Friends,

I will be traveling the return segment of my ticket in a few days, which is BOS-AVP, connecting in PHL.

I read on US Airways' website that earlier flights can be confirmed for $25 if it's done at the airport on the day of departure. Given that I am changing planes in PHL, would I need to pay $50 ($25 * 2) in order to get earlier flights for both segments, or would US just charge me $25?

Here is the US Airways URL:
http://www.usairways.com/awa/content/travelplanning/ticketingpolicies/dodchanges.aspx

Anyone done this before?

Thanks!

It's just once that they hit you for $25.

Stupid nickels and dimes. If you're on UA stock you're generally fine.

And I found out today the hard way, you can only stand by for earlier flights, not later. If you miss your flight and do not make it to the airport with in two hours of your scheduled departure (flat tire rule) , expect to pay the change fee plus fare difference, even if you call and let them know you are not going to make the flight.

Two hours is pretty arbitrary - I haven't seen that written anywhere. It may be one of those 'CSR Roulette' where you hang up and try again. Fortunately I have 0 experience in this area...

Two hours is pretty arbitrary - I haven't seen that written anywhere. It may be one of those 'CSR Roulette' where you hang up and try again. Fortunately I have 0 experience in this area...

The two hour rule is documented in the HP Contract of Carriage (http://www2.usairways.com/awa/content/aboutus/customersfirst/contractofcarriage.aspx) (search for "two hour rule"), but not the US version.

Friends,

I will be traveling the return segment of my ticket in a few days, which is BOS-AVP, connecting in PHL.

I read on US Airways' website that earlier flights can be confirmed for $25 if it's done at the airport on the day of departure. Given that I am changing planes in PHL, would I need to pay $50 ($25 * 2) in order to get earlier flights for both segments, or would US just charge me $25?

Here is the US Airways URL:
http://www.usairways.com/awa/content/travelplanning/ticketingpolicies/dodchanges.aspx

Anyone done this before?

Thanks!

If you want your seat confirmed in advance, the standard change fee (plus fare difference, if any) applies. The $25 per person fee you mention is for a voucher which enables you to to stand-by for an earlier flight. This is non-refundable and doesn't guarantee a seat.

If you want your seat confirmed in advance, the standard change fee (plus fare difference, if any) applies. The $25 per person fee you mention is for a voucher which enables you to to stand-by for an earlier flight. This is non-refundable and doesn't guarantee a seat.
This isn't correct. The $25 fee purchases confirmed seats and boarding passes. The catch is you must be at the airport and space must be available. If you aren't at the airport, you can change your ticket by calling reservations, but then the standard change fees apply. Details here (http://www2.usairways.com/awa/content/travelplanning/ticketingpolicies/dodchanges.aspx) (same link as the OP's).

So, how does this apply (if at all) to award tix? Say I've got a 5pm departure from BOS to ATL via PHL. I free up around 11am and want to make the 1pm flight out. Ticket is booked in X inventory (award).

May I also apply the $25 for any available seats in BOS once I'm at the airport? Just wanting to hear from someone who knows FOR SURE about award tix.

thank you!

They are supposed to hit you with the fee for award tix as well. The upside is that they only charge you if there's space to confirm you. If it's a "wait and see" then you get to go to the gate and it's free, per the new policy.

And how does it work if you try to do it to avoid a connection? For example, I'm looking at an itinerary from RDU to SNN that prices out significantly cheaper when done RDU-LGA-PHL-SNN versus RDU-PHL-SNN. Can I just turn up at the airport on the day of departure, pay my $25, and be routed RDU-PHL-SNN if there is space available RDU-PHL?

Thanks.

Should be fine... but there would be fewer segments and miles.... how very un FT of you! ;)

Should be fine... but there would be fewer segments and miles.... how very un FT of you! ;)

You have a point, however, the potential negative goodwill from Mrs. EWC-JMU for a couple of unnecessary extra segments (one on a Dash 8 PHL-LGA) could be significant. Plus I'd rather not do a double-connect on a non-MR.

And how does it work if you try to do it to avoid a connection? For example, I'm looking at an itinerary from RDU to SNN that prices out significantly cheaper when done RDU-LGA-PHL-SNN versus RDU-PHL-SNN. Can I just turn up at the airport on the day of departure, pay my $25, and be routed RDU-PHL-SNN if there is space available RDU-PHL?

Thanks.

I would never book an unnecessary double connect on an international itinerary, regardless of the cost.

This isn't correct. The $25 fee purchases confirmed seats and boarding passes. The catch is you must be at the airport and space must be available. If you aren't at the airport, you can change your ticket by calling reservations, but then the standard change fees apply. Details here (http://www2.usairways.com/awa/content/travelplanning/ticketingpolicies/dodchanges.aspx) (same link as the OP's).


