Can I change Frequent Flyer Numbers in the middle of a trip?
Jun 11, 2009, 2:18 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: SFO
Programs: BA Avios, UA MP, AA, Choice, Club Carlson
Posts: 1,096
Can I change Frequent Flyer Numbers in the middle of a trip?
Hi folks,
Wondering if anyone has any experience with this...
I took a trip to Europe and back recently with the DEQM offer on United. Because of the fuel dump I still have a one way trip up North that I actually plan to take next week. (I separated the trips by one month)
The issue is I want to top off my USAIR Dividend Miles account with the trip up North and so I want to change my FF# to a USAIR account for mileage.
1. The miles from my Europe trip have already posted to my UAMP account but will changing the FF number for the last leg of my fuel dump trip affect this? They wont backtrack and credit my Europe trip to USAIR will they(and debit my UAMP)?
2. Will it affect my DEQM posting of miles?
3. Or will it be smooth as pie...Europe trip credited to UAMP will stay there, and trip up North will credit to USAir no problems?
What do the wise FlyerTalkers think? Thanks for any advice.
Wondering if anyone has any experience with this...
I took a trip to Europe and back recently with the DEQM offer on United. Because of the fuel dump I still have a one way trip up North that I actually plan to take next week. (I separated the trips by one month)
The issue is I want to top off my USAIR Dividend Miles account with the trip up North and so I want to change my FF# to a USAIR account for mileage.
1. The miles from my Europe trip have already posted to my UAMP account but will changing the FF number for the last leg of my fuel dump trip affect this? They wont backtrack and credit my Europe trip to USAIR will they(and debit my UAMP)?
2. Will it affect my DEQM posting of miles?
3. Or will it be smooth as pie...Europe trip credited to UAMP will stay there, and trip up North will credit to USAir no problems?
What do the wise FlyerTalkers think? Thanks for any advice.
Jun 11, 2009, 2:25 pm
#2
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Los Angeles / Basel
Programs: UA 1K MM, AA EXP, Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 26,926
As you said, it should be as smooth as pie.
Just ask and agent to change the numbers or try to do it yourself on a chicken at the airport.
Just ask and agent to change the numbers or try to do it yourself on a chicken at the airport.
Jun 11, 2009, 3:00 pm
#3
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Currently: DCA (+IAD/BWI). Before that: FNL (+DEN/COS). Before that: HVN (+BDL/LGA/EWR/JFK).
Programs: UA 1K, DL Gold, Hertz Five Star, NEXUS, Global Entry
Posts: 626
Yep, I have done this before for exactly the same reason - one leg on UA MP, the other on US DM. Just tell the gate agent that you want to put your US DM number on the itinerary instead, and it should work perfectly fine!
Jun 11, 2009, 4:33 pm
#4
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: SFO/SJC
Programs: UA Silver, Marriott Gold, Hilton Gold
Posts: 14,889
The past trip you took will not be affected. Those miles will stay with UA, and you will earn DEQM on those miles. You can not change the account its posted to after travel.
However, you can change it before travel, even just for the return portion of your ticket. The number change will apply only to the flights you haven't taken yet. In addition to talking to the gate agent, you can also do this with the chicken or using online check in. Just hit the change frequent flyer number option. You will know it is successful when you print out your boarding pass and it indicates your DM # instead of MP.
However, you can change it before travel, even just for the return portion of your ticket. The number change will apply only to the flights you haven't taken yet. In addition to talking to the gate agent, you can also do this with the chicken or using online check in. Just hit the change frequent flyer number option. You will know it is successful when you print out your boarding pass and it indicates your DM # instead of MP.
Jun 11, 2009, 4:45 pm
#5
Original Poster
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: SFO
Programs: BA Avios, UA MP, AA, Choice, Club Carlson
Posts: 1,096
You guys are awesome, thanks to everyone for the information!
Jun 24, 2011, 11:41 am
#6
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: PHX
Programs: AA PRO
Posts: 352
still there?
Hey I was doing some searching on the forums, because I want to do something very similar to this during the next couple weeks.
