MilesBuzz! - Elite check-in w/non-Elite Companion?

Would like to know which airlines, if any or all, allow for a non elite/preferred member to check in via the elite/preferred counter when traveling with an elite/preferred member.

Experiences?
With respect to Cont/NWest, particularly. United? Others? Official or permitted?
Many thanks.

I think most airlines allow non-elites to check-in with elites - airlines that I've personally checked-in a non-elite - AC, UA, LH - airlines on which my Dad has checked me in with him - DL, AC.

I don't know whether it's an official policy or not - but I can't see any airline forcing spouses/partners/colleagues/siblings to separate during check-in.

Also, generally speaking, you can bring at least 1 (non-elite) companion into the lounge with you - but that's not always true especially when accessing a partner airline's lounge.

LH and AC allow families (provided children are on some form of good behavior) into their lounges and at "gold" check in. I have never encountered problems with lounges or elite check in lines even when people were not travelling on same itinerary as me. I have even got up to 4 non-elite companions into the Air Canada lounge (when it wasn't busy).

United seems to be pretty good about this; I once checked in my step-daughter at the Premier checkin line (I wasn't flying, only she was; the regular line had about 100 people in it and there were only 2 or 3 in the Premier line) and they didn't give me any trouble about it..

I find it's like the 10 items or less at the supermarket.

They never kick out one person with 15 items. If there were 10 people on line with 30 items, that's another story...

Up to a party of 6 I had NEVER a problem to check in at:

UA: 1K (or if no 1K there, with national First or international business)
AC/LH/TG/RG/SK: StarAlliance Gold = business (if international first is wide open the take me there)
SR: business

Lounge:
UA: as Red Carpet member: Family members always welcome, even when not having the same name (mother in law, partner of my daughter) - only exception for me so far RCC in LHR were even I didn't get access after arrival.
When travelling international FirstClass (even after arrival and waiting for connections in the US) UA allows two non-travelling guests at their First Class Lounge (so in IAD, ORD and in Frankfurt).
StarAlliance lounges (with UA Red Carpet or 1K): guest-policy depends on the mood of the personnel (never a problem with AC in YVR, no problems with LH in Frankfurt & Duesseldorf but no guest access with LH in Munich).

I've done this many times, both as the elite and the non-elite. Never with a problem.

Once, I even used my Continental elite status, to expedite the checkin of one very cute young lady(sans wedding band also). And once to help a nice elderly couple who thought the coach line was too long.

We are not only among the saviest of travelers but the nicest! http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif


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:) CATMAN :)

... my new "business" idea: offering my fast-check-in-help" discretly - what amount of tips shall I budget?

I can't imagine any airline not allowing a non-elite companion to check-in with an elite member. If it happened to my companion I'd be @#%& off!

I have always found that if you go to any desk and look like you belong they will check you in, it makes no odds if you are elite or not, or what class of travel you are in.

I use which ever desk takes my fancy and have NEVER been refused - on a couple of occassions I have been told "just so you know for next time, you shouldn't really check in here", but they never refuse.


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Nick

I also have never had any problems checking in with my family who are all non-elites. We mostly fly DL or one of its partners and even when I'm not travelling, I've been able to check them in at the first class / medallion counter. However, I did have one bad time when I was travelling with BA from LHR Terminal Four. I went to the "Late Check-in" line which was empty and attempted to check-in. After initially refusing to check me in, the clerk was convinced and finally checked me in. BA may be more rigid with its rules and procedures than most other carriers.

arturo alweighs hav eleet companon. nun of arturos companons uglie.

I have also had success using this ploy to get companions traveling upgraded in hotels. Most recently, checking in at the Waldorf at a seminar, flashed the Gold VIP upon check-in to get an upgraded room. One of my law firm partners was also attending, we went up to registration together, and partner got an upgraded room also, at the same convention rate.

Having companions along is actually sometimes UNHELPFUL.
DJLawman, I turned down an upfront ticket b/c as an associate I thought it would be bad form to sit in FC as an associate while a partner (my boss) was in back. (Even though he was the one who made me commute IAH-ELP for 3 months and allowed me to earn much of my elite status.)

UA at Maui:
Checked in at the Premier line with my girfriend's family (4, all non-elite) with no problem, despite the facts that:
* our tickets are not together (5 people, 3 record locator ID),
* lots of luggage,
* and that my name shown on my ticket (Ken) is not my official name (Yung-Kai)!

For the last item, I brought plenty of documentation, just in case, to show that I am indeed the person travelling.

DL has always let me check in with my wife at the First Class/Medallion station. Now that she is Silver Medallion in her own right, it's not a question. However, we were travelling last month with a third party - not related - who is not even a DL Sky Miles member, and she had no problem checking in with us at the Medallion station.

I've always had good success on BA and UA. Somehow it seems quicker to check in two people at once rather than two serially.