Surprise ticket: Adding friend's BAEC number without them finding out
Oct 21, 2019, 4:29 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2017
Programs: AF/KL Platinum, TK *G, BA Silver
Posts: 54
Surprise ticket: Adding friend's BAEC number without them finding out
I've bought a mileage run to HEL for me and a friend in the recent BA sale (£200 return in CE!). He is a silver and I'd like to take advantage of his status to book seats in advance, but the ticket is a present so I'd like it to stay a surprise. If I add his FF number to the booking I think the booking will display in his app. Has anybody found a way around this? Thanks!
Oct 21, 2019, 5:09 am
#2
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: London
Programs: Mucci. Nothing else matters.
Posts: 38,644
Oct 21, 2019, 5:12 am
#3
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2014
Location: UK
Programs: BA Gold
Posts: 12,262
I've got the reverse; upgraded two friends to CW in March to LAX - they think they are in Y (they're Blue I'm gold)
He keeps asking why it's not in their app; I blame the ropey BA IT. They believe it !
He keeps asking why it's not in their app; I blame the ropey BA IT. They believe it !
Oct 21, 2019, 5:53 am
#6
Join Date: May 2012
Location: Ipswich
Posts: 7,543
I don't believe there is a workaround to this and I don't think there should be one.
It's one thing booking a ticket for someone else - there's no practical way or reason to prevent that - but I'd be unhappy at anyone else using the perks of my status without my knowledge. That would cross the line for me, even as a potential beneficiary.
But then I'm not big on surprise trips either. Anticipation (and preparation) is a big part of the travel experience for me (well, for leisure trips anyway).
It's one thing booking a ticket for someone else - there's no practical way or reason to prevent that - but I'd be unhappy at anyone else using the perks of my status without my knowledge. That would cross the line for me, even as a potential beneficiary.
But then I'm not big on surprise trips either. Anticipation (and preparation) is a big part of the travel experience for me (well, for leisure trips anyway).
Oct 21, 2019, 5:57 am
#8
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: Brighton. UK
Programs: BA Gold / VS /IHG Diamond & Ambassador
Posts: 14,198
I assume you friend knows you have planned something for that day and Isn't expected to be somewhere else?
Few years ago friends tried this with another friend and lets say it did not work well with lots of recrimination and arguments!
Few years ago friends tried this with another friend and lets say it did not work well with lots of recrimination and arguments!
Oct 21, 2019, 7:51 am
#9
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2017
Programs: AF/KL Platinum, TK *G, BA Silver
Posts: 54
Thanks for the suggestions! I added his number and selected seats, but I couldn't see an option to remove the number in MMB. A quick search of this forum indicated that it can be done under MMB on finnair.com which seems to have worked.
Oct 21, 2019, 8:46 am
#10
Join Date: Jul 2018
Location: Mexico
Programs: BAEC Gold / Marriott Platinum
Posts: 3,547
I still wait around every year at birthdays and christmas for someone to tell me they've got me a TP run or even just a flight to the beach. Still waiting...
Oct 21, 2019, 8:57 am
#11
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: South East, UK
Programs: BA Gold / GfL, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 2,432
To the OP, when will you actually tell your friend that you have booked this? I don't really get the leaving it to the last minute thing, surely the nice surprise is when you tell them (leaving them time to plan what they want to do, pack, etc).
Oct 21, 2019, 8:59 am
#12
Join Date: Sep 2018
Programs: BA Gold
Posts: 136
I was under the impression BA eventually kick people out of seats their status is no longer entitled to, ie. golds booking 1A/K and soft landing to silver before departure.
Oct 21, 2019, 9:00 am
#13
Moderator: British Airways Executive Club, Marriott Bonvoy
Join Date: May 2006
Location: Englandshire
Programs: SPG LT Plat, BA G, BD*LG, MG Blue+ ...
Posts: 16,032
Just for completeness, what does MMB now show, in relation to the seats you’ve chosen and the prices shown for booking/chancing them ?
Oct 21, 2019, 9:26 am
#14
Join Date: May 2012
Location: Ipswich
Posts: 7,543
Is his name before yours in the alphabet? Mr W's is, and whenever I pick seats (I have status, he doesn't and I make teh bookings) he receives the confirmation email.... could be other forces at work here, but I seem to recall that was the theory suggested on here.
Oct 21, 2019, 9:28 am
#15
Join Date: May 2012
Location: Ipswich
Posts: 7,543
I think that 1A/K being reserved for Golds is a different thing. Most reports here suggest that normal seat reservations tend to stick until/unless something on the booking changes.