Standby on Song?

[huskies90]

Has anyone flown standby on Song? We have a 4PM flight tomorrow but I see the 8:15AM flight is wide open and would love to get down earlier but I would hate to get to the airport tomorrow and they say they don't allow standbys or have some weird policy. Has anyone done this before??

 

[PCFriar80]

I believe you will still be charged the $25 fee per ticket. I don't know if they will charge the price difference for the ticket, if there is one. You may want to give them a call just to confirm. The other thing to consider is you need to travel with your luggage, meaning if you check in for the later flight and the earlier flight is still open, they won't let you change over to the earlier flight. I know
that sounds somewhat confusing, but it's something to consider logistically.
Good luck!

 

[bicker]

FWIW: "To simplify our process and avoid delays, we don't allow standby travel. But, based on availability, you can change your flight for a confirmed seat on a flight the same day for just $25 (sorry, no exemptions). Just call us within 3 hours before the new departure time and we can make the change for you over the phone."

 

[huskies90]

FWIW: "To simplify our process and avoid delays, we don't allow standby travel. But, based on availability, you can change your flight for a confirmed seat on a flight the same day for just $25 (sorry, no exemptions). Just call us within 3 hours before the new departure time and we can make the change for you over the phone."

That stinks. I assume it is $25 per ticket?

 

[bicker]

Yes, per ticket.

I like companies having a firm policy, like that. Such a policy helps keep the process efficient, since agents don't have to spend as much time telling a customer "sorry, but no," and all customers can feel they're getting treated fairly, since no one is getting anything anyone else doesn't get.

 

[huskies90]

Yes, per ticket.

I like companies having a firm policy, like that. Such a policy helps keep the process efficient, since agents don't have to spend as much time telling a customer "sorry, but no," and all customers can feel they're getting treated fairly, since no one is getting anything anyone else doesn't get.

Well, like I said the flight is wide open so, if they move me to an earlier flight they could potentially sell my seat on the later flight. But I do like that I would have a confirmed seat before I left.

I kind of had my heart set on flying standby and getting down there ealier but is it worth $100 to get in earlier (8am flight instead of 4pm)?? Another issue is the weather in Hartford. They are predicting a few inches of snow. I would die if I paid the $100 then got delayed or canceled...

 

[DebbieB]

Why didn't you book the earlier flight originally?

 

[huskies90]

Why didn't you book the earlier flight originally?

Because it was WAY more expensive.

 

[CarolA]

Because it was WAY more expensive.

And that's the rub...The airlines are getting wise to this and see it as increased revenue generator.

Song is actually more generous then SW which requires that you upgrade to full fare to take an earlier flight.


I assume you are going by "it's wide open" from the seat map.

That is not always a reliable indicator. Over the holidays you have lots of folks traveling who don't travel a lot and bought thier tickets from TAs etc. They don't always show up with seats.

For example, my mother has taken several trips with Elderhostel. WHen her tickets arrive I then call and get her a seat she will like, but she alway finds lots of her fellow travelers crossed the ocean in a middle seat because they didn't do this!

 

[huskies90]

And that's the rub...The airlines are getting wise to this and see it as increased revenue generator.

Song is actually more generous then SW which requires that you upgrade to full fare to take an earlier flight.


I assume you are going by "it's wide open" from the seat map.

That is not always a reliable indicator. Over the holidays you have lots of folks traveling who don't travel a lot and bought thier tickets from TAs etc. They don't always show up with seats.

For example, my mother has taken several trips with Elderhostel. WHen her tickets arrive I then call and get her a seat she will like, but she alway finds lots of her fellow travelers crossed the ocean in a middle seat because they didn't do this!

That's a good point but in this case it doesn't matter anyway because it is no longer a standby situation. When I call at 5AM, I will either get ticketed or not...

 

[bicker]

I would die if I paid the $100 then got delayed or canceled...

We recently were traveling on Amtrak, and paid $40 to take an earlier train home. It was delayed so much that the later train that I was originally booked on actually beat the earlier train I paid extra to take. It happens; it's a risk.

I lived.

 

[huskies90]

Well I woke up to 4 inches of snow and a 40 car pile up on Route 84 by my house which closed down the highway. No way I would have made it for 8AM anyway...It is still snowing here. Now, I am just hoping I make it down tonight eventually. I am sure I will.

Thanks everyone for your help!!!!!!

 

[DebbieB]

Because it was WAY more expensive.

So paying an extra $25 to get on this flight (if you can get standby) sounds like a good deal.

 

[beattyfamily]

oh, it gets me so mad to see that the 8:15a if empty. I am flying out tomorrow at 7:05a. I originally booked my flights back in January and booked the 8:30a flight and they changed it several times and now it's 7:05a. I would much prefer 8:15a.

 

[huskies90]

Well we made it to BDL by about noon for our 4:15 flight. It was still snowing and we decided not to chance the wait. Plus, there was no way 2 bouncing kids would make it 4 hours in the airport so we shelled out the $100 and flew down on the 1:15PM. It was worth it just to arrive at POR in the daytime and then be able to go swimming. From snow outside to swimming outside. How cool is that?? As an extra bonus, we got seats in the second row and the pilot asked my oldest daughter to come check out the cockpit just before departure. He even put his captain's hat on her head as she sat at the controls. I got some great pictures. I really enjoyed flying on Song. It was so relaxed and friendly. I usually fly on American and it was a nice change...