Book a refundable ticket just to get through security?
 

Would you do this? (I'm contemplating it, but have not yet done it yet).

My mother is coming to visit, and she is elderly. She's very mobile, but she would prefer that I meet her at the gate. I know this sounds kind of stupid, but would you simply book a refundable ticket so that you could enter the secure area for this purpose?

Is this a punishable offense?

BooBooKitty - I doubt it's punishable... borderline unethical, perhaps. But, some CSRs are "promoting" it as a way to get through security. And I've heard of a few FTers pull this trick to get through. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/wink.gif



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"What do you mean you didn't get miles for that?!"

I was just thinking this the other day while standing in the security line at ATL. If someone really wanted to get through security without any intention of flying, they could do this. Kind of defeats the purpose of not allowing unticketed passengers through security.

Nothing to add of substance- just enjoyed your screen name.


Sincerely,

Silent Bob.

The other way to do it is to get a pass to help your mother but I guess that means she would have to be trundled out in a wheelchair.

I'd try for a pass before trying this. It will certainly work, but who knows what they are tracking now. I don't know about Atlanta, but in Newark you can not get to the gates with a ticket, you have to have it converted to a boarding pass or get a pass from an express agent (at least at United) to get to the gate. Paper tickets, e-tickets are not enough to get through security, you either stand in line and get a boarding pass or get some pass at the express line, so it may not even work if Atlanta is the same.

cordelli, I think you can still take a refund on the ticket even though you've already checked in and have a boarding pass.

Am I right?

Jeff http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/cool.gif

Buying a full fare first ticket will also get you into any lounge for free.

When they opened the Bradley terminal at LAX they only allowed ticketed passengers. I was an LAX nut and wanted to see the terminal. I bought a ticket to Korea (for about $2000), visited the terminal, then refunded the ticket and went home.

The simplest way to do this via Delta.com (if you have at least 25k miles) is to select a frequent flier award itinerary online (but not book it). It will show up in "My Itineraries" as a trip that has been bought and confirmed. This could then be printed and handed to security as an e-ticket. I've not done this, but it seems like it would be pretty easy. This seems like a pretty big loophole!

This should work, although I'd discourage anyone from doing it unless it was absolutely necessary.

Also, I've heard that some airlines can take quite a while to actually post refunds to your credit card account, sometimes 1-2 months. So, you might want to take that into account, if it is an issue for you.

d

Given the current environemnt, I would suggest purchasing a roundtrip ticket instead of a one-way fare.

Keeping unticketed passengers out of secure areas may not be so much for "security" as it is intended to lessen the burden on the the already overwhelmed security checkpoints. The lines are long enough. Who need looky-loos and do-gooders adding to the lines, when there are acceptable options.

In my experience in the past month, those who go through security without ANY carry-on luggage are examined, and questioned, thoroughly. Again, slowing things down.

May a lengthy PROBE be your fate......

I was going to do this at LAX when my parents came to visit also but I never got around to it. You are one person & not likely to clog up the security line & I don't think the "what if everyone did this" argument would apply. LAX can be an intimidating place for your elderly mother to navigate.Go for it.
I also like your screen name. Laverne & Shirley, right?

I did this during the Gulf War to get though security at DFW. I didn't have any problems, other than the credit taking awhile to post to my account.