1. Forums
  2. Mystery Shopping Company Discussion

international travel

November 10, 2019 03:15PM
If you have TSA-Pre and status with your airline carrier, the 2-3 hour rules for arriving ahead don't really apply for airports in the US,.

My only time concern is the 45-minute cutoff for baggage if I am checking luggage. I haven't spend more than 15 minutes checking in and getting through domestic security in years. For an international return I still arrive early, though.

Also...a tip for international departures. For airports like LAX where the international terminal doesn't have TSA-Pre, you can simply walk next door to the American terminal, pass through security there and walk back to international side once you are through. The 5-minute walk can save you 45 minutes in line!
Reply
Log In
x

Create an Account or Log In

Membership is free. Simply choose your username, type in your email address, and choose a password. You immediately get full access to the forum.

Already a member? Log In.

November 11, 2019 04:16AM
@SteveSoCal wrote:

For airports like LAX where the international terminal doesn't have TSA-Pre[....]

Pre-Check is available at LAX TBIT, but only at the L4, North screening point and only during certain hours. It is never available at L4, South or at L1 screening points.
Reply
November 11, 2019 04:27PM
@Rousseau wrote:

Pre-Check is available at LAX TBIT, but only at the L4, North screening point.

Good to know. It's never been open when I was there, but I'm not using TBIT that often for departures anymore.
Reply
November 11, 2019 06:18PM
HGEM/MysteryDining.net has a number of international airport quick-service restaurant shops which do not require lengthy reports. It's also easy to self-cancel if flight issues prevent you from doing the shop. In my experience schedulers for airport shops are very understanding about flight issues and won't penalize you if something happens.
Reply
November 13, 2019 07:15PM
Okay, I double-checked my hotel assignment, it's ~not~ Coyle. I signed up for a few companies at the same time, that day. I did read through the Coyle megabeast threads though for how picky they are when I still thought it was a Coyle assignment. Coyle has a few restaurants near me but they're booked and I tried to be a backup shopper. I'm glad I had that heads-up because they sound intimidating! I haven't found any assignments for my travel dates yet but I am hopeful! Three hour layover in ATL, it'd be so nice to get a few SoundBalance/InMotion, or a United Club. And I haven't seen any airport parking shops in a while. I got an email this morning about McDonalds shops, I would def take a McD's shop in an airport I was passing through, haha.

I guess my new question is for the first week of an upcoming month, how far ahead will schedulers post those available shops?
Reply
November 14, 2019 04:58AM
I don't care whether it's for business or pleasure, how early I get to the airport or how long I will be waiting. I would never do a shop while travelling. Too much stress as it is wondering if everything will go as planned. Have my carry on and purse with me (yes, cash, ID, credit cards and must haves) and will not cart that all over. Not to mention if it's a personal trip, my DH and kids may be traipsing all over with me as well. Then you have the pressure of doing the report timely? Technical, time and shop problems? NO WAY!
Reply
November 17, 2019 03:36AM
Customer service experts does a bunch of airport shops. International companies some already mentioned include International service check, Bare international, Albatross, AQ services, and shoppers critique

Shopping Western NY, Northeast and Central PA, and parts of Ohio and West Virginia. Have car will travel anywhere if the monies right.
Reply
November 19, 2019 02:33PM
For your European airports, you're best off speaking to International Service Check and Albatross - especially Albatross will have plenty and as long as you double check if the scheduler speaking English has usually been fine for me.
HGEM/Mystery Dining does not have much outside the UK and their budgets are pitiful.
Coyle doesn't have any airport shops in Europe either.
Reply
November 22, 2019 03:22AM
@SteveSoCal wrote:

If you have TSA-Pre and status with your airline carrier, the 2-3 hour rules for arriving ahead don't really apply for airports in the US,.
It's only $15 more to get Global Pre-Check which lets you breeze through international airports as well. Right now, United has a credit card app offering reimbursement for the $100 cost (along with 60k miles). Like Steve, the time I've saved has also been worth it.

ETA: The InMotion shops have been very simple. The employees consistently do well, which makes the reporting much easier.

"Let me offer you my definition of social justice: I keep what I earn and you keep what you earn. Do you disagree? Well then tell me how much of what I earn belongs to you - and why?” ~Walter Williams


Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 11/22/2019 03:24AM by iShop123.
Reply
Sorry, only registered users may post in this forum.

Click here to login