Standby Flight Tickets: Introduction and Best Airlines
Same-day flight changes or flying standby means boarding a flight without reservation for that particular flight.
There can be multiple reasons where passengers fly standby.
For instance, you miss a flight and board the next flight to the same destination.
Further, imagine you arrive at the airport early and want to board an earlier flight.
Also, flying standby can occur as a result of upgrades. Suppose you are an elite tier passenger, then you may get an upgrade from your respective airline.
This is common for domestic travel within the USA.
If you have ever booked an American Airlines or United Airlines flight ticket, then you must have noticed their gate-side monitors.
They display upgrade standby as well as general standby list.
Another case of flying standby is when a flight overbooks.
All the passengers that do not have a seating arrangement will get a seat on the next possible flight.
Standby Flight Tickets: Quick Facts
- Flying on standby enables a passenger to score flights that depart at a time different from the original reservation.
- To be a standby passenger, you must have a ticket confirmation. Or, a ‘buddy pass’ works fine.
- If you have any queries or concerns regarding flying standby, you can consult the airlines. You can do so over the telephone or online.
- Moreover, even ticketing agents can help you if you want to change or book flight deals to standby.
- Also, you must be aware of the benefits of frequent flyer programs. Enroll yourself even if you are not a ‘frequent flyer.’ Even if you do not plan to travel with the concerned airlines, go for it. Apart from many other reasons, it also fuels your chance to fly standby.
- If you purchase an expensive airline fare or ticket, you may fly standby. You may consider this. That is if your priority is to fly standby and not scoring cheap flight ticket deals.
- Always pay attention to airline policies. Go through terms and conditions that concern standby flight tickets. The fee varies, as you will learn further in the article.
Standby Flight Tickets: A Closer Look
One important thing to note about standby tickets is that they are not guaranteed.
Although they are increasingly challenging to find them, flying standby is still around.
Some of them may cost you more. On the other hand, certain passengers like elite fliers get a chance to nail cheap airline ticket deals as a result of upgrades.
At the same time, if you buy a refundable economy fare of high price, you may score a free standby.
Also, note that variations in airline standby policies may take place without prior notice.
Therefore, it is always better to check with your respective airlines.
Standby Flight Tickets: Eligibility
Further, you may ask yourself whether or not you are eligible to fly standby.
It largely depends on airline policies and passenger circumstances.
For instance, if you have a close friend or a family member working for an airline, things may go your way.
Otherwise, purchasing a standby flight ticket is the only option.
If you book Delta Airlines flight tickets, you will see that some fare-types do not accept same-day flight changes.
One such example is the basic economy fare type. In the case of involuntary cancelation, you are eligible to fly standby.
However, if flying standby is your priority, you must avoid primary economy fare type.
So, it doesn’t necessarily mean that you have to pay a higher price. The key is to examine terms and conditions properly.
And, make sure you are up to date with the current aviation market trends.
Exceptions always exist. Hence, you may come across attractive last-minute flight deals.
So, you are eligible for a standby flight ticket, if:
- You have a ‘buddy pass.’ This is a type of complementary ticket. If you know someone, be it family or a friend, you may avail of this fare type.
- Secondly, you can fly standby if you are unable to board the flight you booked. Now, this may be voluntary or involuntary. Suppose you book a business class flight ticket for one flight, but you want to reach the destination earlier. So, you take the earliest possible flight. This is an example of a voluntary standby flight.
Involuntary standby is when the airline cancels your booking due to climatic anomalies, and so on.
Standby for a Different Flight
Let’s consider the example of United Airlines. Using the official mobile application, you may request same day flight change.
By doing so, you will get to fly standby. In case the seats are available on a different flight, you will get a confirmation for the same.
If you have to fly standby due to involuntary reasons, the approach is different. This process is automated.
Check for your name on the standby list. You can visit your respective airlines’ websites or mobile applications.
If you do not see your name on the list, contact the airline over the telephone. Get in touch with the airline representative or other staff.
Standby Flight Tickets: Airlines Policies and Cost
1. Alaska Air
Passengers can avail of standby tickets for free, even on the date of departure.
However, only to a few destinations. That is if you book flight tickets to California, Alaska, or the Pacific Northwest.
On the other hand, Alaska Air charges a $25 fee for standby requests.
Also, if you book Alaska Air nonstop flight shuttle deals between specific destinations, you can request same-day standby for free.
These include flights between Anchorage and Fairbanks, Seattle and Portland, and Seattle and Spokane.
Reach the boarding gate at least 30 minutes before the flight departs.
2. JetBlue
For certain fare types only, JetBlue offers same-day standby for $75. Also note that standby travel by JetBlue is on first-come, first-serve.
Another JetBlue specific policies state that you cannot request a same-day standby flight for cities that operate 1 flight a day.
Therefore, contact the airline for any query for further information.
3. American Airlines
The elite AAdvantage passengers don’t need a penny to fly standby.
Also, American Airlines offers free same-day flight standby to certain other passengers. These include those with high fare coach.
If you book first-class or business class flight tickets, you fly standby for no charge. Moreover, military personnel is eligible for the same.
The rest of the passengers must pay a same-day flight standby charge of $75. That is if you book flights to the US Virgin Islands, Canada, the Caribbean, Puerto Rico, and the USA.
