United MileagePlus (Consolidated) - Int'l F-arrivals (ground staff assistance for priority clearance of immigration?)

Flying into SFO on Global first from FRA.
Will I be able to expect (or request) ground staff assistance for priority clearance of immigration? I know LX meets F-class pax and offers this and LH does it for HONs in both C and F (essentially just escorting Pax to the front of the line). Does UA do something similar - or will I have to face the crowds and endless lines of non-US -citizen immigration ? Im *G (but on SK not UA).

Flying into SFO on Global first from FRA.
Will I be able to expect (or request) ground staff assistance for priority clearance of immigration? I know LX meets F-class pax and offers this and LH does it for HONs in both C and F (essentially just escorting Pax to the front of the line). Does UA do something similar - or will I have to face the crowds and endless lines of non-US -citizen immigration ? Im *G (but on SK not UA).

UA does not provide anything similar.

Flying into SFO on Global first from FRA.
Will I be able to expect (or request) ground staff assistance for priority clearance of immigration? I know LX meets F-class pax and offers this and LH does it for HONs in both C and F (essentially just escorting Pax to the front of the line). Does UA do something similar - or will I have to face the crowds and endless lines of non-US -citizen immigration ? Im *G (but on SK not UA).

While I'm aware LX/LH offer this as a service in other countries, does any airline do this in the United States?

QF does it in F.

UA does not provide anything similar.

UA doesn't provide anything. :cool:

While I'm aware LX/LH offer this as a service in other countries, does any airline do this in the United States?

Doesn't AA do it for F pax, or is that only for Concierge Key/Five Star?

While I'm aware LX/LH offer this as a service in other countries, does any airline do this in the United States?

I've seen BA do it at JFK - though the time I saw it there was a celebrity in our cabin and I was asked to follow.

UA does it when there is a chance for misconnect, but usually for Int'l GF, Global Services and esp. when connecting flights are booked or the following day.

Flying into SFO on Global first from FRA.
Will I be able to expect (or request) ground staff assistance for priority clearance of immigration? I know LX meets F-class pax and offers this and LH does it for HONs in both C and F (essentially just escorting Pax to the front of the line). Does UA do something similar - or will I have to face the crowds and endless lines of non-US -citizen immigration ? Im *G (but on SK not UA).

Money can't buy you everything. Get in line. :)

UA does not provide anything similar.

Not true (much to my surprise) - my in-laws came in HKG-ORD in int'l F this week (1 1K with two GMs) - they were met by a (believe) GS agent and were escorted off the plane, and I *think* (need to verify) maybe a shorter security lane.

They were 50 minutes late, but still had over 2 hours for a connection, so wasn't that tight.

Been met twice once in ORD and once in LAX -consisted of lounge pass handover in ORD and making a connection in LAX -no passport line jumping regretfully

Eliminating those who have bought Global Entry, regardless of how much you pay for your ticket, the immigration/inspection fees for any passenger of a given country are the same. This goes to the govt and IMHO should be not treated with favoritism. Perhaps if the DHS wants to price differentialy based on line wait, this would be a system worth looking into, but as it is now, it is a flat fee vs a scaled fee tax for a service that should be equal to all.

Other than the misconnect cases, I've been met a few other times. Mostly in ORD I think, to give me an F lounge invitation.
Also every time I have flown into Dubai United has arranged a "marhaba" escort. I don't know if that has been for F or, perhaps, for GS.

Eliminating those who have bought Global Entry, regardless of how much you pay for your ticket, the immigration/inspection fees for any passenger of a given country are the same. This goes to the govt and IMHO should be not treated with favoritism. Perhaps if the DHS wants to price differentialy based on line wait, this would be a system worth looking into, but as it is now, it is a flat fee vs a scaled fee tax for a service that should be equal to all.

Lots of airports have fast track lines, both for arriving and departing passengers. Just like domestic first-class security lines. Are you ethically opposed to that? Why don't we eliminate the crew lines as well, if we are going to be socialist about it.

At ORD no help for immigration/customs but access to GS side entrance to security checkpoint if connecting from International Terminal to Domestic. Does not have to be full fare Global First.

While I'm aware LX/LH offer this as a service in other countries, does any airline do this in the United States?

EK does it in JFK. They even bring a luggage cart to the Jetway for my carry on (dont know if they do it at other US airports). Imagine yes

LH/LX also offer this service in DXB (UA does not) for all F pax.

