How to add or change your frequent flyer number on a booking

Frequent flyer programs offer miles and elite status for eligible flights you take, including with partner airlines that may have their own frequent flyer programs. If you’re a member of several frequent flyer programs, you can pick and choose when you earn miles.

To earn miles and elite credits, simply add your chosen frequent flyer account number to your booking.

Our pick for an airline credit card

United℠ Explorer Card

• 40,000 bonus miles after you spend $2,000 on purchases in the first 3 months your account is open. Plus, an additional 25,000 bonus miles after you spend $10,000 in the first 6 months
• $0 introductory annual fee for the first year, then $95
• Earn 2 miles per $1 spent at restaurants, on hotel stays, and on United purchases
• Up to $100 Global Entry or TSA PreCheck® fee Credit
• 25% back on United inflight purchases
• Check your first bag for free (a savings of up to $140 per roundtrip) when you use your card to purchase your ticket
• Enjoy priority boarding privileges and visit the United ClubSM with 2 one-time passes each year for your anniversary
• Earn 2 miles per $1 spent at restaurants and eligible delivery services

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Compare airline credit cards

Taking flights isn’t the only way to earn miles. Airline credit cards are also great options, offering rewards for everyday spending. Some cards may offer elite credits when you reach certain spending requirements.

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Name	Product	Welcome offer	Rewards	Annual fee	Filter values
Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card		80,000 points after spending $4,000 in the first 3 months, a value of up to $1,000 through Chase Ultimate Rewards. Plus up to $ statement credit towards groceries	5x points on Lyft, 2x points on up to $1,000 on groceries until April 30, 2021, 2x points on travel and dining and 1x points on all other purchases	$95		Earn a signup bonus worth $1,000 plus up to $ statement credit towards groceries with this popular travel card.	Apply now View details	Compare	loading Fetching your data...
Chase Sapphire Reserve®		60,000 points after spending $4,000 in the first 3 months, a value of up to $900 through Chase Ultimate Rewards.	10x points on Lyft rides, 3x points on dining and travel after earning your $300 travel credit and 1x points on all other purchases	$550		Earn a huge signup bonus worth $900 toward travel when redeemed through Chase Ultimate Rewards with Chase’s premier card.	Apply now View details	Compare	loading Fetching your data...
Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card		70,000 miles after spending $2,000 in the first 3 months	2x miles on Delta purchases, restaurants and at US supermarkets and 1x miles on all other purchases	$0 intro annual fee for the first year ($99 thereafter)		With a welcome offer worth up to $840, up to 2x miles on select purchases, and assorted Delta perks, this is a strong choice for Delta fans. Terms apply, see rates & fees	Apply now View details	Compare	loading Fetching your data...

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Update your booking online

With most airlines and third-party travel websites, you can view your upcoming travel plans and make basic changes online. This includes adding your frequent flyer number to your itinerary. The process varies between services but generally involves:

1. Going to the booking website. In your flight confirmation email, you’ll find a link where you can update your booking.
2. Entering your booking details. Usually, you’ll be asked for your name and booking confirmation number.
3. Updating your passenger details. Your frequent flyer information is usually located in the passenger details section. If it’s not, go through each section until you find it.
4. Add your frequent flyer details. Provide your frequent flyer membership number, then save the updated details.

Contact your airline or booking agent

Another option is to call or email the airline or booking agent you went through. Give them your flight details and ask if they can add your frequent flyer number to your booking.

Depending on the company you’ve booked with, you may also be able to use online chat or social media to request this change. For example, KLM Royal Dutch Airlines lets you check flight documentation through Facebook Messenger, while American Airlines has been known to update flight details and itineraries via Twitter. If you choose this option, provide your details only through a direct message rather than a public post.

Add or change your frequent flyer number at check-in

Whether you’re checking in online or at the airport, there’s usually an opportunity to update your basic details. This is usually included under the Passenger section for online and self-service check-in options.

If you can’t find this option, head to a staffed check-in desk at the airport and ask a team member to add your frequent flyer details to your booking.

At a customer service desk

If you check in and later notice your frequent flyer details aren’t on your booking, you may be able to update them at a customer service desk. This largely depends on the airport and airline you’re flying with, so it’s worth looking at the airport map or visiting the airline website to check your options.

If you have access to the airline’s lounge, you could ask the staff there to update your details. Another option is to line up at the check-in counter again and ask if you can add these details — although it’s probably better to avoid this option if it’s really busy.

Ask at the boarding gate

This is your last chance to add your frequent flyer number before you fly. Get to your gate before boarding starts, then ask the staff at the gate to update your details. In this instance, being pleasant and polite could go a long way toward getting you what you want.

Add your frequent flyer number after the flight

If you forgot to include your frequent flyer number before your flight, you may be able to submit a claim to have miles and status credits added to your account afterward. Typically, you can do this only if you didn’t include another frequent flyer number for the flight.

Bottom line

Add your frequent flyer number to bookings so you can earn miles and elite credits. If you add the number before your flight, check your boarding pass to confirm your details have been included. Otherwise, hold on to your boarding pass and submit a claim for miles after your trip.

Besides taking flights, another good way to earn miles is through airline credit cards.

Pictures: Getty Images