EWR-PVG (Shanghai) Visa Check by non-gate agents
Jan 3, 2020, 1:54 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Chicago, IL
Programs: UA 1K MM, HHonors Diamond,PC, Marriott Rewards Gold
Posts: 1,117
EWR-PVG (Shanghai) Visa Check by non-gate agents
Today I saw an incredibly long line at gate 138 at EWR for passport/visa check so I went over to Customer Service and asked them to do it. They flatly refused. I’ve never had such orneryness or refusal to do something that any agent should be able to do. I typically have the United Club agents do it but the pop up club was nightmarishly busy and I avoided it.
There were two agents at Customer Service and they just both argued that they could never do that and said only the gate for the flight could do so. What a bunch of crap. Maybe next time through I’ll buy a dozen “Visa OK” stamps and a red ink pad to pass out.
There were two agents at Customer Service and they just both argued that they could never do that and said only the gate for the flight could do so. What a bunch of crap. Maybe next time through I’ll buy a dozen “Visa OK” stamps and a red ink pad to pass out.
Jan 3, 2020, 2:01 pm
#3
Join Date: May 2010
Location: AVP & PEK
Programs: UA 1K 1.9MM
Posts: 6,355
Today I saw an incredibly long line at gate 138 at EWR for passport/visa check so I went over to Customer Service and asked them to do it. They flatly refused. I’ve never had such orneryness or refusal to do something that any agent should be able to do. I typically have the United Club agents do it but the pop up club was nightmarishly busy and I avoided it.
There were two agents at Customer Service and they just both argued that they could never do that and said only the gate for the flight could do so. What a bunch of crap. Maybe next time through I’ll buy a dozen “Visa OK” stamps and a red ink pad to pass out.
There were two agents at Customer Service and they just both argued that they could never do that and said only the gate for the flight could do so. What a bunch of crap. Maybe next time through I’ll buy a dozen “Visa OK” stamps and a red ink pad to pass out.
(bolding mine)
Sadly, they might have been right.
I know the Polaris lounge agents won't do the Visa check either. They seem to be leaving that task to the gate staff exclusively.
Never forget: you are at EWR after all!
Jan 3, 2020, 2:15 pm
#4
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: San Francisco/Sydney
Programs: UA 1K/MM, Hilton Diamond, Marriott Something, IHG Gold, Hertz PC, Avis PC
Posts: 8,157
I've seen the gate staff have a list of people who's visa/etc hadn't already been checked, which they were crossing people off as they went. No idea if that's standard procedure or not, but I've seen it multiple times.
Obviously that wouldn't work if the service desk was to do it for you...
Obviously that wouldn't work if the service desk was to do it for you...
Jan 3, 2020, 2:55 pm
#6
Join Date: May 2010
Location: AVP & PEK
Programs: UA 1K 1.9MM
Posts: 6,355