US Airways Dividend Miles (Pre-FlightFund Merger) - Penalty for exceeding 4 hrs in CLT?

Hey -- I'm thinking of going to DCA and connecting in CLT b/c I wanna have lunch with some old college buddies. Anyways, if I book the 2nd flight to DCA after getting into CLT that only leaves me w/ about 3 hrs in Charlotte. I was wondering if US would let me just take the next flight out if I miss the one I'm sched for which'll end up being a total of about 5 hrs in CLT. Has anyone ever tried this? I know it's frowned upon but don't want them scrapping my itinerary if this happens or switching me to a Y-fare. Thanks

I had no problems doing that before 9/11-- I was quickly (and without cost) rebooked on the next flight. Depends on who you're dealing with, maybe.

This will likely cost you a $25.00 standby fee. On the day of departure, I would simply show up for an earlier flight from your originating city to CLT and ask to be put on standby. This will give you more time in CLT, and then just take your original flight from CLT to DCA

Anyways,(sic) if I book the 2nd flight to DCA...

This implies you have yet to book. Try booking online and, by booking each leg separately, you should be able to create enough time for your lunch gathering.

This implies you have yet to book. Try booking online and, by booking each leg separately, you should be able to create enough time for your lunch gathering.

Greather than 4 hours (domestically) won't be considered a connection and will be priced accordingly.

Greather than 4 hours (domestically) won't be considered a connection and will be priced accordingly.

You are correct. However, methinks you give usairways.com too much credit.


;)

Hey -- thanks for all the replies. I ended up booking flights following Lurker's suggestion but when I called US to see if I could fly stand-by on an earlier flight to CLT they said that if I were to take the earlier flight causing my time in CLT to go above 4 hrs, they may end up re-pricing my whole itinerary which they know I'd never go for, essentially forcing me to stick w/ my orig flights. Do you really think they’d reprice my itinerary or confirm me on an earlier flight to DCA outta CLT and go that far just so I don’t exceed 4 hrs? I’ve booked the ticket but since it’s at usairways.com I still have time to scrap it and sched new flights. Thanks