A6P is the only way to go. Boy was I spoiled growing up.

Some tips -

Only travel with carry-on bags. Avoid travel on busy days which are around holidays, Thursday and Friday after noon, Sunday anytime, Monday mornings. Best days for travel Tuesday and Wednesday. Watch for bad weather, can wreak havoc on non-revs. If one of your flights cancels it could take a couple of days to get on a flight.

Frankly, speaking as a former airline employee, buddy passes are not a good deal. You're at the very bottom of the standby list and can get stuck for days, especially if traveling as a trio. Decide in advance what you'll do if there's one or two seats, will you split up?

I know a guy who went to South America on a buddy pass and never could get on a return flight. He had to buy a full-fare ticket, can you imagine what that cost? My airline friends frequently offer me buddy passes, I never accept.

To the OP: the employee should be able to answer all questions and give you flt info and available seats:

Link to AA buddy passes (where this belongs):

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/ameri...solidated.html

Here is a good link about buddy passes (DL):

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/delta...ve-thread.html

I found this one from DL. Good info. I AM SURE THESE RULES ALSO APPLY AT AA/US:

http://travelinfo.delta.com/dlnonrev/Buddy_quette.pdf

Remember you are D3 (low). You should have the person that gave you the pass check flts for you and let you know the rules flying on AA/US.

I've used a buddy pass years ago, it was not my cup of tea. The employee is also responsible for your actions. Read the Delta buddy pass link above (I am sure AA/US are very similar).

Happy travels.

Hello everybody!

It's the first time in my life that I join into a group like this =D
I really hope that you guys can help me.

Well, I am in a difficult situation, my uncle is retired from AA in US, I asked to my uncle if he could arrange a buddy pass to my mother (his sister) to come visit me in Montreal (where I live now), but I discover on the internet that last year that AA changed the policy and now retired and employees can travel for free as well as some relatives, example father/mother/sister/brother... and they have 9 buddy passes per year.

So I asked about that to my uncle before she travels, but he just ignored that information (he never give an answer) and charged us for the flight by giving her buddy passes (3D). I would pay without questioning the amount, but it seems quite over charged. In 2010, I made the same flights and paid 250 us d, also provide by him, but now he is asking 750.

She flew on March/2015 from Rio de Janeiro (GIG) to Miami (MIA) and then from Miami (MIA) to Montreal (YUL) and when she returned, on month later, she went to the same airports.

So can you help me guys to know if this is correct? I don't know, but sometimes the people nowadays make me really sad, are there no incorruptible people anymore? Or the things changed so much that sisters are not relatives anymore... Anyway, as I said, I will pay, but at least I want to know if I am paying the right amount or he is getting a profit of it.

We asked him by email, but again, he ignored.

Thanks a lot and a happy day for every one =)

The only relatives who can travel for the same cost as the employee or retiree - it's free only after certain level of seniority is attained - are spouses, parents and children under 24 years of age. Everyone else has to use a "buddy pass." The current "buddy pass" allotment is 16 one way trips per year for active employees. I believe, but am not certain, that retirees get only 8 one way D3 passes per calendar year.

And D3 travelers do pay significantly more. Depending on which cabin she was in on each of the 4 legs, I believe total cost of the service charges would be anywhere from about $550 to $800.

Assuming she was in Business or First on at least one leg, it sounds like your uncle is charging you correctly.

Wirelessly posted (BlackBerry: BlackBerry8530/5.0.0.1030 Profile/MIDP-2.1 Configuration/CLDC-1.1 VendorID/417)

And, unless things have changed, the employee/retiree must also pay income tax on the imputed income of the pass travel (less any fees charged by AA) by a sibling. Again, depending on the class of service flown, AA's fees and the "value" of the pass travel could be substantial.

Karla Melo: what cabin are you requesting to fly in? That seems a bit steep on price

d3 is such a gamble to fly these days. Last time I flew D3 was in …2005. IIRC, December 2005. That morning, we were trying to get back from LHR-JFK. As we made our way to the airport, we get news of a fuel explosion near the airport, in Hemel Hempstead. Our AAunt bid us good luck and told us to try and attempt a flight from Paris or other cities.

Jetnet was showing all red, no flight availability. We took a chance and nailed 2 F class seats home on the 777. Amazing.

Nowadays, I would not take a chance unless I was single.

It was coach in all flights. What do you think it is the average?

Hi, she traveled by coach.

So i fly D3 standby and i guess my question is, we all been there and you don't get on the flight. If I had a citi prestige could I get into the AA admirals club with my standby ticket?

Effective May 22, 2014, non-revenue passengers who are Admirals Club members, or holders of qualifying credit cards or day passes may use the club.

But does this include the Citi Prestige being that card only provides access not membership? Like i will have to show my ticket which it won't have a seat on it only the flight im trying to get on lol?

Sorry, I don't know the answer; the Trip Book discusses access for annual and 30-day Admirals Club members, and holders of the Citi Executive® / AAdvantage® World EliteTM MasterCard®. The Prestige card is not mentioned.

You have nothing to lose by trying. Be mindful that, if admitted, you are not supposed to ask the agents in the club to check standby lists, flight loads, etc.