Standby Questions

[babybunrab]

Hello-

I'm new to this board, so please forgive me or redirect me if this has been answered somewhere else...

DS and I have a latish flight United out of Syracuse on a Monday. We're staying at the Hyatt in the airport when we get there (which I have wanted to do simply FOREVER). I'd like to try and get an earlier flight going standby if we could, so we can use the pool on the roof. It's no big deal if we can't, but it would be nice.

Question is: If you've tried to go standby, how successful have you been?

Any insight will be appreciated

 

[Pinnie]

The answer to your question babybunrab, is "it depends".

What airline are you flying? Ceratin fares on SWA do NOT allow standby. It will depend on how full the plane is on the flight you want to go on. Most carriers flying to MCO are flying with FULL planes and overbook.

I did have success in early December flying standby on NWA to MCO.

Basically, don't go in with the idea that it "Will" happen.

Good Luck!!

pinnie

 

[babybunrab]

I'm flying United, and they don't charge, so I guess we'll just have to see! Glad you had success in December, though. Now, if the weather report would stop saying 'clouds and thunderstorms" the whole time we're there, that would be even better...

 

[Lewisc]

You can call United and ask if the flight is overbooked. If you fly standby you and DS may not be able to sit next to each other.

Standby on SW requires that you pay the fare difference between your ticket price and full fare.

 

[DebbieB]

I would call the day before and ask what the status is for the earlier flight. If they have seats left, you may want to take a chance on going earlier. You may want to ask if they allow standbys on your fare, some low fares do not allow standby. I would also ask about their standby policy, I know USAir charges $25 per person even if you don't get on (you can save the standby coupon for another time).

 

[safetymom]

Yes call before you head out to the airport to see how full the flight is. Nowadays flights are pretty full.

Also as others have mentioned you may not be able to sit together. Don't check your luggage until you know if there is room on the earlier flight otherwise you will be waiting for your suitcase in MCO.

 

[babybunrab]

Thanks for the advice! I will call ahead to see how full things are. United doesn't charge to standby, so I won't lose anything if we don't get on a flight.

Thanks, everyone.