Missed Flights and S*FAR/STANDBY (The 'Flat Tire Rule') [Merged]
May 2, 2006, 4:20 pm
#1
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Join Date: Apr 2006
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Missed Flights and S*FAR/STANDBY (The 'Flat Tire Rule') [Merged]
I have never missed a flight so far, but I've come close a couple of times.
What happens if you miss a flight?
If I had not checked in already, then I lose the reservation but can standby free for later flights the same day through the flat-tire clause, is this correct?
What happens if I had checked in using OLCI, but missed the flight? Will I still be able to standby for later flights, or do I lose the value of the ticket for good?
This will be with discount tickets; W, S, T, V fares, etc. as I don't really fly much else.
What happens if you miss a flight?
If I had not checked in already, then I lose the reservation but can standby free for later flights the same day through the flat-tire clause, is this correct?
What happens if I had checked in using OLCI, but missed the flight? Will I still be able to standby for later flights, or do I lose the value of the ticket for good?
This will be with discount tickets; W, S, T, V fares, etc. as I don't really fly much else.
May 2, 2006, 4:21 pm
#2
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You should be able to standby for later flights, but with no guarantee you'll get them. It helps that you have status.
May 2, 2006, 4:45 pm
#3
Join Date: Aug 2001
Posts: 9,677
I think the biggest difference is whether you check-in for the flight or not.
If you don't check in and just miss the flight.. then you are SOL.
If you check in but miss your flight, then they might put you on standby for later flights.. but as mentioned, there's no guarantee esp if flights are booked solid.
If you don't check in and just miss the flight.. then you are SOL.
If you check in but miss your flight, then they might put you on standby for later flights.. but as mentioned, there's no guarantee esp if flights are booked solid.
May 2, 2006, 4:54 pm
#4
Join Date: Jul 2005
Posts: 1,245
I missed a PHL-ORD flight (actually missed the checkin time as OLCI was broken that day) on a discount ticket. They just put me on the next flight. No big deal.
May 2, 2006, 5:04 pm
#5
Join Date: May 2004
Posts: 2,438
Yes I have also missed without checking in and was put standby on the next flight, no charge.
May 2, 2006, 5:06 pm
#6
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: SFO / SJC
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They'll do what they can to get you where you're trying to go, but they'll do more, try harder, and generally take you more seriously if you have status, a plausible reason for missing the flight, and are polite.
They usually won't put you on other airlines, but they will sometimes confirm you on the next flight (rather than make you go standby) or let you change routings if you had a connecting flight.
They usually won't put you on other airlines, but they will sometimes confirm you on the next flight (rather than make you go standby) or let you change routings if you had a connecting flight.
May 2, 2006, 5:10 pm
#7
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Originally Posted by izzik
I think the biggest difference is whether you check-in for the flight or not.
If you don't check in and just miss the flight.. then you are SOL.
If you check in but miss your flight, then they might put you on standby for later flights.. but as mentioned, there's no guarantee esp if flights are booked solid.
If you don't check in and just miss the flight.. then you are SOL.
If you check in but miss your flight, then they might put you on standby for later flights.. but as mentioned, there's no guarantee esp if flights are booked solid.
May 2, 2006, 5:10 pm
#8
Original Poster
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Northern CA
Programs: UA 1K
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Thank you for the replies.
So I will be able to stand by for later flights even if I miss the flight after checking in, yes? If so, if I ever miss a flight, I will probably be able to get a seat in one of the later flights as there are several flights per day and I will hit 1P within the month, and then 1K by Autumn..
BTW, what is SOL? If I am trying to get on a later flight the same day, would it make a difference whether I am checked in or not on the flight I missed?
So I will be able to stand by for later flights even if I miss the flight after checking in, yes? If so, if I ever miss a flight, I will probably be able to get a seat in one of the later flights as there are several flights per day and I will hit 1P within the month, and then 1K by Autumn..
BTW, what is SOL? If I am trying to get on a later flight the same day, would it make a difference whether I am checked in or not on the flight I missed?
May 2, 2006, 5:18 pm
#9
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: SJC
Posts: 327
Originally Posted by paulwlee
BTW, what is SOL?
) Out of Luck.
May 2, 2006, 5:21 pm
#10
Original Poster
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Northern CA
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Wow, a flurry of replies while I was typing my followup question.
I guess those replies answer all the questions I had.
Thanks a lot, armed with this knowledge, I will be much calmer when an unforeseen circumstance delays my arrival at the airport!
(Since I started using on-line checkin, I've been arriving at the airport a little later than before, which means I am more likely to cut it too close if something happens on the way.)
I guess those replies answer all the questions I had.
Thanks a lot, armed with this knowledge, I will be much calmer when an unforeseen circumstance delays my arrival at the airport!
(Since I started using on-line checkin, I've been arriving at the airport a little later than before, which means I am more likely to cut it too close if something happens on the way.)
May 3, 2006, 3:53 pm
#11
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Originally Posted by GoingAway
Checked in or not shouldn't make a difference. You'll be waitlisted for other flights that day. Having status helps tremendously to clear the waitlist, especially with the loads flying these days. If you aren't making the scheduled or any flight at all the day you're ticketed for, you need to call before the end of the day if you want to try to apply any value to another ticket or make a change for a reservation the next day (with change fee).
I nearly missed a transpac last week. It's one flight/day.
May 3, 2006, 5:20 pm
#12
Join Date: Aug 2005
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Originally Posted by GoingAway
Checked in or not shouldn't make a difference. You'll be waitlisted for other flights that day. Having status helps tremendously to clear the waitlist, especially with the loads flying these days. If you aren't making the scheduled or any flight at all the day you're ticketed for, you need to call before the end of the day if you want to try to apply any value to another ticket or make a change for a reservation the next day (with change fee).
May 3, 2006, 9:00 pm
#13
Moderator, Hilton Honors
Join Date: Nov 2003
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Originally Posted by Loren Pechtel
What if there is no other flight that day?
I nearly missed a transpac last week. It's one flight/day.
I nearly missed a transpac last week. It's one flight/day.
May 4, 2006, 12:17 am
#14
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Often I book flights that I have absolutely no intention of taking and then use the same stay stand by between ticketed city pairs fare rule to stand by for earlier or later flights.
You really don't have to have any reason. If you are ticketed for example SAN-DEN-BWI you can easily go stand by SAN-LAX-BWI.
You really don't have to have any reason. If you are ticketed for example SAN-DEN-BWI you can easily go stand by SAN-LAX-BWI.
May 4, 2006, 10:57 am
#15
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Originally Posted by Kiwi Flyer
Depends on the situation. If there is another airline flying later (even indirectly) and missed through no fault of own or have flexible ticket/status then maybe rebooked on other airline. If there is no other airline then maybe next day's flight or maybe just SOL.