Gold not acceptable for Fast Track at T3

[HighFlyer]

I'll be testing the theory on Monday when i fly in PE to LAX. Might be worth carrying a print out of the Au benefits listing just incase there are any issues at Fast Track. I think i will insist that Check-in place a sticker on my boarding pass, i don't fancy spending my morning arguing with security, and being 'that traveller' who stands there shouting and flashing a loyalty card .

Thanks,
Sarah

I went through LHR on Monday 18th December travelling in PE with a Gold card. I asked for a sticker and was told I did not need one but should show my gold card to the fast track guard. He didn't ask for it and let me through anyway. Perhaps they can recognise VS Gold numbers printed on boarding passes?!

Chris

[mitchja]

When I flew PE on Dec 27th, I didn't need to ask for a fast track sticker [y]

Regards

Looks like I'm back on VS19 in a few days time, so I'll have another go !

I have just gone through Fast Track this morning, interestingly, the UC checkin agent said to me, without prompting, "was I aware of the new fast track procedure for Gold card holders travelling in Economy or PE" so I acted dumb (easy for me;)) and waited for him to tell me what to do. He told me that the stickers were history, and simply to flash the gold card. He also said that if I had any problems to come back down and let him know.

When I got upstairs there was a pre-screening person at the fast track entrance who asked me what class I was travelling in but didn't ask for my boarding card. I said economy, and showed him the gold card. He said " that should be OK sir" and sent me to the real boarding card checker on the desk who took a quick look at the boarding card and let me through. He didnt ask to see any evidence of Au status etc.

So all in all a good result, i'm now slobbing in the CH enjoying a drink or 3

Got a reply this morning, with an apology and assurances it was a temporary issue that has now been resolved. The good thing is I now have an email address should I need to escalate or indeed feedback good service to SRB's office.

I am due to fly out on VS19 next Saturday, so I'll be able to give it another try

Originally posted by David_C_H_1
I have just gone through Fast Track this morning, interestingly, the UC checkin agent said to me, without prompting, "was I aware of the new fast track procedure for Gold card holders travelling in Economy or PE" so I acted dumb (easy for me;)) and waited for him to tell me what to do. He told me that the stickers were history, and simply to flash the gold card. He also said that if I had any problems to come back down and let him know.

Hope I didn't miss this scenario, but the following does happen to me on occasion: I check in, I have a colleague also travelling say in PE but arrives half an hour after me. S/he says to the check in agent I'm travelling with Slinky could I go Fast Track (since you used to be able to take a guest) and they kindly sticker the boarding card. Now I guess we'll have to wait and time everything together?

Originally posted by ukcobra
Got a reply this morning, with an apology and assurances it was a temporary issue that has now been resolved. The good thing is I now have an email address should I need to escalate or indeed feedback good service to SRB's office.

I am due to fly out on VS19 next Saturday, so I'll be able to give it another try

and that email address is?????[}:)]

BTW, you will need those shiny AU cards at LGW, passed through there last week at about 10am, the queue for security in the South terminal stretched back to K section. There was a guy at the end holding up a board that said "estimated time to pass security from here is 2 1/2 hours[:?][V]

Originally posted by stoneman
BTW, you will need those shiny AU cards at LGW, passed through there last week at about 10am, the queue for security in the South terminal stretched back to K section. There was a guy at the end holding up a board that said "estimated time to pass security from here is 2 1/2 hours[:?][V]

I really do despair at the UK. I flew out of Shanghai en-route to Seoul yesterday.
From Wikipedia
"In 2004, the airport handled nearly 500 flights per day, carrying more than 20 million passengers per year in and out of China's most populated city."

I'm sure its a lot more now.
Number of people in my queue for security: five.

Of course, the previous queue for passport control was its usual painfully slow self, but even that was a large number of short queues.
Imagine what a mess the UK could make of full passport checks on exit too.

[preiffer]

I've seen the exact same into and out of Shanghai, Taipei, Seoul AND Hong Kong. It seems only us and the Americans can REALLY ar*e up a security procedure to monumental proportions.

I travelled back to SIN last Saturday from LHR on SQ in Y

Whilst checking in I asked if they could give me a fast track sticker and was told that BAA have stopped ALL gold cards when used with a Y ticket. The check in lady commented that its upsetting a lot of SQ customers. They suggested that I try it and see what happens.

I was stopped by the outer security guy (aka untrained twit) and was allowed to proceed to guy on the door. It was explained to me that ALL golds are now forbidden to go through unless travelling in business/first. I was shown the page on the sheet so the information he gave was correct. The good news was that fast track was quiet so he let me though anyway

Thanks, I'll print out my email from SRB's office then and take it with me.