Flying Continental Stand-by

[cindy17]

I currently have a ressie to fly out of EWR to MCO at 7:50 am on 11/9. After second thoughts would like to fly stand-by on the 6:50 am flight. I'm flying alone. I've been watching the seat assignment layout for the past week or so, and today it went down to only 2 seats available in coach and about 10 in first class. Question is, has anyone done this before successfully? Does continental ever upgrade their current coach passengers to allow for stand-by passengers? I'm being cheap and don't want to pay the $50 to change the flight now! Just wondering if coach fills up by the morning that I leave,what are my chances of success at getting on stand-by?

Thanks!

 

[kaytieeldr]

It's possible that most (maybe all, by now) of the pre-assignable seats on that flight, have been.

As late as possible the night before your flight, just check to see if you can purchase a ticket on the flight you want. If you can, there are probably still seats available (or else they're overbooking).

Airline practices differ, but it's unlikely they'll upgrade any existing passengers to accommodate standbys. YMMV.

 

[ElizabethB]

You may want to doublecheck with Continental. Delta no longer has "stand-by". They have "same day confirmed". Three hours before a flight, if you are booked on a later flight for the same day, you can confirm on the earlier flight by paying a $50 fee.

I think Continental likely has the same policy, but don't know for sure. If it's going to cost you $50 anyway, you might as well confirm a seat on the earlier flight now, while one is still available.

 

[ExPirateShopGirl]

Does it matter to you if your luggage is on the same flight? You will need to check in for your original flight and arrive early enough to make the earlier flight. Present yourself at the gate for the earlier flight at boarding time. Ask politely if it's possible to get on the stand-by list. They will either be able to accommodate you or not. No way of telling (not even by trying to buy seats the night before) if the load factors will allow you to board. By not paying the $50 to confirm a same day change, you are putting yourself at the bottom of the stand-by priority list.

Hope this helps.

 

[kab407]

As a frequent CO flier, it can be hit or miss.

Keep checking both the 6:50AM flight and the 7:50AM flight to see the number of seats left on each. Chances are if the 7:50AM is looking like there are no seats left, it is most likely overbooked. CO may be willing to put you on the 6:50 at no cost to open a seat up on the 7:50.

I have seen them move people from coach to First to allow for stand-by to get on the plane. This is typically done just prior to the plane taking off. (I had this happen to me on a flight to San Juan PR. First Class was nice!)

Often if you have CO Elite Status or belong to the President's Club, they may allow you to change flights without the fee or will place you higher on the stand-by list. Dosen't hurt to ask. The few times I've done this, I've done it once I am in the President's Club. Sometimes they can do it, other times they cannot. Also, to do standby, you must have you luggage with you (carry-on). TSA requires you to be on the same plane as your luggage.

Good luck. Even if you cannot get on the earlier flight, it's only an hour and being in Term C is alot better then being over in Tem A, where I am often in flying to ATL.

 

[cindy17]

Thank you all for your helpful responses! Still not sure what I'll do. I'll be so excited to go to Disney , I'll probably head out to airport early and try to do the stand-by. If I don't make it, no big deal. I'm definitely doing the carry-on luggage just in case. This was a frequent flyer purchase, so I don't know if that makes a difference. My husband is elite status, though I am not. He won't be with me anyway. Even though they are his points. This is a "girls only" weekend with a very good friend from Denver who is meeting me at WDW. Thanks again for your help!