Change from award flight to cash: Can I keep EBCI?
Aug 14, 2018, 8:21 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2003
Programs: AA Plat Pro, United Silver, Marriott LTT, Hyatt Globalist, Hilton Diamond, IHG Platinum
Posts: 1,120
Change from award flight to cash: Can I keep EBCI?
I'm pretty sure the answer to this is no, but I'm hoping to save $15. 
I want to pay money for a flight which I originally booked on points, and already paid for EBCI. Is my only option to cancel the original flight and rebook? Or if I call in, could an agent help me keep the original record and related EBCI?
I want to pay money for a flight which I originally booked on points, and already paid for EBCI. Is my only option to cancel the original flight and rebook? Or if I call in, could an agent help me keep the original record and related EBCI?
Aug 14, 2018, 10:38 am
#2
Join Date: Mar 2011
Posts: 6,286
Not directly. Perhaps if you call they can manipulate the reservation for you, but I suspect your thinking is correct that it can't be done.
What you can do is rebook your points itinerary for a different flight far out in the future, as a "placeholder." This will retain EBCI until you need to book another points flight, to which it will be applied.
Then make the cash booking as normal.
What you can do is rebook your points itinerary for a different flight far out in the future, as a "placeholder." This will retain EBCI until you need to book another points flight, to which it will be applied.
Then make the cash booking as normal.
Last edited by ftnoob; Aug 16, 2018 at 11:33 am Reason: fix typo
Aug 15, 2018, 1:35 pm
#3
Moderator: Southwest Airlines, Capital One
Join Date: Sep 1999
Location: California
Programs: WN Companion Pass, A-list preferred, Hyatt Globalist; United Club Lietime (sic) Member
Posts: 21,622
I have used this trick with a cash booking. It works.
Last edited by ftnoob; Aug 16, 2018 at 11:34 am Reason: Conforming edit
Aug 15, 2018, 2:45 pm
#4
Join Date: Mar 2011
Posts: 6,286
The trick works great. FYI: It doesn't get you an EBCI position that is lower than normally possible, however (in case anyone's wondering). For chronological ranking purposes, the "date" of the EBCI purchase becomes the date it's applied to the new booking.
Aug 15, 2018, 5:44 pm
#5
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2003
Programs: AA Plat Pro, United Silver, Marriott LTT, Hyatt Globalist, Hilton Diamond, IHG Platinum
Posts: 1,120
Thanks for the great tip - I'm sure I will use it in the future for myself or a family member.
For this trip, however, I apparently wasn't thinking it through when I asked the question. The reason I wanted to pay for this flight instead of using points is that after I booked it I decided to register for the A-list status match. If I have A-list, then I don't need the EBCI. Since I should be able to complete the challenge to keep A-list for at least 12 months, I don't want to track this for more than a year - it's only $15! So I just got the points flight refunded.
For this trip, however, I apparently wasn't thinking it through when I asked the question. The reason I wanted to pay for this flight instead of using points is that after I booked it I decided to register for the A-list status match. If I have A-list, then I don't need the EBCI. Since I should be able to complete the challenge to keep A-list for at least 12 months, I don't want to track this for more than a year - it's only $15! So I just got the points flight refunded.