Last year I wrote How To Book and Add Your AAdvantage # to a British Airways Avios Award Ticket which was relevant on flights operated on American Airlines. Since US Airways officially joined oneworld two months ago, it is now possible to book BA Avios award tickets on flights operated on US Airways.
As I found out recently, there is absolutely no way to add your American Airlines AAdvantage frequent flier number while booking an Avios award flight redemption operated on US Airways. Your British Airways frequent flier number will be hard coded no matter if you “erase” the number even using my previous tutorial.
You should also be aware that calling US Airways will not help at all because they cannot change it over the phone. They will ask you “Why? You can’t earn miles for it anyway.” If you really want a better seat, I suggest you respond with,” I just want a better seat selection because I’m an American Airlines Executive Platinum oneworld elite member.” They will happily give you any seat in your ticketed cabin even if US Airways shows required payment on their website. Again, they will NOT change your frequent flier number because it’s hardcoded.
However, you can change your frequent flier number when it’s time to check-in, 24 hours before departure. Here’s a complete tutorial on How to Add Your AAdvantage # to a British Airways Avios Award Ticket on US Airways.
1. Find out your US Airways record locator confirmation number using your BA booking reference number – You can do this by going on www.checkmytrip.com and plugging in your British Airways booking reference number and Last Name. Click on “view details+” to expand and see your US Airways confirmation #.
2. Use your US Airways confirmation number to Check-In for your flight online 24 hours before departure on www.usirways.com and select the “Check-In” tab.
3. On the bottom right portion of the screen, click on the frequent flier number.
4. Use the drop down box and select American Airlines (or whatever airline you have oneworld status with) and enter your corresponding frequent flier number and click Save.
5. If you have a Known Traveler Number, you can enter it as well since it will give you TSA Pre-Check automatically on your boarding pass (highly recommended).
6. After clicking continue, the next screen will bring up the seat selection. If you’re an elite member, you’ll have access to the preferred seats. In addition, you can buy up to First Class for a nominal fee (in my case, $83).
7. After seat selection, you will have the option to print your boarding pass and send it to your mobile device by e-mail. If you’ve followed all the right steps, your boarding pass should look something like this:
Hope this helps! If you have any questions, please leave a comment below.