Standby Costs and Best Technique?
Apr 26, 2016, 10:28 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2013
Posts: 16
Standby Costs and Best Technique?
So I booked a flight for Thursday back in January and as an idiot, I booked a later flight while my friends booked an earlier. I usually fly Southwest/American so don't know how good Delta is about allowing me to fly the earlier flight if seats are available.
I looked to see if Delta could just switch me, but she said it'd be a $200 change fee (dumb).
As of right now, less than 48 hours until flight, there are 14 seats available on the earlier flight (4 first, 6 Delta Comfort, 4 Preferred).
1. Does Delta charge for taking an earlier flight?
2. What is the best approach on trying to get on that earlier flight? Go through security and then speak to the gate agent or speak to the agent before I go through security (where you would check your bags, etc.)
I looked to see if Delta could just switch me, but she said it'd be a $200 change fee (dumb).
As of right now, less than 48 hours until flight, there are 14 seats available on the earlier flight (4 first, 6 Delta Comfort, 4 Preferred).
1. Does Delta charge for taking an earlier flight?
2. What is the best approach on trying to get on that earlier flight? Go through security and then speak to the gate agent or speak to the agent before I go through security (where you would check your bags, etc.)
Apr 26, 2016, 11:16 pm
#2
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: SAN
Posts: 4,923
This is the relevant info from the appropriate Delta.com page
In short: you can standby for an earlier flight for a $50 fee.
Eligibility
Same-day standby is only offered if same-day confirmed is not available.
You may request a same-day flight change within 24 hours prior to the departure time of your original flight.
Silver Medallion members, general SkyMiles members and non-members may only fly same-day standby for a flight that is earlier than their original flight.
Diamond, Platinum and Gold Medallion members may standby for a flight any time on the same day as their original flight.
No routing changes are allowed.
Eligible same-day standby flights must be on the same day as the original flight, starting 12am of the same day to 11:59pm the same day.
Change is only permitted based on the original ticketed paid cabin. For example, customers confirmed in RU class may only standby for flights in the Economy cabin
Basic Economy fare (E) for flights flown on or after February 1, 2015 are not eligible for same-day standby travel changes.
You can use the same-day standby option for travel within the United States, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands on Delta and Delta Connection flights.
FEES
Fees
Silver Medallion members, general SkyMiles members and non-members:
$50 USD Standby Fee - Standby fee will be collected, but your card will not be charged until you are assigned a seat on the standby flight
Diamond, Platinum and Gold Medallion members:
$50 USD Standby Fee Waived
Basic Economy (E) fares are not eligible to make same-day confirmed or same-day standby travel changes, regardless of Medallion or other elite status, for flights flown on or after February 1, 2015.
Same-day standby is only offered if same-day confirmed is not available.
You may request a same-day flight change within 24 hours prior to the departure time of your original flight.
Silver Medallion members, general SkyMiles members and non-members may only fly same-day standby for a flight that is earlier than their original flight.
Diamond, Platinum and Gold Medallion members may standby for a flight any time on the same day as their original flight.
No routing changes are allowed.
Eligible same-day standby flights must be on the same day as the original flight, starting 12am of the same day to 11:59pm the same day.
Change is only permitted based on the original ticketed paid cabin. For example, customers confirmed in RU class may only standby for flights in the Economy cabin
Basic Economy fare (E) for flights flown on or after February 1, 2015 are not eligible for same-day standby travel changes.
You can use the same-day standby option for travel within the United States, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands on Delta and Delta Connection flights.
FEES
Fees
Silver Medallion members, general SkyMiles members and non-members:
$50 USD Standby Fee - Standby fee will be collected, but your card will not be charged until you are assigned a seat on the standby flight
Diamond, Platinum and Gold Medallion members:
$50 USD Standby Fee Waived
Basic Economy (E) fares are not eligible to make same-day confirmed or same-day standby travel changes, regardless of Medallion or other elite status, for flights flown on or after February 1, 2015.
Apr 26, 2016, 11:31 pm
#3
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So I booked a flight for Thursday back in January and as an idiot, I booked a later flight while my friends booked an earlier. I usually fly Southwest/American so don't know how good Delta is about allowing me to fly the earlier flight if seats are available.
I looked to see if Delta could just switch me, but she said it'd be a $200 change fee (dumb).
As of right now, less than 48 hours until flight, there are 14 seats available on the earlier flight (4 first, 6 Delta Comfort, 4 Preferred).
1. Does Delta charge for taking an earlier flight?
2. What is the best approach on trying to get on that earlier flight? Go through security and then speak to the gate agent or speak to the agent before I go through security (where you would check your bags, etc.)
I looked to see if Delta could just switch me, but she said it'd be a $200 change fee (dumb).
As of right now, less than 48 hours until flight, there are 14 seats available on the earlier flight (4 first, 6 Delta Comfort, 4 Preferred).
1. Does Delta charge for taking an earlier flight?
2. What is the best approach on trying to get on that earlier flight? Go through security and then speak to the gate agent or speak to the agent before I go through security (where you would check your bags, etc.)
As long as this is a domestic flight you can change to an earlier one. Your same fare class must be available to confirm. Otherwise you can be placed on standby. Once you get put on the flight you're charged $50 for the SDC/SDS. Note if you have a basic economy (E fare class) ticket you are not allowed to changed flights.
