5 Things to Know About Standby Flights

Standby flights: How to fly standby in a way that works for you!

Some travelers like to plan their vacations down to every last detail; others prefer spontaneous trips filled with surprises. If you fall into the latter category, standby flights may be just the type of travel adventure you crave. The practice can be risky and patience is key, but successful standby flights can lead to a bounty of rewards, from money saved on cheap flights to flexible itineraries.

If you’re looking to upgrade your ticket to a first class ticket that is a different process than flying standby.

Here are some travel tips for changing your air travel plans and getting the best deals on airline tickets for your next flight!

If you’ve reserved a seat on one flight but wish to board another – perhaps an earlier or later flight – you must apply for a standby spot on your airline's standby list. Make this request by speaking to a ticket agent at the ticket counter or over the phone, and arrive at the airport as early as possible, particularly if your goal is to make an earlier flight. The agent might be able to address your odds for making the new flight based on the plane’s seat availability and the no-shows they had for that flight. Make sure you alert the check-in personnel that you’re flying standby so they know you’re on the list for vacant seats.

Make sure to look up the standby rules for your specific airline; United Airlines, American Airlines, Frontier, JetBlue and Delta Airlines, for example, have very different standby policies. Some airlines may not allow you to make a same-day flight change but talking to a ticket kiosk would be the best way to get answers if you’re already in the airport.

Your first flight on standby can be hectic. The key to flying standby is having flexible travel plans and being willing to take off at any given moment.

Buddy passes allow current and former flight attendants and other flight crew employees, as well as their family and friends, to board flights with vacant seats while not being a ticketed passenger. Airline employees also enjoy non-rev perks for domestic and international flights especially on same-day standby. If you’re flying with a buddy pass through an airline employee, you are technically booked as a standby passenger. In other words, you have to hope a spot opens up or remains vacant before you board; there is no guaranteed reservation in place. See if your friend or family members who work for the airline can check specific flights for availability before you make the trek to the airport. Keep in mind, buddy passes are allowed only for leisure travel.

Standby travel is risky, but savings can be substantial. If you change your flight through normal channels prior to boarding, you’ll likely face a high penalty. The standby fee, however, is significantly less than flight-change fees, and you can usually keep your earned miles. If you qualify as an elite flier, or you purchased an unrestricted airfare, the fee is typically waived. Although you have to pay for your buddy pass ticket, it can be up to 60 percent off the airline’s standard price. There’s also a chance you'll get bumped up to first or business class, and you’ll only pay taxes on the fare.

Once you sign up as a standby passenger, your name will be listed on the departure gate’s screen. The gate agent will call your name if a seat opens up. Keep in mind, buddy pass holders typically receive the lowest priority. If you’re a frequent flyer or have elite status your priority on standby goes up only slightly. It really depends on the number of empty seats on your desired flight.

Your odds for landing a seat decrease significantly during peak travel times, such as holidays and long weekends. While it’s uncommon for international travelers to miss their flights, it’s also true that overseas flights are rarely fully-booked, so scoring a standby seat on an international flight is possible.

It’s important to remember that you could spend days waiting for a seat to open up, so be prepared to pay for accommodations if you get stuck somewhere. The airline will not pay for expenses you incur during this time. As well, Southwest passengers with a Wanna Get Away ticket will need to upgrade to an Anytime fare in order to be standby eligible.

Never check your bags when trying to make a standby flight. If you wind up getting a seat on an earlier flight, your checked bags will remain on your original flight and won’t arrive at your final destination until much later. Instead, pack all of your items in a carry-on bag.