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!

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.

Japan is probably the last place I'd choose to argue with someone in authority ...

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.

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.

</div><br />at HND this is not an Oneworld benefit.<br />So, airport rules. It's been this way for YEARS but often some can dodge it. sometimes you can't.<br /><br /><br />Well, No.<br />If you have all the rules in front of them saying you are right, you <strong>might</strong> make it. JL award has the weirdest rule (but i think sensible) saying one may upgrade a JMB award on JL at the airport using miles which is clearly written in their TnC. It took me a loooong time to get them to understand (even with the japanese TnC) that it is allowed - but it did eventually work.

あなたは私が誰なのかわからないのですか？

[Don't you know who I am?]

:)

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 :)

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.

they demand matching airline with status, which isnt written out

this is hardly discrimination.....