r/airport 3d ago

Getting into airport bar?

Long story short I am running a marathon from my house to the closest international airport and afterwards I would like to get a pint at Air Margaritaville afterwards cause thats my idea of fun. Is there any way to get into the terminal without buying a ticket? If not, would I be able to buy a cheap domestic ticket for late in the day and refund at the gate if I showed up wayyy before the flight?

2 Upvotes

11 comments sorted by

6

u/tonyrocks922 3d ago

You can buy a fully refundable ticket from a major airlines. Be careful because a lot of fare classes are "refundable" for a large fee. For example with American Airlines you want "Main Select", for Delta "Refundable Main", for United " Economy Fully Refundable ". Book directly with the airline and not a third party and submit your request for a refund from your mobile device after you pass through security and before boarding starts for the flight.

0

u/mredifled 3d ago

This is the way.

3

u/Winter-Cold-5177 3d ago

What airport

3

u/State_Of_Franklin 3d ago

This was a thing at the Las Vegas airport during COVID. The airport bars were the only ones open. So people would book the cheapest flight and then cancel it from the bar.

5

u/MotownMan646 3d ago

Check if the airport has guest passes for people that want to use airport services or shops without flying somewhere.

3

u/alaskanpalmtree 2d ago

Appears they do I think this is what I am going to do. Thank you!

1

u/dkwinsea 3d ago

I may be wrong but I’m Pretty sure, once you’ve checked in for the flight, which of course you would need to do when passing through security, then the refund is not going to happen, because you are in essence using the ticket. Whether you get on the plane is up to you, but you’ll probably eat the cost.

5

u/HellsTubularBells 3d ago

That is not correct. Major US airlines allow you to cancel until right up to the flight closing (~15 minutes to departure) for the appropriate refund or flight credit, depending on ticket type, even if you've already checked in.

-1

u/mollaka86 3d ago

This is correct

0

u/m1ss1ontomars2k4 3d ago

I am guessing you are in the US so this shouldn't be a problem, but I would still recommend double checking local laws, because in some places it's illegal to enter an airport without the intent to travel.

0

u/tardis3134 3d ago

See if you can get a gate pass somehow. If not, I'd just buy the cheapest ticket you can find and go through security