Dreaded “we can’t check you in online”
Jun 8, 2019, 6:47 am
#16
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: London
Programs: BAEC bouncing from Blue to Gold to Blue VSFC Red CXGreen Club Accor Platinum Hilton Silver.
Posts: 914
I had exactly the same on Thursday in F (well 2 travellers) I got the SSSS my daughter who hasn’t been to the US for a year didn’t, and I was only in the US early May and in Jan I nearly always get a Document check for both Long & Short haul this year 5 out of 6 trips. Do you think BA don’t want me to holiday so much although it’s not really a bother at all.
John
John
Jun 8, 2019, 6:53 am
#17
Join Date: Mar 2017
Posts: 556
Jun 8, 2019, 7:08 am
#18
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: SAN, MIA, GOT
Programs: BA Gold
Posts: 349
This is normal, I get this all the time flying from US to Europe when ending trip In Europe. They want to make sure your are not overstaying your EU visit. When I show my US passport check-in agent request proof that I am eligible to stay in EU an extended time....Now I just provide my Swedish passport on the way back and all is fine.
Jun 8, 2019, 7:51 am
#19
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Sunny AZ
Programs: HH Diamond, Sixt Platinum, IHG Spire Ambassador, Marriott/SPG Gold .....
Posts: 3,213
This is normal, I get this all the time flying from US to Europe when ending trip In Europe. They want to make sure your are not overstaying your EU visit. When I show my US passport check-in agent request proof that I am eligible to stay in EU an extended time....Now I just provide my Swedish passport on the way back and all is fine.
Jun 8, 2019, 7:55 am
#20
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Sunny AZ
Programs: HH Diamond, Sixt Platinum, IHG Spire Ambassador, Marriott/SPG Gold .....
Posts: 3,213
@blitzen
See this thread for potential reasons why you can't check in online as yet.
https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/brit...ficulties.html
See this thread for potential reasons why you can't check in online as yet.
https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/brit...ficulties.html
12) Is your second flight on the next calendar day?
There is a well known bug where if your connecting flight is on a different calendar day to the the first flight you may need to check in for the first flight only to begin with, by deselecting the second flight from the options, get the boarding pass and then check again for the second flight. If you try to do both flights together it will fall over.
Jun 8, 2019, 9:13 am
#21
Ambassador, British Airways Executive Club
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: UK
Posts: 10,147
Maybe the below was yesterday's hick-up (which would still exist today, but I know I checked in two flights on different days before)
12) Is your second flight on the next calendar day?
There is a well known bug where if your connecting flight is on a different calendar day to the the first flight you may need to check in for the first flight only to begin with, by deselecting the second flight from the options, get the boarding pass and then check again for the second flight. If you try to do both flights together it will fall over.
12) Is your second flight on the next calendar day?
There is a well known bug where if your connecting flight is on a different calendar day to the the first flight you may need to check in for the first flight only to begin with, by deselecting the second flight from the options, get the boarding pass and then check again for the second flight. If you try to do both flights together it will fall over.
Glad it all worked out in the end though and you have managed to OLCI etc.
Thanks for posting back, always nice to hear a conclusion ^
Jun 8, 2019, 9:33 am
#22
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: UK
Programs: Mucci, BA, AF
Posts: 10,129
No worries was just surprised by 3 out of 3
This morning I could check us in, but the BP had a big red remark on itYour passport and/or visa(s) must be checked at the airport
We are required by certain countries to check your travel documents before you fly. Please see a British Airways representative at the airport.
Passport and visa information
So the problem is the Passport .... hmmm weird. Oh well no line at first check in at JFK I hope.
And somehow my Boarding Pass in the App looks normal without any "we have to check" remarks on it.
This morning I could check us in, but the BP had a big red remark on itYour passport and/or visa(s) must be checked at the airport
We are required by certain countries to check your travel documents before you fly. Please see a British Airways representative at the airport.
Passport and visa information
So the problem is the Passport .... hmmm weird. Oh well no line at first check in at JFK I hope.
And somehow my Boarding Pass in the App looks normal without any "we have to check" remarks on it.
Jun 8, 2019, 9:52 am
#23
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: 63,799
Indeed it applies to a wide variety of places, such as Brits going to the USA or Canada, or Americans going to India. It just looks very prominent now, and has generated occasional threads here in the past, but it is indeed a standard message. Basically either Visa Check locations or API passport swipe locations. All USA bound traffic has to have that swipe.
Jun 8, 2019, 11:06 am
#24
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Sunny AZ
Programs: HH Diamond, Sixt Platinum, IHG Spire Ambassador, Marriott/SPG Gold .....
Posts: 3,213
Ok it is annoying (aka why did I enter all that info) but as it seems to be standard procedure nowadays there is nothing I can do to avoid it.
thanks for the feedback
thanks for the feedback
Jun 8, 2019, 11:27 am
#25
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: 63,799
There are two processes at play, so there is a reason you have to do it twice. The DHS does a polling scan of the API data and gives a green light to the airline to allow each passenger a landing in the USA, so this is based on the API data you entered in online. However what also needs to be established is that you have physically on you the exact passport that was used for the API, given people can have multiple nationalities / passports. If you forgot the passport used for the advance API when you turned up at the airport then the old API is removed, then you need to re-enter with API all over again with new information, then you wait for the next DHS scan, then you can fly.
