Nov 28, 2016, 12:30 pm
Last edit by: WineCountryUA
related thread - New change address verification for MP (just non-domestic changes?)
Any Drawbacks from having MP account registered to foreign address?
Jun 19, 2013, 10:33 am
#31
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: 30 minutes south of EWR
Programs: UA 1k MM;*A Lifetime Gold; Marriott Lifetime Platinum; HiltonHonors Gold. Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 7,816
I legitimately have UK and US citizenship, with a domestic address in both countries. I have a credit card in sterling with my UK address on it and a personal credit card in dollars with my US business address on it (but it's a personal card, not a business card in any way). To date, since the CO takeover, it has made no difference as to which card I use when. Generally, I use the US card for award bookings (because they always quote the extras in $), the UK card for revenue bookings (but sometimes the US card if it's cheaper to do so) and the US card for incidentals. It really doesn't appear to make the slightest difference.
As to the question of auditing the account, I simply don't know how they intend to establish what address should be used - are they going to have residency rules as complicated as tax authorities (who still allow many people to slip through the cracks)? I think that they will rue the day they start down that route. Anyhow, 99% of people simply can't produce a credible address in a foreign country - and I should imagine they'll leave it at that.
As to the question of auditing the account, I simply don't know how they intend to establish what address should be used - are they going to have residency rules as complicated as tax authorities (who still allow many people to slip through the cracks)? I think that they will rue the day they start down that route. Anyhow, 99% of people simply can't produce a credible address in a foreign country - and I should imagine they'll leave it at that.
Last edited by Brituchenite; Jun 19, 2013 at 7:56 pm Reason: merge
Jun 19, 2013, 12:14 pm
#32
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: SOF
Programs: A3 Gold, IHG Platinum, Marriott Silver
Posts: 849
I also am in a situation where I spend a lot of time in the US and Europe. I use my aunt's address for credit cards and any other mail communication as I'm not here permanently. I can easily switch to my European address but that's not the point. I'm so disgusted by the changes announced, I'm not even interested in gaming the system for higher status. The worst part is I just completed a whole bunch of MRs getting me very close to Platinum (already requalified as Gold) and have 130,000 miles in my account. My sister has about 50,000 UA miles as a non-status member as well, so it will take a while to go through all of them. At least on the up side, I'll be Premier Gold until January 2015, so I have 18 months to spend them. I really though MP was the best mileage program out there and in the past 24 hours, that changed. I have disliked Delta for many years and now that United is trying to be more like them, they will be added to my No Fly list as well. What a shame it has come to this. I hope that the new AA will not make that mistake and introduce such a requirement as well (at least not yet).
Jun 19, 2013, 1:32 pm
#33
Join Date: Aug 2001
Posts: 9,683
It is very well established that the purchase of the ticket, and the traveller identity, are completely separate. Companies often buy tickets for individuals, often individuals in a different country. Individuals often use a travel agent and UA would never see the credit card used in that case. Companies often use Travel Agents.
There has never been any concept that the same person has to buy the ticket and travel on it. I cannot see how they could implement such a thing.
There has never been any concept that the same person has to buy the ticket and travel on it. I cannot see how they could implement such a thing.
I don't understand why people are making the assumption that your MP mailing address has to match the credit card billing address. Think about it, folks..
Jun 19, 2013, 2:25 pm
#34
Moderator, Hertz; FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: KRK
Programs: UA 1MM, BA GGL, Hyatt Glob, Hilton Diamond and others
Posts: 12,691
Of course it doesn't. The only thing I am worried about is if UA doesn't have somewhere in their T&C (the upcoming ones) that having a USA Chase MP card overrides the waived min spend.
Jun 19, 2013, 2:30 pm
#35
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: Up In The Cloud
Programs: UA 1K MM; BA S, AA G; AS G; DL | SPG P50, M G, CC G, IHG P, HLT S | Hertz PC, Avis F
Posts: 682
Then cancel the Chase MP card if that troubles you. I rarely redeem award tickets on UA and don't need primary car rental insurance, so I cannot justify paying $95-$60 annual fee for that...
Jun 19, 2013, 2:40 pm
#36
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: PDX
Programs: DL DM, AS MVP 100K, Amtrak peon, Colbert Lifetime Platinum
Posts: 4,534
I'm dual US/Canada with addresses in both. I could legitimately lay claim to Canada. But I too am afraid of the consequences vis-a-vis Chase and whether UA could unilaterally decide based on my bookings that I'm fraudulently claiming a Canada-based account (nevermind the fact that UA doesn't serve my home airport there).
Not too concerned about promos; besides the 5K RDM from Map of Nightmares I haven't benefited from any since 3/2012.
Not too concerned about promos; besides the 5K RDM from Map of Nightmares I haven't benefited from any since 3/2012.
Jun 19, 2013, 3:03 pm
#37
Moderator, Hertz; FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: KRK
Programs: UA 1MM, BA GGL, Hyatt Glob, Hilton Diamond and others
Posts: 12,691
I might canx them, move the credit line over to the Sapphire and just use that card.
Jun 19, 2013, 4:37 pm
#38
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: Between AUS, EWR, and YTO In a little twisty maze of airline seats, all alike.. but I wanna go home with the armadillo
Programs: CO, NW, & UA forum moderator emeritus
Posts: 35,432
How would that work with the PresPlus MC? If we have that and the billing address is in the US, but our MP address is in the UK, wouldn't it kick out the charge because the addresses don't match? Would we need to change our address back to the US address, make the booking, and then change it back to the overseas address once the booking has ticketed?
untry) as the mileage account.
