TFCanswers, how fast track works at the airport
In our weekly TFCanswers, we will try to answer a question we often receive, declined in various forms: "How [...]
In our weekly appointment of TFC responds, we will try to answer a question we often receive, declined in various forms: "How does fast track work at the airport?"
In this article:
What is airport fast track
This service is the Fast track route that allows departing passengers to skip the queue at airport security checkpoints. As everyone who has been on an airplane since September 11, 2001 knows very well, this is the time when you are likely to stand in line the longest. Being able to skip the line therefore saves a lot of time and has less stress.
These shortcuts are usually reserved for business class passengers, frequent travelers who have elite status in various loyalty programs, holders of certain credit cards, or those who have bought service from the individual airport.
What not Is the airport fast track
Very often this benefit is misunderstood with two other queues that are made at the airport. The one at the check-in counters to board your luggage and get your ticket and the one at the gate, before boarding the plane.
The first is the ability to check in at business class counters, which are generally less crowded. The second was made famous by Ryanair, perhaps the first carrier to decide to sell priority boarding, and allows passengers to board earlier than other passengers.
Who is always entitled to fast track at the airport
The answer is none, because I happened to travel (even in business) to airports where the carrier I was using did not have specific agreements with the operator to offer this service. It is, however, a borderline case, in most cases those traveling business class generally have access to these queue jumpers. Not taken for granted at all airports, however, is the fast route For those with elite status.
Many airports now sell the service, for example in Milan, Bergamo or Rome is also offered as a package with parking.
Last but not least holders of certain American Express credit cards have this service included free of charge in the monthly card fee.
The fast track with YOU card
In recent weeks we talked about what Carta You offers, a Mastercard Gold card that you can have free for life. Among its advantages is precisely access to free fast track at several airports, in Italy and around the world.
With Mastercard Reserved Fast Track you can benefit from thepriority and free access to security gates of Fiumicino, Venice, Milan Linate, Olbia and Catania airports. Currently this benefit is valid until the end of 2022, but it is not excluded that it will be renewed.
The American Express fast track
This benefit is included in the American Express Platinum credit card fee., both personal and business versions, and obviously extends to additional cards as well. Here is everything you need to know about this service:
- Fast track is personal, this means that it cannot be extended to companions, friends.
- It is not a global benefit, this means that Italian Amex Platino holders can only take advantage of this service at Italian airports where it is present. It will not be possible with a card issued in Italy to take advantage of, for example, fast track at Brussels airport, where instead only cards issued in Benelux are valid.
- It is not present in all Italian airports
- Does not give access to priority boarding
- Does not allow check-in at business counters class
These are the written rules, then it can also happen that an overzealous attendant lets a group of 4 people pass with only one Platinum, or that in Madrid they do not check if the card is Italian or Spanish to see if you are entitled, or not, to fast track.
Which Italian airports have American Express fast track.
There are only seven Italian airports Where this service is active and are as follows:
- Rome Fiumicino,
- Milan Linate,
- Milan Malpensa,
- Turin Caselle,
- Naples Capodichino,
- Palermo Punta Raisi,
- Catania Fontanarossa
As can be seen, major airports such as Venice, Genoa, Florence, Lamezia Terme, and Bari to name a few are missing, and of course those where low-cost airlines are at home such as Bergamo, Pisa and Rome Ciampino.
How American Express fast track works
At airports where this service is active, it will be sufficient to show the attendants the card, along with the ticket and, if required, an ID, to gain access to the fast track to security screening.
This is a national benefit, meaning it applies ONLY at the airports mentioned. Other Amex markets also have this benefit, but it does NOT extend to Italian cards (and vice versa) then if an unzealous attendant grants to pass it is a different matter.
In conclusion
I hope with this article I have explained in detail all 50 nuances of airport fast track, as usual we are available to answer other questions and doubts about the world of air travel (and beyond).
