Sep 28, 2015, 1:34 pm
Last edit by: JDiver
FAQ: Late Arrival Standby Policy ("Flat Rire Rule")
Not a published publicly viewable "rule", allows some missing flight to standby for next available flight.
Replaced by new missed flight rule April 2021.
See https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/american-airlines-aadvantage/2038716-new-flat-tire-rule-flight-near-miss-free-reaccommodation.html
Not a published publicly viewable "rule", allows some missing flight to standby for next available flight.
Replaced by new missed flight rule April 2021.
See https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/american-airlines-aadvantage/2038716-new-flat-tire-rule-flight-near-miss-free-reaccommodation.html
Q. Is it true AA has a rule that if I miss a flight due to a mishap (accident, traffic, flat tire, slept in, etc.) they'll put me on the next flight without change fees and original and new flight fare difference?
Maybe. Kind of. Yes and no.
The so-called "Flat Tire Rule" is formally called Late Arrival Standby, and is extended to domestic passengers who show up at the airport within two hours of scheduled departure. They will be accommodated on a standby basis free of charges if they can depart the same day.
They may enhance their chances by paying $75 (waived for Executive Platinum) for
Domestic Same Day Flight Change if it's available.
What happens when bad traffic makes you miss your flight?
Linda Burbank, Special for USA TODAY 8:01 a.m. EDT April 2, 2014, in part:
The flat-tire rule is a longstanding practice of some airlines that allows passengers who miss flights due to circumstances outside their control to take the next available flight, providing space is available, with additional fees and fares waived.
...American has codified its discretionary procedure to a standard policy. Its late arrival standby policy, as it's now known, allows late passengers who arrive at the airport—not call—no more than two hours after their scheduled flights to wait on standby for the next available flight without fees or fare increases. Passengers who show up more than two hours late are on the hook for fare increases. The rule applies as long as the original flight was not the last scheduled flight of the day; the goodwill gesture doesn't roll over onto the next day.
See entire article at http://goo.gl/hGpKur
Linda Burbank, Special for USA TODAY 8:01 a.m. EDT April 2, 2014, in part:
The flat-tire rule is a longstanding practice of some airlines that allows passengers who miss flights due to circumstances outside their control to take the next available flight, providing space is available, with additional fees and fares waived.
...American has codified its discretionary procedure to a standard policy. Its late arrival standby policy, as it's now known, allows late passengers who arrive at the airport—not call—no more than two hours after their scheduled flights to wait on standby for the next available flight without fees or fare increases. Passengers who show up more than two hours late are on the hook for fare increases. The rule applies as long as the original flight was not the last scheduled flight of the day; the goodwill gesture doesn't roll over onto the next day.
See entire article at http://goo.gl/hGpKur
You're probably still going to have to take the consequences. You must check in an hour prior to scheduled departure for international flights, and at the gate 30 minutes prior to scheduled departures; if you're late, you're late.
Q. What happens if I'm on an international flight?
Standby is not allowed for international flights. If you can get International Same Day Flight Change you may be OK to destinations SDFC is allowed (on the same day, of course). You will generally pay the change fee associated with your original fare plus the difference between your original fare and the "walk up" fare charged passengers booking today.
(JonNYC and ThreeJulietTango say Canada, USVI and Puerto Rico flights are exceptions, as are any destinations you can buy SDFC on (no standby internationally). See post at TravelingBetter.com: http://goo.gl/S3CAq4 and post #89 for this and other exceptions, including itineraries with domestic and international sectors (the fare break is at the domestic to international connection).
Q. What if my flight was the last one of the day / there's no flight with an available seat that can accommodate me the same day?
You will generally pay the change fee associated with your original fare plus the difference between your original fare and the "walk up" fare charged passengers booking today.
Frankly, booking the last flight of the day entails some risk. If there are delays and IROPS, they often get later and later as the day progresses, and in the situation at issue here means no standby, likely significant costs to you and meal and lodging costs added to your expenses.
