Flying Standby

[scottygirl]

We are scheduled to leave at 9:00 p.m. and will arrive at MCO 11:35 p.m. We have such at late flight due to FF miles w/ Northworst, oops I mean Northwest. I have tried to change to an earlier flight and there is nothing available for FF passengers. Also we purchased 2 tickets and they want $100.00 change fee which is ridiculous when you have e-tickets and are able to make all the changes by yourself on the computer without any help from a ticket agent (sorry just venting). We are able to fly standby on an earlier flight without any penalties or extra charges. I can check the availability of the flight the night before. Has anyone ever done this with 5 people? Also if this works out, what about transportation to our hotel. I have a rental car booked but for later at night (2 one way rentals, cheaper than towncar) but more hassle. If we decide to go with a Towncar how can I be sure it will be available when I won't know until the night before if we will be taking the earlier flight? Sorry so long.

 

[prncess674]

You should have no problems flying standby on an earlier flight. Be aware that your family will most probably be spread out through the plane. Standby passenger are usually accomodated at the last minute so if you have very small children that can't sit apart from you plan on taking your original flight. Let the ticket agent know that you are trying to fly on the earlier flight and they will tag your luggage as such. Have a change of clothes in your carryon just in case your luggage doesn't make it.

You can still pick up your rental car but make sure you return it within the proper time frame. For example if picking it up two hours early will make you incur an additional day's charge it may not be worth it. Rental car companies work on a 24 hour cycle day. So if you have a weekly rental and you pick it up Friday at 5PM then you need to return it by the following Friday at 5PM. If you were to return it at 8PM you would incur a charge for the additional 3 hrs.

If you are taking a towncar, just call the company and tell them you are on an earlier flight and please adjust the time. You can make cell phone calls from the plane as long as the boarding door is open.

 

[CarolA]

I will say that unless there is a good amount of availability I would not even try this with 5 people. Just because you can see seats does NOT mean that seats that is the plane capacity. I would call NW and ask them how many seats have been sold and how many are open before i tried.

 

[seashoreCM]

Strange thing happened to me once. I arrived at MCO early for a rental car (did not call in advance) and they said that the car was not ready but a slightly larger car at a higher price was. I decided to wait until the original pickup time, going back to the airport for a bite to eat, and the car was ready then.

On an earlier trip (MCO also) the same rental company did give me the car several hours early with no problem.

It is anyone's guess as to whether on any particular flight on any particular day the airline will let you standby early without paying the change fee, so fewer people try. This may result in more instances of bumping on later flights.

Disney hints:
http://members.aol.com/ajaynejr/disney.htm

 

[safetymom]

Most of the airlines chare a fee to get a confirmed standby seat. When you know you are on the other flight I would call the car rental company to let them know of the change in plans.

Be careful with the times on the car. The companies are real good at charging you for an extra day if you return the car several hours late.

 

[scottygirl]

I was told by the NW reservation agent that there was no fee to fly standby and that I could call the night before to see what the seat availablity was. I won't try to do this unless the plane is at 60% or below capacity. I am looking at a 7:15 am flight which at this point is wide open and because it is so early is probably not very popular. Thanks for the advice. I guess I won't know exactly what I'm doing until the day before.

 

[prncess674]

What day of the week are you flying? Monday morning at 7:15AM is extremely busy time for business flyers.

 

[safetymom]

I agree also. 7:15 AM on a Monday is when all the business people are heading out. I don't know about NW but on other airlines you can get a confirmed standy ticket for $25.00.

 

[Muffy]

I have flown standby seveal times and am disapointed to see there is a charge now. It was great while it lasted!

 

[prncess674]

Originally posted by Muffy
I have flown standby seveal times and am disapointed to see there is a charge now. It was great while it lasted!

There is no charge for flying standby on NWA. However you cannot call the night before (or even the day of) and get a confirmed seat on an earlier flight without incurring a change fee. You may only standby (for free) for any earlier flight on day of departure AT THE AIRPORT.

Calling to check availability of the flight is a good indication on whether or not standby travel is likely. Call and speak friendly to the agent and ask what the loads look like on the flight you would like to take.

 

[scottygirl]

Originally posted by prncess674
What day of the week are you flying? Monday morning at 7:15AM is extremely busy time for business flyers.

I realize that early flights are popular with business travelers, my husband has been on the 7:15 flight several times but for some reason it never seems to be that full. We are leaving on a Monday. The 10:00 flight is very full and so is the 3:30. There is a 1:45 flight that is still open, however, we are still 30+ days out so you never know what will happen. I am just going to play it by ear and have everything ready early so we can take advantage of an earlier flight if it is available. Thanks for everyones advice!!

 

[prncess674]

Originally posted by scottygirl
I realize that early flights are popular with business travelers, my husband has been on the 7:15 flight several times but for some reason it never seems to be that full. We are leaving on a Monday. The 10:00 flight is very full and so is the 3:30. There is a 1:45 flight that is still open, however, we are still 30+ days out so you never know what will happen. I am just going to play it by ear and have everything ready early so we can take advantage of an earlier flight if it is available. Thanks for everyones advice!!

Well your husband has been very lucky. Almost every flight I have ever been on Monday mornings is packed to the gills and especially full of stuffy business man. Since you are 30 days out it is still way too early to gauge a flight. Since I fly for business every week I can tell you that most frequent business travellers don't book there travel until not more than 2 weeks prior to departure, this is my experience. I hope the flight is empty for you but don't count on a 7:15AM Monday morning flight to remain empty.