Flying Standby??? Lots of questions...

[sharona]

I have never tried to get a standby seat before. Can anyone tell me what are the rules associated with this? The flight I am booked on is 4.5 hours after the flight I would now like to take. There is a $50 price difference (not in my favor). How does that work? Is there any way to call/check online that morning to see if seats are available for the earlier flight? Do you have to pay the price difference and/or change fee? Any advice strategies for getting a standby seat? Not sure if this matters but it is Jet Blue. TIA for any answers.

 

[jlewisinsyr]

JetBlue has a really good website for these types of questions:

http://help.jetblue.com/SRVS/CGI-BIN/webisapi.dll?New,Kb=askBlue,case=obj(383871)#s3

Same Day Flight Change
Cities with Multiple Flights a Day
You can make your confirmed same day changes via 1-800-JETBLUE (538-2583) or at the airport beginning at midnight (in the time zone of the departing flight) of the same calendar day as your original scheduled flight.
You must travel on an earlier or later flight the same-day.
You must travel between the same city pairs.
A Same-Day Change Fee of $40 per person will be applied for your confirmed seat.

Standby Travel
In order to travel standby, you must have already purchased a seat on JetBlue.

Cities with Multiple Flights a Day
-You may list standby at the Airport within 24 hours of your original flight. Standby travel MUST be handled at the Airport and cannot be done over the phone.
-You are allowed to travel on the flight prior to your original flight only, regardless of whether it is a non-stop or connecting flight.
-You must travel between the same city pairs (specifically, the origin and final destination BlueCity).
-This option is free of charge.
-If you are booked on the first flight of the day you cannot fly standby on the last flight the day before. However, you may jet standby one flight after your scheduled flight.

 

[Lewisc]

The answer varies with airline. Jet Blue will let you confirm a flight change, midnight day of travel) for $40. You can standby for no charge. Assume you'll wind up with a middle seat and won't be able to sit next to the rest of your group.

SW will make you pay the difference between the fare you paid and the fully refundable $$$ fare.

 

[sharona]

Thank you! Was poking around the Jet Blue website but didn't see that... I'm sure the problem is BKAB (between the keyboard and the chair).

 

[dudspizza]

Say you try to fly standby for an earlier flight and your are unsuccessful. Do you still retain your seat on the origin flight you booked? It would be a huge change to take if you were losing a confirmed seat to take a chance at an earlier flight!

Duds

 

[Lewisc]

Some (most?) airlines won't let you check bags until you clear standby. Only an issue if it's not clear if you'll clear standby and you won't know until you get to the gate if you'll clear. You can gate check your bag but you won't be able to bring the bag through security if you have more liquids then permitted per the 3-1-1 policy.

Airlines won't generally cancel your reservation until you clear standby. Not sure what happens if you clear standby but decide against taking the flight. Maybe you don't like the seats you're offered.