NEWS: Were the BA Extensions an Error? and a way to beat security queues

Were the BA Club extensions a mistake?

Yesterday, the frequent flyer world was abuzz with speculation as a seemingly random, large group of people received an email saying their status had been extended for an extra year. Those who had spent a lot of money to retain it weren’t best pleased, and people like myself who had held their status for 10+ years, and had earned a lot of TP but not enough, were understandably angry.

Here are some of the random extensions

• Flyer 1 – Gold, 17K points extended
• Flyer 2 – Gold – 17k points not extended
• Flyer 3 -gifted Gold – few TP extended
• Flyer 4 – gifted Gold – 500 TP extended
• Flyer 5 – gifted silver – 0 TP not extended

As the day wore on, people who had not been given the extension were calling The Club asking to be considered for one. At first, a few agents agreed to put it in a request for a review, but by mid-afternoon, the situation changed.

There were several reports on Flyertalk of agents saying that it was a mistake and they had been told to refuse anyone who was not within 5% of the required TP or who had Middle East flights cancelled.

Now, normally I’d take what customer service says with a pinch of salt when reported second hand, however, my friend spoke to the GGL line, who are often better informed, and he was told that it was an IT issue and that they would be revoking the extension for anyone who did not qualify.

I’m fairly certain it was an error, judging by the random nature of it and the multiple reports from customer service. But whether they choose to remove it given the publicity it has already got, I don’t know. I was discussing it yesterday, saying it would be a PR disaster, but as the person said, when have BA ever worried about that? So, for now, all you can do is wait and see what happens. I don’t begrudge anyone a status extension but it would be extremely unfair if people who had earned virtually no TP were given extension and those who had been loyal members for years with a lot more TPs were ignored.

I did hope that BA might consider some extensions for those who had held status for 10+ years, given all the changes to the Club over the last year, and as a way to re-engage those who have given up on BA.

TLFL did ask BA for comment yesterday, but at the time of writing BA had not replied. 

Did you get a status extension or not? Let us know in the comments below.

AA introduces more airports with TSA Touchless to beat the US security queues

If you hold US Global Entry, you also get access to TSA Pre-check where you usually get a shorter queue and less screening. I always recommend Global Entry if you visit the US a few times a year or are headed for a busy airport at peak season. If you combine GE with their app, you complete the entry on the plane as you taxi to the gate and then just flash the screen at the officer as you walk past! GE lasts 5 years, but it is pricey as you have to complete UK screening and US screening, which is £42 + about £97 respectively. However, that’s only £28 per year.

The US also recently introduced something called TSA Touchless, where you can use a separate lane and your identity is verified with biometrics rather than checking passports. Although TSA agents are now being paid, a lot of agents quit during the shutdown so queues are still a little longer than usual in many places.

American Airlines announced this week that TSA PreCheck Touchless ID is now available across all its hub airports, allowing eligible AAdvantage members to verify their identity using secure facial‑matching technology without presenting a physical ID or boarding pass. The system speeds up security screening by comparing a live image to government‑issued photos, such as those from a passport or Global Entry.

To use the feature, AAdvantage members must save their Known Traveller Number (KTN) and passport details in their American Airlines profile, ensure their personal information matches exactly, and then check the box to opt in to “TSA PreCheck Touchless ID.

The program is now active at all American Airlines hub airports, including Charlotte (CLT), Chicago (ORD), Dallas–Fort Worth (DFW), Los Angeles (LAX), Miami (MIA), New York (JFK and LGA), Philadelphia (PHL), Phoenix (PHX), and Washington, D.C. (DCA). Beyond the hubs, it is also available at around 60 U.S. airports where American operates, with further expansion planned. At the airport, you just go to the dedicated TSA PreCheck Touchless ID lane, where a quick facial scan verifies your identity. 

The catch is that you need to use your AA Advantage number, which is very annoying if you want to credit it to another oneworld member. I have this exact situation coming up, as I need to use my BA status to get the benefits, but I would have liked to use Touchless. It would be interesting to see whether you could change your number on the booking after security, or use your status card to access the benefits at the airport.

If you have had experience with TSA Touchless or tried to change your FF number afterwards, let us know in the comments below.