Confirmed Stand-by on Direct flight
 

If I book a direct flight ORD-SFO that has a stop-over, but all on the same flight number, can I use the confirmed standby option to take a direct, non-stop flight?

Interesting question. I would say the answer is technically no, but I am willing to bet you could get an agent to overlook it.

Why not? If I book a connection, I've never had a problem standing by for a non-stop as an alternative. The reverse is not acceptable but why would this not be allowed? :confused: Or is the confirmed part that causes a problem??

You just need to find the right agent.

After being scheduled to fly LAX-DEN-IAD (with different flight numbers/planes) I was offered a confirmed seat upon request for a n/s LAX-IAD flight without any change fees or hassle.

Unless you think the flight will go out full or you must get on a particular flight, I would check-in for your confirmed flights, find the gate for the flight you want, then nicely ask the agent when s/he is not busy if you can be put on the flight.

It has worked more than once for me.

Confirmed must be the same routing.

Interesting ... I need to play with this one, I guess I haven't experienced the situation yet so didn't recognize the difference.

I do agree with MatthewLAX though that if you ask nicely of the GA (and its not the last moments before the door is closing), you'd get on if there is room.

The official rule for confirmed standby is that you must keep the same routing. Does a direct flight (i.e., one that stops somewhere but keeps the same flight number) show the intermediate stop in its routing line? If it does, then standing by for the nonstop is technically not allowed. If it does not, then I suppose you would have a good argument that you are not changing the routing.

Either way, you may find an agent that will do it for you. Also, you can always go the non-confirmed standby route, if that's an option for you.

Exactly. I've been able to standby for non-stops on a connecting itin many, many times. The question here is whether I could do that on a confirmed standby.

What does the routing line on your ticket receipt say? Is the intermediate stop mentioned?

I've found a sympathetic GA to be invauable in this situation. That is, unless you've checked baggage on the original flight. If checking bags, the place to sort this out is at the ticketing/check-in counter.

Not yet booked, looks something like this:

$417 Roundtrip

3 tickets left at this price! See details
8:00 am Depart Chicago (ORD)
Arrive San Francisco (SFO) 12:30 pm xxx xx-xxx
Duration: 6hr 30mn
Ted Ted Ted 1433 operated by /UNITED FOR TED1433
1 stop

If the agent has a soul s/he will let you standby for the nonstop!:eek:

lol

For official confirmed standby, it needs to be the same routing.
However I've been confirmed on flights when asking to be put on the standby list (not confirmed) when the flight had a LOT of space available. It probably makes sense for the gate agent too, as everyone standing by would be getting on anyway and it will cut down on the work during crunch-time just before boarding commences.