aubreyfromwheaton

Is this a reasonable plan to be able to assist family to the gate?

Buying a full domestic Y ticket oneway for later in the same day as family's flight, getting through security and then cancelling?

Fare rules say Cancellations permitted. I dont see anything about refunds or fees.

The purchase page says "ticket is refundable...fees may apply"

Does clearing security change refundability of ticket?

(ticket costs <$1000 i'm not worried about waiting for the refund... just if a refund would be possible ... and sans fees)

MSPeconomist

Some refundable tickets now mean that you must pay a fee, perhaps $200, to cancel and get the refund. You want a fully refundable ticket. Read the fare rules to be sure.

Crazyhotelguy

if WN leaves from same terminal, check them out for refundable. Never had an issue doing this with them.

azeckel

You can also try talking to the desk agent to see about getting a gate pass. Remember to be nice I was able to get a gate pass at LAX last year to wait out a couple hours at the sky club before I could SDC. (My scheduled flight was the next evening and I was trying to get on one leaving just after midnight).

shukar

Been there, done that (a couple of times in last 5 years). OP as long as you don't make a habit of it, I suspect you will be fine. Buy full Y or J fare and/or read the fine print.

flyerslc

If there is a reason they need extra assistance, you should be able to get a gate pass.

Spiff

FULLY refundable ticket = no fuss, no muss.

You can even board the flight, change your mind, deplane, and get a full refund. No questions asked.

dd1612

1. You can call the skyclub > 24 hours ahead and ask for a gate pass to escort your relatives through security to gate. Then at the checkin ask the checkin agent agent for the pass.
or
2. Ask the check in agent for a gate pass.

In my experience the DL agents need to inform TSA atleast 24 hours in advance for gate pass approvals.

3. Buy a FULLY refundable ticket on WN or DL and use it for going through security.

javabytes

Clearing security doesn't make a difference. Either the fare requires a cancellation fee or it doesn't, and how far you get at the airport doesn't matter. It's fairly uncommon for domestic refundable tickets to charge a cancellation fee... I've seen this more with international... nonetheless, best to double check the fare rules to be sure. On the rare occasion I've needed to do this and have been denied a gate pass, I just book a refundable ticket the day of (checking EF to make sure there are no cancellation fees) - then I'm double protected... refundable fare and 24h risk free cancellation.

xolinlevh

+1. Done this a few times to meet friends at the airport while they were here on layovers. Either a full fare/award ticket/regular ticket within 24h cancel window, and you should be fine

kss5555

Why a fully Y ticket?? With 24 hour cancellation policy even on tickets already checked in just do that. Refunds usually post to credit card within a few days.

MSPeconomist

Award tickets don't have the 24 hour cancel privilege if it's within 72 hours of the first flight. You lose all the miles.

waltinsocal

Just buy the cheapest one way ticket anywhere with the airline that will get you to the gate area you need to go to.

Had a similar situation a few months ago at LAX...needed to be in the Delta terminal...at LAX T-5, T-6 and T-7 are all accessible once you clear security...just bought a cheap ticket on United and took the tunnel to T-5. Cancelled the ticket within 30 minutes. Just to be sure, I cancelled the UA ticket online and I called UA as well.

Another problem is that there are conflicting rules about gate passes depending on which airport you need one. At LAX, all of the agents recently have told me that they don't exist at LAX.

At DFW it was problem at all. I even took a pic of the DFW gate pass and showed it to the DL employees at LAX and it didn't matter a bit. Was still told it can't be done at LAX.

aubreyfromwheaton

There is no risk free cancellation (24hour cancel) on the day of departure per delta.com.

Thanks for responses

I might buy a refundable tix

CJKatl

Just ask for a gate pass. It's free. It's never been a problem to get one. I used to do this all the time when my mother was still alive. I did it when I realized my cell phone was on the shelf in the men's room at the Tampa airport. It's the same pass given when you're picking up your unaccompanied minor.

You don't need to act like Costanza and Kramer.