So, Happy New Year! I am booked on LGA-PBI today at 815. I am traveling with my boyfriend (no status) and we have both cleared for upgrades. We are up late, so we figured we'd SDC to the 7am since it was showing V6 and we were already awake.
I called the Medallion line twice. And both times they told me that SDC would be free but for my BF, it would be 50$. Let's remind ourselves that we are on the same PNR and we are already cleared in F.
I am a little shocked. The supervisor argued with me that even when there is one kettle+1 PM on a PNR, there will be a $50 fee. I have traveled for three years with my partner and NEVER on the same PNR. I have NEVER had a problem with SDC. Is this a new policy? Did I get some .....y agents? I remember in March when I had the same itinerary and I SDC (and with the BF on miles) to a flight that was Y2 and I got a VDB. Go figure.
I have done SB in this type of situation and NOT been charged for the non-status travel companion. Although it's not the rule, both times the GA did not want to slow down loading the plane by collecting the fee.
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Quote:
Originally Posted by CJKatl
I have done SB in this type of situation and NOT been charged for the non-status travel companion. Although it's not the rule, both times the GA did not want to slow down loading the plane by collecting the fee.
It's different to do the SDC at the airport. In fact, it's a YMMV situation, but iMO the OP would have a better chance of a free SDC for the boyfriend at the airport, assuming that seats are still available then.
However, why bother for an hour and fifteen minutes when both are already confirmed in FC? I'd just relax or go to the SC and take the originally booked flight, where seat assignments are likely to be better too.
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It's different to do the SDC at the airport. In fact, it's a YMMV situation, but iMO the OP would have a better chance of a free SDC for the boyfriend at the airport, assuming that seats are still available then.
However, why bother for an hour and fifteen minutes when both are already confirmed in FC? I'd just relax or go to the SC and take the originally booked flight, where seat assignments are likely to be better too.
While SDC can be different at the airport, IME, the fee will still be collected for the non-status passenger. If, on the other hand, you use the original boarding pass to clear security and then ask the GA to place you on the SB list, IME, the fee will not be charged. YMMV, but this has worked for me twice. Once in ATL and once in LAS.
SB also usually means no UG, though.
And, FWIW, SDC is often a much smoother process when done over the phone versus live with an airport agent.
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Quote:
Originally Posted by CJKatl
While SDC can be different at the airport, IME, the fee will still be collected for the non-status passenger. If, on the other hand, you use the original boarding pass to clear security and then ask the GA to place you on the SB list, IME, the fee will not be charged. YMMV, but this has worked for me twice. Once in ATL and once in LAS.
SB also usually means no UG, though.
And, FWIW, SDC is often a much smoother process when done over the phone versus live with an airport agent.
Unless there's luggage that must be checked, I was thinking of the OP first asking about the SDC at the check in counter and if that agent wants to collect the $50 fee, try again at the gate for SDC, not standby. In fact, IIRC only elites are allowed to standby except in IROPs, although there could be an exception for being on the same PNR as an elite who is doing standby.
However, the more I think about this, I don't think the $50 fee for a kettle to SDC is unfair or out of line with the fees and rules of other legacy carriers. I think the OP should just decide whether an hour and fifteen minutes is worth $50 or not.
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As a DM, I have had to pay this fee for a traveling companion time and time again, regardless of them being on the same PNR or not. While you may have not been charged it at other times, take that as you got waiver. Also, you being "already in F" doesn't mean anything, especially on a free Medallion upgrade. The only true sure way to avoid this fee for your companion is for he/she to also have status OR truly be on an F-fare, which is the rarest thing I have ever seen (not P, A, V, or G).
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Quote:
Originally Posted by RacingJunkie
Don't date Kettles, and you won't have that problem.
I am doing my utmost not to ROTFLOL at this. However, full disclosure, wife was looking after her mother for 7 months in UK sd no travel so actually drops to kettle March 1st 2013. I am thus MARRIED to a kettle.
