Greetings!

This is my first thread here on FT (after a weekend of frustrated attempts to register).

Here's the backstory (query itself is below): I am currently Aeroplan Elite, and anticipate getting the miles to requalify. However, research here and elsewhere confirms that Asiana is a good deal for getting and maintaining *Gold status (at the expense of easy awards). So, I am looking to accumulate miles on those flights above and beyond what I need for AP Elite toward getting Asiana Diamond. (I am thinking long-term, since after I marry we may not be able to afford as much personal travel; I generally do not travel enough either for work or for fun to make Elite, but the two combined have easily gotten me there each year.) Sorry about the long backstory, but I know it can be useful in case the veteran posters want to know why I'm doing this crazy scheme!

Here's the query: When I take these trips to gain Asiana miles, how easy is it to avail myself of my AP Elite status? For example, I plan to travel a couple of times solely on UA. How can I ensure the miles are toward Asiana, but also be able to have access to Economy Plus and --much more importantly-- avoid the baggage fees???

Thanks for your help --I'm sure somebody here has been in just such a position.

Welcome to Flyer Talk cloudcuckooland

If the airline you are flying with has dual FF fields (some or most do), use FQTV for FF earning, FQTS for status recognition. Warning, many agents are unaware of how to enter info correctly so there is a risk miles end up being credited to the wrong program.

If all you want for status is extra baggage allowance and lounge access then I'd have Asiana FF number entered but show your AC card at check in (for baggage allowance) and lounge (for entry). Be careful they do not swap your FF to AC number.

Thanks! Kiwi Flyer, I see you all over the place here. ^

I'll scribble that down for the first check-in in this situation (most likely with UA).

Indeed, that was my original plan --I'm just all too aware of how surly UA agents can be!

Come to think of it, I may have to do a switcheroo as well --book as AC online (to get choice seats on AC flight), then change at check-in to OZ.

I am in a similar situation (migrating for *G with SK to BD) and on my last trip to the US this caused me a lot of hassle. To get the check-in agents to waive the luggage fee I had to first enter my SK *G card and then, at the gate, change back to BD before taking off. In the end all the miles landed in the right account but both UA and US gave me a lot of headache.

Thanks for the story, Erasmus --your telling is more or less what I pictured having to endure to get the miles right!