Guesting policy at Fast Track
Dec 1, 2014, 12:47 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Dublin
Programs: EI AC Silver, BAEC Gold
Posts: 368
Guesting policy at Fast Track
I generally do all my BA travels on my own however in the next few months I have some travel planned with colleagues and family. My question is at fast track security what are the rules on using this with
1. One colleague on the same PNR.
2. One colleague on a different PNR in the same cabin.
3. One colleague on a different PNR in a different cabin.
4. Three family members on the same PNR (Wife +2 children)
I also am interested in the same question regarding priority boarding.
I am currently silver but might make gold this year but I am assuming that this will make no difference to the above.
Many Thanks
1. One colleague on the same PNR.
2. One colleague on a different PNR in the same cabin.
3. One colleague on a different PNR in a different cabin.
4. Three family members on the same PNR (Wife +2 children)
I also am interested in the same question regarding priority boarding.
I am currently silver but might make gold this year but I am assuming that this will make no difference to the above.
Many Thanks
Dec 1, 2014, 12:53 pm
#2
Moderator, Iberia Airlines, Airport Lounges, and Ambassador, British Airways Executive Club
Join Date: Feb 2010
Programs: BA Lifetime Gold; Flying Blue Life Platinum; LH Sen.; Hilton Diamond; Kemal Kebabs Prized Customer
Posts: 63,736
Depends a lot on the airport. But in broad terms you are allowed a guest, and to the extent of a family too, but it may be that the automated gate at LHR (for instance) will decline the guests, almost certainly so if on separate PNRs. You then need card in hand to explain to the agent, and hopefully s/he will help you....... Cabin doesn't make much difference in this situation, except that if an agent was being unhelpful it may provide added grist to their arguments.
Dec 1, 2014, 12:54 pm
#3
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: London, UK
Programs: BA Gold, SQ Gold, KQ Platinum, IHG Diamond Ambassador, Hilton Gold, Marriott Silver, Accor Silver
Posts: 16,341
At Fast Track security, Gold and Silver members can take one guest. All passengers travelling in F/J/Business UK can also access Fast Track security, but no guest unless Silver/Gold.
Fast Track boarding is only for F/J/Business UK and Gold/Silver/Bronze. No guests technically, but in practice rarely enforced. Silver/Bronze do not get Fast Track boarding at LCY unless in an eligible cabin.
Fast Track boarding is only for F/J/Business UK and Gold/Silver/Bronze. No guests technically, but in practice rarely enforced. Silver/Bronze do not get Fast Track boarding at LCY unless in an eligible cabin.
Dec 1, 2014, 12:59 pm
#4
Suspended
Join Date: May 2009
Posts: 4,959
My experience in guesting someone through Fast Track at T5 North the other week:
I approached the BA agent manning the front of the fast track queue, who said it was "entirely up to the HAL agent if they would allow me a guest and nothing to do with BA, and to ask them nicely."
Having been allowed through, immediately after the photo point, the "Fast Track" and routine security tensa barriers mysteriously merged.
I approached the BA agent manning the front of the fast track queue, who said it was "entirely up to the HAL agent if they would allow me a guest and nothing to do with BA, and to ask them nicely."
Having been allowed through, immediately after the photo point, the "Fast Track" and routine security tensa barriers mysteriously merged.
Dec 1, 2014, 1:19 pm
#6
Moderator, Iberia Airlines, Airport Lounges, and Ambassador, British Airways Executive Club
Join Date: Feb 2010
Programs: BA Lifetime Gold; Flying Blue Life Platinum; LH Sen.; Hilton Diamond; Kemal Kebabs Prized Customer
Posts: 63,736
If BA Gold card and it is showing on the BP, that will be picked up correctly by the machines, regardless of travel class. Not sure about all the other oneworld cards, however.
Dec 1, 2014, 2:23 pm
#7
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: London, UK
Programs: BA Gold, SQ Gold, KQ Platinum, IHG Diamond Ambassador, Hilton Gold, Marriott Silver, Accor Silver
Posts: 16,341
Emerald and Sapphire will be picked up on the boarding pass scanners at security. Guests would need a manual override by the HAL security officer on the desk.
Dec 1, 2014, 2:49 pm
#8
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Dublin
Programs: EI AC Silver, BAEC Gold
Posts: 368
Thanks for the informative replies. I was thinking mainly of T5 and mostly connecting through the FCC. The family trip is via LGW which is a relief considering the horror stories on here regarding T5 at the moment.
Dec 1, 2014, 3:00 pm
#9
Join Date: May 2012
Location: Ipswich
Posts: 7,543
Seems like a software (either machine or app) and training issue.
Dec 1, 2014, 3:24 pm
#10
Join Date: Jan 2000
Programs: Latinpass Million Miler. BA Gold.
Posts: 3,544
Are you sure about this? I've always thought you could take one guest with priority boarding too - and certainly have done so in the past, with no comments from the gate agents.
Dec 1, 2014, 11:58 pm
#12
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: London
Programs: BA GC
Posts: 38
It currently isn't possible for ANY of the automatic gates to determine whether a boarding pass is bronze/silver/gold or the OW equivalents. The information isn't contained in the barcode at all. All that they can access is the Class (or usually the Compartment) code.
Your EC number is in the barcode but as these dont change as your status changes (unlike some airlines like LH) it isn't possible to make any decisions based on this.
This limitation in the content of the barcode on BA boarding passes is why some airports (like Brussels) have the little stickers that checkin agents give to premium passengers travelling in Y to allow them to use fastrack
Your EC number is in the barcode but as these dont change as your status changes (unlike some airlines like LH) it isn't possible to make any decisions based on this.
This limitation in the content of the barcode on BA boarding passes is why some airports (like Brussels) have the little stickers that checkin agents give to premium passengers travelling in Y to allow them to use fastrack
Dec 2, 2014, 12:37 am
#13
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: Manchester, UK
Programs: BAEC Gold, Alitalia Freccia Alata, Avis PC, Hertz PC
Posts: 52
I'm flying PSA LHR NCL in Y today with a colleague who is not a member of BAEC and who has a different PNR. As a newly minted silver i was glad to see fast track written on the printed LHR NCL BP after OLCI. I hope they do not make any issues with guesting my colleague through fast track. Will update from the lounge,
Dec 2, 2014, 2:14 am
#14
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: LGW
Programs: BA Silver, EY Gold, TK Elite, Hyatt Platinum
Posts: 420
Sorry to hijack the thread, but what about with a family?
I'm travelling LGW to MCO in May 2015 with 5 other family members, including a 5 year old, all on the same PNR. I will be BA Silver
Assume its too many for fast track security and boarding?
I'm travelling LGW to MCO in May 2015 with 5 other family members, including a 5 year old, all on the same PNR. I will be BA Silver
Assume its too many for fast track security and boarding?
Dec 2, 2014, 2:17 am
#15
Join Date: May 2012
Location: Ipswich
Posts: 7,543
Is this an option in BRU? I don't normally visit an agent but since I usually fly Y I might be persuaded to do so for a sticker. I'd understood status doesn't get FT at all in BRU but happy to be corrected.