Eliminating those who have bought Global Entry, regardless of how much you pay for your ticket, the immigration/inspection fees for any passenger of a given country are the same. This goes to the govt and IMHO should be not treated with favoritism. Perhaps if the DHS wants to price differentialy based on line wait, this would be a system worth looking into, but as it is now, it is a flat fee vs a scaled fee tax for a service that should be equal to all.

Almost EVERY major INTL airport has immigration fast track for F / J pax (not only passengers from that countries flag carrier). UA F pax (not sure about C) can use fast track at LHR and BKK

Some airlines just take it further and escort passengers to/thru fast track. I don't see a problem with this (ESPECIALLY now that airports/countries are adding substantial luxury taxes to F/J tickets)

Lots of airports have fast track lines, both for arriving and departing passengers. Just like domestic first-class security lines. Are you ethically opposed to that? Why don't we eliminate the crew lines as well, if we are going to be socialist about it.

Your comparison is a false one. The OP wasn't looking for a government or airport-sponsored elite line; he was looking for an airline employee to help him circumvent a line.


I don't see a problem with this (ESPECIALLY now that airports/countries are adding substantial luxury taxes to F/J tickets)

Point us, please, to the U.S. airport that charges differential taxes by cabin of service. (Quite the contrary, U.S. security and immigration fees are segment/arrival-based, not even varying with fare.)

Efficient service for all is a reasonable aspiration.

Your comparison is a false one. The OP wasn't looking for a government or airport-sponsored elite line; he was looking for an airline employee to help him circumvent a line.




Point us, please, to the U.S. airport that charges differential taxes by cabin of service. (Quite the contrary, U.S. security and immigration fees are segment/arrival-based, not even varying with fare.)

Efficient service for all is a reasonable aspiration.

I said I don't see a problem with this (anywhere)...which I don't. I also point out that some countries/airports have added a "luxury tax" on F/J seats (France, UK). One comment is not mutually exclusive from the other. I could have said I dont see a problem with this, especially in the countries that charge this tax.....but I don't see a problem with it anywhere

I doubt anyone here if travelling in F would turn down the offer of a special service agent offering to walk you thru immigration.........come on

Lots of airports have fast track lines, both for arriving and departing passengers. Just like domestic first-class security lines. Are you ethically opposed to that? Why don't we eliminate the crew lines as well, if we are going to be socialist about it.

I am. I wouldn't quite call it socialist...if you read my post, I did mention an alternative on a sliding scale cost relative to ticket price or line wait, but as everyone pays the same flat fee, yes, I am opposed. I am not oppsed to the Global Entry program, where for a fee, and after passing a background check, one can use automation that is significantly faster, but they pay a fee for that service above what the others pay for the basic service.

Countries that charge a premium govt imposed tax to fly C or F, IMHO should be able to provide a premium service, provided that that fee has money that goes into the service for which the passengers get the benefit of. The US 7.% tax, that increases in revenue based on ticket cost, is not sent to th DHS, as their taxes are separate and flat per ticketed passener.

I am. I wouldn't quite call it socialist...if you read my post, I did mention an alternative on a sliding scale cost relative to ticket price or line wait, but as everyone pays the same flat fee, yes, I am opposed. I am not oppsed to the Global Entry program, where for a fee, and after passing a background check, one can use automation that is significantly faster, but they pay a fee for that service above what the others pay for the basic service.

Countries that charge a premium govt imposed tax to fly C or F, IMHO should be able to provide a premium service, provided that that fee has money that goes into the service for which the passengers get the benefit of. The US 7.% tax, that increases in revenue based on ticket cost, is not sent to th DHS, as their taxes are separate and flat per ticketed passener.

If you are flying non rev, in F, do you still get to use fast track lanes at airports apt hat offer them. Some airports don't require a invitation (DXB) only a BP so I would assume a non rev can use Fast Track their. If invitations are required do non revs get them as well?

I am. I wouldn't quite call it socialist...if you read my post, I did mention an alternative on a sliding scale cost relative to ticket price or line wait, but as everyone pays the same flat fee, yes, I am opposed. I am not oppsed to the Global Entry program, where for a fee, and after passing a background check, one can use automation that is significantly faster, but they pay a fee for that service above what the others pay for the basic service.

Countries that charge a premium govt imposed tax to fly C or F, IMHO should be able to provide a premium service, provided that that fee has money that goes into the service for which the passengers get the benefit of. The US 7.% tax, that increases in revenue based on ticket cost, is not sent to th DHS, as their taxes are separate and flat per ticketed passener.

