Delta same day flights.

[sweetdana]

I am flying out of DTW to MCO on 05-25th, at 6 Pm at night. I would love now to go out early in the morn. I called delta the change fee is 180$ which is more than the current price of a ticket. Any tricks to getting out on an earlier flight for a reasonable price. If it matters I fly about 2-4 times a yr and have a Delta credit card.

 

[Horace Horsecollar]

I am flying out of DTW to MCO on 05-25th, at 6 Pm at night. I would love now to go out early in the morn. I called delta the change fee is 180$ which is more than the current price of a ticket. Any tricks to getting out on an earlier flight for a reasonable price. If it matters I fly about 2-4 times a yr and have a Delta credit card.

Most airlines used to allow same-day standby for free, even for passengers using discounted "excursion fare" or "super saver" tickets. It was simply a matter of showing up before an earlier flight, asking to be put on the standby list, and waiting to be called. And back when airlines flew with an average load factor of 60%, the chance of success was high.

But that was then and this is now.

These days, airlines are looking for every opportunity to bring in additional revenue. Think of checked baggage fees. These days, flight time changes usually cost money. There are exceptions, such as if you're flying on a full-fare ticket, which often costs five times as much as a restricted discount ticket.

The legacy carriers, including Delta Air Lines, charge a lot if you try to change a discounted ticket before your travel day. It's typically $150 per ticket plus the fare difference (and the fare can go up considerably as the travel date approaches).

The good news is that legacy carriers now also offer "Same-day Confirmed Travel." The change fee is typically only $50 per ticket; there is no charge for the fare difference; and it's a CONFIRMED change, not standby. The rub is that you can only confirm your new flight within 3 hours of the scheduled departure time. The other issue is that many flights these days are completely sold out, so booking even a single seat within three hours of departure might be impossible.

Elite frequent flyers tend to be exempt from the "Same-day Confirmed Travel" fee. On Delta, that means Diamond, Platinum and Gold Medallion members.

Here's what delta.com say: Same-day Travel Changes on Delta Air Lines

 

[sweetdana]

looks like the extra free day is out. thank you!

 

[schoen]

we were able to fly out early for no additional cost the day of the blizzard in Fed (from DTW). We got lucky and found an experienced gate agent who knew what to put in the computer. We went to check our luggage, and the new agent was like "this is going to cost you a fortune" we had the first woman come help, but this was obviously an extenuating circumstance.

 

[DebbieB]

Same day confirmed for $50 would be the best you could do unless there is a time change on your flight. If the flight changes to a later time, they may allow a free change to earlier.

 

[seashoreCM]

You can show up punctually anyway for the early flight you want, and hope that your original flight is overbooked. Then there would be an incentive for the airline to put you on the earlier flight if seats are empty and they may offer to do so without charging you.

 

[crashbb]

You can show up punctually anyway for the early flight you want, and hope that your original flight is overbooked. Then there would be an incentive for the airline to put you on the earlier flight and they may offer to do so without charging you.

Not really. They aren't going to worry about overbooking an evening flight that far in advance (i.e. in the morning).

Plus, unless the OP is willing to pay the change fee, the OP would end up spending the day at the airport.

Then, there is the risk that the early flight is overbooked (or at least full), and the OP cannot get on anyway.

Other than that, it is a great suggestion.

 

[Horace Horsecollar]

You can show up punctually anyway for the early flight you want, and hope that your original flight is overbooked. Then there would be an incentive for the airline to put you on the earlier flight and they may offer to do so without charging you.

I would recommend ignoring this particular advice from seashoreCM.

That's not how airlines deal with overbooked flights.

Airlines intentionally overbook some flights because some passengers (typically full fare business passengers with flexible tickets) MIGHT not show up for their reserved flight.

The airline seeks volunteers in return for a few hundred dollars in airline vouchers, to be given to the volunteer only IF the airline ends up needing their seats. Typically, if the volunteers are not needed, they are allowed to take their original seats around 15 minutes before departure. If the volunteers are needed, they're given whatever the airline promised. In the case of an evening flight, it's likely to include a hotel room and a flight the next morning.

Showing up for an early flight (when you're booked on a late flight) will not get you onto an early flight -- unless there are available seats on the early flight and you pay the "Same-day Confirmed Travel" fee.

 

[OrangeCountyCommuter]

If Delta REALLY thinks the flight is overbooked they are more proactive then hoping you will show up willing to spend the day at the airport The agents working the early flights won't even have started to worry about the late flights Delta will sometimes call and try to convince you to move if it's a TRUE overbooking outside of thier "expected parameters" (Generally this happens with equipment issues for example. I have been called offering the chance to move for something like $100 Which I refused LOL!)

