Flying Blue (Air France, KLM, and Other Partners) - Sky Priority for companion?

Hello everyone,
I am gold on FB, and I will be flying Alitalia from LHR to FCO (and then GIG). I was wondering whether the Sky Priority benefits (fast track at checkin, but more importantly at security and passport control) will extend to my travel companion as well (who is on the same reservation as me).

As I understand LHR could be quite busy, and the fast track is likely to make some difference.

Priority check in and priority boarding will be no problem for both you and companion. Fast track security has still been reported by some to be hit and miss by some fellow FTers when holding a Y ticket (J was never a problem) although i was fine in some recent trips. I would not count on the non-elite companion benifiting from it in any case. It is certainly not a formal benefit of sky prioriy (to extend it to non sky priority companions) and the people manning the priority queue will probably be able to legitimately say no especially if security is quite busy at that time. No emigration out of LHR (and no priority immigration at FCO in case you are on a stopover), and if you fly back into LHR no fast track immigration for elite plus people (and for business by invitation only if you are non-EU citizen from long haul, I don't think AZ offers it).

Thanks for your very informative reply!

I forgot to mention it explicitly, but indeed we are flying Y; I will not count on the fast track security then.

You should make a try just in case, the worst that could happen would be to get back to the regular line. ;)

You should make a try just in case, the worst that could happen would be to get back to the regular line. ;)

Security at LHR T4 is quite strict. In my experience they will only let you in if you are flying Business (or First) or have a Centurion American Express; a Platinum Amex will not suffice.

If you happen to have an electronic boarding pass on your phone which does not state you are flying economy you might be able to bluff your way in, but don't count on it.

Gajan

If you happen to have an electronic boarding pass on your phone which does not state you are flying economy you might be able to bluff your way in, but don't count on it.

Gajan

That wouldn't work I think. They scan all boarding cards and your status and travel class would appear on their screen.

I can't comment on LHR, but with Mrs Panda and the kids at AMS and CDG. I cheekily put my boarding pass on the top of the pile and kept smiling. It worked for us.

That wouldn't work I think. They scan all boarding cards and your status and travel class would appear on their screen.

The times I have had a seat in the low numbers (up to #5 or so) I have had no problems getting through.

I believe - based on my quick glance - that the system shows the attendant your name, flight, departure time, etcetera, but not class of service. I could be mistaken.

yesterday i was travelling with my buddy that has no status with KLM in amsterdam and the (not so nice) girl at the security gate told me that the FB card is personal and the benefits cannot be transferred to any companion.
Kinda weird due to the fact that with gold i can enter the lounges with a companion for example.

yesterday i was travelling with my buddy that has no status with KLM in amsterdam and the (not so nice) girl at the security gate told me that the FB card is personal and the benefits cannot be transferred to any companion.
Kinda weird due to the fact that with gold i can enter the lounges with a companion for example.

That's because the lounges are under KLM's control and the fast tracks are extra paid for services by AFKL who buy the service from the airport.

That's because the lounges are under KLM's control and the fast tracks are extra paid for services by AFKL who buy the service from the airport.

Nonetheless, I find it a bit unnatural that when yo are with a companion you essentially have to renounce to the fast track (as it makes no sense to go alone, obviuosly), whereas FB extends the courtesy of lounge access to a companion for exactly the same reason.

That said, it is not a big deal, and the few extra minutes in the queue to security will pass faster if I am in good company. :)

yesterday i was travelling with my buddy that has no status with KLM in amsterdam and the (not so nice) girl at the security gate told me that the FB card is personal and the benefits cannot be transferred to any companion.
Kinda weird due to the fact that with gold i can enter the lounges with a companion for example.

I have never had a problem with it at AMS but I guess it might depend on the circumstances of the day (e.g. if the priority queue is already long they might be tougher). Also, are you gold (as I would infer from your post) or silver (as from your profile)? While AF and KL still give priority services to FB silver (despite them not being formally eligible for sky priority) I suspect they are being more likely to limit it to card holder only when there is a system overload.

The other day my daughter, who was travelling with me and who is ivory, was refused at the priority lane - made no difference I am plat. So we both went to the regular security check...

Security at LHR T4 is quite strict. In my experience they will only let you in if you are flying Business (or First) or have a Centurion American Express; a Platinum Amex will not suffice.

At check in at LHR/T4 the other week, when the agent told me I could use the Fast-Track security lane I asked if this was because I was flying in J, or because I was FB Plat / ST E+, or both? She said it was solely due to flying in J, and that E+ status does not get you access.

A while ago, travelling in Y (but still ST E+), I was allowed through the outer check (at the start of the roped-off area) to enter the Fast-Track queue, but was then turned back by the person at the desk... Very annoying...

YMMV, of course.

yesterday i was travelling with my buddy that has no status with KLM in amsterdam and the (not so nice) girl at the security gate told me that the FB card is personal and the benefits cannot be transferred to any companion.
Kinda weird due to the fact that with gold i can enter the lounges with a companion for example.
That's because the lounges are under KLM's control and the fast tracks are extra paid for services by AFKL who buy the service from the airport.

I generally travel on my own, or with Mrs KQ321 (FB Gold). However, last year I was boarding at AMS with 2 non-status colleagues (all on separate PNRs), and we all went in the regular queue. However, at the boarding card check, the GA looked surprised to see me, and said that all 3 of us could have gone through the priority boarding lane, thanks to my Plat status.

Boarding is usually no problem.

