Can I change Frequent Flyer Numbers in the middle of a trip?

[flyingcheese]

I have a flight with Qatar Airways - meaning I can use either my Velocity or Qantas FF.

Is it possible/ problematic to change Frequent Flyer Numbers in the middle of a trip - i.e. to use my Qantas number on outbound leg and Velocity on the return (by changing the details at check in online/the airport).

The trip straddles my Velocity status review date and the status credits from the outbound leg are not going to be enough to maintain platinum - so are effectively going to be wasted. So if possible I may as well put the the outward journey towards retaining Qantas status.

But I’d like to use the return leg to start building up Velocity status in the new status year to (at least) retain gold

Had Anyone else done similar or can spot a pitfall that I am missing?

Cheers

 

[Gold Member]

Absolutely can be done as you’ve described. In fact many of us do the same thing for different reasons like lounge access, status acrrual, points earning etc.

 

[RooFlyer]

Yes. You can even change it between check-in and entering the lounge (use one at check-in for points accrual, another before you reach the lounge for lounge access (that said, I understand airlines are cracking down on THAT sort of game).

 

[flyingcheese]

Yes. You can even change it between check-in and entering the lounge (use one at check-in for points accrual, another before you reach the lounge for lounge access (that said, I understand airlines are cracking down on THAT sort of game).

Ha! Not sure i've got the energy to take it that far.

 

[flyingcheese]

Absolutely can be done as you’ve described. In fact many of us do the same thing for different reasons like lounge access, status acrrual, points earning etc.

Thank you. That's very helpful. The accrual rate of QF points/SCs on Qatar is pretty pathetic given the distances but better than them being wiped out in a week or so.

 

[Stevo.1702]

Borrowing this thread with a very similar question.

Does anyone have advice to easily do this on Qantas, particularly at the start of a trip?

I have QF WP but now trying to send all earn to BA. Needed to check in two bags tonight and was told the only way to not pay $130 was to delete BA number and replace with QF. They then insist it can’t be changed back to BA. I know I’m the one being difficult here so I don’t make a fuss and simply thank them for the help.

I find I just end up in the lounge calling up and changing back to BA.

I have no care for status recognition on board. Just want to use QF WP perks and earn on BA.

 

[hossein_au]

Borrowing this thread with a very similar question.

Does anyone have advice to easily do this on Qantas, particularly at the start of a trip?

I have QF WP but now trying to send all earn to BA. Needed to check in two bags tonight and was told the only way to not pay $130 was to delete BA number and replace with QF. They then insist it can’t be changed back to BA. I know I’m the one being difficult here so I don’t make a fuss and simply thank them for the help.

I find I just end up in the lounge calling up and changing back to BA.

I have no care for status recognition on board. Just want to use QF WP perks and earn on BA.

Late reply; hopefully it's still useful to you.

Yes, you definitely can change it in the middle of a trip. On multiple occasions, I have done exactly as you described: checkin and get to the lounge based on status with QF, and then have it changed to another airline for earn. Ask in the lounge.

 

[andye]

Borrowing this thread with a very similar question.

Does anyone have advice to easily do this on Qantas, particularly at the start of a trip?

I have QF WP but now trying to send all earn to BA. Needed to check in two bags tonight and was told the only way to not pay $130 was to delete BA number and replace with QF. They then insist it can’t be changed back to BA. I know I’m the one being difficult here so I don’t make a fuss and simply thank them for the help.

I find I just end up in the lounge calling up and changing back to BA.

I have no care for status recognition on board. Just want to use QF WP perks and earn on BA.

I had this problem last year with no solution. On QF at least, if you want the baggage allowance, you have to credit to the program with status. All other benefits can be spread between two (though I did get a snarky comment at F checkin at SYD)

 

[Stevo.1702]

Thanks for the info.

My recent experience didn’t go as planned. After checking in a second bag with the QF number on the booking then changing to BA on the lounge I received the red “Unable to Board” when boarding pass was scanned.

After been told to pay $130 at the gate to board due to excess baggage I managed to have the gate agent change me back to QF to resolve the issues.

Lesson learnt.