peter11

I tried to stand by for an earlier flight last night. I was connecting from HNL in SFO. The agent in SFO said that since I had checked luggage on the later flight that they could not allow me to standby for the earlier flight. He said that it was a security issue and I could not choose to go on a flight prior to the one my bags are tagged on. In the end, they managed to locate my bags and put me on the earlier flight.

I have since talked to one person at UA that says that this policy about flying with your bags is only required on international departures and should not have been an issue on my domestic UX flight from SFO to SBA. In other words, I should have been able to fly without my bags on the earlier flight if space were available. The agent shouuld not have made an issue of it. Anyone know what the real answer is?

Phoenician Aviator

Thanks for the great follow-up questions, folks. And thanks to rcs85551 for posting the applicable UA profiles.

I've updated the original post to reflect new questions.

Happy New Year!

CApreppie

I repeat, should be in the United FAQ sticky.

thegingerman

Can you do a $25 confirmed standby over the phone if you are already checked-in for your ticketed flight?

exerda

Well, the UGS member probably is traveling on a full-fare ticket and thus would be able to confirm the change without paying $25 ... I would wager that most UGS have a much higher ratio of full-fare tix to discounted economy tix than the average UA elite

ozweepay

Ok, how about a 1K who spends $13,000/yr (on average) and who is beaten to the punch by a GM who pays $25 to confirm.

ual744777sta

Great thread!

So according to the UA rules, if I have a 5PM ATL-ORD-LAX, could I call UA at 9AM, pay $25, and get the 2PM ATL-ORD-LAX (assuming there will be space)?

exile2k

no.

But you could call at 10

ual744777sta

But here's an excerpt from the UA rules (internal):
CSR ATO PROCEDURES:
1. CUSTOMER MAY CONFIRM ALTERNATE FLIGHT WITHIN 4 HOURS
OF CSR CONTACT.
EXAMPLE 1: CUSTOMER WITH A 6PM FLIGHT CAN CONFIRM A
1PM FLIGHT IF CSR CONTACT IS MADE AS EARLY
EXAMPLE 2: CUSTOMER WITH A 7AM FLIGHT ARRIVES AT THE
AIRPORT 9AM...CSR CAN CONFIRM A FLIGHT
BETWEEN 9AM-1PM.

robb

That's consistent with what exile2k posted. You can confirm a flight within 4 hours of CSR CONTACT. Something got cut off of example 1 in your post, as it really should have finished "... as early as 9AM."

ar2fly

Just tried a confirmed standby, I'm a PremExec, on an oversold flight that is -1 capacity, but still selling seats. She read me a new RSSR #2 (from the UA profile, fits between the posted #1 and #2) that requires capacity to be there, can't standby on an oversold. So I proceeded to explain this is devaluing UGS/1K/PremE because if there's capacity, we'll make it on anyway without the $25, and this $25 is essentially allowing a GM to buy status for the purpose of standby. For a non-bag-checkin flight, it's useless to me, I make flights even when overbooked, never missed a standby that was under capacity (and now could be at risk because of those paying $25).

For those traveling with bags, this is still huge.

DJZ

If I'm on the last red-eye out (say LAX-IAD), and instead want to catch the first flight out THE NEXT DAY, is it possible to get confirmed standby on the next flight or do I need to go through 'missed flight' policy?
great thread!

dmodemd

Well, I guess we heard a little bit of what _other_ airlines do, but with Continental, I can go to a kiosk and get confirmed on an earlier flight any time ont he same day for FREE. I dont know what the capacity rules are in that scenario but it certainly beats United charging for it.

I would think that in cases where there is plenty of space that confirming you well in advance should be common good faith/customer service. Charging for it is bogus.

I need to do this for tomorrow, so was researching it abit. I was thinking that at least as Premier they will be nice enough to look for an E+ seat for me on the earlier flight as soon as I get to an airport _without charge_. Looking at this, I guess not, they will ask for $25, at which point I can say Pffftt walk though security and ask again at the gate and they will probably give me a seat since the flight availability is showing x9's across the board. As to whether I get E+ it will depend on what the seating looks like at whichever time they decide to give me the seat. Maybe later is better due to people clearing upgrades (of which there are plenty available this flight). Of course if I get a crappy E- seat maybe I will do an upgrade...

I'll test it tomorrow at the Premier counter at IAD and again at the gate and see who's nicest

chuck1

Let's say I am on the 11am and I need to go later. I call up and cancel my flight so my e-ticket stays active.

At 2pm I call for the 6pm. It is open and the agent confirms me for $25. If NF is available, will they also upgrade me?

Let's look at it with the 500 mile e-upgrades, sales upgrade, confirmed regional or systemwide.

robb

Absolutely, and that is one of the main reasons that you get sucked into paying the $25. With a confirmed seat, you can take your place on the upgrade list and phone Res can confirm you in right away. Type of support doesn't matter.

HOWEVER, remember that all seat assignments are under airport control at 6 hours out. Therefore, phone res will ot be able to give you a seat. So, if you have problems with bulkhead seats, be careful. All of this could be a waste.