Refundable throwaway ticket for Precheck - JFK T8
Sep 2, 2018, 8:14 am
#1
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Refundable throwaway ticket for Precheck - JFK T8
I have a LATAM flight departing JFK T8 coming up soon, and LATAM does not support Precheck (which I have). I'm thinking of purchasing a refundable ticket on another airline, solely for using Precheck, then cancelling it and getting a refund after I go through TSA.
The airlines at JFK T8 which support Precheck are American, Finnair, and Cathay Pacific. Finnair and Cathay have cancellation fees ($75 and $150, respectively), so those options are out. American's refund policy says this:
My questions are:
The airlines at JFK T8 which support Precheck are American, Finnair, and Cathay Pacific. Finnair and Cathay have cancellation fees ($75 and $150, respectively), so those options are out. American's refund policy says this:
You have up to 24 hours from the time of ticket purchase for a refund if you booked at least 2 days prior to departure. The 24-hour refund policy applies to all ticket types, but you have to cancel the trip to get a refund.
- The above AA policy is the 24 hour policy, but if I purchase a fully refundable ticket, I should still be okay, right?
- Does AA have any cancellation fee, even on refundable tickets?
- Am I correct that my only options are the T8 airlines? Could I get through TSA at T8 using a BP from some other terminal? That would give me more options for the refundable ticket.
- And finally, my LATAM flight is an award flight booked with AAdvantage miles. Will that give any grief, such as if American notices that I'm purchasing a refundable ticket departing on the same day as my LATAM award booked with AAdvantage miles?
Sep 2, 2018, 9:27 am
#2
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This question is about American Airlines cancellations and refund policies. Please follow this thread as it moves to the American Airlines | AAdvantage forum.
I'll just add that PreCheck is not guaranteed, so there is a possibility, albeit slight, that you will not get the PreCheck designation on your AA boarding pass if you were to go that route.
TWA884
Travel Safety/Security co-moderator
I'll just add that PreCheck is not guaranteed, so there is a possibility, albeit slight, that you will not get the PreCheck designation on your AA boarding pass if you were to go that route.
TWA884
Travel Safety/Security co-moderator
Sep 2, 2018, 9:30 am
#3
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I cannot think of a lower reward proposition. Precheck is fine but it isnt like all this expended effort results in you getting to fly private.
I occasionally go thru non precheck despite having it as I'm traveling with companions who dont have it. Lived to tell the tale.
I occasionally go thru non precheck despite having it as I'm traveling with companions who dont have it. Lived to tell the tale.
Sep 2, 2018, 9:36 am
#4
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Two things: if you have two flights in the AA system which conflict then the system is likely to catch it and cancel at least one of them; AA's T&C explicitly forbid purchasing a ticket solely to obtain airport services so, if they decide to act, you run the risk that the ticket will not be refunded at a minimum.
Sep 2, 2018, 9:52 am
#5
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Go through regular security. You'll be fine.
Sep 2, 2018, 10:20 am
#6
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You could buy the AA ticket via Expedia as they allow cancellation within 24 hours even if purchased day of (although technically they want you to call them 2 hours prior to departure or more so they can uncheck you in and void the ticket)
Sep 2, 2018, 10:28 am
#7
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As already noted, it is specifically against the AA Conditions of Carriage to purchase a ticket solely to gain access to airport facilities. Don't do it. My opinion.
Sep 2, 2018, 10:41 am
#8
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This is one of the craziest threads I’ve read.
All that legwork and T&C violations to avoid not taking off your shoes and pulling out your laptop?
All that legwork and T&C violations to avoid not taking off your shoes and pulling out your laptop?
Sep 2, 2018, 10:43 am
#9
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Apparently you have lots of free time to think about this dilemma, get there 10 minutes earlier and you'll be fine.
Sep 2, 2018, 10:52 am
#10
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On any given day, it is possible that the regular line could be so much longer than Pre-Check that one could conceiveably book, issue, and refund a ticket in less than the time you save going through Pre-Check. But, as a general proposition, the time you spend on your ticketing fraud won't make up for the time you spend in line.
Add to that AA's aversion to ticket fraud and you may find the balance tipping towards doing things the normal way.
Add to that AA's aversion to ticket fraud and you may find the balance tipping towards doing things the normal way.
Sep 2, 2018, 11:19 am
#11
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Definitely one of the mind bonging ideas I’ve seen on FT.
Sep 2, 2018, 11:30 am
#12
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Sep 2, 2018, 12:16 pm
#13
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I remember one which topped that: remember the guy that inquired about having his family naturalized into another country in order to avoid paying the reciprocal visa fee that some country was going to charge them as US citizens?
Sep 2, 2018, 12:23 pm
#14
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Given that AA specifically states tickets purchased for fraudulent purposes, including accessing airport facilities, are prohibited AA could just decline to technd a fully refundable gate. Is it likely? No. Can they do it? Yes.
The FT Rules prohibit this type of discussion (how to violate airline T&C or C of C would be included), we will close this thread. (And yes, AA does read here.)
Moderator
The FT Rules prohibit this type of discussion (how to violate airline T&C or C of C would be included), we will close this thread. (And yes, AA does read here.)
Moderator