Flying stand by

[nkkilala]

OK so I have my tickets for May 6th but I want to leave earlier!! Oh course I want more time with the mouse but took the cheaper flight. I know that North west has an opting that you can fly stand by for any flight before yours.
Has anyone tired this?? Have you had any luck
I have been looking at seat charts for earlier flights and most of them still have a lot of open seats. I know not everyone gets a seat online ahead of time but I am hoping I can do this.

Please let me know your experiance with this


*so close yet so far, only 4 exams away from disney!!*

 

[Pinnie]

I have had success flying standby on NWA out of DTW. What I usually do is call the 800# the day I want to fly and ask the agent to check if it would be feasable for me to get on an earlier flight that day. He/she will usually tell me which one to avoid and which one it may be possible to get on. Politeness matters!

Remember to get to the airport early. You will have to get a temporary "standby" card at the counter to get through security at DTW. Go to the gate area and STAY THERE. They will call your name if there is a seat available a few minutes before boarding.

Good Luck!!

pinnie

 

[DebbieB]

What happens with checked luggage if you standby?

 

[Pinnie]

What happens with checked luggage if you standby?

Checked luggage has a special "STAND BY" tag that NWA puts on when you check it. If you get on the earlier flight, your bags should get on the same flight that you are on. At least that has been my experience on NWA.

pinnie

 

[Ms. Belle]

Delta charges $25 for stand-by and it's very easy if there is a seat open on the plane. SW has to check your ticket, see what class you bought and basically put you up to a full price ticket if you bought one at a discount. I flew SW tonight, my flight left at 6:40pm. I got to the airport really early. I could have upgraded, but it would have been $120/ticket/person (there were two of us), so I waited for my original flight. I used to think Delta was ridiculous for charging me $25, but now I've learned my lesson!