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GUIDE: AA Flagship Check-In at JFK, LAX, LHR, MIA, ORD
#302
Suspended
Join Date: Sep 2019
Programs: AA: CK
Posts: 2,230
I always choose the escort over going to the PreCheck line. Because with the escort, combined with the PreCheck "light" treatment, it's better.
#303
Suspended
Join Date: Sep 2019
Programs: AA: CK
Posts: 2,230
Curious on whether access to Flagship Check-in @ LHR T3 is allowed when on AA operated flight but with a BA flight number/codeshare? For EXP access (my wife is EXP), the requirements from AA.com clearly say:
"You can use Flagship® First Check-In if you’re flying on qualifying international flights operated by American (regardless of cabin)"
So the flight we are considering is indeed operated by AA which clearly meets the requirement if I take it literally. But I also know that people seem to have varying experiences with Flagship Check-In rules not always being honored and I'm a little concerned the BA flight number might throw a wrench in this situation.
Does anyone have recent experience with this scenario?
Regards
"You can use Flagship® First Check-In if you’re flying on qualifying international flights operated by American (regardless of cabin)"
So the flight we are considering is indeed operated by AA which clearly meets the requirement if I take it literally. But I also know that people seem to have varying experiences with Flagship Check-In rules not always being honored and I'm a little concerned the BA flight number might throw a wrench in this situation.
Does anyone have recent experience with this scenario?
Regards
#304
Join Date: Nov 2016
Location: CMH
Programs: BA Gold, AA Plat, NK $9 fare club
Posts: 666
I am worried that it will go away entirely. With first class going away completely, I’d be inclined to think they would get rid of the flagship check in before whittling down the access list.
I also don’t see how they would reasonably expand the list while keeping it exclusive. Some of the priority check-in lanes are outrageous.
I also don’t see how they would reasonably expand the list while keeping it exclusive. Some of the priority check-in lanes are outrageous.
#305
Join Date: Nov 2016
Location: CMH
Programs: BA Gold, AA Plat, NK $9 fare club
Posts: 666
#306
Join Date: Nov 2016
Location: CMH
Programs: BA Gold, AA Plat, NK $9 fare club
Posts: 666
I've used the Flagship check-in several times at MIA and LAX as of late and must say it's very convenient. I'd say probably best to let them lead you to the front of the non-precheck line in MIA. LAX, that's no issue as they just take you up the elevator to precheck.
Everyone's been polite & professional & I've had no issues gaining access by simply flashing my BA Gold / Emerald card (physical wallet card). A+++ service that can save lots of time over the priority lanes at those airports.
Everyone's been polite & professional & I've had no issues gaining access by simply flashing my BA Gold / Emerald card (physical wallet card). A+++ service that can save lots of time over the priority lanes at those airports.
#307
Join Date: Jan 2016
Location: LAX/PHL
Programs: AA EXP
Posts: 292
I didn't know Flagship check-in had some specifics for EXP which is:
So LAX-HND, regardless of whether it's econ, PE or J, can use Flagship check-in at LAX as long as they're EXP? Do I understand this correctly?
edit: flight is on AA metal
You can use Flagship® First Check-In if you’re flying on qualifying international flights operated by American (regardless of cabin).
Qualifying international flights
Flights with seats ticketed as Flagship® between the U.S. and:
- Asia
- Australia
- Europe
- New Zealand
- South America (excluding Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador, Guyana, Peru, Suriname and Venezuela)
edit: flight is on AA metal
Last edited by Raralith; Oct 12, 2022 at 10:15 am
#308
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: AUS
Programs: BAEC Gold, AA PPro, Hyatt Globalist, Amex Plat
Posts: 7,043
#309
Join Date: Sep 2019
Location: NYC, SEA
Programs: Hyatt Glob, Marriott Titanium, AA EXP, DL PM, AS 100k (fake), B6 M3 (fake), BA Gold (fake), UA FO.
Posts: 740
Are there any recent reports on JFK? (Still under construction I assume?) Are they doing an escort to the security line?
#310
Join Date: Sep 2019
Location: NYC, SEA
Programs: Hyatt Glob, Marriott Titanium, AA EXP, DL PM, AS 100k (fake), B6 M3 (fake), BA Gold (fake), UA FO.
Posts: 740
#311
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: NYC, FLL
Programs: UA PP 1MM, Marriott Bonvoy LTTE, BA Gold
Posts: 6,324
JFK - 4:45am 10/13. Checked in with Flagship First host (follow signs). They escort you to FF check-in. After that you are directed to Priority security. TSA Pre was supposed to open at 5am but opened at 4:50am right in time and I beat a long queue. All in all quite good.
#312
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: AUS
Programs: BAEC Gold, AA PPro, Hyatt Globalist, Amex Plat
Posts: 7,043
I can confirm this is the case. I used FFCI at MIA a month ago or so for the 77W flight to LAX. I wasn't impressed that the security line they escort you to is not the pre-check line. AA needs to sort this out in MIA. If the move of the pre-check line is permanent then AA needs to relocate FFCI next to pre-check. I'm on the same itinerary in about two weeks so I'll see if things have changed by then.
Honestly thought, it's kinda sad. Perhaps I was expecting something like the First Wing @ LHR or something but it ain't too grand that is for sure. In the future we'd probaby just do mobile boarding pass and go directly to a pre-check line, particularly since we never check a bag. But since we'd stayed the previous night in Miami and were arriving to the airport in an Uber, thought we'd try it out.
If you had a large family, checking lots of bags, etc. it might be worth it.
Regards
#313
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: KHOU/KIAH
Programs: AA EXP | Marriott Bonvoy Titanium| Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 11,256
BTW, meant to provide an update. My wife and I did use MIA Flagship Check-in a few weeks ago. For those concerned about Pre-Check, as BlooJoo alluded to, they basically escorted us to the non Pre-Check security line right next to check-in, but they gave each of us a "blue card" and shepherded us to a "special line" all the way over to the right, which basically mimicked Pre-Check. We showed them the card and did not have to remove shoes, or take out 3-1-1, etc. So it basically acted exactly like Pre-Check and we blazed right through.
Honestly thought, it's kinda sad. Perhaps I was expecting something like the First Wing @ LHR or something but it ain't too grand that is for sure. In the future we'd probaby just do mobile boarding pass and go directly to a pre-check line, particularly since we never check a bag. But since we'd stayed the previous night in Miami and were arriving to the airport in an Uber, thought we'd try it out.
If you had a large family, checking lots of bags, etc. it might be worth it.
Regards
Honestly thought, it's kinda sad. Perhaps I was expecting something like the First Wing @ LHR or something but it ain't too grand that is for sure. In the future we'd probaby just do mobile boarding pass and go directly to a pre-check line, particularly since we never check a bag. But since we'd stayed the previous night in Miami and were arriving to the airport in an Uber, thought we'd try it out.
If you had a large family, checking lots of bags, etc. it might be worth it.
Regards
It's one of those dog and pony show things to make it feel like you're getting something special.
#314
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: AUS
Programs: BAEC Gold, AA PPro, Hyatt Globalist, Amex Plat
Posts: 7,043