Is your friends name Mr.E Bay? :D

Give the OP a break. He is asking about a specific type of ticket that anyone who has looked at the AA website, or FewMiles' great site, know is not covered there.

My wife had a hook-up like this a couple years ago.... one more thing with "buddy pass" - a particular dress code is required, for eg - no jeans or sneakers if you want to travel in first/biz class.

Buddy passes don't cost $600. Depending on destination, the fee surcharge is 40-140 ish, nowhere near $600.

d eleted

Welcome to FlyerTalk, Centrum!

You will be flying as non-revenue D-3 standby. FF miles do not accrue.

Non-rev charges are the same if you are traveling within the US, Carribean, Canada, Mexico whether you travel first class or coach. International (ie transatlantic, transpacific, South America) the fees differ according to class of service flown.

And for the inquiring minds about the fee structure, here are a few examples of the "fabulous" deal D-3's receive. Traveling from ORD-MBJ by way of MIA a non-rev will pay $258.00 for the roundtrip. Traveling from ORD-LHR roundtrip coach will cost $370, Business $506, and First $656. No seasonal discounts for coach and just about every year D-3 is embargoed in the summer to Europe.

Our charges used to be much lower for non-rev travel. I normally encourage my friends and relatives to watch for sales and fly confirmed; however, in the case of last minute travel the non-rev rates aren't too bad.

Also, Centrum, your friend of a friend of a friend will need to list you for the flights. Do not call reservations to check on flight availability, etc. It is the responsiblity of the employee who is giving the pass. Reservations cannot help you.

Good Luck and Happy Travels!

ExecDeskRep

With flights so crowded, it is not very likely you will get a seat in ANY class. Employee passes are strictly standby and travelers who are not the actual employee, spouse, or minor child are at the ultimate bottom of the standby list. Do not expect any miles, a good seat (if you do get on) and certainly don't expect first class. There are dress requirements that are regidly enforced so check with the employee for specific requirements. You also are entitled to nothing should the flight be delayed, diverted to another city, or cancelled- you are on your own. The costs are so high because the employee is taxed on the value of the travel. I frankly think it would be better to just buy a ticket at the lowest price and know with some assurance that you're going to get where you're going.

Here are some more rules... (credit goes to B747-437B)


13 Golden Rules Of Non-Rev Travel

1) The first rule of non-rev is... you do not talk about non-rev.

2) The second rule of non-rev is... you DO NOT talk about non-rev.

3) Your ... is in the gate agent's hands. Be nice and they will be gentle.

4) Backup. Backup. Backup.

5) Thou shalt not whine.

6) If you want to go somewhere, chances are that others do too so you probably won't be able to.

7) Repeat after me, "Thank you for that middle seat"

8) Everyone has a sob story, but they paid.

9) Repeat after me, "Whichever meal selection you have left is fine, thanks"

10) Drink too much and kiss your passes goodbye.

11) Children should be seen and not heard. Nonrevs should be neither seen nor heard.

12) Always thank the crew for the "great flight", even if it sucked.

13) Nonrev is a privilege, not a right. Never ever forget this.

As of about 2000, CO did use the term "buddy pass" to distinguish from standard non-revenue space available passes that were available to the employee and to her/his pass-eligible family members. Each employee received 10 domestic buddy passes per year. International buddy passes had to be requested from the employee ticket office in IAH (back in 2000 it was all paper passes, but it may all be electronic now).

On CO, the "buddy" could travel unescorted ONLY within the US. All other buddy pass travel required the buddy to be escorted by a pass-eligible person. For example, my brother (an LAX resident) and I once went to MEX. He was able to fly unescorted LAX-IAH, but, had I not met up with him in IAH, he would have not been able to continue on to MEX without me.

As of 2000, buddy passes on CO carried a $50 fee domestic, $200 international. Insterestingly, domestic or international buddy passes were NOT eligible for upgrading into First / BusinessFirst (although I did witness EWR gate agents do it).

As a rookie D3 flyer, here are the *official* rules that are expected to be followed. My first D3 experience was LGA-ORD-LGA. On the LGA-ORD flight, my employee gf and I were the last to board and did not receive BPs until they were ready to close the doors - in FC since it was available and obviously after all the requested upgrades cleared. On ORD-LGA, we received Y BPs prior to boarding with Group 6 printed on it. Cost was about $100. Since I needed to be at work the next day, I bought a refundable OW F ticket for the last flight out. Upon arrival at LGA, I immediately cancelled the ticket so a lucky EP or Plat could have a seat up front.

------------------------------------------------------------
Ten Things You Need to Know about Guest Travel
------------------------------------------------------------

As a guest traveler, you need to know American Airlines'
policies regarding our Employee Travel Program prior to your
travel. This will help make your trip more pleasant and
speed the check-in process along.

1. Our employees are responsible for their travel privileges
even when not traveling with their guest travelers.

- Proper behavior and correct use of travel privileges
not only makes for an enjoyable trip but also avoids
an employee or guest from having their travel
privileges suspended or permanently revoked.

- We also expect that all our guest travelers be
honest when using our travel passes. We will take
action up to and including criminal prosecution and
penalty payments in extreme cases of abuse.

2. Make sure you are dressed appropriately as required by
AA's dress code, which is explained below.

3. Understand this is for STANDBY TRAVEL ONLY for personal
pleasure trips and cannot be transferred or sold to
anyone.

4. Make sure you have been flight listed for your trip at
least 48 hours prior to departure. Your sponsoring
employee is responsible for checking flight availability
and creating your flight listing. Guests should not call
American's reservations phone number to flight list or to
request gate and time information or flight availability.
You may obtain gate and time information on the internet
at www.aa.com or by calling 800-AA-FLIFO (800-223-5436).