Q. Can I just use my mobile and call?
No; you're actually expected to show at the check-in counter within two hours. But, calling can prevent your itinerary from being cancelled because you were listed as a "no show" when you miss the flight, and if you have status it's possible you could have some arrangements made for you on the spot - less to do at the check-in counter.
Q. That's not fair! Can I do anything?
Check to see if your credit card (e.g. Citi AAdvantage Executive MasterCard, etc.) includes trip interruption insurance, or buy it in advance of your trip.
Or, if you don't want to purchase TCII "self-insure"; set aside some money for unforeseen circumstances knowing if you travel frequently you'll probably encounter travel disruption.
Thanks to JonNYC, Linda Burbank of USA Today and gemac for clarification.
ARCHIVE: FAQ: Late Arrival Standby ("Flat Tire Rule") application (master thread)
Dec 8, 2016, 4:21 pm
#151
Original Member
Join Date: May 1998
Location: NYC
Programs: AA 2MM, Bonvoy LTT, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 14,638
I apologize if there are rules for starting new threads. I was having a difficult time searching the threads.
My question. I have a flight at 0850. Most likely though I can't make it to the airport until 1130 or so. I'm a gold and military not on orders but personal.
So typically I could be on a free standby for next available flight. I've heard there is this flat tire rule (not written in stone), but what happens if I show up at say 1150, 3 hrs late. Does my ticket get cancelled? Knowing I probably can't make it, is it better to check-in or simply not check-in and miss it??
There are 6 or 7 more non-stop flights that day so I'm not too worried about not making it that day.
Yes, I could pay $75 fee and get a new ticket. I'm trying to avoid the fee.
Thanks for the help.
My question. I have a flight at 0850. Most likely though I can't make it to the airport until 1130 or so. I'm a gold and military not on orders but personal.
So typically I could be on a free standby for next available flight. I've heard there is this flat tire rule (not written in stone), but what happens if I show up at say 1150, 3 hrs late. Does my ticket get cancelled? Knowing I probably can't make it, is it better to check-in or simply not check-in and miss it??
There are 6 or 7 more non-stop flights that day so I'm not too worried about not making it that day.
Yes, I could pay $75 fee and get a new ticket. I'm trying to avoid the fee.
Thanks for the help.
Even if you no show your ticket will be intact for same day standby.
Jan 9, 2017, 11:06 pm
#152
Join Date: Jul 2015
Location: Chicago
Programs: UA Gold, AMEX Pl, Hil Diam, Bon Plat
Posts: 9
I called the AA help desk before my flight and told them I wasn't going to make it. They asked if I wanted a confirmed seat for a fee or do a same day standby. I was worried when the trip disappeared out of my future trips on the app. When I got to the airport 3 hrs later, the agent was able to look it up and put me on a next flight and I cleared for an upgrade as well. All in all, pain less process.
Jan 11, 2017, 4:15 pm
#153
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: US
Programs: AAdvantage
Posts: 1,753
When standing by for a later flight, the segment will often times not appear on the app and online/mobile/kiosk check-in will fail due to the segment status.
Mar 14, 2018, 4:43 pm
#154
Join Date: Dec 2015
Location: DCA
Posts: 818
I have an early morning flight tomorrow, DCA-LAX-LAS. There's also a direct DCA-LAS flight a bit later than LAX flight. If I miss DCA-LAX - is it possible I can standby for direct DCA-LAS flight? Or would I have to standby for later flights on same routing (i.e. still do a layover in LA along the way)?
Jul 2, 2018, 9:00 am
#155
Join Date: Jul 2010
Programs: UA, AA, SPG, HH
Posts: 672
Does American's "Flat-Tire" “Rule” Apply to Award Tickets?