I wanted to ask OP how it worked out for you - were you able to credit different segments to the different airlines? (I am assuming these were all under one PNR, is that right?)
Hope it worked - I'm keeping my fingers crossed.
I wanted to ask OP how it worked out for you - were you able to credit different segments to the different airlines? (I am assuming these were all under one PNR, is that right?)
Hope it worked - I'm keeping my fingers crossed.
Jun 24, 2011, 11:50 am
#7
Moderator: United Airlines
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: SFO
Programs: UA Plat 1.995MM, Hyatt Discoverist, Marriott Plat/LT Gold, Hilton Silver, IHG Plat
Posts: 66,854
yes you can do this. You elite privileges will be determined by the program you are crediting to for the particular flight.
The process for doing this is key -- the change needs to be in place prior to boarding the particular flight.
The process for doing this is key -- the change needs to be in place prior to boarding the particular flight.
Jun 24, 2011, 12:14 pm
#8
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: PHX
Programs: AA PRO
Posts: 352
Do you mind if I share the details of my grand plan and get your opinion on how you think it'll work out?
As background, I am changing over from US to UA because I now fly quite a lot from Phoenix to New Orleans. There are no nonstops PHX-MSY except on WN (ugh), so I decided to take the much shorter flights on UACO via IAH rather than going to CLT or PHL (!) for double the cost (!!) on US.
I am currently Chairman's on US through 2011 and I am 3,200 EQM away from 1P on UA/CO for the current year.
To continue the long story, I had a mileage run ticket on US earlier this year that I needed to cancel. The money got changed into a rather complex itinerary which is all under one PNR and all on US metal. The itinerary is:
25 June (tomorrow): PHX-CLT-MSY, first class (A fare code)
4 July: MSY-CLT-PHX also in A
9 July: PHX-BOS, in coach N fare
16 July: BOS-PHX in coach N fare
Here is my plan:
1. Credit the first leg of the trip on 25 June to UA. I should get a 150% EQM bonus because of the fare class, which will be about (2400*1.5 = 3600) EQM. That will be enough to kick me over to 1P on UA.
2. However, I want to get an upgrade on the long nonstop flight from PHX-BOS and back. The upgrade window for Chairman's Preferred is 7 days in advance, which is 2 July (prior to segment 2 of my itinerary)
I am willing to throw away the UA EQM's that I would earn on segments 2, 3 and 4 in exchange for a PHX-BOS-PHX upgrade for two reasons... first, it's a long flight and second, I won't be able to make the 75K cutoff for super premier executive (or whatever they are calling it), let alone 1K, for the rest of this year.
3. Therefore, what I am thinking of doing is waiting for the miles from segment 1 to post to UA, probably about 48-72 hours after my flight, but before the 7 day upgrade window on US... once the miles post to UA, I will change my FF number over to my US account and get in line for the upgrade.
4. Hopefully I can do this all online, if not, a phone agent should be able to handle it, correct?
Any insight or similar stories would be greatly welcome!
Thanks y'all - I have learned a lot lurking around FT, appreciate the help of all the frequent posters in the UA and US forums :-)
As background, I am changing over from US to UA because I now fly quite a lot from Phoenix to New Orleans. There are no nonstops PHX-MSY except on WN (ugh), so I decided to take the much shorter flights on UACO via IAH rather than going to CLT or PHL (!) for double the cost (!!) on US.
I am currently Chairman's on US through 2011 and I am 3,200 EQM away from 1P on UA/CO for the current year.
To continue the long story, I had a mileage run ticket on US earlier this year that I needed to cancel. The money got changed into a rather complex itinerary which is all under one PNR and all on US metal. The itinerary is:
25 June (tomorrow): PHX-CLT-MSY, first class (A fare code)
4 July: MSY-CLT-PHX also in A
9 July: PHX-BOS, in coach N fare
16 July: BOS-PHX in coach N fare
Here is my plan:
1. Credit the first leg of the trip on 25 June to UA. I should get a 150% EQM bonus because of the fare class, which will be about (2400*1.5 = 3600) EQM. That will be enough to kick me over to 1P on UA.