Apr 27, 2016, 5:45 am
#4
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Seat maps don't tell you how many seats are for sale on a flight. It can be sold out but people not be assigned seats.
As long as this is a domestic flight you can change to an earlier one. Your same fare class must be available to confirm. Otherwise you can be placed on standby. Once you get put on the flight you're charged $50 for the SDC/SDS. Note if you have a basic economy (E fare class) ticket you are not allowed to changed flights.
As long as this is a domestic flight you can change to an earlier one. Your same fare class must be available to confirm. Otherwise you can be placed on standby. Once you get put on the flight you're charged $50 for the SDC/SDS. Note if you have a basic economy (E fare class) ticket you are not allowed to changed flights.
Apr 27, 2016, 6:18 am
#5
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So I booked a flight for Thursday back in January and as an idiot, I booked a later flight while my friends booked an earlier. I usually fly Southwest/American so don't know how good Delta is about allowing me to fly the earlier flight if seats are available.
I looked to see if Delta could just switch me, but she said it'd be a $200 change fee (dumb).
As of right now, less than 48 hours until flight, there are 14 seats available on the earlier flight (4 first, 6 Delta Comfort, 4 Preferred).
1. Does Delta charge for taking an earlier flight?
2. What is the best approach on trying to get on that earlier flight? Go through security and then speak to the gate agent or speak to the agent before I go through security (where you would check your bags, etc.)
I looked to see if Delta could just switch me, but she said it'd be a $200 change fee (dumb).
As of right now, less than 48 hours until flight, there are 14 seats available on the earlier flight (4 first, 6 Delta Comfort, 4 Preferred).
1. Does Delta charge for taking an earlier flight?
2. What is the best approach on trying to get on that earlier flight? Go through security and then speak to the gate agent or speak to the agent before I go through security (where you would check your bags, etc.)
Apr 27, 2016, 6:46 am
#8
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: BDU
Programs: DL:MM, Marriott:LTT
Posts: 8,779
But...
I have had success as both a PM and DM changing earlier, so you might want to try at 12:15 pm. What's the worst that can happen? You'll have to call back at 5:35 pm. You're no worse off for trying. At a minimum you'll find out if there is availability and be able to adjust your plans accordingly.
Apr 27, 2016, 7:28 am
#9
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Same Day confirmed is obviously the preferred option, so you know that you are on that earlier flight.
What fare bucket is your ticket on? That can be an indicator of your chances of a confirmed vs standby also.
What fare bucket is your ticket on? That can be an indicator of your chances of a confirmed vs standby also.
Apr 27, 2016, 9:50 am
#10
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2013
Posts: 16
I'll give them a call today to see what they can do.
Apr 27, 2016, 9:53 am
#11
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Five hours between flights is a long time to waste sitting in an airport if you try to do SDS and don't get onto the earlier flight.
Apr 27, 2016, 9:58 am
#12
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Generally speaking, if you are booked in L/U/T/X/V it is more difficult to get a same day confirmed unless the flight has a lot of open space.
The other down side is that on standby, you have to get to the airport for that earlier flight and risk sitting around for hours if you don't clear. The standby list is also ranked according to elite status (higher status gets priority) and fare bucket, so the lower fare means lower on the list.
Apr 27, 2016, 10:09 am
#13
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2013
Posts: 16
It should be shown if you look at your itinerary on the Delta website... will be something like "Main Cabin (X)" etc.
Generally speaking, if you are booked in L/U/T/X/V it is more difficult to get a same day confirmed unless the flight has a lot of open space.
The other down side is that on standby, you have to get to the airport for that earlier flight and risk sitting around for hours if you don't clear. The standby list is also ranked according to elite status (higher status gets priority) and fare bucket, so the lower fare means lower on the list.
Generally speaking, if you are booked in L/U/T/X/V it is more difficult to get a same day confirmed unless the flight has a lot of open space.
The other down side is that on standby, you have to get to the airport for that earlier flight and risk sitting around for hours if you don't clear. The standby list is also ranked according to elite status (higher status gets priority) and fare bucket, so the lower fare means lower on the list.
Apr 27, 2016, 10:11 am
#14
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2013
Posts: 16
It should be shown if you look at your itinerary on the Delta website... will be something like "Main Cabin (X)" etc.
Generally speaking, if you are booked in L/U/T/X/V it is more difficult to get a same day confirmed unless the flight has a lot of open space.
The other down side is that on standby, you have to get to the airport for that earlier flight and risk sitting around for hours if you don't clear. The standby list is also ranked according to elite status (higher status gets priority) and fare bucket, so the lower fare means lower on the list.
Generally speaking, if you are booked in L/U/T/X/V it is more difficult to get a same day confirmed unless the flight has a lot of open space.
The other down side is that on standby, you have to get to the airport for that earlier flight and risk sitting around for hours if you don't clear. The standby list is also ranked according to elite status (higher status gets priority) and fare bucket, so the lower fare means lower on the list.
Oh well, like I said, flying to Vegas on a Thursday mid-afternoon is probably not the most common thing. In addition, I'm flying out of a small airport (San Jose) in comparison to San Francisco.
If I make it on the earlier flight, then great. If not, won't kill me. I'll relax at the bar and make new friends until my flight!
Apr 27, 2016, 10:17 am
#15
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Five hours drinking in an airport bar can lead to being denied boarding.