Can you go through security a day early?
Feb 16, 2014, 9:11 pm
#16
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It's a CATSA issue not an AC issue. Valid examples are the Domestic MLL at YYC. If you came off a domestic flight and connect to the US, or just going straight to a transborder flight it would be nice to access the domestic MLL.
At times it's allowed if you're flight is on AC, but generally CATSA seems unhappy about it and as I understand it doesn't allow gate passes.
Originally Posted by aircanada_loyal
There has to be a simpler way: AC should just allow a guest pass (when requested), so that non-passengers can spend the last few minutes with their loved ones, until they board the aircraft. I imagine there is probably very few people who would take advantage of this (elderly/young passengers, disabled passengers, passengers with language issues, etc...) So, if people honestly ask why they need to accompany their passengers to airside, I am sure Air Canada will oblige and agree.
On the other hand, I can see people misusing this...imagine someone living close to an airport, buying a latitude fare, clearing security, having breakfast or lunch at the MLL, and then cancelling their ticket, and going home. This is very unfair to those who are paying significant 'real' dollars to fly.
On the other hand, I can see people misusing this...imagine someone living close to an airport, buying a latitude fare, clearing security, having breakfast or lunch at the MLL, and then cancelling their ticket, and going home. This is very unfair to those who are paying significant 'real' dollars to fly.
At times it's allowed if you're flight is on AC, but generally CATSA seems unhappy about it and as I understand it doesn't allow gate passes.
Feb 16, 2014, 9:12 pm
#17
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Someone at ticketing once told me you couldn't do the 24hr refund on a Tango/Flex if you had already checked in. Not sure if this is accurate, or if you could just get unloaded, but Lat seems like the safer bet.
Originally Posted by Tedgrrrr
Instead of buying latitude, buy a tango fare, which you can cancel within 24 hours of purchase, right up to flight time (or at least 2 hours before). So book last flight of the day (on the day of travel), and cancel as soon as you get in the lounge. Tada full refund straight to your CC.
Feb 16, 2014, 9:29 pm
#18
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As for booking a LAT fare and cancelling or abusing free guest passes, there is definitely scope for misuse:
http://www.ndtv.com/article/offbeat/...-lounge-477836
This gentleman in China did the equivalent every day for nearly a year just to scarf the free meal in the lounge...
Feb 16, 2014, 9:40 pm
#19
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There has to be a simpler way: AC should just allow a guest pass (when requested), so that non-passengers can spend the last few minutes with their loved ones, until they board the aircraft. I imagine there is probably very few people who would take advantage of this (elderly/young passengers, disabled passengers, passengers with language issues, etc...) So, if people honestly ask why they need to accompany their passengers to airside, I am sure Air Canada will oblige and agree.
Feb 16, 2014, 10:34 pm
#20
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Can you go through security a day early?
Yes. I remember an earlier post on this forum about the "good ol' days" when you could simply visit the MLL without a ticket. The agents would simply give you a pass and you could visit the lounge anytime.
Feb 16, 2014, 11:32 pm
#21
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It's a CATSA issue not an AC issue. Valid examples are the Domestic MLL at YYC. If you came off a domestic flight and connect to the US, or just going straight to a transborder flight it would be nice to access the domestic MLL.
It's a CATSA issue not an AC issue. Valid examples are the Domestic MLL at YYC. If you came off a domestic flight and connect to the US, or just going straight to a transborder flight it would be nice to access the domestic MLL.
Feb 16, 2014, 11:34 pm
#22
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You sure can. Cancel check in once you are through security.
I wonder how long it is before AC 'flags' this type of behaviour, just from reading posts on here it seems like booking flights to access airside/lounge then cancel is becoming increasingly popular.
I could see the day where they state change fees will apply to cancelled tickets once you are airside. They currently can't do this, I asked CATSA when the boarding pass scanning came into security if airlines would now know if passengers were at the airport or not, to prevent holding flights and paging for absent customers.
I wonder how long it is before AC 'flags' this type of behaviour, just from reading posts on here it seems like booking flights to access airside/lounge then cancel is becoming increasingly popular.
I could see the day where they state change fees will apply to cancelled tickets once you are airside. They currently can't do this, I asked CATSA when the boarding pass scanning came into security if airlines would now know if passengers were at the airport or not, to prevent holding flights and paging for absent customers.
Also, at LHR, some airlines are participating in a program where the airline and security work to ensure people aren't running to catch flights they are late for. If you don't show up at security within X minutes of the flight, you're sent back to check in to be rebooked - no running through the airport to try and catch your flight. Don't know if AC partcipates, but was started with BA in T5 and other carriers like UA are part of it now. Of course, wouldn't stop the OPs situation, but shows that airlines and security can work together at some level.
Feb 17, 2014, 6:27 am
#23
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If people on this thread are taking about booking tickets they intend to cancel to go through security and access the lounge, I wonder how many would make fake reservations in order to secure an upgrade? Sort of like "holding" (by booking) three or four seats so they don't sell, and then cancelling them one or two hours before the flight. You'd really have to be an SE though to guarantee this would work. Hope I didn't give anyone any ideas. 
Feb 17, 2014, 8:21 am
#24
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Thank you all for the answers (this turned into a bigger discussion than I expected). And I do appreciate the answers!!
And while I really do appreciate some of the creative thinking, I will probably refrain from scamming the system as I try to be honest
.
A few people did ask why I would bother - so since you want to know! We've ended up living in separate cities (YVR / YYC) for the last 18 months, and with my 115,000 mile / year domestic schedule time together is often hard to come by.
And while I really do appreciate some of the creative thinking, I will probably refrain from scamming the system as I try to be honest
. A few people did ask why I would bother - so since you want to know! We've ended up living in separate cities (YVR / YYC) for the last 18 months, and with my 115,000 mile / year domestic schedule time together is often hard to come by.
Feb 17, 2014, 11:39 am
#25
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Feb 17, 2014, 11:55 pm
#26
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If people on this thread are taking about booking tickets they intend to cancel to go through security and access the lounge, I wonder how many would make fake reservations in order to secure an upgrade? Sort of like "holding" (by booking) three or four seats so they don't sell, and then cancelling them one or two hours before the flight. You'd really have to be an SE though to guarantee this would work. Hope I didn't give anyone any ideas.
Feb 18, 2014, 12:35 am
#27
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I can see buying a Y fare to get into a lounge, as you can justify cancelling it ("My boss called, and said [he needs me back at work|the trip is no longer necessary]").
However, you buying a Flex fare for flight 123 and then six Business fares, and then cancelling just the business fares right at T-2, would throw up so many red flags.
Feb 18, 2014, 8:52 am
#28
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If people on this thread are taking about booking tickets they intend to cancel to go through security and access the lounge, I wonder how many would make fake reservations in order to secure an upgrade? Sort of like "holding" (by booking) three or four seats so they don't sell, and then cancelling them one or two hours before the flight. You'd really have to be an SE though to guarantee this would work. Hope I didn't give anyone any ideas.
Feb 18, 2014, 12:12 pm
#29
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