Originally Posted by
PSU Mudder
I'm going to hazard a guess, and it is just a guess, that the agents are mis-informed. My basis for that opinion has been that in all my interactions with this policy, there has been a ton of mis-information out there (such as agents not knowing that the fee is only $25 for Plats and Golds -- you have to get them to read GG-whatever before they see it.)
This is a confusing new policy for everyone, and eventually it'll get ironed out, but in the early days I'd highly suggest going the online route for the best chances at a good result.
I actually believe that the fare classes do need to be available to confirm the change. CO's systems should be opening the buckets up but they might be doing it only at T-3 hours from the earlier version of the system. There is no reason for CO to not open up the low fare buckets at T-24 since the advance purchase requirements are almost certainly not going to be met. Even with that rule you should be able to do it as a standby (as opposed to SDC) and get on the flight at the gate.
I tried it today in an effort to get back to EWR reasonably close to my originally scheduled time. Online I was given the option and put in my CC info for the $25 standby. My name didn't show up on the PDA list and my BP for my confirmed flight changed to a standby BP instead of a EUA'd seat. I called the elite desk and the agent offered to move me for free since my original flight was so badly delayed. She confirmed me into 6E (best available seat) and I was able to do PDA check-in as soon as I hung up the phone. Now I just have to see if the $25 charge shows up on my CC or not so I can get it waived. Overall it worked really well for me in this instance by calling it in; the online only sortof seemed to work.