Can you standby for an earlier flight?
Nov 12, 2009, 12:42 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2004
Location: formerly Gold now Diamond, formerly MSY, now LAX, formerly NW, now DL
Programs: Hyatt Plat, Hilton Gold, SPG Gold, Delta Diamond/1MM
Posts: 4,635
Can you standby for an earlier flight?
So have a long layover, that I'm not so interested in anymore...can one standby for an earlier flight without paying the change fee? It's AMS-HAM...
Nov 12, 2009, 3:30 am
#3
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: UK
Posts: 7,560
As a general rule, the concept of standing by for an earlier flight doesn't exist in Europe.
If you're on a flexible ticket you can change your reservation to a different flight.
If you're on a non-flexible ticket you have to travel as booked.
Very very occasionally, if they're feeling generous or if a later flight is overbooked, airlines may put you on an earlier flight if you ask them nicely - but it's rare.
If you're on a flexible ticket you can change your reservation to a different flight.
If you're on a non-flexible ticket you have to travel as booked.
Very very occasionally, if they're feeling generous or if a later flight is overbooked, airlines may put you on an earlier flight if you ask them nicely - but it's rare.
Nov 15, 2009, 4:38 pm
#4
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: MCI
Programs: DL PM; AA EXP
Posts: 215
I have never had a problem standing by for an earlier flight on KLM out of AMS. The lounge agents will never confirm me, but I just ask politely at the gate toward the end of boarding when the gate agents aren't so busy and have never had a problem getting on board the earlier flight. A couple of times this year, the gate agent was worried there wouldn't be a meal for me, but I just explain I don't need one and they let me one. Coming from the US, it's unheard of to have a meal on 90 minute flight anyway!
Nov 15, 2009, 5:39 pm
#5
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: Netherlands
Programs: KLM FB plat / Hertz Pres Circle / AB EB Gold
Posts: 409
On more than 10 occasions this year on intra-european fights ex ams, i took the earlier same day flight. I was ALWAYS charged!
1. change fee according ticket rules
2. admin fee
3. credit card fee.
or simply not allowed at all. so I had to buy new ticket.
Mainly travel on E/Q/H classes.
So I am very very surprised that you are able to standby for earlier flight WITHOUT having to pay the change fee.
i always receive the standard klm answer: 1. sorry sir that is not possible or 2. the computer does not allow me. 3. we cannot start this practise.
1. change fee according ticket rules
2. admin fee
3. credit card fee.
or simply not allowed at all. so I had to buy new ticket.
Mainly travel on E/Q/H classes.
So I am very very surprised that you are able to standby for earlier flight WITHOUT having to pay the change fee.
i always receive the standard klm answer: 1. sorry sir that is not possible or 2. the computer does not allow me. 3. we cannot start this practise.
Nov 15, 2009, 5:53 pm
#6
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2004
Location: formerly Gold now Diamond, formerly MSY, now LAX, formerly NW, now DL
Programs: Hyatt Plat, Hilton Gold, SPG Gold, Delta Diamond/1MM
Posts: 4,635
Thanks...thankfully my plans have changed and won't be having this longer layover....I was worried I would continue to have the "It is not possible" mantra....
Nov 15, 2009, 11:42 pm
#7
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: MCI
Programs: DL PM; AA EXP
Posts: 215
On more than 10 occasions this year on intra-european fights ex ams, i took the earlier same day flight. I was ALWAYS charged!
1. change fee according ticket rules
2. admin fee
3. credit card fee.
or simply not allowed at all. so I had to buy new ticket.
Mainly travel on E/Q/H classes.
So I am very very surprised that you are able to standby for earlier flight WITHOUT having to pay the change fee.
i always receive the standard klm answer: 1. sorry sir that is not possible or 2. the computer does not allow me. 3. we cannot start this practise.
1. change fee according ticket rules
2. admin fee
3. credit card fee.
or simply not allowed at all. so I had to buy new ticket.
Mainly travel on E/Q/H classes.
So I am very very surprised that you are able to standby for earlier flight WITHOUT having to pay the change fee.
i always receive the standard klm answer: 1. sorry sir that is not possible or 2. the computer does not allow me. 3. we cannot start this practise.