Many limit the options to your original departure and destination airports and to flights between certain regions most often the U. Read our full article on detailed standby policies by airline. Whether you're a ticketed passenger or you have a buddy pass, you'll want to show up as early as possible if you can't get on the list by phone or online. In most cases, this means showing up a few hours before the first flight of the day.
Because passengers are placed on the standby list on a first come, first served basis, this will maximize your chances of success. If you're using a buddy pass, be prepared to stay for the last flight of the day, since airlines will place paying customers first. And don't give up or leave until the flight you're trying to get on actually takes off; you never know when last-minute changes might occur.
What are my others options for cheaper, flexible travel? Airlines have become eerily efficient at filling up planes, which has given them greater leverage to keep prices high and steady. If you're looking to save on last-minute travel, look towards the budget carriers Southwest, JetBlue, Spirit, Frontier, etc. If you have time to plan, aim to travel on days that are less frequented by business travelers. It's not always an easy process, but if it works, you may be able to spend less time at the airport and more time at home.
Before you get to the airport, there are a few things you can do to get a sense of what your options might be. For some airlines, you can use their website or app to see which seats are available on flights other than yours. But the information you see online won't always be completely accurate, so you can also call the airline's reservations line to see if they can check for you. And in some cases, if you've bought an inexpensive ticket, you may not be eligible to fly standby on a different flight at all.
If your ticket does allow you to change flights the same day, it's a good idea to show up at the airport early and talk to a ticketing agent for the airline you're using. The agent will explain your options and either get you a confirmed ticket for another flight to your destination or put you on a list to potentially get a last-minute seat on a different flight.
Sometimes, passengers will receive standby seats on a first-come, first-served basis. Sometimes, passengers who are part of the airline's loyalty program, have a lot of frequent flyer miles, or use the airline's credit card will get preferential treatment. The criteria that determine who gets to fly standby can be unclear, and it varies from airline to airline.
That's intentional, according to aviation analyst Henry Harteveldt. If there's uncertainty about an airline's method for choosing who gets to fly standby, it's easier for it to make or change rules.
Thanks for sharing the tips. I fly with kids and we only ever have two weeks at a time thus no stand by for me. I plan way in advance as we have no flexibility with dates. You are commenting using your WordPress. You are commenting using your Google account. You are commenting using your Twitter account. You are commenting using your Facebook account. Notify me of new comments via email. Notify me of new posts via email. What is Flying Standby? Generally, knowing an airline employee is the simplest way to get standby tickets.
Why Should I fly standby? Panamanian immigration, of course, never asked. This can be especially problematic if your itinerary calls for two or more flights. Like this: Like Loading Really nice article man.. I just loved it. Of course, you would like to get back home sooner rather than spending the rest of the day in a Starbucks. Or perhaps you accidentally show up earlier than needed at the airport due to time zone confusion.
Either way, you would like to get on an earlier departure than your ticket dictates. Furthermore, you may need to pay for the difference in fare, and some airlines charge a same-day standby fee. Some carriers will allow you to check seats for flights other than your own on their website. Even though this may not always be accurate, it is one way of gauging the possibility of getting on the flight you want. Some airlines, like United , even allow you to sign up for standby via their mobile apps.
If you cannot get confirmation online, it is a good idea to either call ahead or to show up at the airport as early as possible and talk to the ticketing agent of your airline. The agent can either supply you with a confirmed ticket for an earlier flight, or put you on a list for a potential last-minute spot.
Standbys are usually handed out on a first-come-first-served basis. Some carriers may even forego the change fees if you inhabit a higher tier of the bonus program. By all accounts, it also helps to travel with carry-on only, as some airlines do not allow standby with checked-in luggage.
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