Platinum Companions and Standby
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2005
Posts: 8,884
Platinum Companions and Standby
Well, I searched and found nothing but discussions about the Platinum companion upgrades, and that's not what I'm looking for.
Saturday, I (Platinum) will be traveling with a non-elite companion. They are on my reservation (same PNR) and we've both already been upgraded for all legs. Not concerned with upgrades.
I am wondering about standing by for an earlier flight, though. In the past, many times I've been booked on a late afternoon flight and have been able to depart earlier, so I've gone to the gate/WorldClub and asked to be put on the standby list for either coach/first class just to try to get out earlier. It's worked marvelously. Now I'm traveling with a companion and will likely be facing the same scenario (our flight is for 4pm, but could be at the airport by 6am to standby for that flight to get home earlier). Will my companion have the same priority that I do for getting an available seat, or does that status parity only exist for EUA upgrades?
Any insight into this general topic or our specific situation would be appreciated.
Saturday, I (Platinum) will be traveling with a non-elite companion. They are on my reservation (same PNR) and we've both already been upgraded for all legs. Not concerned with upgrades.
I am wondering about standing by for an earlier flight, though. In the past, many times I've been booked on a late afternoon flight and have been able to depart earlier, so I've gone to the gate/WorldClub and asked to be put on the standby list for either coach/first class just to try to get out earlier. It's worked marvelously. Now I'm traveling with a companion and will likely be facing the same scenario (our flight is for 4pm, but could be at the airport by 6am to standby for that flight to get home earlier). Will my companion have the same priority that I do for getting an available seat, or does that status parity only exist for EUA upgrades?
Any insight into this general topic or our specific situation would be appreciated.
#2
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: Rochester Hills, MI
Programs: NW, MR SE,
Posts: 385
I think from what I've read here and my my own experience, you and you companion are at the head of the list for the battlefield upgrade. I don't think you two will be ahead of the SE who did OLCI at 23:59 mark. I don't know if anyone who does OLCI at 9:59 mark will be ahead of you. That's something you'll have to ask and find out. I haven't tried to standby that early. Good luck.
HJ
HJ
#3
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2005
Posts: 8,884
Originally Posted by hyunja
I think from what I've read here and my my own experience, you and you companion are at the head of the list for the battlefield upgrade.
Originally Posted by SchmutzigMSP
Saturday, I (Platinum) will be traveling with a non-elite companion. They are on my reservation (same PNR) and we've both already been upgraded for all legs. Not concerned with upgrades.
Or, to put it more broadly, has anyone here (Plat) tried to standby for an earlier flight with a non-elite companion as well? Thanks.
#4
Join Date: May 2004
Location: LAX
Programs: CO Platinum HHonors Diamond Avis President's Club
Posts: 2,312
Originally Posted by SchmutzigMSP
Sorry, maybe I wrote too much as an OP, but I thought I made it clear that I'm not asking about upgrades. I'm only asking about standing by for an earlier flight. As a Plat traveling alone, I've had great success because I go straight to the top of the list for an earlier flight. Will my Plat companion have the same position/priority on an earlier flight as I do?
Or, to put it more broadly, has anyone here (Plat) tried to standby for an earlier flight with a non-elite companion as well? Thanks.
Or, to put it more broadly, has anyone here (Plat) tried to standby for an earlier flight with a non-elite companion as well? Thanks.
peace,
~Ben~
#5
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Nashville
Programs: DL DM 3 MM AA PLAT HH Lifetime Diamond Marriott Plat AMB lifetime titanium Hertz PC
Posts: 6,187
You will be treated the same. The big issue is are their two seats upfront.
#6
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2005
Posts: 8,884
Thanks for the replies, folks. I feel a little more confident now that we should have no problem.
I'm not concerned with sitting up front. If we standby on an earlier flight, I'll take a seat, any seat.
I'm not concerned with sitting up front. If we standby on an earlier flight, I'll take a seat, any seat.
#7
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: HH Diamond, Marriott Gold, IHG Gold, Hyatt something
Posts: 33,539
Originally Posted by SchmutzigMSP
If we standby on an earlier flight, I'll take a seat, any seat.
#8
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: AUS
Programs: AA Exec Platinum/MM, DL Gold/MM, Hilton Diamond, Accor Platinum, Hertz Presidents Circle
Posts: 6,976
Standby priority is not a published elite benefit. Is there any official information about it? Does elite status trump fare class or time you are added to the list?
#9
Join Date: May 2004
Location: LAX
Programs: CO Platinum HHonors Diamond Avis President's Club
Posts: 2,312
Originally Posted by Stripe
Standby priority is not a published elite benefit. Is there any official information about it? Does elite status trump fare class or time you are added to the list?
http://www.nwa.com/worldperks/elite/benefits.html
http://www.nwa.com/worldperks/elite/benefits.html
In my anecdotal experience, my Plat status will put me at the top of the waitlist (well, with the other Plats at the top anyway). After status, it goes by time added to the list. Fare class has absolutely no bearing for standby on NW, as far as I know/recall.
peace,
~Ben~
#10
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2005
Posts: 8,884
Originally Posted by Jaimito Cartero
Toilet seat?
#11
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: AUS
Programs: AA Exec Platinum/MM, DL Gold/MM, Hilton Diamond, Accor Platinum, Hertz Presidents Circle
Posts: 6,976
Originally Posted by seoulmanjr
#12
Join Date: May 2004
Location: LAX
Programs: CO Platinum HHonors Diamond Avis President's Club
Posts: 2,312
Originally Posted by Stripe
There is nothing on that page about standby priority. However, if you click the 2006 Elite Benefits Guide link, it does show "Priority Airport Standby" as a Skyteam elite benefit and says all Skyteam elites have priority over all other passengers standing by for a NW flight. Presumably plats would have highest priority within that group.
peace,
~Ben~
#13
FlyerTalk Evangelist & Ambassador: China
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: DEN
Programs: DL DM/MM, UA 1K, AA Exp, HH Dia, WOH Glob, IHG Plat, Marriott Gold, NA EE, Hertz PC
Posts: 17,423
First, how do many of you know that the companion will be on stand-by priority as SchmutzipMSP?
Let's also take it a step further, what if the companion weren't on the PNR? Could a plat (or GE) conceivably get themself and their companion at the top of the list?
Let's also take it a step further, what if the companion weren't on the PNR? Could a plat (or GE) conceivably get themself and their companion at the top of the list?