US Airways Standby Rules
Mar 7, 2007, 7:49 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2007
Programs: nwa united delta
Posts: 125
US Airways Standby Rules
Greetings:
I combed thos forum and found all sorts of information on US Air standby rules, mostly dating back to 2005. Perhaps it is time for some experts to recap recent rules/experiences.
While I am not one of the experts, I am looking to take advantage of it - DTW<-> LAS early am departure and red eye return; would like later standby for outbound, and early standby on return, all w/o paying. Possible?
I combed thos forum and found all sorts of information on US Air standby rules, mostly dating back to 2005. Perhaps it is time for some experts to recap recent rules/experiences.
While I am not one of the experts, I am looking to take advantage of it - DTW<-> LAS early am departure and red eye return; would like later standby for outbound, and early standby on return, all w/o paying. Possible?
Mar 7, 2007, 8:57 am
#2
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: San Francisco Bay Area
Programs: DL Silver, UA Silver, Marriott Lifetime Silver, IHG Plat, Hilton Silver
Posts: 5,695
From US website, Move Up Program
Move-Up Program
The new US Airways* understands that travelers need flexibility in their schedule. That's why we allow you to "move up" to any earlier flight on the same day of your originally scheduled departure time at the airport (with the exception of flights to Hawaii and Europe). Please note: Day-of-departure changes may only be made at the airport and not through our Reservations centers.
If there is an open seat available on any earlier flight that departs on the same day as your originally scheduled departure, you may change to that flight and we will automatically confirm your reservation for $25 for flights within the 48 contiguous United States and $50 for flights to Latin America, the Caribbean, Canada and Alaska. This lower confirmation fee replaces the usual $100 change fee, plus any differences between your old fare and new fare, for non-refundable tickets.
If there is NOT an open seat available on an earlier flight that departs on the same day as your originally scheduled departure, you may stand by for that flight at no charge. Standing by at no charge is not permitted if we can confirm that there is an open seat available for that flight. Seats on completely booked flights may become available if passengers with confirmed reservations don't show up for the flight. Please note: Unlike a confirmed reservation, flying standby does not guarantee that you will get on the particular flight that you want and may involve waiting for two or more flights before a seat is available to you.
*Until such time that US Airways and America West are operating with one Reservations system, stand-by or move-up will only be permitted on the originally booked carrier. If your original flight is operated by America West, you will be able to stand-by or move-up on America West operated flights only and if your original booked flight is on US Airways, you will be able to stand-by or move-up on US Airways operated flights only. Please pardon our dust while we work on integrating our computer systems. We do apologize for this inconvenience while we become one airline.
The new US Airways* understands that travelers need flexibility in their schedule. That's why we allow you to "move up" to any earlier flight on the same day of your originally scheduled departure time at the airport (with the exception of flights to Hawaii and Europe). Please note: Day-of-departure changes may only be made at the airport and not through our Reservations centers.
If there is an open seat available on any earlier flight that departs on the same day as your originally scheduled departure, you may change to that flight and we will automatically confirm your reservation for $25 for flights within the 48 contiguous United States and $50 for flights to Latin America, the Caribbean, Canada and Alaska. This lower confirmation fee replaces the usual $100 change fee, plus any differences between your old fare and new fare, for non-refundable tickets.
If there is NOT an open seat available on an earlier flight that departs on the same day as your originally scheduled departure, you may stand by for that flight at no charge. Standing by at no charge is not permitted if we can confirm that there is an open seat available for that flight. Seats on completely booked flights may become available if passengers with confirmed reservations don't show up for the flight. Please note: Unlike a confirmed reservation, flying standby does not guarantee that you will get on the particular flight that you want and may involve waiting for two or more flights before a seat is available to you.
*Until such time that US Airways and America West are operating with one Reservations system, stand-by or move-up will only be permitted on the originally booked carrier. If your original flight is operated by America West, you will be able to stand-by or move-up on America West operated flights only and if your original booked flight is on US Airways, you will be able to stand-by or move-up on US Airways operated flights only. Please pardon our dust while we work on integrating our computer systems. We do apologize for this inconvenience while we become one airline.
Mar 7, 2007, 11:29 am
#3
Join Date: Feb 2007
Posts: 105
There is NO standby for a later flight. The only chance you would have is the 2 hr rule. If you checkin within 2 hrs of originally sched flight they will put you on the next avail flight-no fees-sb. If you arrive later than you will pay any change fees and additional fare for the new flight. Earlier flights are as posted above.
