US Airways Dividend Miles (Pre-2005 America West merger) - $25 confirmed standby

A while back, I was flying US out of a southern city that shall go nameless to protect the agent who helped me. I had an early evening departure scheduled but was unable to make it due to very heavy traffic. I called US reservations to let them know what was happening, and they said there was nothing they could do on the phone but to let the airport folks know my situation once I got there. I did just that, and the gentleman at the counter gave me one of two options: standby for both flights for free, or confirm on both flights for $25 total. Since there were less than nine seats on each flight, I decided to opt for the security and pay $25. However, I was a bit puzzled (albeit in a happy sort of way!) that the fee was $25. As I understand it, that's normally the fee charged for standby. Therefore, I assume the agent was being nice and offering me a free option, which I can understand as a fairly easy exception to make given the circumstances. However, I'd never heard of the $25 to confirm deal. Have any of you experienced this? I'm just curious to see how widespread this practice is. I myself will be allowing more time to get to the airport in the future, $25 confirmed flights or not!

Were you flying on a United Ticket on US Metal? If so you should have no standby fee as this agent said.

However the $25 to confirm sounds like he was making this up as he went along (that is fine IMO) He could have been a real stickler and demanded $25 for just putting you on the standby list as US usually does. So glad he granted you a small favor. The stand-by fee is incredibly ridiculous. I have not and will not pay the standby fee EVER. I'd rather give the price of my entire ticket to UA when reasonable.

Were you flying on a United Ticket on US Metal? If so you should have no standby fee as this agent said.

However the $25 to confirm sounds like he was making this up as he went along (that is fine IMO) He could have been a real stickler and demanded $25 for just putting you on the standby list as US usually does. So glad he granted you a small favor. The stand-by fee is incredibly ridiculous. I have not and will not pay the standby fee EVER. I'd rather give the price of my entire ticket to UA when reasonable.

It was a US ticket on US metal. Yup, he did grant me a small favor, for which I was grateful. I'm curious to see how common this favor is, given US' standby policies. I also wonder if my UA Premier Exec status made any difference.

I'm curious to see how common this favor is, given US' standby policies.

If by favor you mean allowing a UA ticketed passenger for a US flight standby for a different US flight, then I was allowed to do this two weeks ago. For $25, of course.

If you read UA's fare rules (there is NO FEE) for same day stand-by. It is at least $25+ incentive to travel on a UA ticket on US metal.

In this case, carry your fare rules with you and point them out to the US agent.


If by favor you mean allowing a UA ticketed passenger for a US flight standby for a different US flight, then I was allowed to do this two weeks ago. For $25, of course.

Now, what if the US flight I'm standing by for does not carry a UA codeshare on it?

Now, what if the US flight I'm standing by for does not carry a UA codeshare on it?

I'm not sure if you can do it then..

If you read UA's fare rules (there is NO FEE) for same day stand-by. It is at least $25+ incentive to travel on a UA ticket on US metal.

In this case, carry your fare rules with you and point them out to the US agent.


Last month, I was on a UA ticket on a UA code share flight operated by US Shuttle. I wanted to take the flight an hour earlier and was told that they would make an exception for me since LGA had bad weather. I pointed out that it was a UA ticket and I was allowed free standbys. The GA insisted that no one gets free standby anymore and that it didn't matter if I was on a UA ticket. UA and US res both claim UA rules apply, but it seems the masses don't.

Out of curiosity, what would happen with standby for a US ticketed US pax flying standby on a UA operated flight. For some reason, I don't think UA would charge them $25. Any experiences?

All I can say is have your fare rules in hand and highlight them. US usually demands the WE follow convoluted fare rules--they need to follow them as well.

Last month, I was on a UA ticket on a UA code share flight operated by US Shuttle. I wanted to take the flight an hour earlier and was told that they would make an exception for me since LGA had bad weather. I pointed out that it was a UA ticket and I was allowed free standbys. The GA insisted that no one gets free standby anymore and that it didn't matter if I was on a UA ticket. UA and US res both claim UA rules apply, but it seems the masses don't.

Out of curiosity, what would happen with standby for a US ticketed US pax flying standby on a UA operated flight. For some reason, I don't think UA would charge them $25. Any experiences?

Last month, I was on a UA ticket on a UA code share flight operated by US Shuttle. I wanted to take the flight an hour earlier and was told that they would make an exception for me since LGA had bad weather. I pointed out that it was a UA ticket and I was allowed free standbys. The GA insisted that no one gets free standby anymore and that it didn't matter if I was on a UA ticket. UA and US res both claim UA rules apply, but it seems the masses don't.

I stood by for an earlier BWI-PHL flight while 'running on a UA ticket-UA-codeshare-US metal flight. The GA acted like "oh, we're supposed to charge you $25 but I'll let it slide this time". I just said to myself whatever and was glad to accept her "gratuity". Nevertheless she was helpful and accommodating so ^.

OTOH I ran into a nice LAX GA when I was flying US ticket with US metal and asked to standby. She was ready to do the standby when she threw out the "that'll be $25" at the last minute and when I said "no thanks, I'm not going to pay $25" she tried to sell it as "well you're paying for First class" when I was already confirmed in F for the next flight.

These GA's are a piece of work sometimes. I've had the best of luck with them and the worst of luck with them so I can't label them all horrid people to interface with. I'd say that they're sometimes not as informed with the rules as we expect them to be, which I wouldn't say this is necessarily their fault.

