No standby on International itineraries? A big downside to AA?
#46
Join Date: Feb 2004
Programs: AA, Hilton
Posts: 111
This is definitely an AA rule, at least at LHR. I wrote about this same issue a year ago because I thought it was not a good (or a revenue generating) policy. It only seems to apply when you are inbound to the states. Once you are in ORD you can standby for just about anything going anywhere.
In my case I was leaving LHR headed to ORD, had no checked luggage, traveling alone, PLT and I went to the airport hours early because of schedule changes and thinking (at that time) I could try and standby. I tried sweet talking the ticketing agent, 2 admirals club agents, and 2 different flight gate agents and it was nope, policy changed a few years back, no standby's without a $250 (as I recall) change fee. So I sat and watch two flights take off before mine, totally wide open seating in Y. Then I boarded my planned flight hours later.
So they got no additional revenue, got me upset over the stupid rule, so I fly less international on AA (ie less revenue). I also wrote AA a letter. So I've accepted it...I don't like it, but that's the way it is and it is well documented in the ticket rules that way.
My suggestion to AA was; allow this for your elites (EXP, PLT and/or GLD's) and use it as a differentiator from non-elites. That might in fact increase their revenue and elite goodwill, which we all know definitely increases revenue.
In my case I was leaving LHR headed to ORD, had no checked luggage, traveling alone, PLT and I went to the airport hours early because of schedule changes and thinking (at that time) I could try and standby. I tried sweet talking the ticketing agent, 2 admirals club agents, and 2 different flight gate agents and it was nope, policy changed a few years back, no standby's without a $250 (as I recall) change fee. So I sat and watch two flights take off before mine, totally wide open seating in Y. Then I boarded my planned flight hours later.
So they got no additional revenue, got me upset over the stupid rule, so I fly less international on AA (ie less revenue). I also wrote AA a letter. So I've accepted it...I don't like it, but that's the way it is and it is well documented in the ticket rules that way.
My suggestion to AA was; allow this for your elites (EXP, PLT and/or GLD's) and use it as a differentiator from non-elites. That might in fact increase their revenue and elite goodwill, which we all know definitely increases revenue.
#47
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: Rolling Lakes Yacht Club
Posts: 4,967
If you want to change flights, you have to quit buying cheap tickets.
#49
Join Date: Mar 2006
Posts: 2,333
Actually, UA does not officially allow standby for international travel.
From S*FAR/STANDBY:
STANDBY FOR U.S. 50 STATES / SJU/STT / CANADA
THIS INCLUDES OA CODE SHARE THAT IS UA OPERATED
INTERNATIONAL: STANDBY NOT PERMITTED
From S*FAR/STANDBY:
STANDBY FOR U.S. 50 STATES / SJU/STT / CANADA
THIS INCLUDES OA CODE SHARE THAT IS UA OPERATED
INTERNATIONAL: STANDBY NOT PERMITTED
#51
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: DCA
Programs: AA Platinum
Posts: 940
I have been able to go standby when leaving the US (ORD & DFW) heading the the UK but haven't had any luck when returning. In fact I recently found out they don't really seem to embrace the flat tire rule either!!!!
#52
Join Date: Mar 2006
Posts: 2,333
That is the systemwide non-$25 confirmed regular standby policy/rules. You are quite correct that most agents will let you standby on an international segment - but it is in violation of policy and they absolutly don't have to let you.
#54
Join Date: Sep 2002
Programs: The opinions expressed here are mine alone and do not necessarily reflect the airlines I worked for.
Posts: 1,893
With standby you are taking your chances. With a flexible fare you have more of a guarantee.
Also, how could you "strand" another pax by flying standby? For example, at UA the Boarding Priority (BP) level assigned to you on the standby list is based on a variety of factors. There are different BP levels for a disserviced customer versus a customer who is just trying to go early. Similarly, customers with confirmed reservations that are awaiting seat assignments have a much higher BP on the standby list than either of the prevoius examples. Each BP level is further sorted by status, fare paid and time added to the list, but even a General Member with a confirmed reservation without a seat assignment (BP1) will always be cleared before a disserviced customer (BP5A) or a customer trying to go early (BP5C).
AA has a similar system, right? So how could a standby pax "strand" anyone other than a NRSA employee or another revenue pax who also felt like trying standby to go early?
