Below is our growing glossary of terms used by frequent flyers and travelers alike. This list was inspired, in part, by a member of the FlyerTalk community who wrote to us about deciphering the comically absurd lingo of the frequent traveler. Here's a brief example of life in the fast lane:
"FWIW, I resent being called SLF, typically fly UA C from DEN to HKG, SYD, LHR, LIS and many others and have been UA 1P FF for the last 10 years. I never use ITN, have never done a MHD, don't really want to be a VFF because of family but am jealous of 1K SWUs and HK49s. I have flown only 6 *A partners and like UD on the 744. I frequently UG Y to F (many times from B, M & K), don't worry about EMR at altitude and find WSJ difficult in small-pitch rows. I have not yet memorized FARs, don't know anyone at the FAA and highly respect most FAs. I always try to see my PNR and always use the UA RCC when I have the time. I really like CTOs and use only two CCs. I am fascinated watching my TA use her CRS and am not concerned whether the left seat is on ILS or VFR. I prefer heavy AC and am not yet a member of the MHC (darn!). I am cool with F/O handling T/O and enjoy ATC on channel 9. I am grateful for E+ and MRTC and am pondering a RTW soon. I am finally getting used to EGRs but don't trust ETAs. I can find the record locator on any tix and don't care if it's FBW, FBY or hydraulic. I slightly fear DL's RPU. I miss MCOs issued for CC tix and always do RT, not O/W."
- Thanks to FlyerTalker, R. A. Davis
Please enjoy our listing of terms related to frequent flying and general travel. Whether you're new to the whole miles and points world, or a seasoned veteran looking to improve your travel vocabulary, we hope you find this list informative and fun.
SA: South African Airways
SDC: Same Day Confirmation
SEAT PITCH: The distance measured between a seat back and the seat back in front of it. Actually, it can be measured from any point on a seat to the SAME point on the next row of seats.
SEGMENT: A section or "leg" of a continuous itinerary.
SERVICE CENTER: Place where members of frequent travel programs can call for award travel, redemption, accrual and current promotions.
SHARED ACCOUNT: When two separate members earn miles into a single account; usually involves an affinity card.
SK: SAS - Scandinavian Airlines System
SLF: Flight crew lingo for Passengers: Self Loading Freight
SN: Sabena
SPACE AVAILABLE: Usually associated with upgrades. Members of frequent traveler programs can upgrade to first or business class on airlines and upgrade to rooms with special amenities at hotels when the seat or room is not already filled by revenue-paying occupants.
SPG: Starwood Preferred Guest
SQ: Singapore Airlines
SR: The old code for Swissair. The new code is LX.
SSSS: Selected for Secondary Security Screening
STANDBY: A passenger waiting for a seat on a full flight who is prepared to travel if space becomes available at the last moment.
STANDBY UPGRADE: Available at check-in if space is available in a higher class of service. Usually, passengers check in no more than two hours in advance for standby upgrades.
STATUS: See ELITE LEVEL.
Status Match: A “fast track” to elite status in which an airline will award status in its program based on a member’s status in another program, usually because the member is switching. Status matches are once-in-a-lifetime affairs and airlines may match only to a lower level (e.g. someone in the highest tier of the old airline may only be matched to the middle tier of the new one). Some airlines do not match status, or do so only in conjunction with a Challenge.
STATUS MILES: Miles that count toward reaching Elite status with any airline, i.e. NOT inclusive of any elite or class of service bonus which often are not counted toward Elite level. See also "Q Miles" and "EQM".
STOPOVER: An intentional interruption of a flight along a direct route. Stopovers are allowed sometimes when flying on an award ticket. Length of stopover varies by airline.
SV: Saudi Arabian
SWEET SPOT: Special system-wide upgrades given to United Airlines 1K members in 2003.
SWU: Accronym for System Wide Upgrade. An upgrade award that can be used on any segment in an airline's route system. Many of the major airlines offer SWU's as a benefit to their elite-level members.
SY: Sun Country Airlines
Because new terms are always popping up, feel free to submit any that you feel are missing along with an explanation of what the term means. These suggestions can be emailed to glossary@webflyer.com.