JMN57

Couple of points I learned this week about Stand-by & SDFC

1) I tried to SDFC from a PIT-LGA to a PIT-JFK flight - no co-terminus any more (already covered in the thread, I believe)

2) When I got to the airport, I tried to Stand-by the PIT-JFK flight and got rejected by the GA & supervisor. The EXP line had told me that it was doable but only at airport.
When I called in for clarification, they researched it and found out that a co-terminus switch was allowable but only if the fare allowed it and that would be that the fare was valid for the alternate routing when it was sold. They further researched whether my fare was OK and came back to me with that info. Unfortunately, at that time, the flight had closed so I couldn't get on it.

So, if you have a flight where there's a chance that you might want to switch to a co-terminus airport, it would be wise to have the information at your fingertips as getting it trying to make a flight could be tough. Also, the PIT GA basically said that their instructions were not allowed and this little wrinkle was not in them. So, one might have a hard time getting a GA to allow it if the training/documentation doesn't mention it.

RogerD408

Yes, GAs do make up their own rules, especially ones that keep them from having to do extra work. But they can do absolutely wonderful things when you give them the time to work it out and not being demanding or a DYKWIA. But I really get irritated (to myself) when the CSRs say do it at the airport and the airport says no.

I had a GA switch me from DFW/MIA/LIM/SCL to DFW/SCL due to a mx. The really nice part was I had been trying for the non-stop flight for a while, but no SWU availability. So got F the whole way down instead of Y on LA for LIM/SCL.

lax555

I understand the rule on keeping the number of connections the same, but what is the logic behind not being allowed to change the connection city?

ThreeJulietTango

Further complicating standby to a co-terminal is that reservations and airport agents aren't necessarily looking at the same reference files.

The official word is due to a "pricing issue". I'm not entirely sure what it means either.

sukn

The issue seems to be one about re-ticketing. Keeping everything the same doesn't require re-ticketing.

JMN57

If I were to guess, the way AA prices connections there may be a premium path from point A to B and a cheaper path. What they are concerned about is people buying the cheaper path and then SDFC to the more expensive path.

If this is in fact the case, it strikes me that they are overthinking the ways that they can be gamed. Sure, it might happen a bit but to restrict SDFC as they have reduces its usefulness quite a bit for an EXP (frequent traveler) and rather than build loyalty (cheaply, I might add as it requires E inventory to do) it diminishes it.

sukn

AA didn't implement the CFC restrictions to screw the customer or because folks were taking advantage of pricing/routing.

It had to do with airport agents needing to re-ticket when there was a routing change. It took too much time, and as you can imagine, on certain routes and during IRROPs, it could overwhelm the GAs. So these restrictions were put in place.

AA is aware of the problem and looking for a solution.

Also let's not forget CFC is a revenue stream for AA since non-EXPs/CKs have to pay $75 for it -- so there is an incentive to fine a solution.

RogerD408

How appropriate of a typo!

sukn

You're right! And so I won't fix it.

JMN57

Well I glad to hear that (if this is true) the current policy has more to do with operational issues than AA's sense of what a customer should be able to reasonably do within the context of SDFC. And I hope that they get on top of those operational challenges and return to a more realistic and customer friendly version of SDFC.

SkyTeam777

How flexible is AA about opening E inventory closer to departure? UA typically opens up inventory within a few hours of the flight. I can't find any E inventory on any day using EF for my route, but wondering if I get to the airport 8 hours early (coming off a cruise ship) if the agents would just put me on an earlier flight despite no E. Do they have more flexibility for EXP at the airport day of departure?

JMN57

E inventory is required for confirmed SDFC. I don't think that E is necessary for a pure stand-by but a) needs to be same routing and b) if your not EXP it will cost.

AwardBee

IME, E inventory can change by the hour or even minute, especially as departure approaches. I've found that at T-24, it might be E0, but then 2 hours later, E2, then an hour later, E0 again, then a few hours later, E3. It really depends. And some flights may be E7 from when you first start checking all the way till departure.

So if you don't find E inventory right away at T-24, check the seat map, if there's quite a few empty seats, there might still be hope that E will open up. Set an alert on EF to help you keep looking

Diamondback

Scheduled to fly SMF-PHX today at 715p. Day done early so arrived and approached gate to request complimentary standby on the 420p. Had been watching inventory (available seats) on this flight thinking I might get done early and be able to move up my flight. Well, the GA walked up to the gate complaining about having to work the ticket counter and "she had to get out of there." I asked politely if I could get on the earlier flight. She stated it would be $75. I stated that I was AA Gold and that I thought the fee was waived. She said that was not true and I had to pay $75. I asked again and if the policy had changed. She said she had done this all week and there was a charge to be confirmed on the flight. I stated I didn't want to be confirmed on the flight but that I wanted to be placed on the Standby list. She said she couldn't do that and had worked for AA for years and knew what she was doing. I paid the fee. I called AA and they, of course, said she should not have done this. Now I have to write a letter to request refund. BTW, same GA started boarding the flight 15 minutes early and started announcing that bags HAD to be checked when the plane was at most 75% full with a lot of bin space.

IntlSalesGuy

Odd... I had the same exact experience today flying from SLC-PHX. Originally scheduled for 8:20pm, but I finished work early in the day, so I was hoping to catch the earlier flight at 5:15pm.

I arrived at the ticketing counter and I requested the complimentary standby for the 5:15pm flight. The agent appeared confused and asked the supervisor on what to do. The supervisor informed me that it would cost $75 to process the change. I told her I did not want a confirmed flight change, but to be placed on the standby list. She said it was because the earlier flight had available space, so I couldn't technically be placed in standby.

I reluctantly paid the $75, since I really wanted to get home sooner. So who is right in this case?