Air New Zealand Air Points - Does NZ have Stand by tickets?

Hi guys, I think someone must asked this question before. I'm just wondering, does NZ have stand by tickets to Australia or other routes(other international routes)? Does that mean if it does, then I will be able to go to the airport and wait for an empty seat? Also how much are those stand by tickets normally?

Thanks a lot!

I'm sure in most cases you can buy a full fare ticket at the last minute. There will be some flights where this isn't possible, but mostly would work.

Full fare tickets are extremely expensive.

Or are you referring to situation where you already have a ticket and would like to change flights on standby (last minute) basis? If so then depends on the fare rules, payment of change fees if relevant, and availability.

Buying international tickets at the last minute tends to result in a lot of scrutiny by immigration - and I'm not just referring to USA here.

What I was told by some people that stand by tickets are cheaper thanks normal fares, becasue you might not be able to get on the flight. I might got a wrong idea about stand by tickets, can you please explain what is stand by tickets?


Thanks

There are different kinds of standby.

1) Some semi-flexible tickets can be purchased in advance and allow standby travel. These are cheaper than fully flexible tickets, must be purchased in advance, but only travel if availability in the right booking class. For example (I don't know if these are still sold) I used to (years ago) get special student standby fares like this - they were not available to general public.

2) Most ordinary fares allow changes to flights. If done at the last minute this sometimes referred to as standby (since you will only be able to make the change if there is availability). For some years now, NZ requires change fees (and fare difference if applicable) for all but the most flexible fares.

3) If purchase fully flexible fare (booking class Y for economy) provided there is a seat available you can change. This is really expensive.

I suspect you are referring to the first type of standby ticket. As I said, I do not know if these are available any more. Even if they are they will definitely have strict conditions for use (otherwise everyone who doesn't have a strict schedule to make would use them).

Thanks a lot! That explains everything I need to know.

I overheard someone checking in at SYD for a SYD-AKL being told that they had to wait another 2 hours or so, because they were using standby tickets.

I've not heard of these being sold, but evidently they still exist - I assume they were Industry Discount (ID) tickets of some kind - possibly a staff member's family, or other airline staff?

I thought I'd forgotten a category :o

Those are also not publicly available (unless happen to be staff, travel agent, or similar).

I overheard someone checking in at SYD for a SYD-AKL being told that they had to wait another 2 hours or so, because they were using standby tickets.

I've not heard of these being sold, but evidently they still exist - I assume they were Industry Discount (ID) tickets of some kind - possibly a staff member's family, or other airline staff?That's right, an Industry standby category definitely exists as well, but as Kiwi Flyer notes below it's not available to the general public.

As far as I'm aware virtually every airline in the world gives its staff standby coupons; you can turn up on the day on a wing and a prayer but generally there is as structured a process around these as there is for paid travel. You should list on the flight in advance, meet a dress code, and ideally travel with no checked luggage. Spare seats are then allocated on a strict basis - with longer serving employees generally having the highest prioirty. Some airlines give their staff coupons that can be used by family and friends - most generally referred to as "buddy passes". As I understand it some airline's buddy passes carry the priority of the staff member who was given them, others have the lowest ranking of all. Biggest benefit is the price - usually 10% of a fare class (plus taxes), and also that such tickets are usually filled from the front of the plane backwards - if there is one seat in each of first and economy you're likely to end up in first. Biggest disadvantage is being on standby in general - I've heard plenty of stories of staff on standby waiting days for availability on popular routes, which isn't great at either the start of your holiday, or at the end when you have to go back to work.

Anyway, that doesn't answer the OP, but may provide a fuller answer :)

When I was a poor student, Air NZ (and Ansett at the time) offered standby seats. You'd just have to get there early, put your name down on the standby list, and pray. Once the flight was boarding, the check in staff would call out the names of the first people on the list (I'm assuming that it was to take the seats of no-shows), and off you'd go. Fares were pretty good - one way between Dunedin and Wellington was about $120 or $130. Ansett did the same thing, but would have a big "not guaranteed meal service" on the boarding pass - so you'd only get fed if there were leftover meals. I suppose you get what you pay for.

Anyway, to the OP - if you are a student, it might be worth enquiring as to whether student standby tickets are available.

I too used to take advantage of student standby tickets. Around that time there would frequently be announcements at the gate regarding standby ticket allocation and these folk would generally be the last to board. Have not heard such announcements for years now so had assumed they had gone

Jeff

When i was a poor student at Victoria University of Wellington, we used to get a International Student Identity Card, NZ used to provide a standby service at 50% of the published fare. This was the days before discounted or cheaper classes of travel.
THe procedure was arrive at the airport, buy a ticket at 50% of the price, and then register at the standby counter. Then one of two situations would occur.
1. You would be told to wait for an announcement at a nominated time. Normally 2 or 3 minutes after the first boarding call. Succesful standby passengers would be called to a counter and be given a Boarding Pass.
2. If the loads were light - you would get a Boarding Pass or be given options. IE: We can list you for the 1700 or we can confirm you for the 1800.
In all the years of travelling I always got on the flight I planned to, but you had to try and predict the loads.
When i worked in the industy we used to travel at ID discount rates. Which often involved being listed as standby.
I only ever travelled unconfirmed standby on QF - domestic. The procedure was to ring reservations 3 days before, list on the flight you wanted then turn up at the airport and check the bags. Bags were sent to a holding area, and then baggage services would be advized what flight you were on.
You would go to the standby area and wait for an announcement. Standby would also be for passengers who had missed connections or been late for check in.
Ansett and Australian Airlines (ex TAA) used to offer a standby seating service in the late 80s, but once the fully discounted tickets were released, and today with intenet sales these are no longer offere.