A-List Standby is free for ANY earlier flight starting March 8, 2017
Mar 8, 2019, 4:32 pm
#182
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: ATL
Posts: 1,919
Won't be until MON 6/3 but wife and I are going to test the free standby with non-status companion OAK-HNL. Currently on the 5:45p flight for $79, would like to get on the other non-stop at 8:15a. Hopefully it doesn't sell out by then.
Flew ATL-MCO today, got on an earlier sold out flight standby with about 12 other folks (or at least #12 made it and others didn't show up?) I was #1 for awhile and ultimately made it as #4, AL+
Flew ATL-MCO today, got on an earlier sold out flight standby with about 12 other folks (or at least #12 made it and others didn't show up?) I was #1 for awhile and ultimately made it as #4, AL+
Mar 8, 2019, 4:36 pm
#183
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: ORD, MDW or MKE
Programs: American and Southwest. Hilton and Marriott hotels primarily.
Posts: 6,459
Getting to the airport for an 8:45 am when your flight is 5:45pm is quite a leap of faith. What are you going to do for 7-8 hours when you don't get on?
Mar 8, 2019, 4:38 pm
#184
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: ATL
Posts: 1,919
Probably won't try it if sold out by then
4/15 update: was able to change to the morning flight due to the open changes situation, and decided to go a day early, and come back two days later
Last edited by dmbolp; Apr 28, 2019 at 12:11 pm
Apr 28, 2019, 12:09 pm
#185
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: ATL
Posts: 1,919
Trying standby today ATL-BWI, 24 pax on the list so the board is full, never seen that before
I'm #4, we’ll see how it goes
Edit: Made it, last person, even had overhead room and got an aisle seat, 800
I'm #4, we’ll see how it goes
Edit: Made it, last person, even had overhead room and got an aisle seat, 800
Last edited by dmbolp; Apr 28, 2019 at 1:11 pm
Apr 28, 2019, 4:18 pm
#186
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: ORD, MDW or MKE
Programs: American and Southwest. Hilton and Marriott hotels primarily.
Posts: 6,459
How is it possible that the last person on the plane gets an aisle seat???? Were there some 58 people who preferred a middle seat over an aisle?
Apr 28, 2019, 4:26 pm
#187
Moderator: Southwest Airlines, Capital One
Join Date: Sep 1999
Location: California
Programs: WN Companion Pass, A-list preferred, Hyatt Globalist; United Club Lietime (sic) Member
Posts: 21,621
Apr 28, 2019, 9:45 pm
#189
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: SNA
Programs: Bonvoy LTTE/AMB, AmEx Plat, National EE, WN A-List, CLEAR+, Covid-19
Posts: 4,964
Apr 29, 2019, 4:46 am
#190
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2000
Location: Nashville -Past DL Plat, FO, WN-CP, various hotel programs
Programs: DL-MM, AA, SW w/companion,HiltonDiamond, Hyatt PLat, IHF Plat, Miles and Points Seeker
Posts: 11,072
When we are in that situation and know the plane is full, I look for someone coming down the aisle and OFFER THEM THE AISLE seat. That way we get to pick a smaller person vs the last minute person of size that also has a handful of carryon items, food, jacket, etc etc
Apr 29, 2019, 11:04 am
#191
Join Date: Sep 2014
Posts: 438
Another reason you may get an aisle seat as the last person to board is because if #143 (or #175 ) walks on the plane any jumpseat riders have to vacate their seat, which is usually an aisle near the back (or front if cockpit jumpseater).
But I have also been #142 to board on LGA-DAL and a father and son scooted over!
Chances are always better on an 800.
But I have also been #142 to board on LGA-DAL and a father and son scooted over!
Chances are always better on an 800.
Sep 15, 2019, 6:01 pm
#192
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Atlanta but Washington DC will always be home.
Programs: Marriott LTP, Hilton Diamond, Accor Gold, Hyatt Explorist,, Delta Plat,
Posts: 2,070
Quick ? for the board (did a search and couldn't find a n answer). How does A-List standby work with a checked bag (if at all)? Do I go to the A-List check-in line and request standby there (hoping they'll tag bag for earlier flight and I'll either fly with it or catch up to it)?
I've used the benefit before but never when I've had to check a bag.
Thanks in advance for any data points!
I've used the benefit before but never when I've had to check a bag.
Thanks in advance for any data points!
Sep 15, 2019, 6:14 pm
#193
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: LAX/SMF/PDX/HNL
Programs: Hilton-lifetime diamond, Southwest A+, companion pass
Posts: 1,748
Quick ? for the board (did a search and couldn't find a n answer). How does A-List standby work with a checked bag (if at all)? Do I go to the A-List check-in line and request standby there (hoping they'll tag bag for earlier flight and I'll either fly with it or catch up to it)?
I've used the benefit before but never when I've had to check a bag.
Thanks in advance for any data points!
I've used the benefit before but never when I've had to check a bag.
Thanks in advance for any data points!
IF THERE IS TIME, the gate agent will call baggage handling and have your bags pulled and re-checked onto your earlier flight. This even occurred once at a large station, LAX.
IF THERE IS NOT TIME, your checked luggage will travel on the later flight.
Let me emphasize -- we only have a few data points (perhaps 5?), so factor that into your decision.
Sep 15, 2019, 6:57 pm
#194
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: ORD, MDW or MKE
Programs: American and Southwest. Hilton and Marriott hotels primarily.
Posts: 6,459
I often go A-list stand-by with a checked bag. They will always tag the bag for the earlier flight, no problem. If you don't get on, then your bag is immediately available at baggage claim and you don't have wait for it to come.
Why didn't you check your bags onto the earlier flight?
Why didn't you check your bags onto the earlier flight?
Last edited by lougord99; Sep 15, 2019 at 7:03 pm
Sep 15, 2019, 7:33 pm
#195
Join Date: Jul 2013
Posts: 5,813
It depends.
If you check the bag without also getting on the standby list at the same time (for example if you flight is delayed and the other flight isn't) it is very likely that your bags will not make your flight. Sometimes it might work but the last time I moved to an "earlier" flight because the flight I booked was several hours late. Even though there was about 3 hours to make the switch it didn't happens. The baggage office at my destination would not take a report and was neither understanding nor helpful. There response was to blame the departure station for telling me it might make the flight. Their solutions was for me to wait around a couple more hours until the "correct" flight arrived.
If you check the bag without also getting on the standby list at the same time (for example if you flight is delayed and the other flight isn't) it is very likely that your bags will not make your flight. Sometimes it might work but the last time I moved to an "earlier" flight because the flight I booked was several hours late. Even though there was about 3 hours to make the switch it didn't happens. The baggage office at my destination would not take a report and was neither understanding nor helpful. There response was to blame the departure station for telling me it might make the flight. Their solutions was for me to wait around a couple more hours until the "correct" flight arrived.