Buying ticket for someone else - who gets FF miles?
 

If I pay for a ticket for someone else to use, do I get the frequent flyer miles or does she? Thanks

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She gets the miles, but only if her FFP account number is associated with the ticket.

If you purchase her ticket with a credit card that earns frequent-flyer miles, you will earn miles based on the cost of the ticket, but not for the flight itself.

The person flying gets the FF miles.

Unless you have the same name, the person flying gets them. Or you could create a FF account for the person, and have control of it, and book awards out of it. :)

Thank you guys

Yeah.. the person who's flying gets the miles..

It used to be flexible.. but FF programs have evolved more personalized..

Maybe your friend can return the favor another way..

The person doing the actual flying.

BUT

Some FFPs allow members to transfer miles to other members.

if you have the same names, either ff # might work if it was entered by mistake...

Chances of this is next to slim?

Curious.. has anyone ever been able to do this? Having the same name?

The airlines don't want one person, for example a parent, buying tickets for several other people, for example his children, and accumulating all the frequent flyer miles in his own account for bigger and better awards.

My father flew a lot and from time to time bought tickets for the (grown) family. My brother flies very little and his miles expired.

Or book 2 tickets, the trip she is taking BUT put your name down, and a refundable full fare ticket in her name. She uses the ticket in her name to clear security, then cancel it once inside, then board the plane using the ticket in your name. She flys, you get credit.

I remember reading a post here a couple months back about a father/son, Sr/Jr deal that they got away with for quite some time.

Let's say you charge $300 on your airline co-branded credit card to buy the ticket. She flies 1000 miles on that ticket.

In this scenario, you'd get the miles that come from spending $300 on your credit card, and she'd get the miles due from 1000 miles of flying.

About 10 years ago I bought a United ticket for my sister, who has the same first initial and last name as I do. I entered my MP number, and earned miles for the trip.

...until she tries to use the ticket again to fly the return leg of a roundtrip.

It would be nice to allow families to be able to do this.. would enhance loyalty within airline programs..

But where would it stop.. and that's probably why airlines don't allow consolidation normally..

Being intentionally vague here - but somebody I know (not related to me) does this all the time and very much enjoys the benefits of his dad's top level status.

So somebody mentioned that some FF programs allow transfers of miles. Do any allow this for free?

Excellent question.

Furthermore, among FF programs that allow the transfer of miles between individual accounts but charge for that service, is the charge levied in miles or in cash, and is it typically done for a flat fee or is the fee related to the number of miles transferred?

Must vary carrier to carrier, but at AA, you have to pay cash. The amount is related to how many miles are being transferred plus a flat fee per transaction. There is a limit to how many miles can be transferred per transaction and also per year, etc. I looked at it and decided it wasn't a great deal for us.

AFAIK OZ and KE have family plans. I believe OZ allows free mileage transfers to family members (not sure about KE). OTOH they don't allow you to book reward tickets for people not related to you.

With BA you can have household accounts where the miles are pooled, good for families who don't mind hefty fuel surcharges. :D

I know AC ran a few promos in the past doing transfers no charge or very low cost.. but transferring miles cheaply or free is more the exception than the rule..

This is a good feature.. and for someone who's ok with AC fees.. I'm sure BA could serve me well.. unfortunately, no BA products that is practical in Canada..

Could you pool these miles and book an AA flight? - and avoid the surcharges.

Last couple of days.. my interest for a mini rtw has perked up..

We got enough between my wife and I to take the entire family on a mini rtw Y.. I think we can redeem points AE from both accounts for one itinerary.. and calling him is probably the only option to get the bookings done..

Or is there another way I'm missing..

My wife and I both have 150K minimum each..

for domestic US travel on AA, there is no YQ.For transatlantic, there is fuel charge.
No fuel charge for travel to south america too.No close in ticketing fee if travel within 21 days too.