Ask Finder: Can I use someone else’s frequent flyer number?
Don't need the points yourself? Here's how to pass them on.
While this might seem like a generous idea, it won't work in practice. If you try and enter a frequent flyer number that doesn't match the name on the booking, you'll see this error message:
The same applies with Qantas and every other major airline. If the name details don't match, you can't earn the points.
So what are your options? Most frequent flyer schemes, including Velocity, will let you transfer points to other family members. Our detailed step-by-step guide for Velocity takes you through how the process works. Yes, that means you'll need to join up, but that's free, and it makes more sense to have someone use the points than miss out altogether.
The main limitation here is that there's a minimum transfer amount of 5,000 points, so you probably won't be able to help your cousin out immediately with the points from a single flight (unless you're booking some very expensive business class seats).
If you want to hang onto the points until you have enough to transfer, remember that Velocity Points expire if there's no earning activity for 24 months. That doesn't mean you need to take a flight to keep the points, though. An easy way to keep your account active and top up your total is to transfer points from flybuys to Velocity.
Ask Finder is a regular column where Finder's expert writers answer your questions. All rates and fees are correct at time of publication and we only give general advice. Got a question for Points Finder? Hit us up on Facebook.
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