Same Day Standby / SDS (not SDFC) Rules & Discussion (master thread)
 

Next weekend I'm flying LAX-JFK overnight then JFK-LHR in the evening - planning to fit in lunch in Manhattan with a friend in between. Now lunch has had to be cancelled as he is away.

I realise that the correct answer is that I now have to buy my own lunch in Manhattan but I'll ask about standby for the morning JFK-LHR.

I'm guessing my best chance is to ask in the JFK lounge when I arrive, but any constructive advice on other options would be appreciated.

I'm PLT and in Y. Thanks,

Phil

My advice would be to attempt a same-day change to a later LAX-JFK flight, one that perhaps leaves the following morning rather than a red-eye that night. This could cut down your layover at JFK to something more palatable. I believe that it's unlikely you'll be able to change your JFK-LHR flight.

I would probably opt for a day in NYC in preference to an extra night in LA (especially as I am hopeful of a sticker upgrade!) but thanks very much for the creative option. Cheers!

But would not the next day mean a change fee and reprice. I'd say to the Poster relax at the JFK AC and shower and change before your flight to LHR. The AC staff won't do anything with your reservation but it would not hurt to see if you can't get a GA to have sympathy on your situation and go standby even those its not allowed on International. Last year I saw a GA allow a late arriving pax that had missed his original flight to LAX to board (technically she should have required him to pay a change fee and reprice). The guy had asked nicely, offered to pay whatever fee, but the GA responded that she would just give him a BP for the flight.

The JFK ACs tend to be quite from about 9AM through mid afternoon. The OP should be able to get in a nap.

No, as long as you're within 12 hours of the flight you're trying to change to. For example, if you're on the 11:45 PM departure from LAX-JFK, and you want to change to the 7 AM departure the next morning, you can start checking for E inventory as early as 7 PM that night, and call to snag it if it exists.

Does anyone have experience with MIA-CUN on same day standby? Two calls to the EXP desk have resulted in mixed opinions.

Is this still the case? Back in Summer 2010, I was travelling BOS-JFK-LHR. I checked bags in BOS and proceeded to the AC. The AAngle checking me in noticed me back tracking and said would I like to go on the BOS-LHR direct flight. I said yes. She clicked away and said something along the lines of that because BOS-JFK was Eagle and the checked bags go somewhere else she couldn't do anything.

Next week I'm travelling DUB-LHR-ORD and was hoping I could change to the DUB-ORD direct flight. I'll get to DUB early and pop by the AA/Servisair desk to see if it's possible.

Has anyone had success on going standby lately?

Some of the agents in BOS are great and will proactively notice this kind of thing and try to help you out. A few years ago, one kindly offered to put me on a BOS-LHR nonstop, eliminating my connection in ORD.

AFAIK, this is simply an agent exercising his/her discretion to move passengers around, rather than any kind of standby.

I will add, however, that there are "standby lists" on the boards at the gate for int'l flights. I believe that many on those lists are non-revs, though, who technically are on standby depending on whether they book in advance or go NRSA.

The above situation, though, looks more like essentially a free CFC than a standby since you aren't actually standing by and waiting for the GA to clear you.

Can anyone tell me why Mexico City (MEX) is the only city in Mexico that does not allow you to standby for same day flights from the US, while all other Mexico cities do allow for standby on the same day from the US? Why is MEX the only one? Seems odd!

The answer is "because." Really :)

Standby is not allowed for international flights. According to the AA definition (used elsewhere as well), Mexico is considered domestic (hence standby allowed), except Mexico City, which is international (hence no standby allowed).

See, I told you that the reason was simply "because." :D

Cheers.

I hear you, things that make you go hmmmmmmmmmmmm........

I knew there was some exception for MEX but couldn't remember the details. Thanks for the reminder. Similarly, is AC access offered for those without status or membership flying in F to MEX? Or is it J? And are 500 mile upgrades valid to MEX?

I believe MEX has the same odd exemption in regards to usage rights to the Admirals Club for PLATS and EXPLATS. For everywhere else you fly to in Mexico, you are not allowed status based access to Admirals Club (just like domestic flights)

Once you accept that Mexico is domestic while MEX is international, everything else is consistent throughout the program, AFAIK. There are no weirdnesses other than the original definition :)

Cheers.