How does A-List Standby work on Connecting Flights?
Dec 8, 2017, 12:44 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: SMF
Posts: 1,251
How does A-List Standby work on Connecting Flights?
New A-lister here, never used the same-day standby benefit before. My wife is designated as my companion and we're scheduled to fly on a nonstop from MDW-SMF. There's a flight leaving earlier in the day we'd prefer to take that routes MDW-DEN-SMF. I assume we would need to fly standby on both segments, is that correct? If so, it sounds like there's the possibility that we could make it to DEN but not all the way to SMF that day.
Does anybody have any experience doing this same thing?
Does anybody have any experience doing this same thing?
Dec 8, 2017, 12:49 pm
#2
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: ATL
Posts: 1,911
The policy states that standby only applies to a companion that also has A-List status, although many folks, self included, have been successful with a non-status companion.
Bigger problem is, I think the policy also states that the flight type has to match, meaning; non-stop to non-stop, or connection to connection, not a mix of non-stop to connection.
Bigger problem is, I think the policy also states that the flight type has to match, meaning; non-stop to non-stop, or connection to connection, not a mix of non-stop to connection.
Dec 8, 2017, 2:00 pm
#3
Join Date: Sep 2016
Location: SFO/OAK
Programs: WN A-, CP
Posts: 27
I have done same day standby a few times on connecting flights. You are standby for ALL legs. This bit me once where I wasn't able to clear on a connection in DEN (ironically) but was only stuck for an hour or so. I'm not aware of anything in the policy that states you can't change the flight type, but would love additional clarification if there is specific language about that. As with anything, there's also a real chance the gate agent may use their discretion (positively or negatively for you).
Personally I think it could be a bold move to try to standby connect with more than 1 person. Not to say it wouldn't be viable given routes/timing/alternatives etc. but I'd certainly have a pause before making that jump!
Personally I think it could be a bold move to try to standby connect with more than 1 person. Not to say it wouldn't be viable given routes/timing/alternatives etc. but I'd certainly have a pause before making that jump!
Dec 8, 2017, 3:49 pm
#4
Original Poster
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: SMF
Posts: 1,251
Thanks for the data points. It sounds like it would be best to standby on an even earlier flight that goes through SAN instead of DEN since there are flights at least 1x per hour from SAN-SMF, compared to just a few from DEN-SMF. That way we have less of a chance of getting stranded.
Dec 8, 2017, 7:56 pm
#5
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: SNA
Programs: Bonvoy LTTE/AMB, AmEx Plat, National EE, WN A-List, CLEAR+, Covid-19
Posts: 4,963
FWIW, I was able to get cleared on both legs standby SJC-SNA-PHX @SJC a little while ago, thanks to a CS agent who went the extra mile. (So it is possible- but I'm sure I also had fortuitous timing, as it was very early on a Saturday, but she's still getting one of the Kick-Asses I just re-earned once I run into her again.)
Dec 9, 2017, 6:27 am
#6
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: ATL
Posts: 1,911
FWIW, I was able to get cleared on both legs standby SJC-SNA-PHX @SJC a little while ago, thanks to a CS agent who went the extra mile. (So it is possible- but I'm sure I also had fortuitous timing, as it was very early on a Saturday, but she's still getting one of the Kick-Asses I just re-earned once I run into her again.)
Dec 9, 2017, 1:07 pm
#7
Join Date: Sep 2013
Posts: 112
FWIW, I was able to get cleared on both legs standby SJC-SNA-PHX @SJC a little while ago, thanks to a CS agent who went the extra mile. (So it is possible- but I'm sure I also had fortuitous timing, as it was very early on a Saturday, but she's still getting one of the Kick-Asses I just re-earned once I run into her again.)
Dec 9, 2017, 4:27 pm
#8
Join Date: May 2014
Posts: 1,868
I'm surprised to hear this, but as someone who would literally never have enough paid segments (or BS fares) per year to hit A+, I'm glad to know it. Makes their ability to actially clear folks who show up really early make more sense too - I couldn't quite make that add up in my head.
Dec 9, 2017, 4:56 pm
#10
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: ATL
Posts: 1,911
The policy says A+ gets priority:
Free same-day standby is not available at Southwest® kiosks. Please see a Customer Service Agent at the airport for this benefit. Free same-day standby will be provided for A-List and A-List Preferred Members traveling prior to the original scheduled departure, between the same city pairs, on the original date of travel, where a seat is available. On flights that do not meet these qualifications, A-List and A-List Preferred Members will receive priority standby and will be required to pay the difference in fare if a seat becomes available. A-List Preferred Members will be prioritized ahead of A-List Members.
Free same-day standby is not available at Southwest® kiosks. Please see a Customer Service Agent at the airport for this benefit. Free same-day standby will be provided for A-List and A-List Preferred Members traveling prior to the original scheduled departure, between the same city pairs, on the original date of travel, where a seat is available. On flights that do not meet these qualifications, A-List and A-List Preferred Members will receive priority standby and will be required to pay the difference in fare if a seat becomes available. A-List Preferred Members will be prioritized ahead of A-List Members.
Dec 9, 2017, 5:08 pm
#11
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: LAS
Posts: 1,525
The policy says A+ gets priority:
Free same-day standby is not available at Southwest® kiosks. Please see a Customer Service Agent at the airport for this benefit. Free same-day standby will be provided for A-List and A-List Preferred Members traveling prior to the original scheduled departure, between the same city pairs, on the original date of travel, where a seat is available. On flights that do not meet these qualifications, A-List and A-List Preferred Members will receive priority standby and will be required to pay the difference in fare if a seat becomes available. A-List Preferred Members will be prioritized ahead of A-List Members.
Free same-day standby is not available at Southwest® kiosks. Please see a Customer Service Agent at the airport for this benefit. Free same-day standby will be provided for A-List and A-List Preferred Members traveling prior to the original scheduled departure, between the same city pairs, on the original date of travel, where a seat is available. On flights that do not meet these qualifications, A-List and A-List Preferred Members will receive priority standby and will be required to pay the difference in fare if a seat becomes available. A-List Preferred Members will be prioritized ahead of A-List Members.
Dec 9, 2017, 5:55 pm
#12
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: SNA
Programs: Bonvoy LTTE/AMB, AmEx Plat, National EE, WN A-List, CLEAR+, Covid-19
Posts: 4,963
Nah. My original routing was SJC-PHX NS in the mid-afternoon (I was meeting a cow-orker that afternoon in PHX). The night before I found out someone I knew was going SJC-SNA. I looked it up, and yup, there was a (published) route SJC-SNA-PHX using the same flight they were on (early am). So I ended up clearing the early-am SJC-SNA and the SNA-PHX at the same time (thanks Renee @SJC!). I got to PHX much earlier than I'd needed to, but I just camped out in a PP lounge 'til the cow-orker arrived.
Dec 9, 2017, 5:59 pm
#13
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: SNA
Programs: Bonvoy LTTE/AMB, AmEx Plat, National EE, WN A-List, CLEAR+, Covid-19
Posts: 4,963
Dec 10, 2017, 8:52 am
#14
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: 21,619
Dec 10, 2017, 9:35 am
#15
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: LAS
Posts: 1,525
Then what happens if the A-lister (Companion Pass holder in this case) clears and the companion doesn't because there are not enough seats available on the flight? Does the companion have to pay full fare to get to their destination because they aren't on the flight with the Companion Pass holder? Or do they not clear either of them unless there are enough seats for all standbys?