Buying a Refundable AS ticket for Express Purpose of Using AS Lounge
Apr 11, 2023, 3:17 pm
#31
Join Date: Apr 2003
Programs: B6 Mosaic, Bonvoy LT Titanium (x SPG LT), IHG Spire, UA Silver
Posts: 5,849
The main thing to consider is what you intend to do when accessing the lounge. AS does not have lounges with extensive gourmet food buffets, spa services, etc. so it is unclear how much you would really gain through the entry and whether buying a refundable ticket and refunding it would be worth your time.
That said, people buy and cancel refundable tickets without issue. WN even uses that as a selling point for their business select and anytime fares which can be refunded directly in their app up to 10 minutes before departure time. Quick and easy. Some people need flexible tickets as they may need to change destinations or some business negotiation, legal action, etc may be delayed or cancelled--or may even be even meet somebody in a lounge. Not a big deal at all.
If you are regularly buying refundable tickets for the sole purpose of entering a lounge, this is where you can get into trouble--but again, an AS lounge is not worth the trouble if you are just looking for some space or food.
That said, people buy and cancel refundable tickets without issue. WN even uses that as a selling point for their business select and anytime fares which can be refunded directly in their app up to 10 minutes before departure time. Quick and easy. Some people need flexible tickets as they may need to change destinations or some business negotiation, legal action, etc may be delayed or cancelled--or may even be even meet somebody in a lounge. Not a big deal at all.
If you are regularly buying refundable tickets for the sole purpose of entering a lounge, this is where you can get into trouble--but again, an AS lounge is not worth the trouble if you are just looking for some space or food.
Apr 11, 2023, 3:22 pm
#32
Join Date: May 2009
Location: EUG
Programs: AS MVP, AA MM, HH Diamond, MR Gold
Posts: 8,220
I have a question for him about boarding passes, maybe someone here knows.
He has to check in and get a BP from the airline/flight he is actually flying.
He also has to check in and get a BP from AS to get past security and into the lounge he wants to go to.
Is there any airline cross-referencing software that will say "hey, this guy already has a BP for today"?
He has to check in and get a BP from the airline/flight he is actually flying.
He also has to check in and get a BP from AS to get past security and into the lounge he wants to go to.
Is there any airline cross-referencing software that will say "hey, this guy already has a BP for today"?
Apr 11, 2023, 3:29 pm
#33
Join Date: May 2013
Location: SEA
Programs: AS MVP Gold 100K
Posts: 2,030
Just so you know, there are people who use the airlines for time critical transportation of things like human organs, that due to the nature of the work, book very last minute (like 2-3 hours before departure). When you book a seat that you have no intention of using you make that seat unavailable and potentially add time or make getting to a location impossible. Be considerate of others, make full use of your rightful benefits, but don't try to scam and steal.
Apr 11, 2023, 3:32 pm
#34
Join Date: May 2013
Location: SEA
Programs: AS MVP Gold 100K
Posts: 2,030
I have a question for him about boarding passes, maybe someone here knows.
He has to check in and get a BP from the airline/flight he is actually flying.
He also has to check in and get a BP from AS to get past security and into the lounge he wants to go to.
Is there any airline cross-referencing software that will say "hey, this guy already has a BP for today"?
He has to check in and get a BP from the airline/flight he is actually flying.
He also has to check in and get a BP from AS to get past security and into the lounge he wants to go to.
Is there any airline cross-referencing software that will say "hey, this guy already has a BP for today"?
Apr 11, 2023, 3:40 pm
#35
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2017
Programs: AS 75K, DL Silver, UA Platinum, Hilton Gold, Hyatt Discoverist, Marriott Platinum + LT Gold
Posts: 10,515
There are also legitimate cases for having two flights leaving from the same airport. Sometimes when one flight is delayed, I would often book with another carrier before I even get to the airport (I get to the airport really late, usually). TSA would see two flights under my name, and it's an easy explanation. Also, sometimes when a flight is cancelled, but it does not relay to TSA right away, so they are still seeing two flights under my name.
