Refused Priority Security at HND
Mar 19, 2019, 6:21 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2016
Location: Plymouth, UK
Programs: BAEC Gold
Posts: 1,159
Refused Priority Security at HND
Just had a bizarre experience at HND security. I am BAEC Silver so OneWorld Sapphire. I am flying on a JL flight so should be permitted priority security (AFAIK). The woman checking boarding passes said I could not use the priority lane as I was a BAEC member. She was most insistent and kept saying, in her very broken English, "British Airways". I kept repeating back "Japan Airlines Sapphire". In the end a queue was building up behind and I asked to speak to her supervisor at which point she let me through. I wouldn't have made anything of it excelt that the non-priority line was humungous!
It was a disconcerting exchange to be honest... not raised voices or aggressive but not friendly either.
I am right aren't I as she has me doubting myself now?
I am BAEC Silver flying on JL6 (HND-JFK) in J
Access to lounge was unchallenged of course where a bowl of Japanese curry & a beer helped calm my nerves!
It was a disconcerting exchange to be honest... not raised voices or aggressive but not friendly either.
I am right aren't I as she has me doubting myself now?
I am BAEC Silver flying on JL6 (HND-JFK) in J
Access to lounge was unchallenged of course where a bowl of Japanese curry & a beer helped calm my nerves!
Mar 19, 2019, 6:34 pm
#2
Join Date: Oct 2018
Programs: BAEC Gold; Hilton Diamond
Posts: 66
I think she’s right https://www.jal.co.jp/en/inter/airport/hnd/info/
i think HND has a new policy (or maybe existing that just wasn’t enforced) that J passengers don’t get priority security, only those travelling J in their own FF airline ie you must be travelling J on BA for a BAEC member (I’m not even sure Sapphire gets priority).
i think HND has a new policy (or maybe existing that just wasn’t enforced) that J passengers don’t get priority security, only those travelling J in their own FF airline ie you must be travelling J on BA for a BAEC member (I’m not even sure Sapphire gets priority).
Mar 19, 2019, 8:01 pm
#3
Join Date: Dec 2016
Programs: BA Silver
Posts: 21
I can confirm that the lady is indeed correct.
According to this and this, you are only allowed to use the priority lane under two circumstances:
(1) You're holding a First Class ticket
(2) You're traveling with an airline that you hold a top membership with, for BA that would be Gold+. In this case, the cabin that you're taking does not matter. (Which slightly differs from Zeeww's interpretation)
Bizarre indeed.
According to this and this, you are only allowed to use the priority lane under two circumstances:
(1) You're holding a First Class ticket
(2) You're traveling with an airline that you hold a top membership with, for BA that would be Gold+. In this case, the cabin that you're taking does not matter. (Which slightly differs from Zeeww's interpretation)
Bizarre indeed.
Mar 19, 2019, 8:10 pm
#5
Join Date: Oct 2018
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Well this is overall pretty skanky. J passengers should get priority security regardless of shenanigans esp if they're flying with the right alliance and would normally get it. It's that kind of inconsistency and weirdness that alliances are meant to fix. Though I guess One World does a pretty good job most of the time.
Mar 19, 2019, 10:58 pm
#6
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As others say, however one might dislike the rules, she was entirely correct.
ps: non priority security at hnd is usually as quick and efficient as priority security elsewhere in my experience
ps: non priority security at hnd is usually as quick and efficient as priority security elsewhere in my experience
Last edited by orbitmic; Mar 19, 2019 at 11:25 pm
Mar 19, 2019, 11:04 pm
#7
Join Date: Nov 2004
Programs: BA GGL, LH FTL
Posts: 3,578
Can confirm this is the case. JAL J ticket, BA Emerald - had exactly the same experience. Went back to the JAL F check in desk 10 feet away (that bit of OW privileges is working) to complain and the check in agent confirmed the rule. She did however mark our boarding pass with something to still give us priority security after all.
It is a bizarre rule, then again, many things in Japan are a bit different...
