How do I know if I'm on standby for a flight?

[Imzadi]

I'm trying to make plane reservations online through Orbitz. I also went to the actual airlines' websites: Continental & American. From what I can tell, there are no Economy/coach/baggage class seats available on either flight?

There are "Premium" seats reserved. Will I get one of those, if they don't fill up?

I'm attending a seminar. I can't be put on Standby to wait for "the next avaliable flight" even if they give me a voucher.

 

[sbell111]

I'm trying to make plane reservations online through Orbitz. I also went to the actual airlines' websites: Continental & American. From what I can tell, there are no Economy/coach/baggage class seats available on either flight?

There are "Premium" seats reserved. Will I get one of those, if they don't fill up?

I'm attending a seminar. I can't be put on Standby to wait for "the next avaliable flight" even if they give me a voucher.

If you buy a ticket on-line, you aren't on standby. Just check in at the airport as early as possible for a seat assignment.

 

[Imzadi]

Aren't the seats already assigned? I thought you could pick those online, too?


Plus, I was on Standby before once for Continental, after i bought my ticket through Travelocity. I get to the airport at 6:30 am. The full 2 hours ahead were were told to get there. There was only a handfull of people waiting like me. I go up to the desk to pick my seat and he tells me, "Oh, your on Standby. You have to wait and see IF we have a seat for you."

Not news I want to be hit with at 6:30 am. I also had a seminar that day. being bumped to any other flight meant I'd miss half the seminar. I was already arriving and hour & a half late. After 45 harrowing minutes of waiting, I finally went back up and they gave me a seat.

 

[Chicago526]

I think you're confuseing terms. I think that you are worried that you'll be bumped from the flight because it's oversold and you don't have a seat assignment.

If you buy (or have already bought) a ticket and do not have a seat assignment, it is possible you could get bumped to a later flight as that flight MAY be oversold. If there are premium seats left available for purchase you may want to go ahead and pay the extra amount for the confirmed seat, if being on that flight is that critical for you. If you don't want to pay extra (or premium seats are not available) then your best bet to to check in for your flight exactly 24 hours prior to departure, you should be able to select your seat at that time if any are still available. Even if seats are not available, they often bump by check in time, the people that check in LAST usually get bumped FIRST, so checking in early increases your odds of getting on your flight a bit.

Standby means you are confirmed on a flight but want to change it to another flight, so you hang out at the airport and if there is an empty seat on the flight you want, you fly on it instead of your confirmed flight.

 

[Imzadi]

I think you're confuseing terms. I think that you are worried that you'll be bumped from the flight because it's oversold and you don't have a seat assignment.

If you buy (or have already bought) a ticket and do not have a seat assignment, it is possible you could get bumped to a later flight as that flight MAY be oversold. If there are premium seats left available for purchase you may want to go ahead and pay the extra amount for the confirmed seat, if being on that flight is that critical for you. If you don't want to pay extra (or premium seats are not available) then your best bet to to check in for your flight exactly 24 hours prior to departure, you should be able to select your seat at that time if any are still available. Even if seats are not available, they often bump by check in time, the people that check in LAST usually get bumped FIRST, so checking in early increases your odds of getting on your flight a bit.

Standby means you are confirmed on a flight but want to change it to another flight, so you hang out at the airport and if there is an empty seat on the flight you want, you fly on it instead of your confirmed flight.

Oh, thanks! Yes, I was confused on the terminology. I thought I was on Standby, if they oversold and I might not have a seat.

How do I check in for the flight exactly 24 hours prior to departure? Is there a way to do this online? Thanks a bunch!

 

[Chicago526]

Oh, thanks! Yes, I was confused on the terminology. I thought I was on Standby, if they oversold and I might not have a seat.

How do I check in for the flight exactly 24 hours prior to departure? Is there a way to do this online? Thanks a bunch!

Nearly all airlines have online check in. Go to the airlines website 24 hours prior to your flight's departure time and click on their "check in" link. It usually asks you for your confirmation number and your name (or frequent flyer number if you have one). Then just follow the check in process, it will let your select your seats and print your boarding pass.

Checking in early doesn't guarantee that you won't get bumped, but it can help a little. Good luck!

 

[Imzadi]

Thank You!!!