How to get a Gate Pass?
 

I'm going to be taking an elderly family member to the airport soon and was wondering how to go about getting a gate pass so that I can escort her to the boarding area. There's also a good chance she'll be using a wheelchair to get there so there will be an airport employee taking her through security but then they'll just leave her. I was hoping to keep her company until boarding time.

Can anyone provide insight on the procedures for getting a pass? Do I have to apply for it ahead of time or when I take her to the airport? Do I need to take some particular type of ID? Is this a generally tedious process or will it likely be a simple request?....

Thanks.

DD

Just go to the ticket counter and get one when you check her in.

Buy a fully refundable ticket.

No fuss, no muss.

Make sure you have a photo id, and ask the agent nicely.

While the link does not answer this specific question, it is a good starting point. I was not aware they had Coordinators to do this .. thought it was only in the reservation.

http://www.aa.com/content/travelInfo...ingAhead.jhtml

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? :confused:

Thanx
DD

Well, most people aren't so stupid that they won't figure that one out. ;)

"I'd like a gate pass please." "No."

"Ok, I'd like to buy a ticket to... Cuba. No, wait. Idaho."

It usually takes 2-5 business days, often less.

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.

Admirals Club
 

Would it work to ask them for a gate pass to go into the Admirals Club for a meeting? I think buying a full Y to ask for a refund isn't very fun. If your mom looks like she needs help, its in their best interest to give you a gate pass versus mommy running into trouble on her way to the gate.

What I meant was - will they prevent me from buying the fully refundable ticket since my intentions would be so obvious

DD

No. The agents often know (and sometimes even suggest) these work-arounds.

Arranging the day before for AC admission ("I'm meeting a colleague" or whatever) shoudl work fine.

You have to be an AC member to do that, which I don't know if the OP is.

You never know when you might get an AAgent with a bug up their butt who might deny the sale if you are waaaaay too obvious about it.

As long as your CC statement isn't ending in the next 2 days, go with the fully refundable ticket is my suggestion.

If the agent won't sell the ticket, then call 1800 433 7300; I'm pretty sure they will. And you'd save $5 over buying it at the counter.

I still say go with the refundable ticket from the get-go. Buy it before you go to the airport - that allows you to pick out the cheapest one and check in online. Adults asking other adults for "permission" to go to an airport gate? Not me. F that. I just walk on thru with my BP. :)