken advantage of legitimate offers like NW 'refer a friend' who didn't have a FF account, so I signed up clients and scored the referral bonus. That's not unethical, to me.
[This message has been edited by tcook052 (edited 05-24-2003).]
It's also been my experience that depending what booking vehicle the agent is using, it does kick back mismatched names and FF numbers.
While we're on the subject, I have taken advantage of legitimate offers like NW 'refer a friend' who didn't have a FF account, so I signed up clients and scored the referral bonus. That's not unethical, to me.
[This message has been edited by tcook052 (edited 05-24-2003).]