Can't Believe It Again: Ppl using Citi Plat Cards to Board as Plat
Jan 11, 2013, 1:28 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Los Angeles, CA
Programs: SPG PLT, AA ExPlt
Posts: 90
Can't Believe It Again: Ppl using Citi Plat Cards to Board as Plat
I can't believe how many times I've seen this happen. At least 3x last year.
Waiting to board a packed flight at major hub as AA Plt.
Stand by Priority Access area as First Class boards. GA calls for Plat members and (usually older) gentleman pushes through to the front. GA looks at BP and asks man to go back as he is Group 4. He protests and states he is most definitely platinum and proudly shows Citi AA Plat card to prove it. GA tries to explain that card means nothing. 1-2 minutes wasted as man tries to convince GA and realt PLT line up behind him.
Has anyone else seen this happen?
Waiting to board a packed flight at major hub as AA Plt.
Stand by Priority Access area as First Class boards. GA calls for Plat members and (usually older) gentleman pushes through to the front. GA looks at BP and asks man to go back as he is Group 4. He protests and states he is most definitely platinum and proudly shows Citi AA Plat card to prove it. GA tries to explain that card means nothing. 1-2 minutes wasted as man tries to convince GA and realt PLT line up behind him.
Has anyone else seen this happen?
Jan 11, 2013, 1:34 am
#2
Suspended
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Atherton, CA
Programs: UA 1K, AA EXP; Owner, Green Bay Packers
Posts: 21,690
I can't believe how many times I've seen this happen. At least 3x last year.
Waiting to board a packed flight at major hub as AA Plt.
Stand by Priority Access area as First Class boards. GA calls for Plat members and (usually older) gentleman pushes through to the front. GA looks at BP and asks man to go back as he is Group 4. He protests and states he is most definitely platinum and proudly shows Citi AA Plat card to prove it. GA tries to explain that card means nothing. 1-2 minutes wasted as man tries to convince GA and realt PLT line up behind him.
Has anyone else seen this happen?
Waiting to board a packed flight at major hub as AA Plt.
Stand by Priority Access area as First Class boards. GA calls for Plat members and (usually older) gentleman pushes through to the front. GA looks at BP and asks man to go back as he is Group 4. He protests and states he is most definitely platinum and proudly shows Citi AA Plat card to prove it. GA tries to explain that card means nothing. 1-2 minutes wasted as man tries to convince GA and realt PLT line up behind him.
Has anyone else seen this happen?
Did you laugh out loud?
Jan 11, 2013, 1:37 am
#3
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: SF Bay Area
Programs: Marriott Bonvoy Ambassador, AA EXP
Posts: 2,704
AA has so many marketing terms that for the non-FlyerTalk passenger it becomes confusing. AA isn't Apple. AA is a company that offers a standardized product.
Jan 11, 2013, 1:42 am
#4
Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Los Angeles, CA
Programs: SPG PLT, AA ExPlt
Posts: 90
Jan 11, 2013, 1:43 am
#5
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: California
Programs: AA EXP 2MM, HH DIA, Hertz PC, GE + Pre✓, Amazon Super Special Prime
Posts: 1,008
I guess we need to start holding hands when we board the plane, because looking at your boarding pass is just waaaaaaaay too complicated.
And I lol'd reading your little story. I think we all have had some experience or another where someone insisted on boarding when they were not supposed to and it ending in a very publicly humiliating way.
I will even admit I made the mistake when flying some super-cheap airline that shall remain nameless (it rhymes with Shmallegiant Shmairlines) since their boarding process/pecking order is about as logical as *insert your favorite metaphor*.
And I lol'd reading your little story. I think we all have had some experience or another where someone insisted on boarding when they were not supposed to and it ending in a very publicly humiliating way.
I will even admit I made the mistake when flying some super-cheap airline that shall remain nameless (it rhymes with Shmallegiant Shmairlines) since their boarding process/pecking order is about as logical as *insert your favorite metaphor*.
Jan 11, 2013, 4:55 am
#6
Join Date: Mar 2011
Posts: 2,813
Every airline's boarding procedure can be confusing if you are unfamiliar with it.
If a guy has an 'AA platinum (credit) card' and the GA calls for 'platinum members' to board, it seems like an understandable error for him to try and board.
If a guy has an 'AA platinum (credit) card' and the GA calls for 'platinum members' to board, it seems like an understandable error for him to try and board.
