NRSA - Cancelations
Aug 21, 2021, 10:05 pm
#3
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: Redondo Beach, CA USA
Programs: UA 1KMM, Bonvoy LTE+A, HH D, Nat'l EE, Hertz Plat, Avis PC
Posts: 3,710
Okay, I'll bite even though this sounds fishy. What would "come up" after getting through security that would necessitate cancelling the flight reservation?
Aug 21, 2021, 10:58 pm
#4
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: USA
Programs: UA Gold, Marriott Gold
Posts: 1,189
Why do you have to bite on anything? It could be a family emergency, getting called up for duty, all kinds of things. Forget the NRSA aspect -- can't you imagine things coming up for you after getting through security that would necessitate cancelling your trip?
Aug 21, 2021, 11:56 pm
#5
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: ZOA, SFO, HKG
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Posts: 13,811
I know nothing about this.
But if a rev passenger can cancel the ticket and walk out before departure, I can't see why not for NRSA, especially given the standby nature.
But if a rev passenger can cancel the ticket and walk out before departure, I can't see why not for NRSA, especially given the standby nature.
Aug 22, 2021, 2:26 am
#6
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Austin, TX
Posts: 21,352
I suspect the policy is different for NRSA, which is why WineCountryUA's advice is spot-on. OP should ask on the employee site, if applicable, or contact their employee sponsor to learn the rules.
Aug 22, 2021, 6:49 am
#7
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: ORD
Programs: United Plat 2MM, Hilton Gold
Posts: 2,727
Aug 22, 2021, 8:39 am
#9
Join Date: Mar 2014
Posts: 376
I imagine the situation matters. Booking a non rev flight just to pass through security and take a stroll through the airport with no intention of flying probably wouldn't be the best idea.
Aug 22, 2021, 9:40 am
#10
Join Date: Sep 2014
Posts: 2,531
I'm pretty sure every day there are a high number of people with NRSA bookings who make it through security and end up cancelling for personal reasons or because the flight is full (or onward flights look full, so don't bother going to gateway).
I don't think anyone would know or care unless you are doing something fishy repeatedly or have checked bags.
I don't think anyone would know or care unless you are doing something fishy repeatedly or have checked bags.
Aug 22, 2021, 9:41 am
#11
Moderator, Amtrak & Spirit Airlines
Join Date: Jan 2011
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Yeah, when I was a NRSA I did this a couple of times.
Usually when flying a foreign airline that didn't do PreCheck.
List for whatever flight generate a "boarding pass" use precheck and then cancel my listing.
You also sometimes have to make the "walk of shame" back out of the airport if you don't clear what you had hoped.
If you are truly pass riding almost all airport staff totally get that you will be in a weird situation.
One time I was sitting in J on a HKG-ORD flight and 4 of us got kicked off right before the door closed because the captain elected to take more fuel not us. There we had to go back through transit security even though we didn't actually go anywhere.
International NRSA flying is all about flexibility and having plans A through Z if you actually need to be somewhere in +/- 2 days on a long international segment.
Not for the faint of heart, but when it works out you really can't beat it.
Usually when flying a foreign airline that didn't do PreCheck.
List for whatever flight generate a "boarding pass" use precheck and then cancel my listing.
You also sometimes have to make the "walk of shame" back out of the airport if you don't clear what you had hoped.
If you are truly pass riding almost all airport staff totally get that you will be in a weird situation.
One time I was sitting in J on a HKG-ORD flight and 4 of us got kicked off right before the door closed because the captain elected to take more fuel not us. There we had to go back through transit security even though we didn't actually go anywhere.
International NRSA flying is all about flexibility and having plans A through Z if you actually need to be somewhere in +/- 2 days on a long international segment.
Not for the faint of heart, but when it works out you really can't beat it.
Aug 22, 2021, 1:45 pm
#13
Suspended
Join Date: Feb 2020
Posts: 1,501
It only becomes a problem once an agent "clears" you, and then you'd have to talk to the agent to cancel you, but that's only done most of the time during/just before boarding so anytime before that you'd have no issues.
On purpose sure but there's no harm considering you pass through the same security and you aren't taking inventory away from the airline just to purposely cancel it later.
Last edited by WineCountryUA; Aug 22, 2021 at 1:52 pm Reason: merged consecutive posts by same member
Aug 22, 2021, 2:21 pm
#14
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: HNL
Programs: UA GS4MM, MR LT Plat, Hilton Gold
Posts: 6,447
It is actually fairly common for a NonRev traveler to have or want to cancel once you pass security.
NonRev travel is much harder than a lot of people think because it is seniority based - as in, no incentive to list for a flight early.
You easily get tripped up even if you think you have a decent chance to get on the flight.
Let's say I want to go SFO-LAX. Before leaving for the airport I check the loads - where I am in the list - and think, yep - I'll probably get on. As you leave for the airport - other employees with higher seniority also list for the flight - you start moving down and down (it happens all the time). The Rev travelers start tripping you up with same day change. You are already at the airport - might as well check in and go thru security because a bunch of people who listed inevitably don't show as well. You sit there - and realize - nope, I'm not getting on and even when I get rolled to the next standby list I'll never get on so you cancel and go home.
NonRev travel is much harder than a lot of people think because it is seniority based - as in, no incentive to list for a flight early.
You easily get tripped up even if you think you have a decent chance to get on the flight.
Let's say I want to go SFO-LAX. Before leaving for the airport I check the loads - where I am in the list - and think, yep - I'll probably get on. As you leave for the airport - other employees with higher seniority also list for the flight - you start moving down and down (it happens all the time). The Rev travelers start tripping you up with same day change. You are already at the airport - might as well check in and go thru security because a bunch of people who listed inevitably don't show as well. You sit there - and realize - nope, I'm not getting on and even when I get rolled to the next standby list I'll never get on so you cancel and go home.
Aug 22, 2021, 3:42 pm
#15
Used to be 'Travelergcp'
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: New Orleans
Programs: AA Plat, Marriott Gold, Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 2,826
Yes. It’s a ticket like any other, except doesn’t have confirmed space.
If you’re thinking about doing this to get into the Amex or priority pass lounges, most of them have a rule saying that only confirmed space same-day counts. Specifically to keep out staff.
I can imagine doing this. I’m at DFW D terminal and I want to go *somewhere* but I’m not gonna clear. Log into jetnet or whatever and list for something else instead.
If you’re thinking about doing this to get into the Amex or priority pass lounges, most of them have a rule saying that only confirmed space same-day counts. Specifically to keep out staff.
I can imagine doing this. I’m at DFW D terminal and I want to go *somewhere* but I’m not gonna clear. Log into jetnet or whatever and list for something else instead.
