I have a flight scheduled from SEA-CLE on 1/8. I was hoping to get back to CLE early and spoke to an agent after checking on a flight I am taking to CDG. He said - no problem, take the 1:00AM to DTW, on to CLE - no charge. So I called today and checked again, about getting in on 12/28 or 27 for info on how full the flights were - agent said it was impossible to go on standby except for on 1/8. So - I wanna come back in late December - any suggestions? Thanks!

Just clarifying . . . the agent said I could leave on a flight on the 3rd @ 1 am (4 days earlier). He even spoke to me about how likely it was for me to get on, etc. Does it vary on what they'll tell me by agent?

[This message has been edited by raincityrd (edited 12-12-2001).]

Typically on less expensive tickets you have lots of restrictions. It sounds like you are only allowed same day standby. (That's not terribly unusual.)

If you really want to come back early you will have to bite the bullet and pay for it. Call up NW reservations and see how much it will cost to change the ticket.

If the flight leaves at 1am, can we stand by for an evening flight of the previous day?

You can only do standby for the same calendar day that you are scheduled to travel. So technicly you aren't supposed to be able to do standby on 10 pm flight if you're scheduled on the 1 am.