Can I standby for an earlier flight?
Jan 19, 2008, 8:36 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: ATL, BHM, DUB, County Wexford
Programs: DL DM, AA ExPlt, Diamond HH, HY, BW, & Titanium Elite Marriott
Posts: 4,864
Can I standby for an earlier flight?
I have a flight out of ATL at 1:20 on WED, there is a flight that is very very light at 10:35. Would AA allow me to board the earlier flight at no charge, if I were there and ready to go?
I hate asking this but I cannot remember which airlines will let you and which ones will not. Thanks for your understanding.
I hate asking this but I cannot remember which airlines will let you and which ones will not. Thanks for your understanding.
Jan 19, 2008, 8:48 pm
#2
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: OKC/DFW
Programs: AA EXP/2 MM
Posts: 9,999
I have a flight out of ATL at 1:20 on WED, there is a flight that is very very light at 10:35. Would AA allow me to board the earlier flight at no charge, if I were there and ready to go?
I hate asking this but I cannot remember which airlines will let you and which ones will not. Thanks for your understanding.
I hate asking this but I cannot remember which airlines will let you and which ones will not. Thanks for your understanding.
Jan 19, 2008, 8:50 pm
#3
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Los Angeles, CA
Programs: AA 1.5 MM Exec Plat, WN A-List, DL Silver, UA nonrev
Posts: 2,593
Yes, AA allows you to standy for free (same day) or to confirm standby (if available) for $25
Jan 19, 2008, 8:57 pm
#4
Join Date: Oct 2005
Programs: AA EXP, Hertz 5*, Marriott PLT
Posts: 1,092
I have a flight out of ATL at 1:20 on WED, there is a flight that is very very light at 10:35. Would AA allow me to board the earlier flight at no charge, if I were there and ready to go?
I hate asking this but I cannot remember which airlines will let you and which ones will not. Thanks for your understanding.
I hate asking this but I cannot remember which airlines will let you and which ones will not. Thanks for your understanding.
Unlike DL (or maybe I'm thinking of its now gone baby, Song) for the most part AA doesn't mind you getting to your destination a little early if they have space.
Jan 19, 2008, 9:32 pm
#5
Join Date: Nov 2007
Programs: AA Gold
Posts: 87
The biggest exception I can think of is if your ticket is a bulk fare type ticket (eg Priceline) or an international ticket with special restrictions.
Unlike DL (or maybe I'm thinking of its now gone baby, Song) for the most part AA doesn't mind you getting to your destination a little early if they have space.
Unlike DL (or maybe I'm thinking of its now gone baby, Song) for the most part AA doesn't mind you getting to your destination a little early if they have space.
Jan 19, 2008, 9:42 pm
#6
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Oakland, CA
Programs: AAdvantage Platinum, Regular Onepass, Mileage Plus, Worldperks and Smiles (Varig)
Posts: 38
You would think so. But NW policy is that you can present yourself at the gate of the earlier flight and see if there's room. If there is, then you pay $25 to board the plane. If there's not, you pay nothing. I think it's an awful policy myself, as the traveller takes all the risk showing up and waiting around, and the airline gets all the benefits (the chance to free up a seat on the later flight and some extra cash). Yet another reason I prefer American!
Jan 19, 2008, 10:41 pm
#7
Join Date: Mar 2007
Programs: AA 1MM
Posts: 3,182
You would think so. But NW policy is that you can present yourself at the gate of the earlier flight and see if there's room. If there is, then you pay $25 to board the plane. If there's not, you pay nothing. I think it's an awful policy myself, as the traveller takes all the risk showing up and waiting around, and the airline gets all the benefits (the chance to free up a seat on the later flight and some extra cash). Yet another reason I prefer American!
Jan 20, 2008, 12:00 am
#8
Join Date: Oct 2005
Programs: AA EXP, Hertz 5*, Marriott PLT
Posts: 1,092
http://www.delta.com/skymiles/about_...ndby/index.jsp
http://www.jetblue.com/p/jetblue_coc_102006.pdf (Search for standby)
Very unfriendly if you ask me.
Jan 20, 2008, 12:33 am
#9
Moderator: New York City and FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2007
Programs: AA PLT, Natl EC
Posts: 10,855
US charges $25 for non-elites as well. 
Jan 20, 2008, 4:07 am
#10
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2004
Location: DFW/DAL
Programs: AA Lifetime PLT, AS MVPG, HH Diamond, NCL Platinum Plus, MSC Diamond
Posts: 21,422
I have a flight out of ATL at 1:20 on WED, there is a flight that is very very light at 10:35. Would AA allow me to board the earlier flight at no charge, if I were there and ready to go?
I hate asking this but I cannot remember which airlines will let you and which ones will not. Thanks for your understanding.
I hate asking this but I cannot remember which airlines will let you and which ones will not. Thanks for your understanding.
Checkin time, in addition to other factors, affects standby and upgrade priority, so check in as close to 24 hours ahead as possible.
Jan 20, 2008, 4:27 am
#11
Join Date: Jul 2007
Programs: AA Plt
Posts: 346
And remember, no standby on international flights.
Jan 20, 2008, 3:21 pm
#12
Used to be 'Travelergcp'
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: New Orleans
Programs: AA Plat, Marriott Gold, Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 2,826
No free standby on WN, except for full fare tickets.
Jan 20, 2008, 3:55 pm
#13
Join Date: Jul 2007
Programs: AA ExP
Posts: 119
"International" as defined by AA; e.g., US to Caribbean you can fly standby. I've had GA's and TA's both in the Caribbean and at MIA and LAX, try to tell me I couldn't standby. The TA at LAX even condescendingly tried to educate me by telling me that SXM is an int'l destination by stating "You need a passport, don't you? Don't you?" It was odd having to educate her about AA's definition of international...
Jan 20, 2008, 5:41 pm
#14
Join Date: Jul 2000
Location: 6E Westbound, 4E Eastbound
Programs: AA EXP & 3MM, Priority Club Plat since 1984
Posts: 6,293
I've been able to be stand by for the 7Pm DFW BDL. The next flight is the following morning at 9AM.
Did it last Thursday.
Did it last Thursday.
Jan 20, 2008, 6:59 pm
#15
Join Date: Nov 2007
Programs: AA Gold
Posts: 87
Man you guys know so much about other carriers - or just have mad internet skillz. Having lived in the DFW area most of my life I've really only experienced the AA wAAy.
A little (more) off-topic: why is it that you can't fly standby on international flights? Less incentive for the airlines - less likely to need a standby flight from the pax end?
A little (more) off-topic: why is it that you can't fly standby on international flights? Less incentive for the airlines - less likely to need a standby flight from the pax end?