LHR Fast Track Security Question...
Sep 5, 2018, 12:18 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2015
Posts: 87
LHR Fast Track Security Question...
Hi,
I’m Gold and my partner Silver, we are travelling with 3 friends out of LHR T5 next weekend who are on our flight, but a different booking.
Can we all use the business fast fast track security lane? Or is it only one guest per status holder like the lounges?
Also, as I’m Gold, could I take one of them through the first wing so they can experience it, even if they are on a different booking?
Thanks for the help! Can’t find it anywhere on BA Website.
I’m Gold and my partner Silver, we are travelling with 3 friends out of LHR T5 next weekend who are on our flight, but a different booking.
Can we all use the business fast fast track security lane? Or is it only one guest per status holder like the lounges?
Also, as I’m Gold, could I take one of them through the first wing so they can experience it, even if they are on a different booking?
Thanks for the help! Can’t find it anywhere on BA Website.
Sep 5, 2018, 12:50 am
#2
Join Date: Nov 2017
Programs: BA, Hilton
Posts: 2,092
Hi,
I’m Gold and my partner Silver, we are travelling with 3 friends out of LHR T5 next weekend who are on our flight, but a different booking.
Can we all use the business fast fast track security lane? Or is it only one guest per status holder like the lounges?
Also, as I’m Gold, could I take one of them through the first wing so they can experience it, even if they are on a different booking?
Thanks for the help! Can’t find it anywhere on BA Website.
I’m Gold and my partner Silver, we are travelling with 3 friends out of LHR T5 next weekend who are on our flight, but a different booking.
Can we all use the business fast fast track security lane? Or is it only one guest per status holder like the lounges?
Also, as I’m Gold, could I take one of them through the first wing so they can experience it, even if they are on a different booking?
Thanks for the help! Can’t find it anywhere on BA Website.
In practise, they seem lax at enforcing that and a polite request should hopefully bring a positive outcome.
The First Wing - yes, you can guest one (and only one) person through security and directly into the Flounge, even on a separate booking. That limit will be strictly enforced.
It's not clear - do you intend to stay together as a party once through security? E.g. guesting one person via First Wing will prevent you guesting in your partner to the Flounge later on, although this won't be an issue if you're not planning on using the lounges (I'd guess not if staying together and not in business)
Sep 5, 2018, 1:04 am
#3
Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2015
Posts: 87
Formally, fast track access is one guest per Silver or above, see here: https://www.britishairways.com/en-gb/information/airport-information/london-heathrow-airport/heathrow-t5
In practise, they seem lax at enforcing that and a polite request should hopefully bring a positive outcome.
The First Wing - yes, you can guest one (and only one) person through security and directly into the Flounge, even on a separate booking. That limit will be strictly enforced.
It's not clear - do you intend to stay together as a party once through security? E.g. guesting one person via First Wing will prevent you guesting in your partner to the Flounge later on, although this won't be an issue if you're not planning on using the lounges (I'd guess not if staying together and not in business)
In practise, they seem lax at enforcing that and a polite request should hopefully bring a positive outcome.
The First Wing - yes, you can guest one (and only one) person through security and directly into the Flounge, even on a separate booking. That limit will be strictly enforced.
It's not clear - do you intend to stay together as a party once through security? E.g. guesting one person via First Wing will prevent you guesting in your partner to the Flounge later on, although this won't be an issue if you're not planning on using the lounges (I'd guess not if staying together and not in business)
As there are 5 of us and we have Priority Passes we planned on using the Aspire Lounge - although I have no experience of it at LHR it can’t be too different from the BA business lounge can it?
I just thought one of my party might fancy the experience of F wing and maybe a quick swigg of something sparkling
Sep 5, 2018, 1:11 am
#4
Join Date: Nov 2017
Programs: BA, Hilton
Posts: 2,092
Thanks Bertie!
As there are 5 of us and we have Priority Passes we planned on using the Aspire Lounge - although I have no experience of it at LHR it can’t be too different from the BA business lounge can it?
I just thought one of my party might fancy the experience of F wing and maybe a quick swigg of something sparkling
I do rate the First Wing as one of the best benefits since becoming gold, so yes, I see your point - pick one friend and take them that route and once you've sampled the champers reconvene in the Aspire at your leisure. Sounds like a good plan to me!