Jan 11, 2013, 6:40 am
#7
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: Moscow
Programs: Aeroplan, Hyatt, AA
Posts: 40
I pull that stunt all the time. My card is now expired but still use it. I once got into the lounge with it. I am AAgold but I'll usually whip out the Ciricard first
I guess it works 1 out of 5 times
I guess it works 1 out of 5 times
Jan 11, 2013, 7:11 am
#8
Join Date: Nov 2010
Programs: AA EXP
Posts: 446
When I was in Denver I had a lady run up to the precheck line without a boarding pass and try to get through. Apparently she thought it meant you could go through this line before you checked in (ie precheck).
I have to say that this was the most patient TSA lady I have ever seen. Actual quote:
"Maam, I can't let you through here without a boarding pass"
"But you are going to make me laaaaaaatttteeeeeee"
I have to say that this was the most patient TSA lady I have ever seen. Actual quote:
"Maam, I can't let you through here without a boarding pass"
"But you are going to make me laaaaaaatttteeeeeee"
Jan 11, 2013, 7:40 am
#9
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: SJC
Programs: AA EXP, BA Silver, Hyatt Globalist, Hilton diamond, Marriott Platinum
Posts: 33,533
Cheers.
Jan 11, 2013, 9:43 am
#10
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: ELP
Programs: AAdvantage, Amex MR
Posts: 2,314
I still don't see how people can get the Platinum elite status and Platinum credit card confused.
If anyone has a Citi AA credit card, then that must mean they are interested or fly enough on AA to the point they should be familiar with the elite status levels and the boarding process, because why would you ever get an airline co-branded card if you are completely unfamiliar with the airline?
If anyone has a Citi AA credit card, then that must mean they are interested or fly enough on AA to the point they should be familiar with the elite status levels and the boarding process, because why would you ever get an airline co-branded card if you are completely unfamiliar with the airline?
Jan 11, 2013, 9:47 am
#11
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: SJC
Programs: AA EXP, BA Silver, Hyatt Globalist, Hilton diamond, Marriott Platinum
Posts: 33,533
I still don't see how people can get the Platinum elite status and Platinum credit card confused.
If anyone has a Citi AA credit card, then that must mean they are interested or fly enough on AA to the point they should be familiar with the elite status levels and the boarding process, because why would you ever get an airline co-branded card if you are completely unfamiliar with the airline?
If anyone has a Citi AA credit card, then that must mean they are interested or fly enough on AA to the point they should be familiar with the elite status levels and the boarding process, because why would you ever get an airline co-branded card if you are completely unfamiliar with the airline?
Cheers.
Jan 11, 2013, 9:51 am
#12
Join Date: Sep 2009
Programs: AA Gold, 1MM; Hyatt Explorist; MR Gold; HH Diamond
Posts: 533
Why? Because people want to accumulate miles from their credit card to use for awards. As such, I would guess that most people with AA credit cards know very little about the status program. And I would also guess that that even includes people who have some status with AA.
Cheers.
Cheers.
I know people who think they have AA gold status due to their possession of the AA Citi Gold credit card.
Jan 11, 2013, 9:55 am
#13
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: c1e
Programs: AA EXP
Posts: 223
I still don't see how people can get the Platinum elite status and Platinum credit card confused.
If anyone has a Citi AA credit card, then that must mean they are interested or fly enough on AA to the point they should be familiar with the elite status levels and the boarding process, because why would you ever get an airline co-branded card if you are completely unfamiliar with the airline?
If anyone has a Citi AA credit card, then that must mean they are interested or fly enough on AA to the point they should be familiar with the elite status levels and the boarding process, because why would you ever get an airline co-branded card if you are completely unfamiliar with the airline?
Jan 11, 2013, 10:01 am
#14
Join Date: Nov 2010
Programs: AA EXP
Posts: 446
I still don't see how people can get the Platinum elite status and Platinum credit card confused.
If anyone has a Citi AA credit card, then that must mean they are interested or fly enough on AA to the point they should be familiar with the elite status levels and the boarding process, because why would you ever get an airline co-branded card if you are completely unfamiliar with the airline?
If anyone has a Citi AA credit card, then that must mean they are interested or fly enough on AA to the point they should be familiar with the elite status levels and the boarding process, because why would you ever get an airline co-branded card if you are completely unfamiliar with the airline?
Jan 11, 2013, 10:27 am
#15
Join Date: Dec 2009
Posts: 262
"If it says "Platinum" on your ticket, you are clear to board"
Whenever I hear them say that, there's never an issue.
Whenever I hear them say that, there's never an issue.