Last edited by John26; Mar 21, 2007 at 11:35 am
#55
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Original Poster
Join Date: Sep 2000
Location: Chicago, IL
Posts: 20,404
Interesting. Then I suggest this thread gets entirely erased so we don't remind UA of their policies...
#56
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Fort Worth, TX
Programs: AA PLT 2MM
Posts: 254
Due to a major accident, I once arrived at DFW too late to check my bag for an international AA flight. The TA said I could either fly without my baggage or go the next day for no charge. Because I was delivering items overseas and had to have the luggage...and because I had a day's lee way...I took the flight the next day. (She even rebooked me on the onward partner airline flights also in my reservation.)
Did this have to do with the fact that I could still have flown on my original flight(s)? Or was I just damn lucky to get the next day option for free? It's still the only flight I've ever "missed"...but I technically didn't (have to) miss it. (This was 2005.)
During the snow event on January 17, I seem to recall an FTer getting stuck in slow traffic and missing the earlier DFW-NRT flight. Said FTer was rebooked on the later midday flight (with upgrade), I think for no extra charge.
Did this have to do with the fact that I could still have flown on my original flight(s)? Or was I just damn lucky to get the next day option for free? It's still the only flight I've ever "missed"...but I technically didn't (have to) miss it. (This was 2005.)
During the snow event on January 17, I seem to recall an FTer getting stuck in slow traffic and missing the earlier DFW-NRT flight. Said FTer was rebooked on the later midday flight (with upgrade), I think for no extra charge.
#57
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 1999
Posts: 12,097
F‡ MISSED TRIP PROVISION
IF A PASSENGER HOLDING CONFIRMED RESERVATIONS AND
TICKETS MISSES THE FLIGHT AND PRESENTS HIMSELF/HERSELF
AT THE UA DEPARTURE AIRPORT TICKET COUNTER AFTER THE
CLOSE OUT OF THE SCHEDULED FLIGHT AND NO LATER THAN
2 HOURS AFTER THE SCHEDULED DEPARTURE TIME THE
PASSENGER WILL BE ACCOMMODATED ON A STANDBY BASIS
ON THE NEXT AVAILABLE UA FLIGHT POSSIBLY THE NEXT
DAY‡ AND THE SERVICE CHARGE/CHANGE FEE WILL BE WAIVED.
IF A PASSENGER HOLDING CONFIRMED RESERVATIONS AND
TICKETS MISSES THE FLIGHT AND PRESENTS HIMSELF/HERSELF
AT THE UA DEPARTURE AIRPORT TICKET COUNTER AFTER THE
CLOSE OUT OF THE SCHEDULED FLIGHT AND NO LATER THAN
2 HOURS AFTER THE SCHEDULED DEPARTURE TIME THE
PASSENGER WILL BE ACCOMMODATED ON A STANDBY BASIS
ON THE NEXT AVAILABLE UA FLIGHT POSSIBLY THE NEXT
DAY‡ AND THE SERVICE CHARGE/CHANGE FEE WILL BE WAIVED.
#58
Join Date: May 2006
Location: MBJ.
Posts: 113
Standby for international flights
I had 2 interesting conversations with AA Plat customer service today. I was trying to see if I could book a later flight from JAX to Pos at a cheaper cost and then do same day standby for an earlier one..1st agent says yes -Show up to the airport and if there is room they will put you on.. A couple of hours later call back concerning award travel and ask the same question concerning standby and I asked if i had a revenue ticket could I go standby for an earlier flight I was told no.Then i told the CSR about my earlier conversation and she says that she is trained to say no however if i was at the airport it would be up to the check in staff to put me on the flight.. Anybody have any experience with this situation and can I standby for earlier int'l flights
#59
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2001
Programs: DL 1 million, AA 1 mil, HH lapsed Diamond, Marriott Plat
Posts: 28,190
This thread found by search is quite recent:
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showt...tional+standby
However, the same day confirmed option is available for Caribbean flights.
http://www.aa.com/content/utility/sameDayTravel.jhtml
The Moderator moved this quickly!
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showt...tional+standby
However, the same day confirmed option is available for Caribbean flights.
http://www.aa.com/content/utility/sameDayTravel.jhtml
The Moderator moved this quickly!
#60
Join Date: May 2006
Location: MBJ.
Posts: 113
Thanks to the moderator for sending me in the right direction