I am wondering if AA's 'Flat-Tire' AKA Late Arrival Standby Policy applies to award tickets (Discussed here: https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/amer...er-thread.html)
Also, do the rules vary based on whose miles were used to book the ticket. I.E. two scenarios:
Scenario 1: Flying AA metal booked with AA miles
Scenario 2: Flying AA metal booked with Avios
Also, do the rules vary based on whose miles were used to book the ticket. I.E. two scenarios:
Scenario 1: Flying AA metal booked with AA miles
Scenario 2: Flying AA metal booked with Avios
Last edited by JDiver; Jul 2, 2018 at 3:11 pm Reason: Activate dead link
Jul 2, 2018, 1:30 pm
#156
Original Member
Join Date: May 1998
Location: Orange County, CA, USA
Programs: AA (Life Plat), Marriott (Life Titanium) and every other US program
Posts: 6,411
I am wondering if AA's 'Flat-Tire' AKA Late Arrival Standby Policy applies to award tickets (Discussed here: https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/amer...er-thread.html)
Also, do the rules vary based on whose miles were used to book the ticket. I.E. two scenarios:
Scenario 1: Flying AA metal booked with AA miles
Scenario 2: Flying AA metal booked with Avios
Also, do the rules vary based on whose miles were used to book the ticket. I.E. two scenarios:
Scenario 1: Flying AA metal booked with AA miles
Scenario 2: Flying AA metal booked with Avios
Jul 2, 2018, 8:28 pm
#157
Join Date: May 2008
Location: PHL (kinda, no airport is really close)
Programs: AA Exp, but not sure for how long. Enterprise Platinum woo-hoo!
Posts: 4,551
There is no "flat tire rule" - it's just one of the few times that airlines actually behave like businesses that treat their customers better than cattle.
If you miss your flight, the airport personnel have the discretion to re-accommodate you on a later flight, or even potentially the next day. It doesn't really matter what type of ticket you have, although it's possible they would be less lenient if it were a basic economy ticket.
It's a case where you really want to be nice, because you're asking for something they don't have to give you.
I recall one time I had a friend staying with me and we somehow mistimed his flight and got there late. It wasn't a heavily-traveled route, and I think they saw that all or most of the seats later in the day were booked, so they confirmed him on the first flight the next morning, which wasn't an unreasonable hardship to him
If you miss your flight, the airport personnel have the discretion to re-accommodate you on a later flight, or even potentially the next day. It doesn't really matter what type of ticket you have, although it's possible they would be less lenient if it were a basic economy ticket.
It's a case where you really want to be nice, because you're asking for something they don't have to give you.
I recall one time I had a friend staying with me and we somehow mistimed his flight and got there late. It wasn't a heavily-traveled route, and I think they saw that all or most of the seats later in the day were booked, so they confirmed him on the first flight the next morning, which wasn't an unreasonable hardship to him
Jul 2, 2018, 9:42 pm
#158
Moderator: American AAdvantage
Join Date: May 2000
Location: NorCal - SMF area
Programs: AA LT Plat; HH LT Diamond, Maître-plongeur des Muccis
Posts: 62,948
There is no "flat tire rule" - it's just one of the few times that airlines actually behave like businesses that treat their customers better than cattle.
If you miss your flight, the airport personnel have the discretion to re-accommodate you on a later flight, or even potentially the next day. It doesn't really matter what type of ticket you have, although it's possible they would be less lenient if it were a basic economy ticket.
It's a case where you really want to be nice, because you're asking for something they don't have to give you.
I recall one time I had a friend staying with me and we somehow mistimed his flight and got there late. It wasn't a heavily-traveled route, and I think they saw that all or most of the seats later in the day were booked, so they confirmed him on the first flight the next morning, which wasn't an unreasonable hardship to him
If you miss your flight, the airport personnel have the discretion to re-accommodate you on a later flight, or even potentially the next day. It doesn't really matter what type of ticket you have, although it's possible they would be less lenient if it were a basic economy ticket.
It's a case where you really want to be nice, because you're asking for something they don't have to give you.
I recall one time I had a friend staying with me and we somehow mistimed his flight and got there late. It wasn't a heavily-traveled route, and I think they saw that all or most of the seats later in the day were booked, so they confirmed him on the first flight the next morning, which wasn't an unreasonable hardship to him
Alaska is another airline that offers similar discretion to its agents.
Jul 3, 2018, 10:43 am
#159
Join Date: Mar 2016
Location: SAN
Programs: AA CK, Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 839
I once got a speeding ticket on the way to the airport and I missed my flight. I showed the AAgent my speeding ticket and he booked me on the next flight out without a penalty - he said I’d had enough pain for one day. I think they have a lot of discretion on these matters.