It is a bizarre rule, then again, many things in Japan are a bit different...
Mar 19, 2019, 11:09 pm
#8
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: London
Programs: BAEC Gold
Posts: 692
By coincidence I came through HND on Monday (was supposed to be flying from NRT but flight was delayed). I was on the BA codeshare JAL flight with a JAL issued boarding pass and this did get me through priority security.
Mar 20, 2019, 12:06 am
#9
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<div style="text-align:left;">I think she’s right <a href="https://www.jal.co.jp/en/inter/airport/hnd/info/">https://www.jal.co.jp/en/inter/airport/hnd/info/</a><br />i think HND has a new policy (or maybe existing that just wasn’t enforced) that J passengers don’t get priority security, only those travelling J in their own FF airline ie you must be travelling J on BA for a BAEC member (I’m not even sure Sapphire gets priority).
Well this is overall pretty skanky. J passengers should get priority security regardless of shenanigans esp if they're flying with the right alliance and would normally get it. It's that kind of inconsistency and weirdness that alliances are meant to fix. Though I guess One World does a pretty good job most of the time.
Last edited by kaka; Mar 20, 2019 at 12:12 am
Mar 20, 2019, 12:56 am
#10
Join Date: Apr 2007
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Slightly OT, but this “discrimination not by class or status but by airline” isn’t as uncommon as one would think.
In CGK T3, even if you’re travelling business or first class, you still have to queue for immigration with the masses unless you’re on Garuda or a Skyteam flight.
In CGK T3, even if you’re travelling business or first class, you still have to queue for immigration with the masses unless you’re on Garuda or a Skyteam flight.
Mar 20, 2019, 1:48 am
#11
Join Date: Oct 2015
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The woman checking boarding passes said I could not use the priority lane as I was a BAEC member. She was most insistent and kept saying, in her very broken English, "British Airways". I kept repeating back "Japan Airlines Sapphire". In the end a queue was building up behind and I asked to speak to her supervisor at which point she let me through.
[Don't you know who I am?]
Mar 20, 2019, 1:59 am
#12
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Happened to me in the past albeit on QR. I was in J on HND-DOH and F on DOH-LHR and they refused priority security since I was crediting to BA (EMD). The agent didn't budge, but some DYKWIA part of me urged me to go back to the checkin desk and point out how ridiculous that policy was and that I held first class ticket for the flight and it's not really my fault they don't operate that cabin on the first sector. The checkin lady gave in and wrote something* on my HND-DOH boarding pass which was dully accepted in the priority queue.
* - "something" being a capital letter "L" in a circle - in case you want to try your luck
* - "something" being a capital letter "L" in a circle - in case you want to try your luck
Mar 20, 2019, 2:06 am
#13
Join Date: Jan 2017
Programs: BA GFL
Posts: 10
Ive found this definitely to be true at HND, Being Gold cuts no mustard at security....I think what confuses things a bit is that theres a sign next to the security point that shows a BA Gold/Emerald image but elsewhere on the same sign it says something about F only. I do agree though with previous poster that IME the regular security is so quick that it doesnt make much difference and you're in the JAL lounge with the amazing John Lobb shoe shine before you know it.
Mar 20, 2019, 2:33 am
#14
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Ive found this definitely to be true at HND, Being Gold cuts no mustard at security....I think what confuses things a bit is that theres a sign next to the security point that shows a BA Gold/Emerald image but elsewhere on the same sign it says something about F only. I do agree though with previous poster that IME the regular security is so quick that it doesnt make much difference and you're in the JAL lounge with the amazing John Lobb shoe shine before you know it.
Mar 20, 2019, 2:34 am
#15
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Slightly OT, but this “discrimination not by class or status but by airline” isn’t as uncommon as one would think.
In CGK T3, even if you’re travelling business or first class, you still have to queue for immigration with the masses unless you’re on Garuda or a Skyteam flight.
In CGK T3, even if you’re travelling business or first class, you still have to queue for immigration with the masses unless you’re on Garuda or a Skyteam flight.