Question about arriving at the airport early and changing flights

[Bob P]

Hi gang,

I'm drawing a blank on this but I know you transportation experts can help...

If I have a flight scheduled on, say, Delta at 2:20PM but at the last minute I can get to the airport around 10:AM, I know I can see if there is room on an earlier Delta flight. But can I also see if there is room on, say, an earlier Jet Blue flight? Would Jet Blue honor my Delta ticket? How does that work exacly?

Thanks for your help and sorry for the brain freeze!

 

[Nebraska_Disney]

I can speak for United, as they are who I travel with the most for my job.

I used to be able to jump on earlier flights if I was there at the airport, there was room and it worked out for connections etc. There used to be no charge.

Now, even as someone with elite status in their frequent flier program, I get charged a fee for doing this, so I have opted out of it. The fee is like $100-125, I don't recall anymore as I don't even ask.

I don't know how others operate, but you may call and ask?

 

[Jestocost]

Another airline will not honor your Delta ticket in these circumstances. It's also likely that you will not be able to get on another Delta flight without incurring an additional charge of at least $50. The days of being able to make same-day changes (Delta doesn't even have standby) without a cost are gone unless you have booked a fully refundable ticket or are a top tier frequent flyer (and sometimes not even then).

Here are Delta's policies on same-day travel changes.

 

[Bob P]

Thanks for the quick replies. I realize that I made it sound like I could jump on a flight for no change fee; I'm aware that Delta charges $50 but I didn't make it sound like I was aware! My main question was about other airlines honoring the ticket...so thanks for setting me straight!

 

[rigs32]

Why would JetBlue honor your ticket? If you buy a gift card for Barnes & Noble, Borders is not going to honor it. How would they get your money?

If you have a connecting flight you also have the issue of luggage. Even if you could get on an earlier flight - with or without a fee to do so - what about the 2nd leg? How do they route your bags?

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

But can I also see if there is room on, say, an earlier Jet Blue flight? Would Jet Blue honor my Delta ticket? How does that work exacly?

It doesn't work. About the only thing you can try is moving to an earlier Delta flight.

 

[OrangeCountyCommuter]

One possible exception!

If you have a FULL fare ticket.(i.e., fully refundable Y fare with no restrictions) you can change to the earilier Delta flight for free.

In some cases if you have this fare and the airlines have an agreement they MIGHT honor your ticket. (I don't think JetBlue and Delta have an agreement, but I am not sure)

However, unless you spent around $500 or higher for the ticket that's not going to work for most of us!