US Air - Stand By

[onelilspark]

I'm flying US Air on a free ticket to Orlando (from Rochester) with a stop over in DCA.

I booked myself on the flight that leaves 2.5 hours after I'm supposed to get into DCA, but there's a flight that leaves 1.5 hours before that. Assuming that I actually get into DCA on time, I'd like to try flying stand-by for the earlier flight.

Background info: it's just me, I'll just have a carry-on (no checked luggage), and if it makes a difference, my Mom flies with US Air so often that she was able to gift elite status to me.

I have 2 questions: 1) Is there a charge on US Air to fly stand-by, even if you're elite? 2) If you try for a stand-by seat on an earlier flight, do you give up your seat on the later flight?

Thanks!

 

[DebbieB]

I'm flying US Air on a free ticket to Orlando (from Rochester) with a stop over in DCA.

I booked myself on the flight that leaves 2.5 hours after I'm supposed to get into DCA, but there's a flight that leaves 1.5 hours before that. Assuming that I actually get into DCA on time, I'd like to try flying stand-by for the earlier flight.

Background info: it's just me, I'll just have a carry-on (no checked luggage), and if it makes a difference, my Mom flies with US Air so often that she was able to gift elite status to me.

I have 2 questions: 1) Is there a charge on US Air to fly stand-by, even if you're elite? 2) If you try for a stand-by seat on an earlier flight, do you give up your seat on the later flight?

Thanks!

http://shopping.usairways.com/en-US/traveltools/specialneeds/ticketingpolicies/default.html

Move up program

We allow you to 'move up' to any earlier flight on the same day of your originally scheduled departure time at the airport (with the exception of flights to Hawaii and Europe). You can only make day-of-departure changes at the airport (and not by calling Reservations).

If there is an open seat available on any earlier US Airways operated flight that departs on the same day as your originally scheduled departure, you may change to that flight and we will automatically confirm your reservation for $50 for flights within the 48 contiguous United States and $50 for flights to Latin America, the Caribbean, Canada and Alaska. This lower confirmation fee replaces the usual $150 change fee, plus any differences between your old fare and new fare, for non-refundable tickets.

If there is not an open seat on an earlier flight that departs on the same day as your originally scheduled departure, you may stand by for that flight at no charge. Standing by at no charge is not permitted if we can confirm that there is an open seat available for that flight. Seats on completely booked flights may become available if passengers with confirmed reservations don't show up for the flight. Unlike a confirmed reservation, flying standby does not guarantee that you will get on the particular flight that you want and may involve waiting for two or more flights before a seat is available to you.

If you are preferred elite, they waive the charge:

Move up to an earlier flight for free. We waive the $50 standby fee for our Silver Preferred customers who want to move up to an earlier flight on the same day of travel.

 

[onelilspark]

Thanks!