SAS Smart Pass - working properly?
Aug 25, 2014, 2:45 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: Bergen, Norway
Programs: SAS EBG, BA Bronze, Thon Gold, Nordic Choice Silver
Posts: 65
SAS Smart Pass - working properly?
Does anyone ever have any luck with their Smart Pass?
I often manage to print baggage tags and get through the gate to security control using the smart-pass but when I come to actually board the plane, I can't remember the last time it worked.
Does anyone know what might be happening for my Smart Pass to be working sometimes but not always? Or is it their system? Yesterday was no problem until I hit the gate, but then it flashed red instead of green and I ended up holding up the queue!
I often manage to print baggage tags and get through the gate to security control using the smart-pass but when I come to actually board the plane, I can't remember the last time it worked.
Does anyone know what might be happening for my Smart Pass to be working sometimes but not always? Or is it their system? Yesterday was no problem until I hit the gate, but then it flashed red instead of green and I ended up holding up the queue!
Aug 25, 2014, 4:03 pm
#2
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Koala Lemur
Programs: SK EBD LTG (*G)
Posts: 2,447
It rarely works at gates in my experience. It works in the lounge and security. Based on talking to gate agents, and a bit of IT insight, there is a bug in the implementation of the reader. It disconnects and suspends after some timeout. At the gates, the reader is used rarely, perhaps every hour or so, during the boarding process, so it manages to disconnect. At the fast-track and in the lounge, the readers are used continuously so they work fine (do not time out).
Now it has been so ever since they introduced this gimmick, and it surprises me that they have been unable to force the vendor to fix it... I suppose that they don't make the system themselves ...
Now it has been so ever since they introduced this gimmick, and it surprises me that they have been unable to force the vendor to fix it... I suppose that they don't make the system themselves ...
Aug 26, 2014, 4:02 am
#4
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: OSL
Programs: SK Diamond, LH SEN, KL Ivory, AY Basic, OZ silver
Posts: 1,103
I have used it once recently, after forgetting my boarding pass in the lounge and standing at gate B10 in CPH. It actually worked for me. I guess I was lucky then. 
Aug 26, 2014, 3:10 pm
#5
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: CPH
Programs: SK-EBD
Posts: 1,273
After a long period with very bad results (worse at the gate than at fast track/lounge) I had almost stopping using it.
But recently it has improved quite a lot. Last week: worked at security/lounge/gate in CPH. And at fast track/lounge in GOT. And yesterday at security/lounge/gate again in CPH. And today at security/gate at AAL.
But recently it has improved quite a lot. Last week: worked at security/lounge/gate in CPH. And at fast track/lounge in GOT. And yesterday at security/lounge/gate again in CPH. And today at security/gate at AAL.
Aug 27, 2014, 4:13 am
#6
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: AGH
Posts: 5,975
I never use it - what is the point actually? Is it any better than swiping the card or scanning the BP (either the mobile or printed)?
The only thing I see, is that it shows "You're Gold - since you got the tag".
The only thing I see, is that it shows "You're Gold - since you got the tag".
Last edited by fassy; Aug 27, 2014 at 4:32 am
Aug 27, 2014, 5:02 am
#7
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Koala Lemur
Programs: SK EBD LTG (*G)
Posts: 2,447
I was skeptical initially, exactly as you say. But the truth is that the card I need to pull out of my wallet, which is often hidden much deeper than my phone. A phone is really an improvement, especially if you drag a roller-bag behind you, and have no free second hand to operate the wallet.
Arguably, this is not much ...
Another advantage is to avoid taking your credit card needlessly (if you are using a combined card), and that without suffering one more card in the wallet.
However none of these really deserves humiliation at the gate, when boarding and the thing does not work.
Arguably, this is not much ...
Another advantage is to avoid taking your credit card needlessly (if you are using a combined card), and that without suffering one more card in the wallet.
However none of these really deserves humiliation at the gate, when boarding and the thing does not work.
Aug 27, 2014, 6:27 am
#8
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: AGH
Posts: 5,975
I never travel without credit cards anyway... my primary form of payment - I agree that it doesn't make it easier to pull the card out of the wallet but the SAS app with the mobile boarding pass is never a problem.
I still plan to read the tag into the phone memory... need to find some time.
I still plan to read the tag into the phone memory... need to find some time.
Aug 27, 2014, 8:22 am
#9
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: HEL
Programs: AY, SK, TK
Posts: 7,598
I am seeing quite a few people in meetings who like to have their phones upside down on meeting table
Aug 27, 2014, 11:39 pm
#11
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: CPH
Programs: SK-EBD
Posts: 1,273
I won’t bet on a bright future for the NFC, though.
Aug 28, 2014, 12:27 am
#12
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: CPH
Programs: EBG, HHonors Gold, Club Carlson Elite
Posts: 68
Brgds
llunow
Aug 28, 2014, 12:32 am
#13
Join Date: May 2014
Location: CPH
Programs: EBP/SK*G, M&M FT, HH Diamond, SPG Gold, Sixt Diamond
Posts: 65
Personally I love th Passbook BPs on my iPhone, and I can't recognize your issues with having to unlock the phone. My BP simply shows up on the lock screen few hours before departure, and you only have to swipe the notification itself in order to have th BP show up on screen. No need for pin or fingerprint.
Brgds
llunow
Brgds
llunow
Aug 28, 2014, 4:38 am
#14
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Koala Lemur
Programs: SK EBD LTG (*G)
Posts: 2,447
I think this is how the real passbook works (on an iphone). Neither SAS app, nor passbook clones (that I know), do that on Android phones. Plus you still need to have your phone charged for this to work.
(if there is a good passbook clone for android that I missed, please let me know)
(if there is a good passbook clone for android that I missed, please let me know)
Aug 29, 2014, 5:39 pm
#15
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: CPH
Programs: SK-EBD
Posts: 1,273
Personally I love th Passbook BPs on my iPhone, and I can't recognize your issues with having to unlock the phone. My BP simply shows up on the lock screen few hours before departure, and you only have to swipe the notification itself in order to have th BP show up on screen. No need for pin or fingerprint.
Brgds
llunow
Brgds
llunow
I have of course noticed the symbol on the front page, when the phone was sleepy, but never thought that it gave direct access to the Passbook. But it does!