United Denied On-line Check-in

[Deleted]

I just tried to check in for my flight tomorrow.   It is an international flight with a connection, I entered all my passport information and when I went to print I was given  the following message:

"Why didn't I get a boarding pass?



Your manually-entered passport information must be verified at the airport before a boarding pass can be issued. Once your passport is verified, you may be able to receive a boarding pass through online check-in when you travel in the future.



These required verifications may be handled either at an airport kiosk or with a United representative."

Is this new, or what would cause this?  I don't recall having to do this over the summer when I flew.  I'm just annoyed that now I have to get to the airport earlier than I was planning to check in.  

[kelley182]

United will not let you check in for international flights. You have to check in at the airport. This has been our experience for the last few years. Sorry.

[definitelyO]

I've had the same experience as kelley182 - even for a trip to Canada. I got yelled at the by agent b/c I checked in with 59 min until flight time and not 60 min. I tried to explain that I was in their line waiting..... ugh.

[mdgirl]

It sounds like you were able to check in, which is good, but just not get a boarding pass. I think this is pretty standard for international flights. They want proof you have your passport with you before you get on the flight.

[Deleted]

Jan 10, 2014 12:31:15 GMT -5 @publius said:

Where are you going?

Paris.  

[Deleted]

Thanks everyone. I could have sworn I have gotten a boarding pass before but I may be wrong. Looks like I have to be leaving the house before 6AM tomorrow to get to the airport with enough time so I don't get yelled at.

[GilliC]

United has one of the only direct flights to the US, so I fly them a lot. I'm pretty sure that 5 or 6 years ago I could print my boarding pass, but I haven't been able to do it in years. The line at our local airport easily takes an hour (even though it's just one or two flights), so it's a complete pain. From my experience, mdgirl is right that you are likely considered checked in, but you will still need to collect your boarding pass at the airport. I always had a bag to check, so I would typically just go to the bag drop line.

[SJ]

This is good to know as we are flying United on a direct flight to Paris next week!

[Deleted]

I had the same experience for a flight from Canada to the US with United. 

[librarygirl]

Nothing new to add but yes, you can always "check in," prior however, you won't receive your ticket until your passport has been checked at the airport.

[sparty04]

This happened with us for Air Tran going to Jamaica

[Norticprincess]

Normal. They let you check in and change seats etc. but make you print out the pass at the airport.

[chicago]

Yep, this is normal!

[mrssandro]

Yep....normal.

[naldridge]

Jan 10, 2014 12:57:02 GMT -5 definitelyO said:

I've had the same experience as kelley182 - even for a trip to Canada. I got yelled at the by agent b/c I checked in with 59 min until flight time and not 60 min. I tried to explain that I was in their line waiting..... ugh.

I thought technically you were supposed to check in two hours before an international flight...?

[caddywompus]

We found this out when we went to Canada a few months ago. They said it's because they actually have to verify your passport, before they will issue a boarding pass.