If I've already claimed a flight for one frequent flier program, can I change it?
#2
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: MEL CHC
Posts: 21,018
So I right now am an Air New Zealand frequent flier loyalist. I want to change to United. I have taken several flights this year worth quite a few miles (15,000). But I've already claimed them for Air New Zealand. Can I switch these flights to United?
Also - if I can't switch flights already taken, can I at least switch upcoming flights that I haven't accredited to any airline yet?
Also - if I can't switch flights already taken, can I at least switch upcoming flights that I haven't accredited to any airline yet?
If the flights were some time ago really no hope.
If the flight was yesterday and you had a UA ff number in the reservation yet it posted to Air NZ some hope, but not easy or guaranteed.
For most ffp's you need to be a signed up member at the date of the flight.
For flights not taken you can change to another ffp. At times changing the ffp does not stick. The new ffp will print on the boarding pass, yet can post to the first ffp. Keep all documents and screen prints.
Many low cost flights on Air NZ earn little on other ffp's.
But UA is better than it used to be.
www.wheretocredit.com/nz (a guide only: check UA/Air NZ web sites)
Look here
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/infor...help-here.html
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/star-...post-here.html
#4
Suspended
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Atherton, CA
Programs: UA 1K, AA EXP; Owner, Green Bay Packers
Posts: 21,690
Thank you! Yes, I'm a little disillusioned unfortunately. The FFP is pretty bad. You get very little in the way of upgrades.
I will hit Gold shortly with Air NZ. My current plan is to use the rest of 2017 to hit Gold with United so I can have Star Alliance Gold for the whole of 2018. I'll then credit everything with United in 2018 and fly my way up to 1K, so I can then get instant upgrades! Seems a lot better than the stingy 1-class twice-a-year bonus that Air NZ gives you! It'll make the long-hauls to the USA a lot nicer
I will hit Gold shortly with Air NZ. My current plan is to use the rest of 2017 to hit Gold with United so I can have Star Alliance Gold for the whole of 2018. I'll then credit everything with United in 2018 and fly my way up to 1K, so I can then get instant upgrades! Seems a lot better than the stingy 1-class twice-a-year bonus that Air NZ gives you! It'll make the long-hauls to the USA a lot nicer
Sorry, you're misinformed. Upgrades don't happen all the often on UA even at 1K, unless you're counting premium economy seating, especially on long haul TPAC.
#5
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: MEL CHC
Posts: 21,018
You will not get free upgrades on long haul flights, as the responses to your other questions in other forums. You will be sitting in the seat you paid for.
#8
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Minneapolis: DL DM charter 2.3MM
Programs: A3*Gold, SPG Plat, HyattDiamond, MarriottPP, LHW exAccess, ICI, Raffles Amb, NW PE MM, TWA Gold MM
Posts: 100,409
UA gives a limited number of upgrade certs to 1Ks. However, to actually get the upgrade, upgrade inventory must be available, not just an empty seat in business class.
IIRC their new basic economy fares aren't upgradeable, but hopefully an expert on UA can confirm this.
IIRC their new basic economy fares aren't upgradeable, but hopefully an expert on UA can confirm this.
#9
Join Date: Nov 2015
Location: BNE
Programs: NZ*G, QF Bronze, VA Red
Posts: 563
It means any flight with R class inventory, which like trying to use an Air NZ RU (which is actually the same), is none on international long haul.
#10
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: YVR
Programs: OZ Diamond, Jiffypark Manhattan Gold
Posts: 4,485
Many of NZ's own flights earn nothing to it's own program. The only time I've ever seen reasonable prices out of YVR/LAX/SFO they're 0% earning. I'm sure if you're a frequent business traveller NZ's program is fine, but for the rest of us I just can't see any use for it unfortunately.
#11
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: GVA (Greater Vancouver Area)
Programs: DREAD Gold; UA 1.035MM; Bonvoy Au-197; PCC Elite+; CCC Elite+; MSC C-12; CWC Au-197; WoH Dis
Posts: 52,140
#12
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Denmark
Programs: TK Elite
Posts: 11,846
No you can't reverse points already credited to NZ.
When you are already accruing with NZ and soon hits *A Gold status with NZ by all means stay with NZ; UA will do you no good, certainly not in terms of upgrades. Changing FFP because hoping to get more upgrades on long hauls flight will be a wild goose chase - not going to happen.
When you are already accruing with NZ and soon hits *A Gold status with NZ by all means stay with NZ; UA will do you no good, certainly not in terms of upgrades. Changing FFP because hoping to get more upgrades on long hauls flight will be a wild goose chase - not going to happen.
#14
Join Date: Apr 2003
Programs: UA *G 1MM LT United Club & Global Entry
Posts: 2,756
If you achieve UA 1K you will get 6 Global Premier Upgrades (GPU) and 4 Regional Premier Upgrades (RPU) which require availability in a specific booking class to apply. You will also have high priority for Complimentary Premier Upgrades (CPU) which will upgrade you on a space available basis on mostly US domestic flights.
SL
Last edited by SunLover; Apr 2, 2017 at 6:36 am Reason: Spellin'