The skinny--I wanted to change my ticket to an earlier dca-phx flight on Wednesday.

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You have been connected to Cathy Z.
Cathy Z: Hello. Welcome to US Airways online customer support. I have received your message. I will be with you in a moment.
ian: thank you
two seconds later
Cathy Z: The new US Airways* understands that travelers need flexibility in their schedule. That's why we allow you to "move up" to any earlier flight on the same day of your originally scheduled departure time at the airport (with the exception of flights to Hawaii and Europe). Please note: Day-of-departure changes may only be made at the airport and not through our Reservations centers.

If there is an open seat available on any earlier flight that departs on the same day as your originally scheduled departure, you may change to that flight and we will automatically confirm your reservation for $25 for flights within the 48 contiguous United States and $50 for flights to Latin America, the Caribbean, Canada and Alaska. This lower confirmation fee replaces the usual $100 change fee, plus any differences between your old fare and new fare, for non-refundable tickets.

If there is NOT an open seat available on an earlier flight that departs on the same day as your originally scheduled departure, you may stand by for that flight at no charge. Standing by at no charge is not permitted if we can confirm that there is an open seat available for that flight. Seats on completely booked flights may become available if passengers with confirmed reservations don't show up for the flight. Please note: Unlike a confirmed reservation, flying standby does not guarantee that you will get on the particular flight that you want and may involve waiting for two or more flights before a seat is available to you.
ian: so is this cut and paste version of saying standy is of no charge if there is a seat available?
Cathy Z: If there is an open seat available on any earlier flight that departs on the same day as your originally scheduled departure, you may change to that flight and we will automatically confirm your reservation for $25 for flights within the 48 contiguous United States and $50 for flights to Latin America, the Caribbean, Canada and Alaska.
ian: I see, so I can confirm now for $25?
Cathy Z: Day-of-departure changes may only be made at the airport and not through our Reservations centers.
ian: I'm sorry, I don't understand--so I can standby the day my flight leaves and it does cost me $25??
Cathy Z: Yes, that is correct.
ian: even as Chairman Preferred??
Cathy Z: Chairman Preferred members so not have to pay the $25 standby fee.
ian: I see. Thank you. What if I wanted to reconfirm that earlier flight right now--what would the cost be?
Cathy Z: You have a non-refundable ticket, so there would be the $100 change fee, plus a possible difference in the fare.
ian: could you please check that price please
Cathy Z: I cannot quote fares while in Chat.
ian: ?? I'll call the CP line then. thank you
Cathy Z: You can either make the change online or call Reservations at 800-428-4322 and an agent will be happy to assist you.

The skinny--I wanted to change my ticket to an earlier dca-phx flight on Wednesday.

Thanks for using our online chat service. An agent will be with you in just a moment.
You have been connected to Cathy Z.
Cathy Z: Hello. Welcome to US Airways online customer support. I have received your message. I will be with you in a moment.
ian: thank you
two seconds later
Cathy Z: The new US Airways* understands that travelers need flexibility in their schedule. That's why we allow you to "move up" to any earlier flight on the same day of your originally scheduled departure time at the airport (with the exception of flights to Hawaii and Europe). Please note: Day-of-departure changes may only be made at the airport and not through our Reservations centers.

If there is an open seat available on any earlier flight that departs on the same day as your originally scheduled departure, you may change to that flight and we will automatically confirm your reservation for $25 for flights within the 48 contiguous United States and $50 for flights to Latin America, the Caribbean, Canada and Alaska. This lower confirmation fee replaces the usual $100 change fee, plus any differences between your old fare and new fare, for non-refundable tickets.

If there is NOT an open seat available on an earlier flight that departs on the same day as your originally scheduled departure, you may stand by for that flight at no charge. Standing by at no charge is not permitted if we can confirm that there is an open seat available for that flight. Seats on completely booked flights may become available if passengers with confirmed reservations don't show up for the flight. Please note: Unlike a confirmed reservation, flying standby does not guarantee that you will get on the particular flight that you want and may involve waiting for two or more flights before a seat is available to you.
ian: so is this cut and paste version of saying standy is of no charge if there is a seat available?
Cathy Z: If there is an open seat available on any earlier flight that departs on the same day as your originally scheduled departure, you may change to that flight and we will automatically confirm your reservation for $25 for flights within the 48 contiguous United States and $50 for flights to Latin America, the Caribbean, Canada and Alaska.
ian: I see, so I can confirm now for $25?
Cathy Z: Day-of-departure changes may only be made at the airport and not through our Reservations centers.
ian: I'm sorry, I don't understand--so I can standby the day my flight leaves and it does cost me $25??
Cathy Z: Yes, that is correct.
ian: even as Chairman Preferred??
Cathy Z: Chairman Preferred members so not have to pay the $25 standby fee.
ian: I see. Thank you. What if I wanted to reconfirm that earlier flight right now--what would the cost be?
Cathy Z: You have a non-refundable ticket, so there would be the $100 change fee, plus a possible difference in the fare.
ian: could you please check that price please
Cathy Z: I cannot quote fares while in Chat.
ian: ?? I'll call the CP line then. thank you
Cathy Z: You can either make the change online or call Reservations at 800-428-4322 and an agent will be happy to assist you.



and your point?

Sounds to me as if Ian has discovered that US Airways has resurrected its own version of the old program Twilight Zone. It's either science fiction or perhaps Orwellian. You can change for $25 if there's an open seat but not here, or you can standby for free for a seat, but not if there is a seat free. Or if you want to change now, pay $100.

It's all doublespeak. This person should work for the IRS.

BarryBarry ;)

Was the point of the OP that you can only standby at the airport, or that you cannot make res changes via chat?

I've never tried to confirm on an earlier same day flight via the Plat desk, but often check availability online, and if available, wander into the airport early enough to make the earlier flight. A 2 second chat with the TA almost always ends with a new BP, sans fee.

In an oversold situation, it reverts to good ole fashioned nail biting at the gate, hoping someone else mis-connects. Of course with status one has a leg up in the queue.

Have others been able to secure an earlier same day flight, without fee, prior to showing up at the airport, or was it handled as a change?

or that you cannot make res changes via chat?

That was my point of the post. I never knew online help couldn't quote prices or make reservation changes. I just posted this as an FYI to those thinking the same thing I was yesterday.

Got to DCA an hour ago. I was successful in getting on the earlier flight to Phoenix (flight 662). When the agent was typing one key stroke after another I politely requested a specific seat...either 10 B/C or 27 CD. He came back and said "I have something better, 2D". Nice :D

Odd that KVS's tool showed zeroed out F inventory for this flight long ago. Oh well I'm not complaining.

Good job US for a hassle-free change!

Got to DCA an hour ago. I was successful in getting on the earlier flight to Phoenix (flight 662). When the agent was typing one key stroke after another I politely requested a specific seat...either 10 B/C or 27 CD. He came back and said "I have something better, 2D". Nice :D

Odd that KVS's tool showed zeroed out F inventory for this flight long ago. Oh well I'm not complaining.

Good job US for a hassle-free change!

Both usairways.com and kvs always show the first row of F zeroed out, allowing for as many as two seats for air marshals, even though there are not marshals on every flight, and that does not explain why four seats are blocked out. You can check this out by checking out empty flights for 11 months for now, see the seating charts, the first row will always be blocked out.