If he uses the kiosk check-in, it is possible to change ff numbers there.
So I suggest booking using QF number, select desired seat; arrive at airport and change ff number on the kiosk check-in machine. No problems. If there is no kiosk then ask a human!
Although it's probably not that much of a deal flying to and from KTA, it's a better idea to have them remove the QF number and input the AA number not just after check-in, but once check-in for the flight has closed (20 minutes from departure, I think). When I swap numbers I notice my Platinum shadow
immediately disappears when I look at EF, meaning the seat next to me is suddenly available for every other passenger. Changing numbers once check-in has closed won't keep your shadow in place, but greatly reduces the possibility of the newly 'un-shadowed' seat becoming occupied.
And unfortunately, the process is often a little more complicated. On a multi-sector itinerary (eg. PER-KTA-PER), changing numbers at PER for the outbound will also change it for all flights in the itinerary. You need to ask the agent to ensure the AA number is only, for example, in the PER-KTA sector and that the QF number remains in the KTA-PER sector. It's not at all uncommon for an agent to say it's all or nothing. Wrong! The way to do it is for the agent to remove the QF number from the booking entirely and then manually enter the FF number per sector. Some balk at it, possibly because it's slightly more time consuming.
And to complicate matters even more, I've learned as recently as this month, that even with a boarding pass printed with the AA number and the flight about to close behind you, sometimes that's not even enough. In this situation, I incorrectly had my flight credit to QF. When I undertook the same process (ie. changing numbers on a return flight) on the return journey a few days later, I phoned QF to double-check. The phone agent told me
both numbers were in, despite the lounge agent telling me somewhat emphatically that only my AA number was in there.
Bottom line. If it's absolutely essential that the flight credit to AA, phone QF as you're in the line for boarding (or on the plane before departure) and make absolutely certain your QF number is nowhere to be seen. If it's not going to bring the world to an end (most of the time, it does for me!), simply change the numbers after check-in has closed and see how it goes. I must admit that this latter process has only failed me five or 10 per cent of the time.
Cheers openseat. in PER that shouldn't be a problem. But in KTA QF is run my untrained monkeys.
Phone QF in this circumstance. Definitely best to be sure.
