Originally Posted by Daringdoo
If I ask for a gate pass and they give me a hard time, will they then give me a hard time if I use your suggestion since they will then know what I'm 'up to'?
Also, any idea how long it takes to get the refund applied to my account?
Thanx
DD
Chances are very good that AA will give you a gate pass. However,
Spiff's strategy is foolproof: a day before your family member's flight, purchase a ticket on aa.com (obviously, you want to purchase a fully refundable ticket for a flight that departs around the same time as your family member's flight, or perhaps a little afterwards; purchasing a day in advance, as opposed to day of, and purchasing a round trip instead of a one-way, will decrease your chances of secondary screening at the airport). Check in and obtain your boarding pass as you ordinarily would when flying. After you see your family member off, call aa and tell them that your plans have changed and you want a refund. Most times the refund will hit your credit card on the same statement on which the original charge appears.