How Do Certs Work at the Gate?
 

Just used SSWUs for the first time as freshly minted Elite. Called in to to book the upgrades four days before the flights and got a confirmed upgraded seat which printed on my advance check-in BP.

When I was at the gate, it didn't look like the GA was expecting me to hand them over the SSWU cert - but they took it anyway. Is there something that flags them to ask for the cert? I see CERT in small letters on the BP, but I'm wondering if I just show a BP that says seat 1D, what happens.

Welcome to FT!

I think at some airports, the system will show CERT and CERT types in ALL CAPITAL LETTERS; in your case, it should show RED CERT on the screen to remind GA to collect the correct cert (SSWU).

Some non-AC based airports, Check-in agents / GA may just dun care.. Hopefully I am correct :p

They are supposed to collect the cert. In my experience, sometimes it happens when you check in, and sometimes at the gate. The agent is alerted by the CERT on the BP and by a flag on the computer screen. Occasionally they don't ask, and occasionally they ask for a cert that was collected on the first leg of a multi-flight trip.

So does that mean if they don't pull the cert it effectively has not been used, or do they track the number of certs you have available and would not allow you to use more than you were issued?

I have often not been asked for my certs
 

Three of four times now on short haul - YUL-YYZ, I have not been asked for a cert when at the gate. I always wait the the gate agent to ask...sometimes they don't. I have always been asked on transatlantic flights though - they seem to be more diligent on those flights.

D

If they don't pull it then you can use it on another flight. I've been on quite a few flights where they don't pull the cert, every time I have had it hand however, but if they don't ask, I don't give.

So knowing the rules, you purposely didn't give them the cert? Yet when they screw up, you come on FT to cry? Shame on you.

My experience with certs is in Canada the BP have cert printed on it and they are collected at the gate. When using certs from the US they are collected when you check in and no "cert" is on the BP. Now and again no one has asked so why offer. As well when a flight is delayed some GAs give you a free ride.

Why is that not surprising.

I find that being friendly with the GA's can get you off the hook sometimes - I'll always offer it and say "I guess you need to take this?" and once in awhile they smile and say "you can keep it". Once they offered and I still gave it to them, and asked the nice GA to pay it forward since I have loads of used ones this year... but this has only ever been with SWUs... The RED SSWUs they grab :D

I am always happy to use up and give a cert to the GA. I have it in my hand ready to turn in whether it is asked for or not.

If not using online checkin, the checkin agents usually staple the cert to the back of boarding pass (not always). Also, write some notation by hand in addition to the pre-printed CERT notation on the BP.

Cert is usually collected at the gate. However, IIRC, in some cases (HKG and LAS) certs were taken at checkin counter. (I usually request that a note is made that the cert has been lifted/taken at checkin.)

I've also seen the gate agent come on board the plane to ask for certs.

I always have it ready to hand over, feels like stealing to me if I don't.

On short hauls, I have sometimes asked in a friendly way if I can "trade" a handful of blue certs for a non eligibile fare (i.e. requires a red SSWU) - once in awhile that works for me.

[QUOTE]Cert is usually collected at the gate. However, IIRC, in some cases (HKG and LAS) certs were taken at checkin counter. (I usually request that a note is made that the cert has been lifted/taken at checkin.)[/QUOTE]

This is especially important when upgrading connecting flights.

Cheers,

Yes, be sure that they've made a note. It once happened to me that the silly check-in person at LGA took my cert and forgot to put a note, and the GA for my onward flight from YUL was quite witheringly satirical.

Interesting (though not really surprising). Can anyone else report greater flexibility with Plain than Fancy SWUs ?

Happened to me once in FRA. I had checked in the same morning in GVA on an LH flight. I wasn't asked for a cert at the gate (slipped my mind at the time), but the lead agent tracked me down before pushback looking for the cert.
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