The best bet is Same Day Confirmed. However, also realize that the confirmed does not mean "my family of four all sits together"

If there is a weather issue (Hurricane, Snow storm etc) you may also be able to move for free. (It needs to be an issue. I once saw a woman try "I don't like to drive in the rain", that didn't seem to work)

 

[sweetdana]

TY Although I am willing to pay 50$ for a same day, I am not sure I would let DD6 sit alone. I was only moving mine and DD6 flight and DH would still come on later one. Based on this I have a chance, but cannot plan on it. It sounds like.

 

[Lewisc]

You have to book your same day standby flight within 3 hours of your new flight. I don't know how close you are to the airport. Check the night before and see how booked the flight is. If the flight is pretty booked your chance of being able to make the change and get assigned seats next to each other may be slim to none.

I wouldn't make the change if Delta is unable to provide assigned seats you can live with. You said you fly with Delta 2-3 times a year. With your 6 year old? Is your 6 year old too young to accept being split for a few hours in exchange for more time at Disney?

 

[Brian Noble]

we were able to fly out early for no additional cost the day of the blizzard in Fed (from DTW).

This was almost certainly due to a weather waiver. Unless the OP gets a blizzard for their late May trip (it's Michigan, it could happen), they won't have this option.

 

[OrangeCountyCommuter]

I did Delta's same day confirm today only seats left were middle

 

[andymattmom]

Just flew Delta for spring break.
I can tell you none of our four flights had any empty seats- one flight might have had one.
We were sitting by a gate in SLC and a lady went to the gate agent and asked if she could get on an earlier flight. She was obviously connecting through SLC and the gate agent said no. Her luggage was on another (later) flight and her luggage could not be separated from her. I assume if there is an emergency or extenuating circumstances it is done but the lady was not happy and gate agent did not budge.

The only way we were able to make any changes in our Delta ticket was when my husband and oldest son had a flight change that made the connection in SLC too short for comfort (we ended up on two different flights out of PHX originally). I was able to make one change for them after a 30+ minute change and a layover being cut in half. They were very nice about the change but I know with Delta I can't just call and say I want to change if it is just a few minutes (like some people do with Airtran over less than 5 minutes).

Good luck---I'd stick with the one you have seats on if you have a child---know many people won't budge once they have their seats---unless you have something better to offer and getting on a flight at last minute you'd probably have undesirable seats in back, middle, by restroom, etc.

 

[Shelly F - Ohio]

We call the night before to see how full the flight we want to fly on is and then go from there.

 

[SaraJayne]

Just flew Delta for spring break.
I can tell you none of our four flights had any empty seats- one flight might have had one.
We were sitting by a gate in SLC and a lady went to the gate agent and asked if she could get on an earlier flight. She was obviously connecting through SLC and the gate agent said no. Her luggage was on another (later) flight and her luggage could not be separated from her. I assume if there is an emergency or extenuating circumstances it is done but the lady was not happy and gate agent did not budge.

The only way we were able to make any changes in our Delta ticket was when my husband and oldest son had a flight change that made the connection in SLC too short for comfort (we ended up on two different flights out of PHX originally). I was able to make one change for them after a 30+ minute change and a layover being cut in half. They were very nice about the change but I know with Delta I can't just call and say I want to change if it is just a few minutes (like some people do with Airtran over less than 5 minutes).

Good luck---I'd stick with the one you have seats on if you have a child---know many people won't budge once they have their seats---unless you have something better to offer and getting on a flight at last minute you'd probably have undesirable seats in back, middle, by restroom, etc.

Your luggage must be (except for emergency or extenuating circumstances) on the same flight as you, for security reasons.

Obviously, if you make a flight (due to short connection) and your bags don't, that's a different situation. But they won't allow you to change your flights once your bags have already been loaded onto the aircraft.

 

[OrangeCountyCommuter]

Your luggage must be (except for emergency or extenuating circumstances) on the same flight as you, for security reasons.

Obviously, if you make a flight (due to short connection) and your bags don't, that's a different situation. But they won't allow you to change your flights once your bags have already been loaded onto the aircraft.

This is not really true for domestic flights anymore. Since they are suppose to "screen" all the luggage the airline can now load it anywhere they want. (Now as to the effectiveness of that screening )

However, airlines generally don't want to sepearte you from your luggage due to the increased liablity when it wanders away. (or the increased cost when you get on the plane and your luggage doesn't and it has to be delivered by the airline)

 

[sweetdana]

TY All!