2. However, I want to get an upgrade on the long nonstop flight from PHX-BOS and back. The upgrade window for Chairman's Preferred is 7 days in advance, which is 2 July (prior to segment 2 of my itinerary)
I am willing to throw away the UA EQM's that I would earn on segments 2, 3 and 4 in exchange for a PHX-BOS-PHX upgrade for two reasons... first, it's a long flight and second, I won't be able to make the 75K cutoff for super premier executive (or whatever they are calling it), let alone 1K, for the rest of this year.
3. Therefore, what I am thinking of doing is waiting for the miles from segment 1 to post to UA, probably about 48-72 hours after my flight, but before the 7 day upgrade window on US... once the miles post to UA, I will change my FF number over to my US account and get in line for the upgrade.
4. Hopefully I can do this all online, if not, a phone agent should be able to handle it, correct?
Any insight or similar stories would be greatly welcome!
Thanks y'all - I have learned a lot lurking around FT, appreciate the help of all the frequent posters in the UA and US forums :-)
Jun 24, 2011, 12:17 pm
#9
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: Jersey Shore/YYZ
Programs: UA 1K, Marriott Plat, Hilton Diamond, Hertz PC
Posts: 12,521
Do you mind if I share the details of my grand plan and get your opinion on how you think it'll work out?
As background, I am changing over from US to UA because I now fly quite a lot from Phoenix to New Orleans. There are no nonstops PHX-MSY except on WN (ugh), so I decided to take the much shorter flights on UACO via IAH rather than going to CLT or PHL (!) for double the cost (!!) on US.
I am currently Chairman's on US through 2011 and I am 3,200 EQM away from 1P on UA/CO for the current year.
To continue the long story, I had a mileage run ticket on US earlier this year that I needed to cancel. The money got changed into a rather complex itinerary which is all under one PNR and all on US metal. The itinerary is:
25 June (tomorrow): PHX-CLT-MSY, first class (A fare code)
4 July: MSY-CLT-PHX also in A
9 July: PHX-BOS, in coach N fare
16 July: BOS-PHX in coach N fare
Here is my plan:
1. Credit the first leg of the trip on 25 June to UA. I should get a 150% EQM bonus because of the fare class, which will be about (2400*1.5 = 3600) EQM. That will be enough to kick me over to 1P on UA.
2. However, I want to get an upgrade on the long nonstop flight from PHX-BOS and back. The upgrade window for Chairman's Preferred is 7 days in advance, which is 2 July (prior to segment 2 of my itinerary)
I am willing to throw away the UA EQM's that I would earn on segments 2, 3 and 4 in exchange for a PHX-BOS-PHX upgrade for two reasons... first, it's a long flight and second, I won't be able to make the 75K cutoff for super premier executive (or whatever they are calling it), let alone 1K, for the rest of this year.
3. Therefore, what I am thinking of doing is waiting for the miles from segment 1 to post to UA, probably about 48-72 hours after my flight, but before the 7 day upgrade window on US... once the miles post to UA, I will change my FF number over to my US account and get in line for the upgrade.
4. Hopefully I can do this all online, if not, a phone agent should be able to handle it, correct?
Any insight or similar stories would be greatly welcome!
Thanks y'all - I have learned a lot lurking around FT, appreciate the help of all the frequent posters in the UA and US forums :-)
As background, I am changing over from US to UA because I now fly quite a lot from Phoenix to New Orleans. There are no nonstops PHX-MSY except on WN (ugh), so I decided to take the much shorter flights on UACO via IAH rather than going to CLT or PHL (!) for double the cost (!!) on US.
I am currently Chairman's on US through 2011 and I am 3,200 EQM away from 1P on UA/CO for the current year.
To continue the long story, I had a mileage run ticket on US earlier this year that I needed to cancel. The money got changed into a rather complex itinerary which is all under one PNR and all on US metal. The itinerary is:
25 June (tomorrow): PHX-CLT-MSY, first class (A fare code)
4 July: MSY-CLT-PHX also in A
9 July: PHX-BOS, in coach N fare
16 July: BOS-PHX in coach N fare
Here is my plan:
1. Credit the first leg of the trip on 25 June to UA. I should get a 150% EQM bonus because of the fare class, which will be about (2400*1.5 = 3600) EQM. That will be enough to kick me over to 1P on UA.
