mvoight

I am curious. Has this actually happened to anyone here? After missing a flight, waiting to get on as standby without luck, has anyone here been told they were out of luck and they couldn't return the next day, or has anyone been told they could return the next day?

kappa

I have read this thread since it was posted and subsequently; and I keep wondering why someone doesn't question the fare paid. So I'll pose it myself. If it was a refundable fare, most of the conjecture is academic. If not, I think the OP has an answer. Nothing is certain.

RChavez

I don't know the specifics on the schedule of AA's system, but yes they do have a system which goes through and cancels downline segments and flips the status on all remaining flight coupons to NOGO after a no-show. I have seen the documentation that it exists, but I don't know whether it runs on every flight every night or selectively. I'm not 100% sure if the automated process is internal to Sabre or not.

However, if I recall correctly, what you experienced at US is what happens at AA. I also think that it's a batch nightly process, as you describe. I've waited hours before phoning up to let them know I won't be flying as ticketed, and my downline segments are intact.

The policy states the flat tire rule is up to 2 hours. However, I have never encountered any hesitation when I've called up to 8 hours later. Based on my experience alone, I would guess that any time that same day is sufficient.

1. No. No.
2. No. N/A.
3. No. No. No.

As far as standing by for a later flight, I've had fairly good luck doing this. However, I'm always flying solo, and I'm usually at the top of the list.

The only time this strategy failed me was the Thursday night, the week before Christmas. I got to the airport, was added to the standby list, and was number 23 on the list. Needless to say, I didn't fly that night. I was listed as a voluntary standby behind about 10 oversales and a long list of stranded passengers.

However, even though I was a voluntary standby, I was rolled over to the next morning's flight, and I got on.

No questions. No issues. However, if you wind up in this situation, technically your ticket is not valid for travel. Try everything you can to get past the ticket counter, and handle everything at the club or the gate. Save your prior day's Priority Verification Card. That helps make the case as a rollover from the prior day.

But I routinely will book the lowest fare for that day, and will standby for my desired flight knowing my standby success rate is very high.

luvtofly4me

I called in with a similar situation last week. I was told that I could call in the cancellation of the flight but as long as i flew the same day after the original flight i could call in any time and get the confirmed seat option. When I told her I wanted that option, i did not here her typing on her keyboard canceling my current res.

So I called back a few hours later after the original flight left and got the same day confirmation for the next flight.

Worked out well, there were only 10 pax on the CRJ.

Wouldn't be nice if AA upgraded their web system to make this all online?

clarkef

Same here.

I once booked a flight from SFO to LAX that departed around 6 or 7am. At the last minute I had to work that day. I showed about at 6pm that afternoon, and got placed standby on the next flight, no fuss, no muss and even got an upgrade.

jetsetter

Thanks for these updates. AA's web site seems slick overall so I am surprised that it cannot process standby or same day confirmed at all. On UA you can list for standby only for earlier flights even though they allow standby for later flights. ON US's web site you cannot complete any standby/same day changes as part of the on-line check in.

I strongly agree with the advice on any airline to print your boarding pass, and deal with your issues at the gate or the club.

I am going to try to go same day confirmed or standby on a flight in a few days and I will report my experiences.

aamilesslave

::SpitCoffeeAllOverScreen::
ROTFLMAO!!! Funniest post of the day!

jrmstr33

Just wanted to share my experience today standing by on a later flight...

Originally booked on Flt 160 non-stop from SAN -> JFK at 8:15am. Wanted to go on a later flight in the evening that connected through LAX (SAN-LAX-JFK).

I called in and learned that I needed to CANCEL my flight in order to standby on a later flight. The gentleman I spoke with on the phone (plat desk) explained that if you do not call in or cancel online, you're ticket will have no value and it will be very difficult to get it reintstated. He also said my chances didn't look good for the main leg of my flight (LAX-JFK) and would not recommend standing by even as a plat. I decided to gamble and take my chances.

Upon arrival at SAN, I was told that I needed to go on standby at the commuter terminal since it was an American Eagle flight to LAX.. Got on pretty easily with not much fuss as the flight was nowhere near full. Also, a key point to mention here is I requested and received a standby boarding pass for my LAX-JFK leg upon receiving my seat assignment from the GA at SAN.

Once I arrived at LAX, I went straight to the gate to see if I could get a seat assignment but was told that it would not be assigned until the flight had begun boarding. I went to the AC and got the same response as the GA, I would not receive my seat until I was at the gate. Luckily, I was the first on the standby list and got on just fine (after all passengers and upgrades were processed. Had to check my rollerboard in) I am now sitting in Y using the GOGO internet offered onboard!

OAK AAFlier

I have a 1.30 PM flight from JFK, if I want to standby for a later flight is it possible to do it from LGA? Should I just call, ask to be placed on standby for a later flight or should I go to an airport? Thanks!

MiamiAirport Formerly NY George

It will depend upon your fare code, so you need to call AA. As others in this thread have indicated, standing by for a later flight is risky. If you are unable to get on, unless you find an agreeable agent you will be charged a change fee and fare difference. If you are able to fly out of LGA, I suggest getting to the airport early to get on the list (which probably means you would be better off just to take your original JFK flight).

jrmstr33

I would call the morning of, let them know your intentions of taking a later flight (and which one as they can give you your odds of making it). They usually confirm that you want to standby on a later flight and will cancel your existing leg to avoid a 'no-show.' I've been pretty fortunate getting on later flights with my plat status (knock on wood..) In regards to going to the airport, the earlier the better. Ex. I went to SAN 4-5 hours before the flight I intended on standing by for just to get on the standby list and the standby 'ticket.' I then went about my business and came back 45 minutes prior to my flight (standby). You can't be placed on the list over the phone.. Has to be done at the airport (in my experience anyway)

OAK AAFlier

thanks for the tip! has anyone tried this switching from one co-terminal to another?

jrmstr33

I would call AA to get the specific fare rules of your ticket. I tried doing this once (EWR -> JFK), but was told I was not allowed based on the rules of my ticket.

oklAAhoma

Excellent advice. It matters not whether anyone else has done this, if the OP's fare rules won't allow the OP to do it.

JDiver

Exactly!

And when purchasing a ticket, we can look at the Detailed Fare Rules (I am OC enough to clip and paste into a Word document - I figure nobody is more invested than I am in being aware of, and being able to quote when necessary, the detailed fare rules when something goes not according to plan.)

And I do believe the entire itinerary defaults to the most restrictive segment's fare rules.