oneworld frequent flyer numbers and Manage Booking shenanigans

[Jon]

I could have sworn there was already a thread on this, as I remember contributing to the discussion, but I can’t for the life of me find it now. So apologies if I’m starting a new one unduly.

I recall we discussed recently how it seems to be no longer possible (with a handful of exceptions) to manage bookings on one OW airline via another OW airline’s app or web site. This appears (unless it’s just me!) to also now extend to changing frequent flyer numbers. Possibly this only affects Avios bookings, not sure.

For me, I first noticed it with a couple of Avios redemptions on Qatar, one booked via BA and the other with QR. Both understandably defaulted to the FFP number of the account being used for the booking (ie BAEC and QRPC respectively), but then absolutely would not let me change it to my MH FFP number (where I have OW Emerald), even after trying the usual other OW web sites and manual intervention from a Qatar agent. Worse, in some cases it would appear to successfully change, then immediately revert back.

Then today I went to check in online for a Finnair flight (also an Avios redemption, booked via BA). This one defaulted to my Finnair Plus number (not BA, oddly), and despite Manage Booking also showing my MH number, absolutely would not let me put the MH number on the boarding pass. Nor will the Finnair app or web site allow me to delete or change either FFP number, or swap them around – just keeps throwing errors. Will be interesting to see how the check-in desks at the airport tomorrow get along with trying to sort it out…

I believe most (all? some?) OW airlines use Amadeus? So maybe a change has been made there that is affecting all of them? 🤷‍♂️ Whatever it is, no idea whether it’s an intentional “service enhancement” or a SNAFU, but it’s very frustrating.

Anyone else having similar issues?

Grrrrr 😉

[Richie]

BTW https://www.headforpoints.com/2025/03/14/using-two-frequent-flyer-numbers-in-same-booking/

[chowkit98]

Hi Jon, weird for you because I’ve just redeemed an AY ticket via BA, and I have managed to swap my BAEC to my Enrich with OWE on Finnair website. Managed to select seats and all that!

[Jon]

@Richie Aha, that’s where it was, thanks. Main article rather than forum, that explains why I couldn’t find it 😉

@chowkit98 How long until your check-in? I was able to add my MH number (via Finnair web site) and select seats etc, so no problem there, but somewhere along the way it added my Finnair number as well (I *think* this may have happened when I accessed the booking via Finnair’s app rather than web site – pretty sure I didn’t add it myself). So there are two numbers on the booking but at check-in it insisted on using the AY one, and neither app nor web site would let me change it then or since.

[chowkit98]

Oh, my flight is for next year, I used chrome on my laptop. But, on recent experience, I’ve flew on a BA redemption flight and managed to swap out for my Enrich as well, got into Cathay First Lounge in HK and all that no issues. At that time, the trick as using Finnair to swap them out. I did realise, if you access your booking via app, especially the app is signed in, it will jiggle your FF numbers with the associated app.

[Jon]

Hopefully they’ll have fixed whatever the issue is by the time you check in 😉

BTW one thing I just noticed – pre-purchasing WiFi appears to be a lot cheaper after check-in than before. Full flight was 28 SGD, now 17…