Purchasing Refundable Ticket to Bypass Security
 

Wife and 9-month-old are flying in to Atlanta on Friday. I wanted to meet them at the gate. My understanding is I can purchase a refundable ticket and subsequently cancel it. Any potential pitfalls or hazards to doing this?

Also, what is the quickest/most efficient way to cancel a ticket (and request a refund) once I clear security but before the flight departs?

Telephone. That will do the job and be pretty easy. I have done this a couple of times.

Actually, since you have until midnight ET the day after purchase to cancel, you can purchase any DL ticket.

Will the ATL special services counter give OP a gate pass to help with the baby?

I'd suggest removing the specifics of what you're planning from your post, as airlines consider these types of bookings fraudulent.

I have done the gate pass thing many times...however every time, the person purchasing the ticket is the one who has to request the gate pass. I have seen people walk up to the counter asking for gate pass at the last minute, and the answer is no.

Have the person who is buying the ticket request the gate pass on their reservation...AND it has to be a legit reason. You can not just go out there to go out there. Helping with baby, and helping with elderly, you should be OK.

If it were me I would buy a ticket on WN (not DL) to bypass security.

Have never been denied a gate pass for the asking so long as there's a reason. This would be one. The sole reason for the gate pass is to run you through the system and keep the hordes out of the checkpoint.

Question: Is the ticket really still refundable, though bought within the 24-hr cancellation, if you check-in?

Where do you go [to attempt] to get a gate pass at ATL?

The DL special services counters in the check in area. It's where people go with UM, pets, and other special situations.

I have gotten a gate pass at the last minute. My daughter was flying into MSP on a weather-delayed flight with two kids. The GA didn't hesitate to give me a pass to meet her at the gate to help with the kids. It may have helped that it was late at night, so there were no security lines.

Not quite for same day purchases. The Risk Free Cancellation is valid until midnight the day after purchase, or midnight the day of the flight, whichever comes first.

Probably still best to just get a fully refundable ticket to avoid any possible issues, though.

Yep. I've done it. You won't be able to cancel online unless you get someone to uncheck you in first, though.

Agreed. This has worked well for me in the past.

Another vote for WN refundable ticket. Easy to cancel online and refund is quick (just a few days).

I did this with AA about a year ago and it took 3 calls to refunds dept and 60+ days for charge to be reversed on my CC