Can I get mileage credit by checking in, but not boarding?
#16
Moderator: United Airlines
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: SFO
Programs: UA Plat 1.99MM, Hyatt Discoverist, Marriott Plat/LT Gold, Hilton Silver, IHG Plat
Posts: 66,567
Once on a really early flight I forgot to pick up my carry on before I boarded, then when I went to put it in the bin realized I didn't have it. When I went back out to the gate, the agent stopped me on the way out and made me hand over my bp, which she then returned after I'd grabbed my bag and come back to re-board.
#17
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: LAS HNL
Programs: DL DM, 5.7 MM, UA 3.1 MM, MARRIOTT PLATINUM, AVIS FIRST, Amex Black Card
Posts: 4,479
I have boarded a plane a few times in the past and left for personal reasons. I got the miles and never thought anything about it. The flts left on time. I did not ask for a refund. These were business trips mainly LAX-SFO or LAS-SFO/DEN. I also did not care if I got the miles - but I did. These were on UA. I have also done the same thing on AS, AA and DL (all domestic). I think an International flt might be a huge difference.
#18
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: NYC / TYO / Up in the Air
Programs: UA 1k (12 year fallen GS) 1.7MM, AA 2.1MM, EK, BA, SQ, CX, Marriot LT, Accor P
Posts: 6,190
I have boarded a plane a few times in the past and left for personal reasons. I got the miles and never thought anything about it. The flts left on time. I did not ask for a refund. These were business trips mainly LAX-SFO or LAS-SFO/DEN. I also did not care if I got the miles - but I did. These were on UA. I have also done the same thing on AS, AA and DL (all domestic). I think an International flt might be a huge difference.
#19
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: ORD
Programs: UA Silver
Posts: 1,818
Oh come one really? When they do a final count - which they do 99% of the time - and see you are missing - it's a real security issue and also multiple other issues - and then you delay the flight and everyone else on it while they try and figure out why you aren't on the plane even though you scanned your BP - all for mileage credit? That's just wrong, IMO....
Just don't do it.
#20
Join Date: Nov 1999
Location: if it's Thursday, this must be Belgium
Programs: UA 1K MM
Posts: 6,481
I cannot believe some people are being so casual or even suggesting that this is remotely a good idea.
BOARDING A PLANE AND THEN SNEAKING OFF BY AVOIDING TELLING THE GATE AGENT IS A MASSIVE SECURITY ISSUE, AND I WOULD GO SO FAR AS TO SAY THIS MAY BE ILLEGAL.
Don't even think about doing this.
BOARDING A PLANE AND THEN SNEAKING OFF BY AVOIDING TELLING THE GATE AGENT IS A MASSIVE SECURITY ISSUE, AND I WOULD GO SO FAR AS TO SAY THIS MAY BE ILLEGAL.
Don't even think about doing this.
#22
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: LAS HNL
Programs: DL DM, 5.7 MM, UA 3.1 MM, MARRIOTT PLATINUM, AVIS FIRST, Amex Black Card
Posts: 4,479
First off I do not check bags, if that matters on a domestic USA flt. I do not think it does.
Second, I am usually called to go to another city for a major problem within my company. I leave one plane, buy a new ticket and board the other flight.
I am already past the TSA - so I am cleared to board whatever flt I want to board. What is the problem?
This happens many times. I have offices all over the USA. If I am flying LAS-DEN who cares if I get off and fly to SFO?
Second, I am usually called to go to another city for a major problem within my company. I leave one plane, buy a new ticket and board the other flight.
I am already past the TSA - so I am cleared to board whatever flt I want to board. What is the problem?
This happens many times. I have offices all over the USA. If I am flying LAS-DEN who cares if I get off and fly to SFO?
#23
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 1999
Location: New York, NY, USA
Posts: 12,461
Just google KE858. Passenger left a device in overhead bin then sneaked off plane. You know what happened to KE858.
TSA has gotten lax over the years. In years right after 911, any passenger getting off would have triggered a security breach which entails entire flight be re-screened.
TSA has gotten lax over the years. In years right after 911, any passenger getting off would have triggered a security breach which entails entire flight be re-screened.
#24
Join Date: Apr 2015
Location: IAD
Posts: 731
Also there is a safety aspect to this. The manifest is based on BPs scanned at the gate. If the flight crew needs to declare an emergency ATC will ask for "souls on board" i.e. total of paxs and crew (also remains in hold, but there is a whole other story). In the event of a crash rescue crews may be looking for the last "missing" pax.
BTW if you need to leave a flight just let the GA know and they can offload you. Granted you will not get mileage for the flight.
BTW if you need to leave a flight just let the GA know and they can offload you. Granted you will not get mileage for the flight.
#25
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: LAS HNL
Programs: DL DM, 5.7 MM, UA 3.1 MM, MARRIOTT PLATINUM, AVIS FIRST, Amex Black Card
Posts: 4,479
Just google KE858. Passenger left a device in overhead bin then sneaked off plane. You know what happened to KE858.
TSA has gotten lax over the years. In years right after 911, any passenger getting off would have triggered a security breach which entails entire flight be re-screened.
TSA has gotten lax over the years. In years right after 911, any passenger getting off would have triggered a security breach which entails entire flight be re-screened.
#26
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: PHX
Programs: AS 75K; UA 1MM; Hyatt Globalist; Marriott LTP; Hilton Diamond (Aspire)
Posts: 56,291
Just google KE858. Passenger left a device in overhead bin then sneaked off plane. You know what happened to KE858.
TSA has gotten lax over the years. In years right after 911, any passenger getting off would have triggered a security breach which entails entire flight be re-screened.
TSA has gotten lax over the years. In years right after 911, any passenger getting off would have triggered a security breach which entails entire flight be re-screened.
#27
Join Date: Nov 1999
Location: if it's Thursday, this must be Belgium
Programs: UA 1K MM
Posts: 6,481
Surely you can understand what the difference and problem with that is.
#28
Join Date: Apr 2014
Posts: 1,765
I personally think the universal policy should be once u check in, you should automatically receive the mileages. After all, you already have paid for your fare, airlines have received your money, even if you forfeit your money, you should still be allowed your mileage.
Maybe you can ask the gate agent to scan your bp and let you go?
Maybe you can ask the gate agent to scan your bp and let you go?
Last edited by WineCountryUA; Oct 13, 2015 at 1:12 pm Reason: merging consecutive posts by same member
#29
Join Date: Nov 1999
Location: if it's Thursday, this must be Belgium
Programs: UA 1K MM
Posts: 6,481
Stop giving this guy false hope. There is no way to get the miles without sitting your a$$ in the seat and taking the flight.
No gate agent will agree to do something this dumb and against the rules.
#30
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: Houston
Programs: UA - 1K, Marriott - Gold, Hilton - Gold, Global Entry,
Posts: 630
If the ticket cost $149, the max mileage you'd get out of it is probably ~1300 - 1400 if you are a 1K or GS. If you don't have any status, you are looking at 600ish miles. Is it really worth a trip to the airport and the hassle to try to board the plane for those miles?