Whatever their new standby policy is, it sux
Aug 27, 2006, 10:45 am
#1
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Whatever their new standby policy is, it sux
I got done with my business early Saturday, but had a 6:50pm flight home. I got to the airport at 11am. CO refused to let me on any of the 3 earlier flights, despite plenty of seats. They wouldn't even sell me the $25 confirmed standby. And, the gate agent even told me the ticket I was holding wasnt even close to the cheapest fare class. He had no clue why I couldnt switch, so I go no explanation, which is so typical of CO these days. So, I sat around picking my nose and drinking beer, and went home at my assigned times with my first class upgrades in hand. I fly more on AA, and cant remember ever having this type of problem with them.
Aug 27, 2006, 10:48 am
#2
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Never heard of that. What fare class are you on?
One can standby even on standard reward tickets.
One can standby even on standard reward tickets.
Aug 27, 2006, 11:00 am
#3
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The only problems I've encountered with confirmed standby are lazy customer service agents in EWR and IAH who were unwilling even to put me on the list due to the fact that they believed the flights were full and that I would not clear (without even checking the flight load, of course). The GAs always put me on without a problem. I've never hear of your situation occuring and you certainly can standby on any ticket. Confirmed standby can only be done if your fare class is available, but regular standby always is available.
Aug 27, 2006, 11:01 am
#4
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Did you have a connection? You mentioned "upgrades" -- if you were connecting it's likely that the first segment had plenty of room but the connecting segment did not. Pressing the agent for a real answer or asking another agent (or even calling!) often helps in such situations.
Aug 27, 2006, 11:53 am
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True, you can even call 3 hours before the flight that you wanted to take departs and secure the standby with a $25 fee, thus saving you the hassle of waiting at the airport.
Aug 27, 2006, 1:08 pm
#6
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If you're upgraded, they have to clear you into coach, then request the upgrade (i.e., you may not get it).
Standby is pretty straightforward. We're missing a piece of this story.
Standby is pretty straightforward. We're missing a piece of this story.
Aug 27, 2006, 6:39 pm
#7
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Originally Posted by channa
If you're upgraded, they have to clear you into coach, then request the upgrade (i.e., you may not get it).
Standby is pretty straightforward. We're missing a piece of this story.
Standby is pretty straightforward. We're missing a piece of this story.
Aug 27, 2006, 7:36 pm
#8
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I had standby problems once, too. This was shortly after the $25 standby went into effect. I was scheduled PHL-EWR-IAH and wanted to fly PHL-IAH instead. (the first leg was on the infamous, now nonexistant CO2344) They first told me I needed to pay $25 to go standby. Then they told me I couldn't do so because it would involve changing the number of segments. I waited a LONG time while the agent and the supervisor talked. When they came back I offered to pay $25. They talked some more and then put me on standby for free. I got the impression that they had no clue what the real rules or procedures were.
Aug 28, 2006, 8:18 am
#9
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stand by policy is as follows: Same day change is allowed 3 hours prior to flight time desired. Same bucket must be avail. if not, no SDC. Stand by can only be for the same day of travel. Some tickets prohibit stand by. If you don't know the rules of your ticket call reservations.
Aug 28, 2006, 8:25 am
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Originally Posted by G23
stand by policy is as follows: Same day change is allowed 3 hours prior to flight time desired. Same bucket must be avail. if not, no SDC. Stand by can only be for the same day of travel. Some tickets prohibit stand by. If you don't know the rules of your ticket call reservations.
Aug 28, 2006, 8:39 am
#11
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correct same fare bucket for the SDC not regualr stand by. unconfirmed stand by just needs room in the same cabin of service or lower.
Aug 28, 2006, 1:12 pm
#12
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Originally Posted by xyzzy
Did you have a connection? You mentioned "upgrades" -- if you were connecting it's likely that the first segment had plenty of room but the connecting segment did not. Pressing the agent for a real answer or asking another agent (or even calling!) often helps in such situations.
Aug 28, 2006, 11:17 pm
#13
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Did you check bags? With Positive Bag Match in effect, they may not have been able to retrieve your bag for the earlier flight.
Aug 29, 2006, 12:18 am
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I agree that the new standby policy needs to be revisited. I have found the thing quite silly and somewhat of a dissatisfier.
Aug 29, 2006, 12:22 am
#15
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Originally Posted by CateyBeth
Did you check bags? With Positive Bag Match in effect, they may not have been able to retrieve your bag for the earlier flight.