ECKOA6

Myself and two of my business partners all EXP traveling FRA-LHR-JFK-LAX paid business we're just rudely denied Flagship Check-in at JFK. We arrived from LHR on AA101 so this wasn't an issue of arriving on a partner flight. We simply wanted to drop our bags after customs and get our onwards boarding passes. Now sitting in The Flagship Lounge where the AAngel agreed we should have been given access but I highly doubt anything will change with JFK.

DMPHL

The issue with JFK is that the staff monitoring access to Flagship First Check-In is contract staff, not AA staff. They are trained to look at their list, not to know AA policy. Which is not OK, of course.

I've also gone as an EXP flying in J to GRU before (definitely had access anyway), and the agent just said, "Where are you flying?" I just responded GRU and without consulting a list, or looking at an EXP card or anything, just waved me in. So the lack of training swings both ways, it seems.

ECKOA6

DMPHL

Interesting. The AA website says access on qualifying international itineraries...I wonder if the policy is that the qualifying flight must be the departure, not arrival for a connection? Or if that's what the agent understood the policy to be.

seawolf

LHR couldn't issue JFK-LAX BP? AA bag drop after CBP should have been able to handle both the bags and the BP.

Nonetheless you should probably write AA for clarification.

Fraser

I've not had any issues using JFK Flagship Check-In on maybe 8-10 trips from there in the last few months when accessing by virtue of being OW Emerald.

I have my BAEC Gold card ready in my pocket and when I approach the podium and I'm asked where I'm flying to I say where and then note I'm oneworld Emerald holding the card out. Nobody has ever even looked closely at it and they've either moved the rope apart or escorted me to the next available check-in agent.

akarneboge

Because you're OW Emerald. It is issues with AA elites, non-CK, who qualify.

Fraser

I should have probably quoted zpaul who said that as a LATAM Black they've had consistent problems getting access to FCI at JFK.

ECKOA6

SpeedRicer

Any ideas if curbside baggage dropoff is available for LAX Flagship check-in on an international itinerary? I'll have two heavy checked bags and was wondering if I could check-in/drop my bags curbside and then return my rental car (or if I'll have to carry the bags on the rental car shuttle to the terminal)...

seawolf

Does LAX allow for stopping at the terminal curb unattended?

You might be better off parking at closest short term garage, check the bags, return to garage and then return vehicle.

BrooklynDave

How about this scenario:

Traveling JFK-LAX-MEL, in October on Qantas after QF has moved from JFK T7 to T8.

Outbound on the QF 787 from JFK-LAX (technically in business since there is no F), then F LAX-MEL.

We would check in at the JFK QF desk, of course, and not expecting Flagship check-in. But...

1). Anyone know if QF will have its own version of fast-tracking security?

2). Will we get access to the AA Flagship Lounge (neither of us has AA or OW status)?

3). Will we get access to Flagship Dining?

Then on the way back we will be on QF into LAX, but AA metal from LAX-JFK, in F, though on a QF ticket

After we go through customs at LAX and re-check the bags, would we have access to Flagship checkin at LAX? Would it even be worth seeking out? I've never flown internationally into LAX, but I think I've read you're sort of in the "basement" of TBIT and to get from there through security to T4 is fairly easy? (Through the connector?) Or do I have that wrong?

pmblinn

The attendant that controls access to the Flagship check-in stands at a podium that's literally on the sidewalk outside the door. I've never tried it myself, but I would imagine that person would allow you to drop your bags just inside the door (or somewhere else) while you return your car.

DMPHL

I would imagine the exact opposite.

seawolf

You mean drop the bags off and leave them unattended? If so, when SpeedRicer returns to terminal after the dropping off the rental car, he could find the bags surrounded by the bomb squad.