current rules on switching flights at check-in
 

If I have a flight that goes sea-sfo-iad starting at 7a and there's a direct that leaves at 8a (and there's room). Will they let me switch at check-in? Do I have to stand by? Pay a fee?

I think this rule has changed since I last tried. Any help greatly appreciated!

Well officially if you want to be confirmed on that 8am flight you would have to pay a $100 change fee plus any fare difference (if your ticketed fare is not available). Or, to do it for free, officially, you are supposed to go standby. Depending on the TA you get though they may just confirm you on the 8am. I would call and check the loads and if it looks good then go standby. If you are checking bags make sure to go to the ticket counter to check in and have them check your bag on the nonstop (which they will do no problem).

Are you sure they will check your bags onto a flight you are not confirmed on? This goes right against the "you cannot go standby if your bags are checked" (onto another flight) rule.

I did this just this week. I was booked on the nonstop SAN - IAD on Monday and the nonstop IAD - SAN on Tuesday. I really wanted to fly on the 777 to and from DEN.

I first checked the loads prior to leaving home and found there were a lot of "C" seats available. Once I got to the airport, I asked at the counter on Monday if I could change to the SAN - DEN - IAD, upgrade on all flights without paying the fee. They looked at the loads, said no problem, booked me "F" SAN - DEN and "C" DEN - IAD. I was better rested when I got to IAD and was very happy.

To push my luck, I tried the same thing on Tuesday. I was able to get onto the 777 IAD - DEN in "C" and DEN - SAN in "F". Didn't have to pay a cent and was able to really enjoy the flights.

Thanks, folks. I seem to recall a time when that change fee (which was like $50 or $75 at the time) was waived for 1ks. I presume that is no longer the case?

Correct...back when the fees were $50 & $75 they were waived for 1K's and you could call in advance and switch the flight without difficulty. But those days are gone.

Oh, my! Long, long ago, in another time and place, fees were lower, and waived for loyal customers ...

PS
I remember when the change fee was $25!

The rule isn't that you can't go standby if you have bags TO check, it's only if you have bags ALREADY checked on a different flight. You can standby with bags as long as you do it when originally checking in, not later. They will route your bags on the flight you are standing by for. There may be exceptions to this if they check the loads and figure you have no chance of making it (I have not confirmed this).

Is that a recent change? It used to only apply to international flights, as there is no bag matching on domestic flights.

PPS
I remember when there was NO change fee. Yes, changes were absolutely, positively FREE in the early 80's! You would just need to have seats available in your booked fare class. Usually, it didn't even matter if the fares had gone up -- as long as you followed the rules of your original fare.

I don't know exactly when it started..but it's been at least a couple years.

Glad the standby cleared and your upgrade came through -- it was awfully early to be at the airport, otherwise ^