Changing FF# on one sector only
 

We are finishing off the tial end of a DONE4 from LAX-LHR-NRT.....

The entire reservation has our AAdv numbers on them. LAX-LHR is on BA and thus would obviously not earn any AAdv miles. So I want to put our QFF numbers in just for that sector (keeping AAdv number for all other sectors). What is the best way to do this:

• call AAdv and ask them to change the FF# only ofr one sector
• when checking in, ask the check-in agent to change the number for that segment only to QFF?

I am looking at the way which minimizes my hassle and also the chance of something going wrong (ie wrong number(s) being assigned to any of the segments).

I do this kind of thing a lot for *A. Here's what I'd do.

1. Call BA and ask for QF# to be changed for LAX-LHR.
2. Check in only for that one segment (so agent doesnt get confused) and show QF card. Check BP shows QFF.

Good advice but LAX-LHR-NRT is a connection only in LHR - so need to check through to NRT!

I eventually gave up trying to do this; it is possible to change only a single segment, but the default is to change the FF# for all segments being checked in. Less than 1% of agents know how to do it right and all segments wind up being changed. And if you change it later, it backdates; so if you change LAX-LHR-NRT to QF and then change LHR-NRT to AA it will often cause LAX-LHR to also change to AA. I'd suggesting living with it all accrued to QFF ... or put NO number into the booking (but then you lose out on opup status) and put the boarding pass through for credit later. There just isnt a good solution for this, short of learning the keystrokes on how to do it for a single segment change (different on each airline, though I did learn it for AA and BA and CX at one point, but have forgotten it as I no longer care to do this).

Just have someone remove the lax-lon from the pnr and create a new one for that segment. Assign the QF number to the new pnr. Or just tell them at the gate after you get your boarding passes. Either will work fine. If youre worried about the second segment, just make sure the number is printed on the boarding pass and ask the gate agent what number is assigned to that segment. If it's wrong, the gate agent should be able to reassign it back.

I had thought of separating the PNRs but was afraid if they were on seperate PNRs and there was a delay I wouldn't be protected when connecting in LHR?

It seems quite hard to do this effectively.

I made a BA booking via expedia originally quoting the BA number. I changed the FFN on the expedia site, confirmed it with and had it on the boarding passes.

The miles posted to Qantas!

BA Lurker fixed it! :)

Well I had to change some dates so called up today - first called BA and they refused to do it as it was ticketed on QF stock.

Called QF premium desk and the CSR seemed pretty unphased by the request - she said she changed the FF# just for the LAX-LHR segment and left the AAdv # on the rest. The reservation on checkmytrip.com reflects both numbers (although doesn't actually show segment by segment).

I suppose the proof will be in the pudding - in theiry we should get one BP with QF# and one with AA# when we check in at LAX.

I don't see why not. A booking is a booking. Just check yourself in when in LA for both flights. But who knows. I am sure someone will tell me I am wrong. I will say, though, that in the past I have checked in with different PNRs and different tickets at the same time as if they were all connected. I believe that BA can tie the bookings together as well but I am not sure. A PNR isn't a magical being and there should be no effect of having two versus having one as long as they are connected which I would expect that issuing boarding passes would do. I also would be less concerned considering the flights involved. Without a major delay (which you could ask at the airport to be protected against), there is enough airtime to make up most delays.

If you have separate tickets , you may well be able to check in as if it is on a separate ticket however the airline does not have to help you out if things go wrong an u miss a connection.

e.g. If you have a ticket LHR-LAX-SYD and the LHR-LAX flight gets delayed and you miss the LAX-SYD, then the airline is obligated to get you through to SYD. If you have 2 tickets, one for LHR-LAX and one for LAX-SYD, then the same obligations do not apply and you can just be treated as a no-show for the LAX-SYD , possibly leaving a large bill to purchase a new ticket.

Dave

Do you have enough time connecting in LHR to pick up BP at connections centre?

most likely yes - it's a T1 to T1 connection thankfully.

So do as per post #2, but check bags through to NRT (if you have any checked bags), and then pick up LHR-NRT BP at LHR.

I wrote this down from another thread on this topic about 12-18 months ago. I think it was in OW forum.

"Transit legs and FF numbers
Every system can handle different FF programs and numbers for the segments across a stopover, but maybe not for transit segments.
The transit capability depends on the computer used. Sabre can do it. Amadeus can't. CX's CUBE can't either. AA uses Sabre, QF/BA use Amadeus.

Even when the system can do it, some airlines/agents have trouble putting in separate numbers for transit legs (they don't know how to work the computer) so you may have to study up on the key sequences and prompt them if you really want to do this. But it works fine."

Kiwi Flyer's suggestion is good, because even if the change at LHR is accidentally made retrospective, you will have the correct number on both BPs to prove later what they should have been, and get a manual correction.