SW standby Can one person represent entire family to report to SW counter?

[marathon]

My returning SW flight is on a Saturday 4/5 11:30am, we(2 adults 2kids)will take MDE to MCO. Now I want to spend more time at the resort that morning. Here is my standby plan,

1. On Saturday morning check SW website to make sure there are still plenty seats available for new booking for a later time flight that day

2 option a. Since SW has policy of grace period of 2 hours post flight time as no show, I have until 13:30pm to report to SW counter to request standby to be put on a later flight available. So we will make a DME reservation at 12:00 noon from the resort with plenty time to report to SW counter, which will give us 3 more hours at resort.


Based on current available seats(2:50pm will likely sell out soon), the next available flight will not be until 4:30 or 5:30, there are usually plenty seats for the 8 or 9pm flights(be home 2 am)which would be my worst case scenario. So here is another plan to deal with potential lengthy stay at mco:

Option b. Either me or my DH take MDE to MCO between 12pm to 1pm to request standby(rest of the family still at Disney), can just one person report to SW counter to represent the whole family? Do they allow it? If yes, let's say we will very likely get the 4:30pm flight, then one of us wait at MCo for rest of the family to come arrive via MDE at 3pm. So the kids can stay at resort for another 3 more hours, doing biking,or downtown Disney,or anything.

Can you all poke holes or offer thoughts on above plans? Similar Experiences ?Or Maybe I should just stick to my reservation instead of counting on standby...

Thank you all!

 

[sam_gordon]

My returning SW flight is on a Saturday 4/5 11:30am, we(2 adults 2kids)will take MDE to MCO. Now I want to spend more time at the resort that morning. Here is my standby plan,

1. On Saturday morning check SW website to make sure there are still plenty seats available for new booking for a later time flight that day

2 option a. Since SW has policy of grace period of 2 hours post flight time as no show, I have until 13:30pm to report to SW counter to request standby to be put on a later flight available. So we will make a DME reservation at 12:00 noon from the resort with plenty time to report to SW counter, which will give us 3 more hours at resort.

Based on current available seats(2:50pm will likely sell out soon), the next available flight will not be until 4:30 or 5:30, there are usually plenty seats for the 8 or 9pm flights(be home 2 am)which would be my worst case scenario. So here is another plan to deal with potential lengthy stay at mco:

Option b. Either me or my DH take MDE to MCO between 12pm to 1pm to request standby(rest of the family still at Disney), can just one person report to SW counter to represent the whole family? Do they allow it? If yes, let's say we will very likely get the 4:30pm flight, then one of us wait at MCo for rest of the family to come arrive via MDE at 3pm. So the kids can stay at resort for another 3 more hours, doing biking,or downtown Disney,or anything.

Can you all poke holes or offer thoughts on above plans? Similar Experiences ?Or Maybe I should just stick to my reservation instead of counting on standby...

Thank you all!

Your reservation for DME back to the airport is
1) Based on what time your flight leaves (or what time you tell them your flight leaves). It will be 3 hours (+/- 15 minutes) before the above time.
2) Needs to be made no later than the morning before your departure day.

To me, your plan sounds too complicated and based on "what if". While I appreciate wanting to spend more time at the resort, what if things don't work out? My opinion is to stay with whatever flight u have booked or change your flight to one you want.

Sent from my Kindle Fire using DISBoards

 

[DebbieB]

I would double check SW. I believe they require full fare to standby.

 

[tjmw2727]

SWA allows you to re-book without additional penalty ahead of time but their day of /standby policies are more strict than other carriers so I doubt your plan will work. All passengers must be present at least 10 minutes prior and if you wish to standby you will be required to pay full fare.

From SWA website - rules on missing flights or changing to standby:
http://www.southwest.com/html/air/fare-information.html

If you want the later flight and there are still seats why not just re-book - again SWA doesn't charge a change fee but you would have to pay a difference in fares but that would probably be cheaper than the upgrade to full fare at the gate.

Honestly I would book my vacation in advance in a way that works for me rather than taking a chance on departure day that I may not have a flight home!

