A fee for flying standby starting...

[Muffy]

01/01/03. Delta said they are charging 100 per person to fly standby stating Jan 1st. I don't know if the other airlines are following suit. Just thought I would pass on the info.

 

[DebbieB]

USAirways is doing this too. Also if you cancel, you must rebook the tickets by the date of departure ($100 change fee) or they are worthless. Used to be you could hold them up to a year.

 

[mom23guys2]

I'm not sure I understand how standby works. Is that $100 in addition to the price of the ticket or is that all(one way?) After you pay this $100 are you guaranteed a flight? I always think of stand-by as if you have a flight booked and you'd like to get on an earlier flight you can "stand-by" Is this what you mean? Then the #100 seems excessive. I'm confused.

 

[DebbieB]

Here are USAir's rules:

http://www.usairways.com/customers/travel_policies/standby_procedures/index.htm

It's in addition to the original fare. You have to buy the standby coupon for $100 before you even know if you will get on the alternate flight. If you don't get on, then you keep the coupon to use for up to a year. It's risky. I would make sure there are seats left on the alternate flight before buying the coupon. The airlines are trying to make non-refundable tickets as inflexible as possible. If you want flexibility, then you need to buy the more expensive refundable tickets.

 

[bridgettesmom]

Good news!!! United just dropped the standby fee and American is going to follow..who knows maybe Usair and Delta will drop it too!!