Jun 8, 2019, 11:46 am
#26
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Sunny AZ
Programs: HH Diamond, Sixt Platinum, IHG Spire Ambassador, Marriott/SPG Gold .....
Posts: 3,213
There are two processes at play, so there is a reason you have to do it twice. The DHS does a polling scan of the API data and gives a green light to the airline to allow each passenger a landing in the USA, so this is based on the API data you entered in online. However what also needs to be established is that you have physically on you the exact passport that was used for the API, given people can have multiple nationalities / passports. If you forgot the passport used for the advance API when you turned up at the airport then the old API is removed, then you need to re-enter with API all over again with new information, then you wait for the next DHS scan, then you can fly.
Jun 8, 2019, 11:57 am
#27
Join Date: Jan 2014
Programs: GGL
Posts: 490
I was flagged for a couple of months before applying for a Known Traveller ID, I'd recommend checking-in as much as you can to expedite the process if you get SSSS state-side.
EDIT: This was while having GE.
Jun 8, 2019, 12:07 pm
#28
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Sunny AZ
Programs: HH Diamond, Sixt Platinum, IHG Spire Ambassador, Marriott/SPG Gold .....
Posts: 3,213
It is quite different in the US; it happens at TSA screening where they close a lane down while you are processed, and involves a lengthy explanation of what they are going to do, a very intimate pat-down, and removing and swabbing everything from your hand luggage.
I was flagged for a couple of months before applying for a Known Traveller ID, I'd recommend checking-in as much as you can to expedite the process if you get SSSS state-side.
EDIT: This was while having GE.
I was flagged for a couple of months before applying for a Known Traveller ID, I'd recommend checking-in as much as you can to expedite the process if you get SSSS state-side.
EDIT: This was while having GE.
When I was flagged with SSSS for Zurich - Newark last year it was a quick additional pad down, swabbing of the carry on an d an "interview" (where are you coming from/ what did you do? fo "Oh isn't that place right next to xyz" to test my knowledge of Germany etc.). Boarded the flight a little late but still 5-10 minuted before the doors closed.
Jun 8, 2019, 12:29 pm
#29
Join Date: Jan 2014
Programs: GGL
Posts: 490
Apologies, I meant a Redress Control Number,
My post referred to receiving SSSS for a US originating flight, either domestic or international, and therefore the experience at US airports. It was quite touching at small airports, where presumably because they don't often encounter it, they had to dig out the manual, treated me with considerable suspicion, and exhibited a certain disappointment in eventually having to let me through. I was grilled extensively about a smoke hood in my carry on at Juneau airport (it felt dangerously facetious replying "A smoke hood" when asked what was a vacuum sealed packet with the words "Smoke Hood" in large type).
A more detailed description of the process at onemileatatime.
When I was flagged with SSSS for Zurich - Newark last year it was a quick additional pad down, swabbing of the carry on an d an "interview" (where are you coming from/ what did you do? fo "Oh isn't that place right next to xyz" to test my knowledge of Germany etc.). Boarded the flight a little late but still 5-10 minuted before the doors closed.
A more detailed description of the process at onemileatatime.
Jun 8, 2019, 12:49 pm
#30
Join Date: Aug 2012
Programs: BA Executive Club, AS Airlines Mileage Plan
Posts: 981
We have flown BA to Europe in Club World 9 times in the last 10 years. Our most recent flight (May 17) was the first time I was unable to check-in online. I asked about this problem here and was referred to the main "why can't I check in online" discussion. Reading through, I found one scenario that applied: I had amended our tickets after the original booking, and possibly there was something amiss with the new ticket. I was advised to call BA so I did. The very helpful agen assured me that everything was in order with our tickets, but made the comment that it appeared to him that no one could check in online, "for security reasons". When we got to the airport we learned the flight was oversold and perhaps that was the reason. They were offering $800 to change to the next day, and maybe that was easier to manage with people who had not checked in. We will never know. . .
It was also suggested that it could be because my husband was seated in the exit row seat on the upper deck (63J). That has never been questioned before, but this was our first flight since he turned 75. So maybe that was it. But our flight home there was no issue with online check-in, with the same seat. so again, no answer to the question of why.
But I will say the experience (not being able to check in online) made me very glad I had paid to book our seats in advance.
It was also suggested that it could be because my husband was seated in the exit row seat on the upper deck (63J). That has never been questioned before, but this was our first flight since he turned 75. So maybe that was it. But our flight home there was no issue with online check-in, with the same seat. so again, no answer to the question of why.
But I will say the experience (not being able to check in online) made me very glad I had paid to book our seats in advance.
Last edited by enzian; Jun 8, 2019 at 5:34 pm