FF benefits without having FF number linked to booking?

[wafliron]

Can you typically still gain access to some FF program benefits if you don't link that FF number to your booking?

The reason I ask is thus: I signed up for Aegean Air's (A3) FF program before a recent SQ MEL-SIN-CDG return, which boosted me straight to A3 Gold (*A Gold) (and lasts for a few years). Given that A3's earn/burn rate is pretty atrocious it would be logical for me to use a different program for any *A flights I take over the next few years, but I obviously don't want to link a different (non *A Gold) FF account to any future bookings if that means I can't take advantage of any of the *A Gold perks of my A3 Gold membership.

If I did this, obviously any "onboard" benefits (better seat selection, higher chance of op-up, etc) would be lost, but what about "non onboard" benefits? Can I still gain lounge access just by flashing my A3 card & *A boarding pass with the different FF program linked? Priority checkin / extra baggae / etc just by flashing my A3 card? etc

Thanks!

 

[NM]

I have had one airline's FF details in the booking for earning points/miles/status, and used the card from another program for lounge access or priority check-in. I would not expect some benefits like additional baggage allowance, though it may be available if requested. In my case both programs are OneWorld programs, QF and AA.

 

[serfty]

IATA dictate two main fields for frequent flyer numbers they can be applied to the entire booking and/or specific segments within the PNR. So, it can be done, but it depends on the airline you are traveling with. Some use the facility more than others. More to the point you need an agent who knows exactly what they are doing as reports indicate it's very easy to make a mistake. These fields are as follows:

• FQTV for earning (Enter *A FFP number number here)
• FQTS for status (Enter your Aegean number here)

Note that people have from bitter experience that if you're talking to reservations, the 'FQTS' and 'FQTV' generally means nothing to them. It seems it may help if you ask them to put your Aegean number into the 'non accrual field'.

What determines Status Credits: FQTV or FQTS?

Here's a good recent thread on FT re getting the benefits of Air NZ status while earning towards Velocity:

need help - want to credit to Velocity but still get Space+ - FlyerTalk Forums

Originally Posted by ThatJohn
I've just been having this issue, but in reverse: I've been burning a big stack of Airbucks but have Velocity Gold. My findings:

1) FQTV vs FQTS as nomenclature are useful: but I found that calling it the "FQTS Non Accrual field" got the best results.

2) Quote your number with the airline code. My Velocity number got stuck in as VS1234567890 rather than DJ1234567890, which meant no seat selection for me.

3) The evening shift seem to be more comfortable dealing with this stuff, whether that's because they're more experienced or whether they're bored and keener to chat and poke around with the system.

4) Eventually, you'll run into someone who refuses to believe this is possible. Time for call centre bingo: thank them, hang up and ring back.

 

[wafliron]

I have had one airline's FF details in the booking for earning points/miles/status, and used the card from another program for lounge access or priority check-in. I would not expect some benefits like additional baggage allowance, though it may be available if requested. In my case both programs are OneWorld programs, QF and AA.

Thanks NM, appreciate it. Exactly what I wanted to know.

IATA dictate two main fields for frequent flyer numbers they can be applied to the entire booking and/or specific segments within the PNR. So, it can be done, but it depends on the airline you are traveling with. Some use the facility more than others. More to the point you need an agent who knows exactly what they are doing as reports indicate it's very easy to make a mistake. These fields are as follows:

• FQTV for earning (Enter *A FFP number number here)
• FQTS for status (Enter your Aegean number here)

Note that people have from bitter experience that if you're talking to reservations, the 'FQTS' and 'FQTV' generally means nothing to them. It seems it may help if you ask them to put your Aegean number into the 'non accrual field'.

What determines Status Credits: FQTV or FQTS?

Here's a good recent thread on FT re getting the benefits of Air NZ status while earning towards Velocity:

need help - want to credit to Velocity but still get Space+ - FlyerTalk Forums

Thanks serfy, that's incredibly useful to know - I had no idea there were two separate fields for status vs earning in the booking systems.

I assume the main frustration here is actually getting the correct numbers into the correct fields? And once they're in there everything should "just work" (in terms of status listed on BP and earn going to ther correct account)?

Righto, time to go figure out which *A program has the best earn/burn rates and points that don't expire. /me wanders off to Google.

 

[Fantic125]

Thanks NM, appreciate it. Exactly what I wanted to know.



Thanks serfy, that's incredibly useful to know - I had no idea there were two separate fields for status vs earning in the booking systems.

I assume the main frustration here is actually getting the correct numbers into the correct fields? And once they're in there everything should "just work" (in terms of status listed on BP and earn going to ther correct account)?

Righto, time to go figure out which *A program has the best earn/burn rates and points that don't expire. /me wanders off to Google.

Asiana's is pretty good. 20k to achieve *A Silver and 40k to achieve *A Gold and you have two years to attain status, then two years to retain status. Miles don't expire for a minimum of 7 years, or 10 for higher status.

 

[wafliron]

Asiana's is pretty good. 20k to achieve *A Silver and 40k to achieve *A Gold and you have two years to attain status, then two years to retain status. Miles don't expire for a minimum of 7 years, or 10 for higher status.

Yeah, I read about Asiana before signing up for A3, but decided I wanted my status fast (one return trip) and surety in getting it (I don't generally do a lot of *A flying so might not have made 40k miles in 2 years).

 

[wyvern]

Have just managed to do this on the phone for a NZ flight - the agent had not done this before but was happy to do it. She referred to the FQTS as the 'No Accrual field'. Once an eligible card was in the FQTS field, online seat selection opened up from one middle seat to pretty much the whole plane - including the seats with more legroom.