Decided to try this in Albany yesterday - agent at the main ticket counter confirmed me on an earlier flight, gave me a BP, and never got around to even charging me the $25 - I was shocked, but kept my wits about me enough to NOT remind him!

It's just once that they hit you for $25.

Stupid nickels and dimes. If you're on UA stock you're generally fine.

I had a UA ticket (bought through Expedia, with UA flight numbers and United being shown when I booked the ticket) for a US flight today and checked in at a US kiosk; the ticket was on UA stock (016...). At the US Club I tried to go standby on an earlier US flight and was told that it would be a $25 fee. I've learned just to say thanks and to just be quiet and walk away whenever a ticket agent is wrong about something, so I said, "I have a United ticket; thanks" and just took the later flight.

Is the basis for the no $25 fee for UA tickets for US flights in the UA fare rules? Does US not instruct its agents on this? After also receiving another person's email upgrade notification (with his Dividend Miles and ticket numbers and flight information), sometimes I wonder- can US do ANYTHING right?

Thanks.

Decided to try this in Albany yesterday - agent at the main ticket counter confirmed me on an earlier flight, gave me a BP, and never got around to even charging me the $25 - I was shocked, but kept my wits about me enough to NOT remind him!

Actually, as a CP I have never once been charged the $25 fee - including today.

Actually, as a CP I have never once been charged the $25 fee - including today.

I have never been charged as gold either. Delta and most others waive this fee for golds and higher, so in practice maybe US is doing the same.

In practice we have always been able to standby for no charge, so this new 'benefit' would actually cost us.

I've been hit with the fee sometimes. I'd say probably about 50% of the time. I know the Ticket Agents in columbus, for example, have never let me slide as a CP. But a couple of times at DCA I have been given the free pass and ticketed for an earlier flight right on the spot.

They are sticklers for the fee at the clubs regardless of status. At least in CLT for sure. But you can go to the gate for FREE. Everyone seems to forget this. Ask what the chances are if you go standby at the gate if you don't want to pay the $25.

So, how does this apply (if at all) to award tix? Say I've got a 5pm departure from BOS to ATL via PHL. I free up around 11am and want to make the 1pm flight out. Ticket is booked in X inventory (award).

May I also apply the $25 for any available seats in BOS once I'm at the airport? Just wanting to hear from someone who knows FOR SURE about award tix.

thank you!


There is no fee charged to change time of departure or date of travel on award tickets. I call the CP Desk and never have problems getting the time changed to an earlier or later flight on day of travel for free.

* Award tickets booked online are eligible for redeposit into your account if they are cancelled through the Dividend Miles Service Center a minimum of 10 days prior to date of departure. A redeposit fee of $100 per passenger will apply.
* Once travel has commenced on an Award ticket, the Award is considered used. Mileage for any unused portion will not be redeposited into your account.
* A $100 per passenger reissue fee is applied for a change in the originating or destination city, class of service or Award level. There is no fee charged to change time of departure or date of travel however changes to originating or destination city or Award level cannot be made once travel has commenced. Changes to an Online Award Reservation must be made through the Dividend Miles Service Center at 800-428-4322.
* Award tickets are non-transferable. Once an Award ticket has been issued, changes to the passenger names are not allowed and the ticket may not be used by another person.
* Changes to a reservation can only be made by the ticketed passenger, Dividend Miles member whose miles were redeemed or the third party agent named at the time of ticketing.
* Mileage is not combinable with any additional discount, voucher, coupon, Internet only fare or other promotional offer.
* Award tickets expire one year from date of issue.
* Air Wisconsin Airlines will operate one or more flights in this itinerary.
* Due to smaller-sized overhead compartments on our Express aircraft, carry-on bag size is limited to the following dimensions for these flights: 15"x9"x11".
* All fares are subject to change until purchased.

If I am reading this correctly, as long as you maintain your city pairs (or permissible airports considered the same point), I can "Move Up" for $25?

Tomorrow, I have RSW-PHL-LAS-OAK booked. If I am done with work early, I can save four hours by doing RSW-CLT-PHX-OAK. Will $25 get me there, assuming space is available?

I don't fly US/HP very much, so here's a question I'm hoping one of you can answer. I am confirmed on HP stock (ticket starts with 401...) from BOS-LAS; would I be allowed to "confirmed standby" on: (1) US metal or (2) UA metal with a US flight number, connecting to HP metal with an HP flight number (BOS-LAX-LAS)? Anyone try this before?

... from BOS-LAS; would I be allowed to "confirmed standby" on: (1) US metal or (2) UA metal with a US flight number, connecting to HP metal with an HP flight number (BOS-LAX-LAS)? Anyone try this before?

The agents in BOS are pretty liberal about routing changes when you standby - and sometimes about associated fees. They've changed me to BOS-LGA-PHL on more than one occasion so I could pick up the extra segment.