ARCHIVE: All About AA Flagship Check-In at JFK, LAX, MIA, ORD (master thread)
 

Here's what confuses me. Different from above, it says "A First Class Customer" with no
qualifies (International, 3 class, etc.). So, in theory, can I use Flagship when traveling First Class domestically:

A ConciergeKeySM member
A Five Star ServiceSM customer
Flying First Class on American Airlines in a 3-class transcontinental market
Flying First Class on qualifying international flights operated by American or other oneworld® airlines*
Flagship® First Check-In is called First Class Check-In at London Heathrow (LHR). Follow the signs in Terminal 3 to use if you’re:

A First Class customer
An AAdvantage® Executive Platinum or oneworld® Emerald member
An AAdvantage® ConciergeKeySM member
A Five Star ServiceSM customer

I think I figured out my error. The "First Class" thing seems to refer to LHR. Though I pulled this off the JFK page. Sorry.

You're correct. LHR is really Flagship lite.

Just denied use of Flagship Check-in at JFK for JFK-MIA-SCL, all in First - MIA-SCL in three-cabin F. Any thoughts as to why? In the International First Lounge now and the AAngel says the policy is "ambiguous."

Contract employees who couldn't be bothered to read a piece of paper

Just got a personal visit from Nate, the Premium Services Manager, or whatever (the second in-person visit; first was from the AAngel going off duty to tell me she handed my case over to her colleague - classy). Confirmed that I should have been given access. Has offered CK-style pre-boarding for my flights to make up for the lack of landside premium service. Very happy - I'm in row 1 to MIA and love not having to worry about overhead space!

Very impressed with AA's response to this. Hope it sticks.

This is the new "normal". The burden is on the customer to know the rules and procedures. When traveling, have your smart phone at the ready, so you can verify the company's stated policy, and speak up ASAP when those procedures are not followed.

The service industry is being staffed with a lot of warm bodies.....some of them use their brain and truly want the job. Many others just want a paycheck.

I'm going to try at ORD in a few weeks, I'll bring a printout of the rules and highlight the line that applies to me.

I get (initially) denied almost every time in MIA if I am connecting to INTL 3/4 cabin first. The last time was just two weeks ago. Kept asking me if I was a CK. I had even highlighted the CX First Class on my ITN. Told me it was not for me. I ask for the supervisor. I was told ok ok, this time. I replied it is the rule and even pulled up the website. She insisted she was right even after looking at the website. Ugh.

If the premium path wasn't typically "longer" at that time of the day, I would have just used it versus the argument. (Longer being the line itself, plus walking, plus Precheck line.)

If they don't want to let INTL 3/4 cabin FC use Flagship Checkin who are not CK, just change the rule.

Try to go a bit early, and if you are denied Flagship Check-in, politely yet firmly ask for the supervisor. Even if the original counter agent tries a "okay, this time"....wait for the supervisor. Then, request a face-to-face answer from that supervisor as to why this particular airline is not following its own policy. And, find out how are they going to ensure it does not happen again.

Once through security, send an email to customer relations, and ask them why AA employees are making the check-in process more difficult for you, instead of easier. Request an accommodation (i.e. miles).

Don't just shrug it off. Take the time to hold employees accountable and show the airline that you expect them to treat passengers properly.

People don't change when they see the light. They change when they feel the heat.

I'll be there plenty early (6ish hours), but my one worry isn't actually with AA.

I'm flying CX out of T5, but want to meet with some people flying out of T3. Regardless, CX is a oneworld carrier and I'm in F, so we'll see.

I have a Five Star reservation as part of a JAL First to AA domestic first reservation. I land at 0800 and depart at 2000 the same day, so there's a chance I might leave T3 and go into Chicago after I shower and have breakfast. What are the chances the Flagship Check-in people will let me back through a second time without a Five Star escort?

Connecting in ORD? If so, you'd land at T5 (all international arrivals are there). Just ask your escort to add you to the list - IIRC, agents policing the Flagship entrance have a list of eligible customers.

Yeah so I have a T5>T3 Five-Star Connection Assistance reservation. I don't expect the agent to come meet me curbside again if I leave the airport, I just want to be able to walk through the Flagship Check-in a second time that day. That T3 security checkpoint is brutal, especially if they don't have a Pre-Check lane there now.