Does anyone have any more information regarding standby if you are holding a United (016) ticket for UA flight numbers on US metal? The following is from a LGA-BOS-LGA fare for $135.20. What rights does a passenger have if he is ticketed on UA2942 (8PM), but he wants to standby for UA2940 (7PM)? If I were said passenger holding a 016 Ticket with UA flight numbers, there is no way I would pay $25 to standby for the earlier flight. However, as a mainly UA flyer, can anyone here offer advice as to how to get a US CSR to allow you to standby without a charge. If both flights carry a UA flight number, I can't see how US could have any problem, but I assume they would based on what I have read here.

5. ADVANCE RES/TICKETING
FOR V-A7 TYPE FARES
RESERVATIONS FOR ALL SECTORS ARE REQUIRED AT LEAST 7 DAYS
BEFORE DEPARTURE.
STANDBY PERMITTED FOR EARLIER/LATER SAME DAY FLIGHTS
OTHERWISE WAITLIST AND STANDBY NOT PERMITTED.

C. SAME DAY STANDBY-
UA PASSENGERS HOLDING CONFIRMED RESERVATIONS AND TICKETS MAY STANDBY FOR EARLIER/LATER SAME DAY FLIGHTS BETWEEN TICKETED CITY PAIRS AT NO ADDITIONAL COST. IN ADDITION TO THE ORIGINAL AIRPORT OF DEPARTURE/ARRIVAL PASSENGERS MAY CHECK IN AND STANDBY TO/FROM AIRPORTS LISTED BELOW UNLESS RESTRICTED BY THE AIRPORT PROVISIONS OF THE FARE.

CITY AIRPORT
CHI CGX/ORD/MDW
NYC JFK/LGA
WAS DCA/IAD

Does anyone have any more information regarding standby if you are holding a United (016) ticket for UA flight numbers on US metal? The following is from a LGA-BOS-LGA fare for $135.20. What rights does a passenger have if he is ticketed on UA2942 (8PM), but he wants to standby for UA2940 (7PM)? If I were said passenger holding a 016 Ticket with UA flight numbers, there is no way I would pay $25 to standby for the earlier flight. However, as a mainly UA flyer, can anyone here offer advice as to how to get a US CSR to allow you to standby without a charge. If both flights carry a UA flight number, I can't see how US could have any problem, but I assume they would based on what I have read here.



If the US agent tries to charge you, tell them that since it is a UA ticket for travel on a UA flight (that just happens to be operated by US), that the standby fee does not apply. It is doubtful that they will believe you, in which case I would suggest that you ask them to call the "rates desk" and clarify with them. Last time this happened to me, a simple call to rates and the misunderstanding was all cleared up.

I fly the Shuttle on both UA and US tickets. You ARE allowed to standby for FREE on UA tickets, but $25 on US. My experience is that even on UA tickets, US agents will mention the fee. If you tell them about the free UA standby, they look (in detail) at all the fare rules for the UA flight, until they get to the "Free standby allowed" line, then they smile and let you stand by for no charge. But it tends to take a while to find the info, so if you're there at the last minute it likely won't happen.

Also the experience of UA1P is what I thought was actually the correct procedure. If you miss your US flight, you can standby for free for later flights, but don't have much priority. Or you can pay the $25 fee to confirm standby on later flights, but only if there are sufficient seats available (you can't confirm if there may be a full flight/oversell). I think the agent followed the correct procedure, as opposed to giving you a freebie. I always thought the fee in that case was a waste, since if there are sufficient seats, you should be able to standby anyway.

Isn't confirmed stand-by an oxymoron?

Also the experience of UA1P is what I thought was actually the correct procedure. If you miss your US flight, you can standby for free for later flights, but don't have much priority. Or you can pay the $25 fee to confirm standby on later flights, but only if there are sufficient seats available (you can't confirm if there may be a full flight/oversell). I think the agent followed the correct procedure, as opposed to giving you a freebie. I always thought the fee in that case was a waste, since if there are sufficient seats, you should be able to standby anyway.

Isn't confirmed stand-by an oxymoron?

I asked that very question today (after forking over $25).

Can some of you that have been asked to pay the stand-by fee post the fare class you were booked in? Honestly, no one has ever asked me to pay this, ever. And, no, I don't always travel on Y or B tickets, which is why I'm curious. I've also run into a lot of fares recently that are refundable when I otherwise would have thought they are not refundable.

So let me see if I have this right. I can be confirmed on a same day flight (provided it is not oversold) for $25?

If so this is awesome ^ and well worth the $25. This would be a major incentive for me to fly US more if this policy is applied uniformly throughout the system.



I asked that very question today (after forking over $25).

Dunno the fare class I was in, but it was non-refundable, although not as roach as you might think (only bought about 10 days out, no saturday stay).

The exchange was something like this:

Agent: I can confirm you on the next flight for $25, or you can "take your chances at the gate."

Me: OK. Put me on the upgrade waitlist while you are at it....

As I had baggage, I just took the offer and got to where I was going 6 hours early (with bags). As it turns out, the flight went out full in all cabins (I cleared to first at the gate), so maybe paying the $25 was worth it in this case (although as a CP on a revenue ticket, I'd probably be darned near the top of the standby list in any case).

Isn't confirmed stand-by an oxymoron?


Exactly my thoughts as I read the thread heading!!!

:confused: :confused: :confused: