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?
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2011
Location: HEL/IAD
Programs: AY UA*G
Posts: 39
Any Drawbacks from having MP account registered to foreign address?
So, I live part time in the US and in Finland. Until now I have kept my MP account at my US address. Clearly now there is a benefit to switching to my Finnish address to circumvent the spend requirement (in fact, even flying the 4 legs on UA metal was somewhat of an inconvenience last year). I just wanted to see if there are any drawbacks from having an MP account registered at a foreign address.
#2
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: 대한민국 (South Korea) - ex-PVG (上海)
Programs: UA MM / LT Gold (LT UC), DL SM, AA PLT (AC), OZ, KE; GE and Korean SES (like GE); Marriott Gold
Posts: 1,996
Some promotions are limited to the US (I know because I also don't live in the USA and have missed some). Otherwise, you might be better off from the dollar spend requirement using a foreign address.
#3
Join Date: Jan 2013
Programs: Hilton Diamond, working on OZ Diamond, previously AA EXP, UA 1K, AS MVP75
Posts: 255
some reported the fares will quote in the currency of the primary address. I'm waiting for a confirmation. Anyone?
Also, watch for account audit.... Im holding off changing address for now.
Also, watch for account audit.... Im holding off changing address for now.
#4
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: London & Sonoma CA
Programs: UA 1K(until 2023), MM *G for life, BAEC Gold
Posts: 10,084
I always used to have everything set for my UK address. When I realised I was missing out on promotions, I switched the address to the US, although the website still quoted me in sterling. I never got any extra relevant promotions, but my US address was inundated with credit card offers. I've now switched the address back to the UK.
#5
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: YYZ
Programs: AC SE MM, Hyatt Globalist, SPG Platinum, hhonors Gold
Posts: 3,399
So, I live part time in the US and in Finland. Until now I have kept my MP account at my US address. Clearly now there is a benefit to switching to my Finnish address to circumvent the spend requirement (in fact, even flying the 4 legs on UA metal was somewhat of an inconvenience last year). I just wanted to see if there are any drawbacks from having an MP account registered at a foreign address.
#6
Join Date: Jan 2012
Programs: united 1k
Posts: 186
was using a business address in the states(which I spent half of the time staying at, now want to switch back to HK home address.
I always used to have everything set for my UK address. When I realised I was missing out on promotions, I switched the address to the US, although the website still quoted me in sterling. I never got any extra relevant promotions, but my US address was inundated with credit card offers. I've now switched the address back to the UK.
#7
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2011
Location: HEL/IAD
Programs: AY UA*G
Posts: 39
What do you mean by account audit? What would they audit and what kind of hassle is that?
#8
Suspended
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: Watchlisted by the prejudiced, en route to purgatory
Programs: Just Say No to Fleecing and Blacklisting
Posts: 102,103
Well, I typically spend in Euros so that would actually be nice if they would quote in my currency. However, whenever I buy with my Finnish credit card it goes through the Swedish site and I get charged in Krona, which is kind of annoying. I wonder if that means though that there will be a problem with me having a Finnish address.
What do you mean by account audit? What would they audit and what kind of hassle is that?
What do you mean by account audit? What would they audit and what kind of hassle is that?
#9
Join Date: Nov 2000
Location: EWR and KGL (with occasional home/work trips to NRT/ITM)
Programs: MP MM 1K, Sky Miles, Emirates Gold
Posts: 708
Originally Posted by yyzgigi
The only issue I see is if you wanted a MP credit card. These are generally limited to US residents and I am pretty sure UA and Chase would talk. If you don't have a credit card cannot see any big drawbacks.
#10
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: Houston
Programs: UA - 1K, Marriott - Gold, Hilton - Gold, Global Entry,
Posts: 616
A couple things to look into and consider. If you use a non-US address for your MP account, can you use the US website or a US based credit card to purchase tickets and are there cost differences? Is there VAT on airline tickets in the EU?
When I recently purchased Eurostar tickets, I found a significant price difference (after accounting for exchange rate) between identical tickets on the US and UK websites (US was actually much more expensive) so I don't know if you would see something similar with United or not.
I am currently living in the UK, but have a US residence and still have my account linked to my US address and US credit cards and I haven't tried to purchase UA tickets using a UK credit card.
When I recently purchased Eurostar tickets, I found a significant price difference (after accounting for exchange rate) between identical tickets on the US and UK websites (US was actually much more expensive) so I don't know if you would see something similar with United or not.
I am currently living in the UK, but have a US residence and still have my account linked to my US address and US credit cards and I haven't tried to purchase UA tickets using a UK credit card.
#11
Suspended
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: Watchlisted by the prejudiced, en route to purgatory
Programs: Just Say No to Fleecing and Blacklisting
Posts: 102,103
Yes and yes. Point of sale changes are possible still and there may be cost differences related to point of sale.
#12
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: London & Sonoma CA
Programs: UA 1K(until 2023), MM *G for life, BAEC Gold
Posts: 10,084
A couple things to look into and consider. If you use a non-US address for your MP account, can you use the US website or a US based credit card to purchase tickets and are there cost differences? Is there VAT on airline tickets in the EU?
When I recently purchased Eurostar tickets, I found a significant price difference (after accounting for exchange rate) between identical tickets on the US and UK websites (US was actually much more expensive) so I don't know if you would see something similar with United or not.
I am currently living in the UK, but have a US residence and still have my account linked to my US address and US credit cards and I haven't tried to purchase UA tickets using a UK credit card.
When I recently purchased Eurostar tickets, I found a significant price difference (after accounting for exchange rate) between identical tickets on the US and UK websites (US was actually much more expensive) so I don't know if you would see something similar with United or not.
I am currently living in the UK, but have a US residence and still have my account linked to my US address and US credit cards and I haven't tried to purchase UA tickets using a UK credit card.
If you want a credit card, you have to declare your residence at the date of declaration. If you do not tell the truth, then you could have all sorts of problems. If you already have one, and move but still keep the old address alive, or merely change the statement billing address, then perhaps the cc company would take a different view, especially if you keep on paying the bills on time.
Last edited by iluv2fly; Jun 19, 13 at 8:24 am Reason: merge
#13
Join Date: Apr 2000
Location: PDX
Programs: DL Plat, UA Plat 1MM, AS MVP, Hyatt Discoverist, Avis Presidents Club, Hertz President's Circle
Posts: 3,929
FWIW, when I was living in Paris for a year, I had my UA address set to France and my Chase address in the US and it didn't seem to impact anything between the two.. YMMV of course.
#14
Join Date: Sep 2009
Programs: UA GS>1K>Nothing; DL GM 2MM; AS 75K>Nothing
Posts: 9,290
On the website, you can select on the fly the country (regardless of your mailing address) in which the credit card you intend to use to purchase a ticket is registered. If you select Japan, you'll get fares in yen. If you select the U.S. you will get fares in US$. You can freely switch it back and forth depending on which credit card you intend to use.