Jul 3, 2018, 12:31 pm
#160
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: Live: IWI; Work: DCA/Everywhere; Play: LAS/SJU/MLE
Programs: AA EXP, DL PM, Hyatt Glob, Marriott Ambassador/LTP, Nat'l Exec Elite, LEYE Gold
Posts: 6,670
Usually I get a boarding pass for free. Sometimes I get put on standby. On a couple of occasions at random outstations I have been asked to pay $75 (which I've done).
Usually no one asks me why I'm late, I don't have to invoke a "flat tire
Jul 3, 2018, 8:23 pm
#161
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Jan 2002
Posts: 44,604
There is no "flat tire rule" - it's just one of the few times that airlines actually behave like businesses that treat their customers better than cattle.
If you miss your flight, the airport personnel have the discretion to re-accommodate you on a later flight, or even potentially the next day. It doesn't really matter what type of ticket you have, although it's possible they would be less lenient if it were a basic economy ticket.
If you miss your flight, the airport personnel have the discretion to re-accommodate you on a later flight, or even potentially the next day. It doesn't really matter what type of ticket you have, although it's possible they would be less lenient if it were a basic economy ticket.
Jul 3, 2018, 8:56 pm
#162
Join Date: Mar 2006
Programs: AA EXP, UA 1K, F9 Elite, Hyatt Diamond, Hilton Diamond, Marriott Gold
Posts: 1,319
Jul 6, 2018, 9:53 am
#163
Join Date: Jun 2011
Programs: United Premier Platinum
Posts: 638
“Flat tire” “rule” and Basic Economy / BE
With some recent threads about the ins and outs of BE, I am curious whether and how the “flat tire rule” applies with BE tickets.
Has AA officially said anything about this? Do the fare rules for BE have more restrictive language in them than other deep discount Y fares do regarding no-show, last-minute cancellation, etc? (in the case of discounted Y, the “flat-tire rule” seems to apply regardless of the stated rules)
I’m also interested to hear if anyone has firsthand experience barely missing a BE flight, and if so, what the outcome was.
If AA means what they say about BE tix losing all value, no ifs / ands / buts, then to me this is a huge risk factor one should consider before purchasing BE.
Has AA officially said anything about this? Do the fare rules for BE have more restrictive language in them than other deep discount Y fares do regarding no-show, last-minute cancellation, etc? (in the case of discounted Y, the “flat-tire rule” seems to apply regardless of the stated rules)
I’m also interested to hear if anyone has firsthand experience barely missing a BE flight, and if so, what the outcome was.
If AA means what they say about BE tix losing all value, no ifs / ands / buts, then to me this is a huge risk factor one should consider before purchasing BE.
Jul 6, 2018, 10:42 am
#165
Suspended
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: DCA
Programs: UA US CO AA DL FL
Posts: 50,262
BE inflexibility rules are more stringent than other domestic fare rules in that almost all other fares (and all those purchased in the US) are at least changeable for a fee up until the originally scheduled time of departure with a penalty, Other fares are, of course, even more flexible. BE fares are wholly inflexible and designed to be just that as a means of discouraging their use by busienss travelers (some of whom still use them).
AA does not have a "flat tire" policy (it was never a rule) and agents simply did this for passengers who could tell a good story. Now, wtih the new Sabre overlay, most front-line agents lack the authority to waive the fare rules other than in IRROPS and thus won't be able to help you even if they want to. With the passage of time, there will be fewer "native Sabre" agents left and even those must now document a reason.
So, it is pure luck and it won't help you if 99 of 100 others caught a break.
AA does not have a "flat tire" policy (it was never a rule) and agents simply did this for passengers who could tell a good story. Now, wtih the new Sabre overlay, most front-line agents lack the authority to waive the fare rules other than in IRROPS and thus won't be able to help you even if they want to. With the passage of time, there will be fewer "native Sabre" agents left and even those must now document a reason.
So, it is pure luck and it won't help you if 99 of 100 others caught a break.