2. However, I want to get an upgrade on the long nonstop flight from PHX-BOS and back. The upgrade window for Chairman's Preferred is 7 days in advance, which is 2 July (prior to segment 2 of my itinerary)
I am willing to throw away the UA EQM's that I would earn on segments 2, 3 and 4 in exchange for a PHX-BOS-PHX upgrade for two reasons... first, it's a long flight and second, I won't be able to make the 75K cutoff for super premier executive (or whatever they are calling it), let alone 1K, for the rest of this year.
3. Therefore, what I am thinking of doing is waiting for the miles from segment 1 to post to UA, probably about 48-72 hours after my flight, but before the 7 day upgrade window on US... once the miles post to UA, I will change my FF number over to my US account and get in line for the upgrade.
4. Hopefully I can do this all online, if not, a phone agent should be able to handle it, correct?
Any insight or similar stories would be greatly welcome!
Thanks y'all - I have learned a lot lurking around FT, appreciate the help of all the frequent posters in the UA and US forums :-)
You have plenty of time in between flights to go into the US PNR and change the crediting FF. But if not, yes, do with a phone agent. If you weren't gunning for an upgrade, I'd have indicated don't put any FF number in...so that you can ask for credit after.
Jun 30, 2011, 8:44 am
#10
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: BNE/OOL temporarily-permanently at CAK/PIT
Programs: UA*1K & UA Club, National Ex. Elite, Hertz Pres. Circ., Amex Plat., CLEAR
Posts: 1,703
Of course, if anything happens to the flight, all bets are off.
I have used this technique to get into seating zone 1 or 2 on United and get free bags. Check in online at .bomb with US Airways number, key in 2 free bags, print off boarding passes with zone 1.
At the chicken or the gate I change the frequent flyer number, but I keep the original seating zone & the free bags. Sometimes the agents are nice and notice that I'm a Star Alliance Silver, and once moved me up to Economy Plus without me even having to ask.
This has only failed once and resulted in a trip MSY-LAX-SAN, CO ticket stock, getting the LAX-SAN mis-credited to US Airways. Sadly, I'm 103 miles short of being a 2P right now and LAX-SAN is 109 miles!
Mar 12, 2012, 6:24 pm
#11
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: ROC/NYC/MSP/LAX/HKG/SIN
Posts: 3,212
My experience is that once your upgrade clears, you can change your frequent flyer information to another airline and you won't lose your seat assignment or upgrade.
Of course, if anything happens to the flight, all bets are off.
I have used this technique to get into seating zone 1 or 2 on United and get free bags. Check in online at .bomb with US Airways number, key in 2 free bags, print off boarding passes with zone 1.
At the chicken or the gate I change the frequent flyer number, but I keep the original seating zone & the free bags. Sometimes the agents are nice and notice that I'm a Star Alliance Silver, and once moved me up to Economy Plus without me even having to ask.
This has only failed once and resulted in a trip MSY-LAX-SAN, CO ticket stock, getting the LAX-SAN mis-credited to US Airways. Sadly, I'm 103 miles short of being a 2P right now and LAX-SAN is 109 miles!
Of course, if anything happens to the flight, all bets are off.
I have used this technique to get into seating zone 1 or 2 on United and get free bags. Check in online at .bomb with US Airways number, key in 2 free bags, print off boarding passes with zone 1.
At the chicken or the gate I change the frequent flyer number, but I keep the original seating zone & the free bags. Sometimes the agents are nice and notice that I'm a Star Alliance Silver, and once moved me up to Economy Plus without me even having to ask.
This has only failed once and resulted in a trip MSY-LAX-SAN, CO ticket stock, getting the LAX-SAN mis-credited to US Airways. Sadly, I'm 103 miles short of being a 2P right now and LAX-SAN is 109 miles!