Question for you expert travelers . . .

[msr709]

I have a Delta flight on a Sat. (10/28/06) leaving MCO to ATL at 1:23pm. I am coming from a DCL cruise on that day. My question is if I get to the MCO early and I wanted to get on an earlier flight (connection to Newark) how do you go about it. What I'm concerned about is do they cancel the standing reservation if they can definitely get me on the earlier flight or do they cancel and then try? I don't want to be left stranded without a flight at all but would love to catch an earlier flight. Coming off the cruise I'm worried about the security check in line delays and such. Also what happens to your luggage, I will be checking it in at PC at disembarkation. Or should I not chance it and stay with the given flight. I'm a Skymiles member also, if that matters. I hope this makes sense to someone. Thanks.

 

[bavaria]

Maybe a Delta FF can chime in here as I am not familar with Delta's specific rules re standby.

Same day standby varies greatly by carrier these days. As an example, United allows same day standby confirmed for $25 if the new flight is up to 4 hours earlier/later than the other flight. United also allows unconfirmed same day standby for no fee. Air Canada only allows SAME DAY CHANGES ie confirmed changes for $50. Best bet is to check Delta's website for their rules re standby and any charges which may apply.

Standby means that they will put you on the list to get onto the earlier flight. They will tag your luggage with a standby tag so that the handlers will know that you are trying for an earlier flight. You will get a boarding pass for your original flight plus a departure management card (like a boarding pass but won't get you on the flight) Your reservation on the later flight will only be cancelled if you actually board the earlier flight.

Go to the gate and wait. The agent will start clearing standbys after checkin has closed for the flight and they have completed other duties - usually after boarding begins. Usually airlines prioritize standbys by status - if we were both standing by for a United flight, for instance, and you got on the list at 10am and I got on the list at 1030am, I would have priority over you as my status would trump your earlier arrival time.

If you don't get on the flight, you will still be confirmed for your later flight.

FWIW I have never once had United leave me behind using unconfirmed standby many many times. BUT I have also boarded and got the last seat, leeaving other travellers behind at the gate who didn't make it on standby.

I hope that I was clear - trying to explain the concept of standby without getting too complex!

 

[bavaria]

From Delta's website using 'standby' in the search field

Same-day Confirmed Travel
The same-day confirmed option allows you to change your flight time on the same day of travel for a fee of $25. To use the same-day confirmed option, you must confirm your new flight within 3 hours of the scheduled departure time. If you have a flexible fare (usually a refundable ticket), you may be able to change your itinerary without a fee.

You can use the same-day confirmed option for travel within the United States, Canada, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands on Delta and Delta Connection® flights.

Limitations
This option is limited to specific flight routing and connection changes.

You can change from a connection flight to a nonstop/direct flight.
You will be booked in the same class of service you were originally ticketed.
If you are a Medallion member currently confirmed for an upgrade in V class, you will be rebooked in Coach class and need to request a an upgrade for your new flight.

The following are not permissible:

No changes between origin, destination, or co-terminals (such as New York’s LaGuardia and JFK airports).
No changes to routing for fares that are flight specific or require specific routing.
Service Charges
You can confirm your new flight for $25 within 3 hours of the departure time. If you are changing prior to 3 hours of the flight departure time, the standard rules of your fare will apply.

Example: If you are scheduled on a 9:00am flight and would like to take a 7:00pm flight on the same day, you can request the same-day confirm option as early as 4:00pm. If you request a change prior to 3 hours of the flight departure time, the standard rules of your fare will apply.

 

[msr709]

Thank you so much Bavaria , I went to the Delta website and I couldn't find this. This helps a lot.

 

[beccasmom]

I can't speak for Delta. But we were in WDW during 9/11 and flew back home a week later. We got to MCO very (probably at least 4 hours; we didn't know what to expect) early because of the new security rules. At check-in at USAirways, they asked us if we wanted to take an earlier flight home, which we gladly did. The flight was nearly empty. So much has changed since then, though.