Checking in using Iphone app and availability of paper boarding passes
 

I've yet to use the United app as a boarding pass. My father and I will be traveling next week, and I would like to try it out. However, if there are any problems, I will definitely get the I told you so conversation in regards to doing the process with paper boarding passes.

So is it possible to cover both bases, Use the Iphpone app to check in, and then later on obtain paper boarding passes on the internet or at the airport?

Thanks.

yes, one does not invalidate the other.

Thank you. this is what I needed to know
 

Ok. I can do it both ways. I was worried about using the app to check in, and then somehow forgetting to print boarding passes later on.

Have a good holiday you all . . . and I hope you aren't flying through ORD tonight.

This is my standard practice; it comes in handy when you encounter a TSA checkpoint or gate without a functioning reader.

I just did this with the Android app, including the new feature to handle multiple BPs.

I had printed the boarding passes last night, but noticed this morning that they were available in the United app (4 of us on 2 PNRs), so I decided to try the mobile ones at security. Worked fine, but it was a bit awkward having to flip through them all and scan each one. In the end we used the paper BPs for boarding, as it's easier to have everyone hold their own. I'm a techie guy and I really want mobile BPs to be more convenient, but they always end up being less so for me. If I don't have access to a printer, sure, but otherwise I'll continue to print them.

Flying on your own, the app is easier. For multiple BPs, I usually print them. When I took the whole family to Florida this summer, printing 5 BPs was easier & faster.

Me too. I always use the "paper" BP at TSA. I find the ID checker gets frustrated with nothing to "scribble" on. Then I put it away and use my iPod Passbook at the gate.

I also always get printed BPs just in case I need to send something in later to claim mileage credit. It isn't clear to me how, or even if, that process would work with the 'electronic' BP.

Used the app with multiple boarding passes on my recent trip with 4yo Miss PVDProf. Boarding was much easier with the app, since I could hold my iPhone and flip from my pass to hers easily with my right hand, while she hold my left hand. Made me a pretty quick convert.

OT: Also learned you can bring your young kids through PreCheck.

Also seems that if you reprint boarding passes after int'l segments are done, you can from time to time get cleared for PreCheck (not technically allowed for int'l at the moment)

Worked for me the other day when I was going to miss my domestic connection at SFO! ;)

I almost always get a paper backup too.

Also, a couple of times my iPhone boarding pass has just disappeared right before boarding. Lovely. So now I've taken (also for purposes of ORC if I were to need it) to taking a screenshot capture of the boarding pass after OLCI. Once the miles post, I can delete from the phone.

If you want a back up, but don't want to print, you can always use the app to e-mail your boarding pass to you for archiving and use the on screen bp.

Mobile Boarding Pass Downside
 

Don't know if this problem has been posted before, but ran search and found no posts. Traveling from MEM-ORD today. They use UA contractor to shuttle RJ 145 back and forth. Noon flight #3397 from ORD today delayed over two hours, but flight for MEM-0RD still showed on-time departure and arrival even though it uses same aircraft.

Called 1K line, spoke with two excellent service directors. First one called MEM airport and confirmed same aircraft was being used, so even though showing on time departure from MEM, it would not be. SD protected me on later flight just in case. Second SD closer to flight time confirmed that even though flight showed departed under "Flight Status," it was still awaiting inbound aircraft and was expected to depart over two hours late around 4:30pm instead of 2:16pm.

I had for the first time, sent my boarding pass to my cell phone to avoid having to print out at hotel. At MEM pre-check, when I went to retrieve the BP, it said "Your flight has departed." MEM obviously is slow to update flight statuses. Went back to United ticketing counter. They called gate and flight was still there. It is 4pm now, and they reprinted my BP and called the gate to let them know I was on my way. As luck would have it, I did not get Pre-Check beeps. Made flight, but if I had a paper BP, I would not have had to return to ticketing to get a new BP. Be forewarned, esp. at airports that don't stay current with flights like MEM!


F.T.

Take a screenshot and/or use passbook

I use the mobile boarding pass almost all of the time, but experience has taught me to always print one out as well.

I was in line for security at BDL for a while when their battery operated scanners failed. The battery died. I had to leave, get back in line to print a boarding pass, then get in line again for security.

Never again.

That same thing happened to me in San Diego. Since then, I've always had a back up printed copy.

By the way, I love Passbook for quickly getting your boarding pass before boarding the plane.