But seeing as the security costs are basically fixed (full-time employees, equipment, space, electricity, bureaucracy) frequent flyers pay FAR more on an annual basis towards security. I suppose the same could not necessarily be said for premium cabin paxs. But in many (most?) cases they are the same people.

But seeing as the security costs are basically fixed (full-time employees, equipment, space, electricity, bureaucracy) frequent flyers pay FAR more on an annual basis towards security. I suppose the same could not necessarily be said for premium cabin paxs. But in many (most?) cases they are the same people.

They mare fixed per usage, but that useage is repeated more times for a frequent flyer. They use the manpower each time they fly in, not just 1 time per year It is a useage fee, not a person fee as the same checks are done each time a person immigrates. The costs are NOT fixed as at ORD, during the NATO summit, the number of INS agents was doubled, they hired ot and brought in agents from all over the country for the increased demand. Costs are relative to volumes and are far from fixed.

At ORD no help for immigration/customs but access to GS side entrance to security checkpoint if connecting from International Terminal to Domestic. Does not have to be full fare Global First.

I've done this before, and I know others have as well, but apparently my in-laws were given a LOT of S from the agents in the GS room about trying to clear through there after coming of HKG-ORD and connecting. Agent snapped at them and said it was ONLY for departing Int'l F pax (and GS).

Someone tell me we just got a bad / rogue agent.

Money can't buy you everything. Get in line. :)

Yes it can.

Eliminating those who have bought Global Entry, regardless of how much you pay for your ticket, the immigration/inspection fees for any passenger of a given country are the same. This goes to the govt and IMHO should be not treated with favoritism. Perhaps if the DHS wants to price differentialy based on line wait, this would be a system worth looking into, but as it is now, it is a flat fee vs a scaled fee tax for a service that should be equal to all.

In an imaginary socialist world that does not exist in the U.S, that might sound ideal. In the real world, it fails to take into account wealth, power, and position. Those who have it won't be waiting in a long queue.

Your comparison is a false one. The OP wasn't looking for a government or airport-sponsored elite line; he was looking for an airline employee to help him circumvent a line.

Yes, that's how these things work in the U.S.

Efficient service for all is a reasonable aspiration.

And socialist and not present in modern day U.S.

The fact is that those with the right connections are met at the jetway and escorted past immigration counters without breaking stride.

No one ever said life is fair.

Yes it can.



In an imaginary socialist world that does not exist in the U.S, that might sound ideal. In the real world, it fails to take into account wealth, power, and position. Those who have it won't be waiting in a long queue.



Yes, that's how these things work in the U.S.



And socialist and not present in modern day U.S.

The fact is that those with the right connections are met at the jetway and escorted past immigration counters without breaking stride.

No one ever said life is fair.

Travelling in first class is already far from socialism. I guess my original question simply was whether having bought a F-ticket also came with the perk of not having to suffer the immigration lines. Something which other airlines offer for F-class pax - also in the US.
It seems the answer is 'sometimes' - for GS, for people with tight connections (if of sufficient status and in C or F) , but Im not really any wiser as to whether it will apply to me as a simple *G in paid F. From what I read here I guess I shouldn't get my hopes up? Isn't this part of what the concierges did in the old days ?

Travelling in first class is already far from socialism. I guess my original question simply was whether having bought a F-ticket also came with the perk of not having to suffer the immigration lines. Something which other airlines offer for F-class pax - also in the US.
It seems the answer is 'sometimes' - for GS, for people with tight connections (if of sufficient status and in C or F) , but Im not really any wiser as to whether it will apply to me as a simple *G in paid F. From what I read here I guess I shouldn't get my hopes up? Isn't this part of what the concierges did in the old days ?

Basically the answer is pretty much no. If they know you're arriving late and on a misconnect they may send an agent to the gate who can try and get you in through the occasionally operating disabled access line in SFO immigration (seen that before, feeds into the US resident lines so usually quicker, but many times I've been there doesn't actually seem to be working so YMMV), but don't expect it otherwise. There is no generic fasttrack line at SFO for anyone on any airline that I've ever seen in the UA side of the international terminal. Basically in order for these things to exist at any airport anywhere the airline has to pay the immigration people to do it (as UA do at LAX for their dedicated customs facility that runs in the mornings at T6/7). No money, no special privileges. Even then this is generically much rarer in the US than elsewhere.