Also, only members of elite status can standby for a later flight. For the remaining passengers, they can only standby for flights earlier than their original.
Put the request online or using the American Airlines mobile application.
4. Delta Air Lines:
Basic Economy fare type can not avail of same-day flight standby at any cost.
On the contrary, if you are a Diamond, Platinum, Gold, or Medallion member, you don’t have to pay any charge.
The remaining passengers have to pay $75 for same-day flight standby.
Delta’s same-day travel program changes frequently. The changes as of the day of the change will apply.
Also, note that you cannot transfer some Delta fare-types.
5. Virgin America
You can avail of multiple standby travel flight deals. You can buy a ‘Plans Change Pass’ that costs $25.
It will allow you to make as many changes as you like for free. However, you may have to pay the fare difference.
On the other hand, passengers without a ‘Plans Change Pass’ have to pay a standby fee.
Depending on the fare type, the price may be $25 to $50.
You can request same-day flight changes over the phone or at the airport itself.
Moreover, if flights immediately before the original have seats available, you can standby travel for free.
If you miss your trip for any reason and inform the airport within two hours of the departure of the original flight, you do not have to pay any additional charges.
6. Southwest Airlines
As you may be aware, Southwest has reasonable flight ticket booking. When it comes to standby travel, it depends on the cost or type of fare.
For instance, you can standby travel for free between the same destinations as the original reservation. However, taxes or fees may be applicable as per passenger basis.
Further, if you book ‘Wanna Get Away’ or ‘Senior’ fare, you must settle the differential amount.
Also, passengers with these fares must upgrade to the ‘Anytime’ fare to avail standby travel. ‘Business Select’ and ‘Anytime’ fare types are eligible for standby flight tickets.
7. Frontier Airlines
Only the elite level passengers can avail of standby travel. Also, Frontier Airlines requires you to maintain the original itinerary.
That is to say, if the original flight booking was nonstop, the standby must also be the same.
You cannot add connecting flights to your standby travel. Remaining passengers must pay for the new standby ticket.
8. United Airlines
If you book United Airlines flight tickets and are an elite passenger, you can travel standby for free.
These include MileagePlus members of the gold level or above. Other passengers have to pay a $75 fee.
And, this includes MileagePlus Silver members. Also, you cannot make changes to the original route.
United Airlines passengers can ask for standby travel through the airport kiosks.
Moreover, you may get in touch with the airline representative. In case you get a ticket upgrade, you can view your status in real-time using the airlines’ website or mobile app.
United Airlines allows you to change the connecting destinations only if the fare type allows.
9. Allegiant Air
Since Allegiant Air flights do not operate daily and some of the airline routes are seasonal.
Hence, standby travel doesn’t stand a chance. However, the airline has a service called ‘TripFlex.’
If you avail it, you can escape the itinerary-change charges that are mostly $75.
10. Hawaiian Airlines
Pualani Gold and Pualani Platinum passengers are eligible for an earlier standby journey for free.
However, this is only valid on flight tickets to the Neighbor Islands.
You can also avail the same if you process the reservation through the Corporate Web Portal of Hawaiian Airlines.
11. WestJet
Complimentary standby travel is available for free for the Plus and WestJet Rewards Gold members.
If you miss the flight, make sure you inform the airline staff within two hours.
Other restrictions dictate that you must not change the origin and destination city. Also, you must not have checked-in your luggage.
You can request standby travel through various means. These include the airport kiosks, online, using the mobile app, or over the phone.
12. Spirit Airlines
Spirit Airlines has a costly standby travel fee. If you book a Spirit Airline flight tickets, you need to pay $99 to standby.
The airlines also ask you to put the standby request at the airport.
Therefore, if you want to avail of same-day flight changes for Spirit Airlines, reach the airport in time.
13. Porter Airlines
You cannot fly standby on a Porter Airlines. But, depending on your flight ticket deal, you may still change your flight.
Passengers on freedom fares can get a full refund up to an hour before the first departure time.
Also, such passengers can make itinerary changes for free.
If you fly on a firm fare, then you have to pay a fee of $150 to $172.50 per ticket.
For same day cancelation or flight change, get in touch with the airline over the internet.
You may even call Porter Airlines customer support.
Standby Flight Ticket: Quick General Tips
- Avoid peak travel times. This means rush hours, holidays, vacations, and so on.
- Do not carry check-in luggage, if possible. Moreover, if you are unsure of your flight plan, do not web check-in your luggage.
- Try to reach the airport early. Make sure you have sufficient time before the standby flight departs.
- Go for one-way flight tickets if your priority is to travel standby.
- Rigid travel plans do not help. Therefore, try to be as flexible as possible.
- Do not lose your composure, even if the reason for missing your flight is involuntary. Getting mad at the airport staff merely slows the process.
- Make use of the technology. Inform the airline staff about your standby travel plans using your smartphone. Also, keep an eye out for special deals such as flights from the USA to India and other such exclusive offers.
So, if you didn’t find out the policy of the airline you are looking for, do not worry.
You can visit the official airline website and search for standby policies.
Also, make sure you know the terms and conditions of the flight booking deal you select.
Remember, a cheap flight ticket is not necessarily the best value deal.
