Will TSA Allow Entry to a Terminal for Lounge Access?
Jan 11, 2018, 5:57 pm
#16
Join Date: Jun 2008
Posts: 2,202
I am a UA Club member. Recently, I had some time at DCA to 'kill', before flying out on AA (Terminal C); the UA Club is located in Terminal B. I obtained a gate pass at the UA check-in counter. While UA rules allow a gate pass for lounge access (with a same day boarding pass), the agent did everything she could to discourage me. That said, I had no issue at TSA, except that pre-check does not apply to gate passes.
Jan 16, 2018, 3:44 pm
#17
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Verdi, NV, SFO & Olympic (aka Squaw )Valley.
Programs: Ikon Pass Full + AS Gold + Marriott Titanium + Hilton Gold. Recovering UA Plat. LT lounge AA+DL+UA
Posts: 3,823
I am a UA Club member. Recently, I had some time at DCA to 'kill', before flying out on AA (Terminal C); the UA Club is located in Terminal B. I obtained a gate pass at the UA check-in counter. While UA rules allow a gate pass for lounge access (with a same day boarding pass), the agent did everything she could to discourage me. That said, I had no issue at TSA, except that pre-check does not apply to gate passes.
Jan 16, 2018, 5:47 pm
#18
Join Date: Jun 2008
Posts: 2,202
It is my understanding that UA recently changed their policy to require a same-day boarding pass, on any airline, for Club access; staff may be able to print a gate pass should they see you have an alternative boarding pass, but the TSA should let you through the checkpoint anyways so whats the point? AFAIK AA still allows Admirals Club members access to the lounge for a "declared business purpose" which means meeting someone flying that day.
Jan 17, 2018, 12:30 pm
#19
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Verdi, NV, SFO & Olympic (aka Squaw )Valley.
Programs: Ikon Pass Full + AS Gold + Marriott Titanium + Hilton Gold. Recovering UA Plat. LT lounge AA+DL+UA
Posts: 3,823
Jan 17, 2018, 1:56 pm
#20
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: SNA
Programs: Bonvoy LTTE/AMB, AmEx Plat, National EE, WN A-List, CLEAR+, Covid-19
Posts: 4,963
The issue I have encountered is that at large airports, there are often contract agents (such as Eulen America), working on behalf of the airlines, that police the entry to the lines, to make sure that only PreCheck pax are in the PreCheck line, Premium class pax are in the Priority line, verify carry-on luggage size/quantity, etc. Those agents sometimes will refuse to let you through without a boarding pass for an airline that departs from the specific terminal behind that checkpoint. You might need to ask for a supervisor ...
Jan 21, 2018, 2:54 pm
#21
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2002
Location: NYC, USA
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With all due respect, absolutely not. Even minimally-trained contract agents deserve to be treated with common courtesy. If they are not familiar with your request and deny you, don't be rude--simply ask for a supervisor. Never just blow past them. If you do, they or their supervisors might decide to summon LEOs, and you could be arrested for attempting to circumvent airport security procedures--a very serious offense in today's world, and one that could land you on all sorts of unpleasant government lists.
Jan 22, 2018, 4:32 pm
#22
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: SNA
Programs: Bonvoy LTTE/AMB, AmEx Plat, National EE, WN A-List, CLEAR+, Covid-19
Posts: 4,963
One of 'em squeaked at ONT, and called for the attention of the TDC, who shrugged her off, checked my docs, and let me thru w/o incident.
Jan 22, 2018, 9:17 pm
#23
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend, Moderator, Information Desk, Ambassador, Alaska Airlines
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That may be the newish reality, But, Alaska Lounges will arrange for you to clear security even when you aren’t traveling IF you book their meeting room. That could come in handy if you were a member and needed to meet someone transiting the airport in one of the locations where they have a lounge.
