Adding passenger to existing booking

[Londonsteve]

Bit of an odd one, I’ve no idea if this is possible. My friend is BA Silver and has a return booked LHR-BUD for next month on a cash ticket. As luck would have it I’m in a position to take the same outbound flight, but I’ve now dropped down to Bronze.

Is there any way my friend can amend his booking to add me as a cash or reward seat passenger seated in Economy onto his booking reference so that I can get the same enhanced luggage allowance taking advantage of his Silver status? If we’re flying at the same time on separate booking numbers I know he can guest me into the lounge, but the much larger luggage allowance would come in mighty handy.

[e14]

Londonsteve wrote:

Bit of an odd one, I’ve no idea if this is possible. My friend is BA Silver and has a return booked LHR-BUD for next month on a cash ticket. As luck would have it I’m in a position to take the same outbound flight, but I’ve now dropped down to Bronze.

Is there any way my friend can amend his booking to add me as a cash or reward seat passenger seated in Economy onto his booking reference so that I can get the same enhanced luggage allowance taking advantage of his Silver status? If we’re flying at the same time on separate booking numbers I know he can guest me into the lounge, but the much larger luggage allowance would come in mighty handy.

Total Complete Party is only available to Gold Status and above and deals mainly with seating requirements.
There is no way to add you to the original PNR or for him to ‘gift’ you his status benefits (even if he booked you using his Avios).

[Matt]

He would have to cancel his booking and re-book, so it would be cheaper just to pay for the luggage. Does he need his full luggage allowance (2x32kg)? If not he could check a case for you.

[Londonsteve]

That’s a good point, didn’t think of that. As he’s only visiting for 3 nights he’s probably HBO!
I’m not sure about the legality of it though. If asked if he packed the bag himself he’d have to lie that he did.
If we’re literally checking in together and travelling on the same flight (as a Bronze I can also use Club check in desks), albeit on different booking references, are ground staff allowed to check my bags under his booking to use up his baggage allowance? I’m guessing the official answer to this is, ‘no’, unless he claims the bags are his and vouches for the contents.

[AJA]

Even if you approach the check in desk together you’d check in separately as you have different PNRs so the only way to take advantage of his luggage allowance is for him to check in your bag under his name.

If you know each other well I’m not sure why he would have a problem with that unless you intend to put contraband in your bag.

[JDB]

For what it’s worth, BA’s FLY system works off names rather than PNRs which is why you aren’t asked for a PNR or confirmation at check-in. They can therefore check in people from different PNRs together (something we often do) and not everyone on a PNR needs to check in at the same time. BA is usually pretty flexible in these circumstances and will likely just ask something along the lines, is it OK if I check that bag/those bags against your name. The question about whether someone packed the bag themselves really relates to being given a bag by an unknown third party not travelling on the flight.

[Ihar]

Londonsteve wrote:

I’m not sure about the legality of it though. If asked if he packed the bag himself he’d have to lie that he did.

I’ve lied about this my entire life 😁 😁 😁 😁. Just check in together – no eyelids batted.

[Londonsteve]

Thanks JDB, that’s good to know. I sort of hoped it would be like that. I don’t want to put my friend in an uncomfortable situation actively asking him to lie so if they’re not going to ask him to all the better.

[NorthernLass]

The only 2 questions I can recall being asked for a few years now have been “Can I have your passport?” and “How many bags are you checking in?” Can’t recall the last time I was asked if I’d packed my bags or been given anything by anyone else to carry.

I guess they may have realised that if people have got anything to hide, they’re probably not going to tell the truth!

[Matt]

If he’s going HBO, he may not have a luggage allowance – what fare has he booked?