Apr 11, 2023, 4:16 pm
#37
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: SFO
Programs: UA 1K, AA EXP, Hyatt Glob, Hilton Diamond, Marriott Plat, Total Wine & More Reserve
Posts: 4,524
IME, they simply ask what flight# I intend to fly on. They typically haven’t asked for any type of explanation or justification, and when they do I just say it’s a backup flight.
Apr 11, 2023, 4:29 pm
#38
Join Date: Nov 2018
Location: NYC
Programs: AS 75K, DL Platinum
Posts: 631
Regardless of whether it's "moral," the chance you get in trouble for doing this occasionally (legal or otherwise) are zero.
And as far as whether it's the "right" thing to do ... you can decide for yourself. Personally, an anonymous online forum of mostly well-off individuals who are dedicated to an activity that contributes to global warming is not the first place I'd turn to calibrate my moral compass.
And as far as whether it's the "right" thing to do ... you can decide for yourself. Personally, an anonymous online forum of mostly well-off individuals who are dedicated to an activity that contributes to global warming is not the first place I'd turn to calibrate my moral compass.
Apr 11, 2023, 4:45 pm
#39
Join Date: May 2018
Location: WAS
Programs: AS MVP Gold 75K
Posts: 54
You could try it and will probably get away with it once, but why?
Reminds me of the time I was flying out of JFK T7 on Iberia and the general TSA line was an hour long so I bought an Alaska ticket to use precheck. This resulted in being able to use the Alaska lounge before it closed for the night rather than wait for bTSA so I guess I kind of did this once...
Reminds me of the time I was flying out of JFK T7 on Iberia and the general TSA line was an hour long so I bought an Alaska ticket to use precheck. This resulted in being able to use the Alaska lounge before it closed for the night rather than wait for bTSA so I guess I kind of did this once...
Apr 11, 2023, 6:02 pm
#41
Join Date: Nov 2018
Location: NYC
Programs: AS 75K, DL Platinum
Posts: 631
Thus why I didn't offer any moral advice 
I like my FlyerTalk to stick to the facts. Anything else is just inviting popcorn.
In general, social media is a terrible place to ask moral questions. Post the same issue on Reddit or TikTok and you'll probably get 1000 responses about how corporations and capitalism are evil and so anything you can do to game the system is reasonable, etc...
I like when we just discuss about what you ACTUALLY can and can't do per the rules and leave it at that.
I like my FlyerTalk to stick to the facts. Anything else is just inviting popcorn.In general, social media is a terrible place to ask moral questions. Post the same issue on Reddit or TikTok and you'll probably get 1000 responses about how corporations and capitalism are evil and so anything you can do to game the system is reasonable, etc...
I like when we just discuss about what you ACTUALLY can and can't do per the rules and leave it at that.
Apr 11, 2023, 6:33 pm
#43
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2014
Posts: 10,904
Calling it "stealing" was not a moral argument; it's just obvious. Asking whether it's immoral to steal is not something that I'm going to get into. But I don't honestly believe that anyone here does not understand that taking something that's not yours is stealing.
Apr 11, 2023, 6:55 pm
#44
Join Date: Nov 2018
Location: HVN
Posts: 118
Here's the relevant part of the contract of carriage (Rule 7, Section D):
Duplicate, impossible/illogical, fraudulent, fictitious or abusive bookings and/or reservations, or bookings and/or reservations made by Passengers with no intention of being used, are prohibited and may be subject to cancellation. A duplicate or impossible/illogical booking includes, but is not limited to, bookings for the same Passenger on flights traveling on or about the same date between one or more of the same or nearby origin and/or destination (such as SEALAX and SEAONT or SNASEA and ONTSEA), or bookings with Connections that depart before the arrival of the inbound flight. Fraudulent, fictitious or abusive bookings are defined as any bookings made without having been requested by or on behalf of the named Passenger. Additionally, creating bookings to hold or block seats for the purpose of obtaining lower fares, Mileage Plan award inventory, or upgrades that may not otherwise be available, or to gain access to airport facilities, or to circumvent any of Alaska's fare rules or policies, is prohibited without prior authorization from Alaska.
Apr 11, 2023, 7:28 pm
#45
Join Date: Nov 2018
Location: NYC
Programs: AS 75K, DL Platinum
Posts: 631