Mar 7, 2007, 5:28 pm
#4
Join Date: Jan 2003
Programs: American Airlines Platinum, National Executive
Posts: 3,790
Had a wonderful agent this weekend who waived the $100 change fee + fare difference when I had to take a return segment a day early. Thus the rules are that (1) you can't fly standby on a later flight and (2) you have to pay $25 to go standby on an earlier flight (and these rules have been applied to me at least 80% of the time), there are exceptions, based on the agent.
Mar 7, 2007, 7:58 pm
#5
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Charleston, SC
Programs: UA 1P, CO Plat, MR Plat, SPG Plat, US Dirt
Posts: 1,506
it all depends.....
I have never paid to fly on an earlier flight especially if it is oversold (they would never tell you that). I flew out of RIC this past fall and moved my flight up by arriving early enough for the flight before my originally scheduled one. Everytime, I got on that flight and paid $0. Then again, I am an elite, but would be curious to see if a non-elite got this treatment!
Mar 7, 2007, 8:12 pm
#6
Join Date: Mar 2006
Posts: 2,333
If the flight is oversold you can standby on it for free. You just have to add your self to the standby list before check-in time closes for the oversold flight for no cost and then if people miss the check-in time then they start clearing standbys. I've done this several times before. You just have to know what the loads are like.
Jan 24, 2008, 8:43 am
#7
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: Philadelphia
Programs: SPG Gold, Hilton Diamond, Hyatt Globalist, Loews Platinum
Posts: 629
2 hour rule
There is NO standby for a later flight. The only chance you would have is the 2 hr rule. If you checkin within 2 hrs of originally sched flight they will put you on the next avail flight-no fees-sb. If you arrive later than you will pay any change fees and additional fare for the new flight. Earlier flights are as posted above.
Are you saying that if I have a 2pm flight and I get to the checkin counter before 4pm that they will put me on the next flight for no charge, eventhough I missed the flight?????
Jan 24, 2008, 9:14 am
#8
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: San Francisco Bay Area
Programs: DL Silver, UA Silver, Marriott Lifetime Silver, IHG Plat, Hilton Silver
Posts: 5,695
Feb 7, 2008, 1:58 pm
#9
Join Date: Aug 2005
Posts: 24
Standby rules ??
Hi
I want to fly from CLE to LGA. I am booked on late night flight connecting via PHL. But my meetings are over early and I want to go stand by on early morning flight. US Airways has flights like every 2-3 hours.
Would I be allowed to do this ?
I tried calling but phone representative was not clear. One said I can go on one flight earlier and other said I can go on any flight ion the same day. I dont have status on US airways.
Gurus advice...
=ShyGuyCalif
I want to fly from CLE to LGA. I am booked on late night flight connecting via PHL. But my meetings are over early and I want to go stand by on early morning flight. US Airways has flights like every 2-3 hours.
Would I be allowed to do this ?
I tried calling but phone representative was not clear. One said I can go on one flight earlier and other said I can go on any flight ion the same day. I dont have status on US airways.
Gurus advice...
=ShyGuyCalif
Feb 7, 2008, 2:52 pm
#10
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: Los Angeles, CA
Programs: UA 1K 1MMer & LT UC (when flying UA); Hyatt Credit Cardist; HHonors Diamond; Marriott Gold via UA 1K
Posts: 6,956
You cannot do this over the phone, or they would ticket you at the walk-up fare (plus change fees). It's best to go to the airport and try to either get a confirmed standby for $25, or....if there seems to be plenty of availability....stand by at the gate.
I'm not sure how they work it with the connection, though. Someone else with experience doing this can probably clarify this.
I'm not sure how they work it with the connection, though. Someone else with experience doing this can probably clarify this.
Feb 7, 2008, 3:22 pm
#11
Moderator: New York City and FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2007
Programs: AA PLT, Natl EC
Posts: 10,855
Hi
I want to fly from CLE to LGA. I am booked on late night flight connecting via PHL. But my meetings are over early and I want to go stand by on early morning flight. US Airways has flights like every 2-3 hours.
Would I be allowed to do this ?
