Can I sneak my mother-in-law into Elite Access Check-in?
Nov 4, 2010, 9:37 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: Lehigh Valley, PA
Posts: 152
Can I sneak my mother-in-law into Elite Access Check-in?
My wife and I are sending her mother off to China tomorrow morning at EWR. We have to bring an 8 month old daughter with us and am wondering if I can sneak her into Elite Access line even though she is a non-elite.
Between our daughter and my mother-in-law speaking no English, it would make for a much more stress free check-in process.
Thanks!
Between our daughter and my mother-in-law speaking no English, it would make for a much more stress free check-in process.
Thanks!
Nov 4, 2010, 10:05 pm
#2
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: USA - all of it!
Programs: United Premier 1k, Avis First, HHonor Diamond, Marriot Gold
Posts: 195
My wife and I are sending her mother off to China tomorrow morning at EWR. We have to bring an 8 month old daughter with us and am wondering if I can sneak her into Elite Access line even though she is a non-elite.
Between our daughter and my mother-in-law speaking no English, it would make for a much more stress free check-in process.
Thanks!
Between our daughter and my mother-in-law speaking no English, it would make for a much more stress free check-in process.
Thanks!
Nov 4, 2010, 10:29 pm
#3
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: NYC
Programs: UA 1K, SPG Platinum, UA Million Miler
Posts: 2,596
Go for it. I once brought 4 non-elite coworkers on board with me and the GA didn't say a word. I do it every time I fly with someone with no status.
Nov 5, 2010, 3:56 am
#4
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: EWR-N.Haledon NJ
Programs: CO Platinum
Posts: 1,134
I do it all of the time with non-elite co-workers. A poster here mentioned to just hand the boarding passes yourself to the gate agent (with the elite access BP facing up). Have never had a problem.
Nov 5, 2010, 4:10 am
#5
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Vancouver, Houston
Programs: UA-Perma Plat, Hyatt-Sucks, HHonors - Dia., Marriott - Gold
Posts: 438
It doesn't look like OP is one of the travelers so no... a sneak is highly unlikely.
Nov 5, 2010, 6:08 am
#6
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: IAD
Programs: UA 1K, Marriott Rewards - LTPP
Posts: 4,240
My wife and I are sending her mother off to China tomorrow morning at EWR. We have to bring an 8 month old daughter with us and am wondering if I can sneak her into Elite Access line even though she is a non-elite.
Between our daughter and my mother-in-law speaking no English, it would make for a much more stress free check-in process.
Thanks!
Between our daughter and my mother-in-law speaking no English, it would make for a much more stress free check-in process.
Thanks!
Nov 5, 2010, 6:34 am
#7
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2002
Location: San Francisco/Tel Aviv/YYZ
Programs: CO 1K-MM
Posts: 10,762
for check-in? its all kiosks, you'd have to beg to talk to a human; I don't think the kiosks are programmed to reject non-elites.
Nov 5, 2010, 7:33 am
#8
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: IAD
Programs: UA 1K, Marriott Rewards - LTPP
Posts: 4,240
The elite security line is a crap shoot. Some of the time the maroon coats ask, sometimes they don't. Sometimes they allow people from the non-elite line in to "even it out"
Boarding is the only place where they will probably enforce it if you're not traveling with someone who is elite.
Nov 5, 2010, 10:22 am
#9
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: 40 miles SE of EWR
Programs: UA 1K/COPlat, Hyatt Diamond, Marriott Gold, Hilton Gold, Hertz Platinum
Posts: 532
In my experience, when you "look elite" i.e. dress biz or biz casual, and look like you know what you're doing, the red coats leave you alone.
Nov 5, 2010, 10:44 am
#10
Join Date: Feb 2007
Posts: 736
Years ago at CLE when I had a mainline flight to DCA by myself (yes, that long ago) the terminal was unexpectedly busy, my dad used his elite access card to get me into that line. The rep said with a certain look to her face "who is traveling today?" but she let it go through, while at the same time subtly advising that's not how the line is supposed to work.
Nov 5, 2010, 11:11 am
#11
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: SJC/SFO
Programs: UA lifetime gold; Hilton Gold; Marriott/SPG Plat; Hyatt Discoverist
Posts: 2,954
If you are traveling with her then its no problem at all.
If you are NOT traveling with her then:
For checking in it is usually not a big deal;
For the security line it may be an issue and for the boarding it is more likely to be a NO. I would suggest you ask the check in person (very nicely) for a gate pass to walk your frail mother in law (make sure she looks the part) to the gate and they usually say yes; then you could flash your elite card (and I assume you are elite) in security and then she could board earlier (because she is frail and needs more time);
You could also request for a wheelchair to take her to the gates and that usually gets you the VIP treatment.
If you are NOT traveling with her then:
For checking in it is usually not a big deal;
For the security line it may be an issue and for the boarding it is more likely to be a NO. I would suggest you ask the check in person (very nicely) for a gate pass to walk your frail mother in law (make sure she looks the part) to the gate and they usually say yes; then you could flash your elite card (and I assume you are elite) in security and then she could board earlier (because she is frail and needs more time);
You could also request for a wheelchair to take her to the gates and that usually gets you the VIP treatment.
Nov 5, 2010, 1:16 pm
#12
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: The Jersey Shore
Programs: UA 1MM, UA 1K, SPG Plat, Yfirst gold, Hyatt Plat, Avis Plat.
Posts: 309
I tried to sneak my mother in law through once, but for the broomstick it would have worked
Nov 5, 2010, 1:41 pm
#13
Original Poster
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: Lehigh Valley, PA
Posts: 152
Thanks for all the replies.
I know I can do it if I were traveling with her, but knew my odds were against me since I am not. The 2nd floor non-elite check-in had maybe 10 people in line at 9:15 or so this morning, so we just stayed there and got her checked in pretty quick.
The security lines had hardly any people in line neither. Is today some holiday that I don't know about??
I know I can do it if I were traveling with her, but knew my odds were against me since I am not. The 2nd floor non-elite check-in had maybe 10 people in line at 9:15 or so this morning, so we just stayed there and got her checked in pretty quick.
The security lines had hardly any people in line neither. Is today some holiday that I don't know about??
Nov 5, 2010, 7:41 pm
#14
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: CLL
Programs: MS Plat, AOR ninja
Posts: 2,177
Thanks for all the replies.
I know I can do it if I were traveling with her, but knew my odds were against me since I am not. The 2nd floor non-elite check-in had maybe 10 people in line at 9:15 or so this morning, so we just stayed there and got her checked in pretty quick.
The security lines had hardly any people in line neither. Is today some holiday that I don't know about??
I know I can do it if I were traveling with her, but knew my odds were against me since I am not. The 2nd floor non-elite check-in had maybe 10 people in line at 9:15 or so this morning, so we just stayed there and got her checked in pretty quick.
The security lines had hardly any people in line neither. Is today some holiday that I don't know about??
Nov 5, 2010, 8:16 pm
#15
Join Date: Jul 2006
Programs: Continetnal Silver
Posts: 234
Some very funny commets could be made
Some very funny commets could be made such as:
No let her stay in the regular line maybe she will not make the flight and you will be without a mother in law for the whole trip... but I see that you care about her too much.
No let her stay in the regular line maybe she will not make the flight and you will be without a mother in law for the whole trip... but I see that you care about her too much.