 

[jayhawk74]

Since SW has policy of grace period of 2 hours post flight time as no show,

That is no longer true, at least for the non-refundable fare. The new policy for the non-refundable is if you no show the flight your booking is canceled and the fare is forfeited. You are allowed to cancel up to 1 minute before departure time and retain the credit, but not with a no show.

 

[SteveMouse]

I believe it's 10 minutes, not 1 to cancel your flight on a WGA fare. As pp said, you have to schedule DME.

As other PP suggested, why don't you change your flights before leaving?

 

[Shelly F - Ohio]

SWA does not offer stand by for free.

You will be charged the fare difference from what you paid to what the fare is the day you stand by.


Here is the rule from SWA web site

Standby travel requires an upgrade to the Anytime fare.


And Stevemouse is correct you have up to 10 minutes before the flight time to cancel you reservation otherwise you forfeit the money on the ticket. This rule went into effect last year.

 

[tjmw2727]

That is no longer true, at least for the non-refundable fare. The new policy for the non-refundable is if you no show the flight your booking is canceled and the fare is forfeited. You are allowed to cancel up to 1 minute before departure time and retain the credit, but not with a no show.

Its 10 minutes unless you have business class or anytime fare - see my link above.

 

[jayhawk74]

You guys are correct it is 10 minutes. When I typed I overlooked that I left out the 0, thereby making it 1 minute instead of 10.

 

[marathon]

Thanks for all that replied. It really helps.

 

[hsmamato2]

that sounds like a terribly stressful last day..... you should just rebook now to the times you want..... it's easier that way

 

[OrangeCountyCommuter]

And where are you getting this info on available seats and missing the plane from?

Airline employees have heard it all. Showing up 2 hours late with some story probably won't work. LOL

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

And where are you getting this info on available seats and missing the plane from?

Airline employees have heard it all. Showing up 2 hours late with some story probably won't work. LOL

OP, your plan is crazy. You have no idea how many seats will be available on the day of the flight. If you want to take a later flight, change your current tickets.

 

[Lewisc]

My returning SW flight is on a Saturday 4/5 11:30am, we(2 adults 2kids)will take MDE to MCO. Now I want to spend more time at the resort that morning. Here is my standby plan,
..........

2 option a. Since SW has policy of grace period of 2 hours post flight time as no show, I have until 13:30pm to report to SW counter to request standby to be put on a later flight available. So we will make a DME reservation at 12:00 noon from the resort with plenty time to report to SW counter, which will give us 3 more hours at resort.


......

Option b. Either me or my DH take MDE to MCO between 12pm to 1pm to request standby(rest of the family still at Disney), can just one person report to SW counter to represent the whole family? Do they allow it? If yes, let's say we will very likely get the 4:30pm flight, then one of us wait at MCo for rest of the family to come arrive via MDE at 3pm. So the kids can stay at resort for another 3 more hours, doing biking,or downtown Disney,or anything.

Can you all poke holes or offer thoughts on above plans? Similar Experiences ?Or Maybe I should just stick to my reservation instead of counting on standby...

Thank you all!

PP already told you to forget about your idea.

One point not covered. There is no 2 hour, grace policy. The policy, now no longer in writing, was called the "flat tire rule". It is (was) a courtesy to customers who through no fault of their own missed their flight. You didn't literally need to prove you got a flat tire on the way to the airport but that's the kind of situation covered by the policy.

In what world is scheduling an airport pickup 30 minutes after your flight is scheduled to depart such a situation? You want the rest of your family to book airport transportation 2 hours after your flight was scheduled to depart. Not only won't they get to the gate in time for their original flight they won't make the 2 hour deadline for "flat tire" accommodation.

Southwest charges standby passengers the difference between the fully refundable fare and the fare the passenger paid. You might as well pay to change your flight now. It will cost the same, or less. Your OP doesn't mention any issues getting to the airport. You want more time at WDW. In what world do you think your circumstances justify an exception or courtesy?

You might pull it off if your family are good liars. Otherwise change your flight, pay the extra fare and enjoy your last day.