Last edit by: Prospero
American Airlines Same Day Standby Policy and Discussion
(Not to be confused with SDFC / Same Day Flight Change - see links below)
Standby has its own rules and peculiarities: (As of 14 Jan 2016)
Same-day standby
Standby for a fee (waived for AA Elites)
For $75 on domestic flights, you may standby on an earlier flight under the following conditions:
*Standby between NYC-LON is offered for $150.
AAdvantage elite members may use the standby option for earlier or later flights.
Though it appeared those with checked bags were being denied SDS, JonNYC clarified that AA affirmed AA Elites are allowed to SDS if they have checked bags. Link.
Complimentary standby
Get complimentary same-day standby with:
Complimentary same-day standby is also available for:
Link
The following passengers may standby at no charge based on availability:
Link
Q. What happens to my upgrade if I stand by for another flight?
Your upgrade and position will be lost. You can not be added to the upgrade list on your desired flight until you have cleared from standby. At that point, it may be too late to request your upgrade, given upgrade requests are normally processed prior to the standby list.
See "Airport Upgrade and Standby List" / Order, PALL List and issues (FT)
Previous posts have been archived and can be read here
Standby is not the same thing as SDFC / Same Day Confirmed Flight Change:
See "Domestic" Same Day Confirmed Flight Change / SDFC / CFC / "Standby" or
International Same Day Flight Change / SDFC / SDC / CDC
(Not to be confused with SDFC / Same Day Flight Change - see links below)
Standby has its own rules and peculiarities: (As of 14 Jan 2016)
Same-day standby
Standby for a fee (waived for AA Elites)
For $75 on domestic flights, you may standby on an earlier flight under the following conditions:
- Standby is not allowed for international flights*.
- Has the same origin and destination
- Is for the same calendar day of departure
- Is marketed and operated by American Airlines or American Eagle
- Changes to another multi-city airport or to different connecting cities are not allowed
- You can standby for your originally purchased cabin (not upgraded cabin)
- Standby means upgrades on the original flights are lost (you can not be on an upgrade list until your standby has cleared)
- Standby pax may be required to gate check carry-on baggage
- Standby is prioritized - see "PALL List" link below
*Standby between NYC-LON is offered for $150.
AAdvantage elite members may use the standby option for earlier or later flights.
Though it appeared those with checked bags were being denied SDS, JonNYC clarified that AA affirmed AA Elites are allowed to SDS if they have checked bags. Link.
Complimentary standby
Get complimentary same-day standby with:
- Unrestricted Economy Class (Y fare), Business or First Class tickets
- American Airlines AAdvantage Executive Platinum, Platinum, Platinum Pro or Gold status and companions in same record
- oneworld® Emerald, Sapphire or Ruby status and companions in same record
- AirPass membership
- First and Business Class MileSAAver award tickets
- AAnytime award tickets
- Choice Plus fares
Complimentary same-day standby is also available for:
- Active U.S. military personnel traveling on orders or personal travel
- Active U.S. military dependents traveling on orders
Link
The following passengers may standby at no charge based on availability:
- Customers who purchase unrestricted Economy Class fares (Y class of service)
- Customers who purchase Business or First Class tickets
- Active U.S. military personnel traveling on orders or personal travel
- Active U.S. military dependents traveling on orders
- American Airlines AAdvantage® Executive Platinum, Platinum Pro, Platinum or Gold members
- oneworld® alliance Emerald, Sapphire or Ruby members
- Customers flying on the same reservation as an American Airlines AAdvantage Executive Platinum, Platinum or Gold member or oneworld alliance Emerald, Sapphire or Ruby member regardless of frequent flyer status or fare type
- AAirpass® members
- First and Business Class MileSAAver® Awards
- First, Business and Economy Class AAnytime® Awards
- Customers who purchase a Choice Plus fare
Link
Q. What happens to my upgrade if I stand by for another flight?
Your upgrade and position will be lost. You can not be added to the upgrade list on your desired flight until you have cleared from standby. At that point, it may be too late to request your upgrade, given upgrade requests are normally processed prior to the standby list.
See "Airport Upgrade and Standby List" / Order, PALL List and issues (FT)
Previous posts have been archived and can be read here
Standby is not the same thing as SDFC / Same Day Confirmed Flight Change:
See "Domestic" Same Day Confirmed Flight Change / SDFC / CFC / "Standby" or
International Same Day Flight Change / SDFC / SDC / CDC
Same Day Standby / SDS (not SDFC) Rules & Discussion (master thread)
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: London
Programs: AAdvantage, and BAEC in name only
Posts: 803
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
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
#2
Moderator: American AAdvantage, Signatures
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: London, England
Programs: UA 1K, Hilton Diamond, IHG Diamond Ambassador, National Exec, AA EXP Emeritus
Posts: 9,765
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 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.
#3
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: London
Programs: AAdvantage, and BAEC in name only
Posts: 803
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.
#4
Suspended
Join Date: Sep 2006
Programs: AAdvantage PP
Posts: 13,913
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.
The JFK ACs tend to be quite from about 9AM through mid afternoon. The OP should be able to get in a nap.
#5
Moderator: American AAdvantage, Signatures
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: London, England
Programs: UA 1K, Hilton Diamond, IHG Diamond Ambassador, National Exec, AA EXP Emeritus
Posts: 9,765
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.
#7
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Ireland (DUB)
Programs: AA PLAT
Posts: 621
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?
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?
#8
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: RBKC
Programs: AA EXP and Eurostar Carte Blanche
Posts: 3,851
AFAIK, this is simply an agent exercising his/her discretion to move passengers around, rather than any kind of standby.
#9
Join Date: Sep 2011
Programs: AA SPG Amex
Posts: 4,644
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.
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.
#10
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: FL
Programs: AA PLAT, HILTON DIAMOND, MARRIOTT LIFETIME TITANIUM
Posts: 616
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!
#11
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: SJC
Programs: AA EXP, BA Silver, Hyatt Globalist, Hilton diamond, Marriott Platinum
Posts: 33,535
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."
Cheers.
#12
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: FL
Programs: AA PLAT, HILTON DIAMOND, MARRIOTT LIFETIME TITANIUM
Posts: 616
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."
Cheers.
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."
Cheers.
#13
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: RBKC
Programs: AA EXP and Eurostar Carte Blanche
Posts: 3,851
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?
#14
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: Texas
Programs: AA EXP, Hilton Diamond, Hertz Five Star, Avis First
Posts: 902
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."
Cheers.
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."
Cheers.
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)
#15
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: SJC
Programs: AA EXP, BA Silver, Hyatt Globalist, Hilton diamond, Marriott Platinum
Posts: 33,535
Cheers.