It appears that American may have changed access to it’s rather nice Flagship check-in.

The service gives a nice check-in experience to a small range of customers at it’s key hubs – JFK, Chicago, LAX and Miami.

The AA web site says that access is restricted to:

• A ConciergeKeySM member
• A Five Star ServiceSM customer
• Traveling First Class onboard an American three-class transcontinental flight
• Traveling First Class onboard an international American or select oneworld® alliance carrier* anywhere in your outbound itinerary

At JFK, the check-in is useful as it deposits you at the front of the TSAPre line for Security.

After a slightly embarrassing moment  when I was turned away from the Flagship Check-in at JFK I asked about what the reason was when I got to the lounge.

After some research it appears that I was on a discounted (read reward) First Class ticket  on an American three-class transcontinental flight. This no longer provides entry as it must be full-fare to use the Flagship Check-in.

This is news to me as the web site doesn’t say that this is a restriction and I was able to use it a few weeks ago on the cheap JFK to Cabo fare in First Class.

Has American changed access to its Flagship Check-in?

I have tweeted and will report back.