I want to be able to avoid the $10k spend requirement for 1K because I fly on cheap tickets all the time, and probably would never be able to get to $10k spend.
Change your address and don't look back. The only things you'll miss are targeted offers that you likely wouldn't have been targeted for anyway.
Last edited by Xyzzy; Jun 19, 2013 at 4:45 pm
Jun 19, 2013, 6:42 pm
#39
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: body: A stone's throw from SFO, mind: SE Asia
Programs: Some of this 'n some of that
Posts: 17,263
I spend most of my time in SE Asia and have a legit residence here. My main concern is the lack of reliable mail delivery.
The best option is to list my in-laws residence (where mail is actually delivered) however that would conflict with documentation should UA travel down that avenue.
Best bet is to wait and see how this all shakes out.
The best option is to list my in-laws residence (where mail is actually delivered) however that would conflict with documentation should UA travel down that avenue.
Best bet is to wait and see how this all shakes out.
Jun 19, 2013, 7:02 pm
#40
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: ORD
Programs: UA Gold, AA MM/Gold, Hilton Gold, Sheraton Gold
Posts: 369
If the given is that UA won't match up a foreign MP address with a USA Chase CC address, what's to keep me or anyone from cooking up a bogus foreign address for MP to avoid the spend requirement? I say this assuming that the foreign address doesn't come into play since, other than junk mail, all MP correspondence could be done by email. Am I overlooking something?
Jun 19, 2013, 7:58 pm
#41
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: IAD/DCA
Programs: UA 1K/MM, Marriott Pltm, Hyatt Diamond, spg Pltm
Posts: 356
1. Paying person and traveler don't have to be the same, so don't see why CC has to be related to the MP address change;
2. One can buy tickets as a guest at any of the united.com sites, so I don't see why passenger's address would matter to the ticket price. After ticketing you can add the MP number to the record.
3. Most of us travel internationally often, I do China trips 5-6 times a year. That's how we earn Premier status (until 2014). We can call either side of the ocean home, audit or not.
2. One can buy tickets as a guest at any of the united.com sites, so I don't see why passenger's address would matter to the ticket price. After ticketing you can add the MP number to the record.
3. Most of us travel internationally often, I do China trips 5-6 times a year. That's how we earn Premier status (until 2014). We can call either side of the ocean home, audit or not.
Jun 19, 2013, 7:59 pm
#42
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: NJ/NYC
Programs: UA and HH
Posts: 4,346
If the given is that UA won't match up a foreign MP address with a USA Chase CC address, what's to keep me or anyone from cooking up a bogus foreign address for MP to avoid the spend requirement? I say this assuming that the foreign address doesn't come into play since, other than junk mail, all MP correspondence could be done by email. Am I overlooking something?
Jun 19, 2013, 8:15 pm
#43
Join Date: Sep 2009
Programs: UA GS>1K>Nothing; DL DM 2MM; AS 75K>Nothing>MVP
Posts: 9,341
Folks, this is simple and very clear. The T&C state that determination is based on your "primary MileagePlus account address." The website allows multiple addresses and allows you to specify and very clear shows which is your primary address. The T&C and rules don't say anything about where you live, where you're domiciled, where you have a credit card, etc.
Further, you can hold credit cards in multiple countries and currency and you can freely select which card and which currency to use every time you purchase a ticket. These have nothing to do with your primary address.
If you provide a bogus address, you're definitely in violation of the T&C since you've provided fraudulent information. If you give them an address of an uncle or friend in a foreign country, you're probably running a risk. My guess is that as long as you have some legitimate connection or presence (at least part time employment or residence) at a foreign address, you're fine. If you get audited, I suspect the first thing they will do is check your travel records to see how often you have been in the country in question.
Further, you can hold credit cards in multiple countries and currency and you can freely select which card and which currency to use every time you purchase a ticket. These have nothing to do with your primary address.
If you provide a bogus address, you're definitely in violation of the T&C since you've provided fraudulent information. If you give them an address of an uncle or friend in a foreign country, you're probably running a risk. My guess is that as long as you have some legitimate connection or presence (at least part time employment or residence) at a foreign address, you're fine. If you get audited, I suspect the first thing they will do is check your travel records to see how often you have been in the country in question.
Jun 19, 2013, 8:29 pm
#44
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: Syd
Programs: UA 1k 1MM, VA G
Posts: 886
Buy ticket in australia when $1 is worth $1 USD
Upgrade from K->W 2 months later to apply a GPU Paying change fee + fare diff when $1aus is worth $2USD
Then Take the flight 3 months after that when $1AUD is worth $.50 USD
How do you determine PQD?
Jun 19, 2013, 8:38 pm
#45
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: body: A stone's throw from SFO, mind: SE Asia
Programs: Some of this 'n some of that
Posts: 17,263
If the given is that UA won't match up a foreign MP address with a USA Chase CC address, what's to keep me or anyone from cooking up a bogus foreign address for MP to avoid the spend requirement? I say this assuming that the foreign address doesn't come into play since, other than junk mail, all MP correspondence could be done by email. Am I overlooking something?