I have never had a problem with it at AMS but I guess it might depend on the circumstances of the day (e.g. if the priority queue is already long they might be tougher). Also, are you gold (as I would infer from your post) or silver (as from your profile)? While AF and KL still give priority services to FB silver (despite them not being formally eligible for sky priority) I suspect they are being more likely to limit it to card holder only when there is a system overload.

i am still silver (reaching gold next week) but:
-----
At Amsterdam Airport Schiphol, we can also offer you the SkyPriority services that are normally reserved for Flying Blue Elite Plus members and First and Business Class passengers:

Priority at immigration and security
Priority service at ticket offices and transfer desks
---

so i would expect the same quality of service

And one more :td: for status card holders of FB compared to other FFPs.

At Miles & More passengers traveling on the same reservation (and maybe also others) get a status of "companion". This is reflected in their bar code. This then lets them use fast track, both the manned ones and the ones with scanner/automated gates. They are also protected from offloading.

Why FB can't do that is beyond me. But maybe upcoming reviews of the Plat benefits will bring some developments here.

Priority check in and priority boarding will be no problem.Priority boarding has been a problem for long as it has existed, even for eligible pax, and I have yet to see any improvement with Sky Priority

Johan

I have never had a problem with bringing companions (who are on a different reservation) with me through priority check-in at AMS.

That said, my impression at AMS is that they only really check for status at check-in. Once you get past check-in, after they board children and people needing assistance, it feels a little like the Wild Wild West. As far as I can tell they really aren't checking for status, and anyone can get by.

I can't comment on LHR, but with Mrs Panda and the kids at AMS and CDG. I cheekily put my boarding pass on the top of the pile and kept smiling. It worked for us.

AMS is hit and miss, and CDG too. Depends on the specific guy you find there.

Hello everyone,
I am gold on FB, and I will be flying Alitalia from LHR to FCO (and then GIG). I was wondering whether the Sky Priority benefits (fast track at checkin, but more importantly at security and passport control) will extend to my travel companion as well (who is on the same reservation as me).

As I understand LHR could be quite busy, and the fast track is likely to make some difference.

Re: passport control, at LHR if you have an e-passport from a EU country you can use automated gates that will speed up the process.

Re: passport control, at LHR if you have an e-passport from a EU country you can use automated gates that will speed up the process.

That's for arrival at LHR, where e-gates are separate from fast track reserved for morning arrivals AND non-EU passport holders. So, no Skypriority upon arrival.

As alesfo is flying from LHR to FCO and then to GIG, and as there are currently very few passport checks upon departure from LHR, he won't need to use the e-gates.

As alesfo is flying from LHR to FCO and then to GIG, and as there are currently very few passport checks upon departure from LHR, he won't need to use the e-gates.

I was thinking about coming back.

Anyway, no skypriority at the passport control at FCO, either.

I have never had any issues with security Fast Track at LHR. Last time I was asked business and something - I simply said yes. At scanning of the bp the screen flashed up green (I would assume the text would go red if not eligible). This in Y with status. It might help that I am generally considered "well-dressed".

I've never had any issues bringing people with me to check-in and I don't understand why people are always so worried about it.

At check in at LHR/T4 the other week, when the agent told me I could use the Fast-Track security lane I asked if this was because I was flying in J, or because I was FB Plat / ST E+, or both? She said it was solely due to flying in J, and that E+ status does not get you access.

A while ago, travelling in Y (but still ST E+), I was allowed through the outer check (at the start of the roped-off area) to enter the Fast-Track queue, but was then turned back by the person at the desk... Very annoying...

YMMV, of course.

Since you made that post, I've travelled twice from LHR T4, in economy, but successfully got into the Fast Track line (and was not booted out) by just saying "Sky Priority" to the person checking boarding passes at the entrance (while also pointing to that wording on the boarding pass and also keeping my Platinum card visible).

I have never had a problem with it at AMS but I guess it might depend on the circumstances of the day (e.g. if the priority queue is already long they might be tougher). Also, are you gold (as I would infer from your post) or silver (as from your profile)? While AF and KL still give priority services to FB silver (despite them not being formally eligible for sky priority) I suspect they are being more likely to limit it to card holder only when there is a system overload.

I understand this point, but is true for many many things at KL. I bought a Y ticket to SXM and then fly back via MIA to AMS. Under baggage rules I was able to take 2 bags to SXM, but was then charged for the bags on the return since the rule only applies on AMS-SXM-AMS routes and not via any other. I find that weird also.

But back on topic, at AMS I had no problem bringing 2 friends of us on our last trip through the fast lane. The guy did say that for 2 Elite members I could bring the 2 friends, but if I was alone then he would have said no.

I understand this point, but is true for many many things at KL. I bought a Y ticket to SXM and then fly back via MIA to AMS. Under baggage rules I was able to take 2 bags to SXM, but was then charged for the bags on the return since the rule only applies on AMS-SXM-AMS routes and not via any other. I find that weird also.

But back on topic, at AMS I had no problem bringing 2 friends of us on our last trip through the fast lane. The guy did say that for 2 Elite members I could bring the 2 friends, but if I was alone then he would have said no.

SXM-MIA on Delta? Then you'd also have been granted 2 bags free.

Will be flying SU from FCO later this month. I'll be traveling with a friend who is FB Gold, we are on separate reservations though. Would it still be possible for me to benefit from priority check-in? Also is there any way the check-in agent can make a note in the bookings, that we are traveling together.

Also regarding the fasttrack at FCO, my *G card gives access to the fasttrack there. I suppose there would be no chance to try and see if I would be let through by just showing them my card (despite flying SU), or are they strict with checking the boarding pass too?

At least at CDG with my non-status kids I use the priority customs and check-in lines with no problem being Delta Platinum. Only one guest in the lounge, however.