I tried calling but phone representative was not clear. One said I can go on one flight earlier and other said I can go on any flight ion the same day. I dont have status on US airways.
Gurus advice...
=ShyGuyCalif
I want to fly from CLE to LGA. I am booked on late night flight connecting via PHL. But my meetings are over early and I want to go stand by on early morning flight. US Airways has flights like every 2-3 hours.
Would I be allowed to do this ?
I tried calling but phone representative was not clear. One said I can go on one flight earlier and other said I can go on any flight ion the same day. I dont have status on US airways.
Gurus advice...
=ShyGuyCalif
As far as which flights you can standby for - its any flight the same day - does not have to be the flight immediately preceding your scheduled flight:
http://www.usairways.com/awa/content.../benefits.aspx
MOVE UP PROGRAM
We allow you to 'move up' to any earlier flight on the same day of your originally scheduled departure time at the airport (with the exception of flights to Hawaii and Europe). You can only make day-of-departure changes at the airport (and not by calling Reservations).
If there is an open seat available on any earlier flight that departs on the same day as your originally scheduled departure, you may change to that flight and we will automatically confirm your reservation for $25 for flights within the 48 contiguous United States and $50 for flights to Latin America, the Caribbean, Canada and Alaska. This lower confirmation fee replaces the usual $100 change fee, plus any differences between your old fare and new fare, for non-refundable tickets.
If there is not an open seat on an earlier flight that departs on the same day as your originally scheduled departure, you may stand by for that flight at no charge. Standing by at no charge is not permitted if we can confirm that there is an open seat available for that flight. Seats on completely booked flights may become available if passengers with confirmed reservations don't show up for the flight. Please note: Unlike a confirmed reservation, flying standby does not guarantee that you will get on the particular flight that you want and may involve waiting for two or more flights before a seat is available to you.
We allow you to 'move up' to any earlier flight on the same day of your originally scheduled departure time at the airport (with the exception of flights to Hawaii and Europe). You can only make day-of-departure changes at the airport (and not by calling Reservations).
If there is an open seat available on any earlier flight that departs on the same day as your originally scheduled departure, you may change to that flight and we will automatically confirm your reservation for $25 for flights within the 48 contiguous United States and $50 for flights to Latin America, the Caribbean, Canada and Alaska. This lower confirmation fee replaces the usual $100 change fee, plus any differences between your old fare and new fare, for non-refundable tickets.
If there is not an open seat on an earlier flight that departs on the same day as your originally scheduled departure, you may stand by for that flight at no charge. Standing by at no charge is not permitted if we can confirm that there is an open seat available for that flight. Seats on completely booked flights may become available if passengers with confirmed reservations don't show up for the flight. Please note: Unlike a confirmed reservation, flying standby does not guarantee that you will get on the particular flight that you want and may involve waiting for two or more flights before a seat is available to you.
Last edited by dstan; Feb 8, 2008 at 4:31 pm Reason: Added highlights as I now see that me4yankees beat me to this quote by nearly a year :)
Feb 7, 2008, 5:29 pm
#12
Join Date: May 2007
Programs: US Dividend Miles - Gold
Posts: 112
It is an official policy within the airline but it is unwritten. The airline wants to encourage people to show up on-time for their flights and publishing this rule may encourage people to take their time.
Feb 8, 2008, 4:24 pm
#13
Join Date: Jan 2003
Programs: American Airlines Platinum, National Executive
Posts: 3,790
So now US lets people go standby on later flights? In my experience, it's been only earlier flights, not later, unless you miss your flight and get re-booked on a later one if you show up at the airport asap.
Feb 8, 2008, 4:29 pm
#14
Moderator: New York City and FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2007
Programs: AA PLT, Natl EC
Posts: 10,855
I don't think that voluntary standby on a later flight has been suggested here. As you said, this only comes into play if you miss your flight.
Feb 9, 2008, 7:39 pm
#15
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: LAS
Programs: US Silver, AA, DL, CO, NW, UA, HY, MC Gold, HH Gold
Posts: 8
What about SB that has already been Upgraded??
We are booked on a 7pm flt ORF-CLT-LAS. We are hoping for a Silver upgrade CLT-LAS. But we also may be able to leave earlier in the day. If we get to the airport and standby for an earlier flight (assuming we get the upgrade) will they stand us by for coach or the upgraded seats?
Thanks
Thanks