Booked a one-way UC fare using my miles for a friend & paid the taxes with my own credit card. During the booking process I got a warning message that the card must be in the name of the traveller & be presented at check-in. I ignored this, clicked Accept & the booking went through fine, miles debited, card charged & e-ticket in inbox within a minute. All looking good... for now.
Friend gets to LHR check-in and is refused check-in as he could not produce the credit card used to pay the taxes. Had I been present with him and shown the card it would have been OK. He had to travel on the flight in question, so had an expensive visit to the ticket desk to buy a one-way ticket.
Is this a new rule? I remember back in about 2004 when I first flew Virgin they said you had to present the payment card used (even for a revenue ticket) at check-in, but they never asked for it. This rule is seemingly daft as there are many genuine reasons why the payment card may not be available.
How do you go about booking a ticket for someone else now using your miles? (which is allowed). Given the flexibility you need to have on G fares, you could be holidaying with friends and you have to travel over 2 consecutive days, so if you travel first, you're not going to be at the airport with the credit card the following day.
Or, is this new rule yet another "enhancement" that has come from the move to the Delta IT platform?
I would welcome the advise of any more learned people on here before I call Flying Club - I think I am going to have to put it down to experience though and take the miles/taxes hit, as the warning on the booking screen was quite clear.
Friend gets to LHR check-in and is refused check-in as he could not produce the credit card used to pay the taxes. Had I been present with him and shown the card it would have been OK. He had to travel on the flight in question, so had an expensive visit to the ticket desk to buy a one-way ticket.
Is this a new rule? I remember back in about 2004 when I first flew Virgin they said you had to present the payment card used (even for a revenue ticket) at check-in, but they never asked for it. This rule is seemingly daft as there are many genuine reasons why the payment card may not be available.
How do you go about booking a ticket for someone else now using your miles? (which is allowed). Given the flexibility you need to have on G fares, you could be holidaying with friends and you have to travel over 2 consecutive days, so if you travel first, you're not going to be at the airport with the credit card the following day.
Or, is this new rule yet another "enhancement" that has come from the move to the Delta IT platform?
I would welcome the advise of any more learned people on here before I call Flying Club - I think I am going to have to put it down to experience though and take the miles/taxes hit, as the warning on the booking screen was quite clear.