Sep 5, 2018, 1:12 am
#5
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: London, ARN, HEL, ..... or MAN
Programs: BA GGL / GFL, Mucci Diamond!, HH Diamond, Radisson Premium, IHG Gold, Hertz Gold
Posts: 5,936
You can definitely take one (but only one as you suggested) through the First Wing, as access to the First Wing is dependent on eligibility for Galleries First lounge access.
Theoretically you could all check in at the First checkin, but then at least 3 of your party would need to go through normal or Fast Track security (if you can persuade them to let you through Fast Track - you could get one guest per cardholder through Fast Track but officially not the other person)
For boarding, in my experience they do check that others in your party are on the same booking and I have seen groups split up when they're not on the same booking. I don't know if this is official policy, but I have certainly seen it happen.
Theoretically you could all check in at the First checkin, but then at least 3 of your party would need to go through normal or Fast Track security (if you can persuade them to let you through Fast Track - you could get one guest per cardholder through Fast Track but officially not the other person)
For boarding, in my experience they do check that others in your party are on the same booking and I have seen groups split up when they're not on the same booking. I don't know if this is official policy, but I have certainly seen it happen.
Sep 5, 2018, 1:28 am
#6
Join Date: Aug 2017
Location: MAN
Programs: IHG Diamond Ambassador
Posts: 351
You'll likely have to queue to enter the Aspire lounge at T5. It's very different from the BA lounges, much smaller and has limited refreshments. I would imagine you'll find it difficult to get seats for 5 people together.
Sep 5, 2018, 1:35 am
#7
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: 63,958
More information here, given that LHR has some good restaurants (etc) I personally would be reluctant to recommend it
Aspire Lounge and Spa: Paid for lounge in LHR T5 - Information, photographs, reviews
however if it is part of your travel, then you can I believe pay to reserve a place.
Premium Plaza on the other hand, whilst not exactly cheap may actually be value for money, if you are there 2 or 3 hours.
T5 New Plaza Premium Airside Lounge
Aspire Lounge and Spa: Paid for lounge in LHR T5 - Information, photographs, reviews
however if it is part of your travel, then you can I believe pay to reserve a place.
Premium Plaza on the other hand, whilst not exactly cheap may actually be value for money, if you are there 2 or 3 hours.
T5 New Plaza Premium Airside Lounge
Sep 5, 2018, 3:52 am
#8
Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2015
Posts: 87
More information here, given that LHR has some good restaurants (etc) I personally would be reluctant to recommend it
Aspire Lounge and Spa: Paid for lounge in LHR T5 - Information, photographs, reviews
however if it is part of your travel, then you can I believe pay to reserve a place.
Premium Plaza on the other hand, whilst not exactly cheap may actually be value for money, if you are there 2 or 3 hours.
T5 New Plaza Premium Airside Lounge
Aspire Lounge and Spa: Paid for lounge in LHR T5 - Information, photographs, reviews
however if it is part of your travel, then you can I believe pay to reserve a place.
Premium Plaza on the other hand, whilst not exactly cheap may actually be value for money, if you are there 2 or 3 hours.
T5 New Plaza Premium Airside Lounge
This is great - thank you! I didn't even know there was a Plaza Premium.
Sep 5, 2018, 4:00 am
#9
Join Date: Jun 2016
Posts: 581
Thanks Bertie!
As there are 5 of us and we have Priority Passes we planned on using the Aspire Lounge - although I have no experience of it at LHR it can’t be too different from the BA business lounge can it?
I just thought one of my party might fancy the experience of F wing and maybe a quick swigg of something sparkling
Sep 5, 2018, 4:31 am
#10
Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2015
Posts: 87
This is quite exciting - as I hardly ever leave the First lounge, I had no idea there was a Plaza Premium.
Sep 5, 2018, 4:58 am
#11
Join Date: Jun 2016
Posts: 581
Yes if it UK issued Amex then yes, you can take one guest per card. Just make sure it is Amex Platinum Charge card since there are various versions of Amex cards.
Sep 5, 2018, 6:33 am
#12
Join Date: Apr 2018
Programs: BAEC Gold
Posts: 267
A UK-issued Platinum card that is not a business/corporate card allows one free guest so if they are private cards, you will all be good. And it is quite a nice lounge!