5. Check-in using a major credit card at Self-Service
Check-In machines where available; otherwise you may
check-in with an agent. If you are checking in with an
agent, be sure to identify yourself as a non-revenue
traveler immediately.

6. Be courteous to airline personnel and follow instructions
of the agents and crewmembers.

7. Always have your proper identification and other required
documents such as passports and visas for international
travel ready for the agent.

8. Once checked in, move away from the departure gate and
wait for your name to be called.

9. Board the aircraft when directed and take your assigned
seat.

10.You should not:

- Ask anyone to change their seats with you.
- Discuss non-revenue employee travel with other
passengers.
- Ask for special meals, drinks or in-flight amenities.
- Drink alcohol excessively.
- Attempt to use Sabre sets or company phones.
- Attempt to bring dangerous items with you such as
weapons or explosive items.
- Make a confirmed reservation when holding a pass
privilege.


Additional Check-In Procedures
------------------------------------------------------------

- You should use the Self-Service Check-In machines located
in the airport where available (even if you're checking
bags). Otherwise, you may check in with a ticket agent.
- You should check-in prior to going to the gate. If you
receive a verification card from the Self-Service
Check-In machine with your name and flight number,
there is no need to check with the agent at the gate
until your name is called. The verification card will allow
you to enter through the security checkpoint.
- Check-in is recommended a minimum of one hour prior to
departure for domestic travel and two hours for
international travel.

Important Reminders
------------------------------------------------------------

- Flights may fill up quickly. Please remember that
revenue customers and higher priority employees or other
non-revenue travelers will be boarded before you.
- Embargoes and operational restrictions may limit or
eliminate accommodation of standby passengers.
- D3 Guests are not allowed to travel with pets,
whether checked as luggage or carried in the cabin,
unless the pet is a service animal (i.e. seeing or
hearing assist).
- D3 Guests may not travel on any flight operated by one of
the American Connection carriers; Chautauqua, Trans State
and Corporate.

Help Keep Our Aircraft Clean
------------------------------------------------------------
Before deplaning, please pick up after yourself and the
immediate area around you. Give your newspapers and service
items to the flight attendants prior to landing, or take them
with you. This will provide more time for our flights and ground
crews to focus on other cleaning items within the cabin to ensure
we have the best product for our customers.

Children in First and Business Class
------------------------------------------------------------

On three class service flights, children 7 and younger
may be accommodated in the coach cabin only; on two class
service flights, children 5 and younger may be
accommodated in coach only.

Dress Code for Pass Travelers
------------------------------------------------------------

American and American Eagle have a dress code for
travelers using employee travel privileges that are
strictly enforced. Travelers who are improperly dressed
will not be accommodated on the flight. Attire for all
cabins should be well groomed, neat, clean, and in good
taste. If in doubt, don't wear it. Traditional or casual
business attire is required for first or business class
accommodation. If a traveler is properly attired for coach
but not for first or business, and only first or business is
available, the traveler will not be accommodated in first or
business class. Coats, jackets, hosiery/sock and collars
are not required. Capri pants are acceptable in all cabins.

The following attire is not acceptable in ANY cabin:

- Shorts or T-Shirts
- Sweatshirts or tank tops
- Jogging suits, workout clothing or leggings
- Micro-mini skirts
- Bare-midriff or provocative/revealing/see-through
clothing
- Beach clothing or footwear, flip-flops
- Clothing with offensive terminology or graphics
- Clothing with holes/ragged or cutoff edges

The following attire is not acceptable in FIRST or
BUSINESS class:

- Denim clothing of any kind or color
- Athletic footwear
- Split skirts above the knee
- Shorts

We are happy to be able to offer our employees and their
guests pass travel privileges and trust you will respect
the privilege in order to preserve it. Enjoy your flight!

Okay...I may be a cynic here....

...but the OP really looks like he came here to "offer" his buddy passes for $600 a pop, thereby making a pretty nice profit for himself givent that buddy passes don't cost that kind of money.

Pardon me if I'm wrong...I'm a New Yorker so I guess that makes me naturally suspicious....

;)

If the "buddy pass" is on AA/Eagle....they (almost) can't be sold. The "buddy" is named on the employee's travel list...the travel charges are deducted from the employee's paycheck, so, there may be some profit made somewhere.....but to sell one online to a stranger would be precarious at best --- the employee is responsible for the behavior of the traveler, even if they are not traveling together. The employee's travel benefits can be terminated if the "buddy" behaves inappropriately. (Which is why many of us don't offer up our limited supply of D3 passes.) I have seen people on D3 passes act as if they are God's gift to the airline and be very demanding... when they should just follow the simple rules of non-rev: shut up, sit down, and be grateful.

Amazing how people can't be grateful to get a good deal and be considerate of their friends' situation (assuming they know who they got the pass from). Besides, with the charges for some of the D3 passes, as others have said it's better for the passenger to watch for an advance sale and get a confirmed seat for a similar or lower price and earn some miles in the process.

Holding a revenue ticket for travel on the same day that a person is attempting on a pass is grounds for the employee's travel benefits to be revoked. It doesn't matter if the revenue reservation is cancelled. One poster here said he did exactly that.

I suggest you ask the employee to give you all the rules ;)