How To Get A Standby Ticket For Airlines?

There are ways to secure a standby ticket without committing to be on call for the airline

Want to learn how to save a couple bucks on your next flight? This is one of the tips that may help to get cheap flight since you can get a standby ticket. Most standby tickets let you perhaps board a previous flight for the same cost as you paid. However, should there still be vacancies after all those who have confirmed bookings have embarked aboard, then the airline in question may permit those who have booked in standby to board. The two keywords used are “may allow. ” The chance of getting a standby ticket is equal to that of not getting a seat at all. But if you do, you can take an earlier flight for no more additional cost, and this means that you will not necessarily be charged more for taking an earlier flight. Read the following tips to know how to get standby tickets and how to have a better experience.

Learn How You Can Use Standby Tickets

standby ticket implies that when you have bought it, you are put into a particular flight. But note, you might not be able to get a seat on that specific flight. The airline will let you wait for an available seat in another flight heading to your chosen destination in case no seats are left once all passengers with confirmed bookings are on board. If there are no seats available for earlier flight, you will be accommodated in the flight you have booked, provided you check-in within the time given.

Self-assessment: Check if You Are Qualified

It is also possible to get a standby ticket but it is not available for everyone. Many limit them to those who meet specific criteria For instance, most airlines only allow them for passengers with certain requirements. For instance, standby tickets are usually offered to passengers who have fundamental or refundable tickets. If you purchased a basic economy nonrefundable ticket, unfortunately, you will not be eligible to fly standby. Furthermore, some airlines only provide standby tickets for its valued members who are in the elite status of the flights. It is always wise to touch with the concerned airline concerned and verify if one has what it takes to be a candidate for this job.

Ask AboutAvailability

It is important to note that the airfare with the standby ticket may not be possible for every flight that an airline provides. Other factors, such as demand, seasonality and aircraft capacity, also determine standby characteristics. Before the charter or before you book the flight, inquire to the airline if standby is possible in your preferred route. Imagine for instance, getting to the ticket vendor and booking for a specific flight only to realize that standby is prohibited on the flight in question. The agent may also give advice on the right time and flights to stand by according to past experience.

Book Refundable Fares

Again, as highlighted earlier, most airlines needs some form of refundable fare to be given a standby ticket. If you opt for a basic economy ticket that cannot be cancelled or changed, you will not be able to stand by on an earlier flight. Prefer to spend more and get a refundable fare because free flight at least gets you a right to take a flight on an earlier flight. You won't get your money back, but at least you'll have the open-ended ticketing that would allow you to travel when it is convenient.

Join the Airlines™ Customer Loyalty Scheme

While offering standby tickets, airlines mostly target their top-tier members of the frequent flyer programs. This is the last chance for those elite flyers who get the right to board a plane earlier than others and, therefore, have the better chance to get the last empty seats. Although business class seats are available to other passengers, these passengers will only be allowed to access them once the elite members have been served. One more thing to do is to join the carriers loyalty program and it is recommended to achieve at least the mid-tier status, which will increase your chances of being upgraded to standby flight successfully.

Arrive Early

The next tip is to go to the airport as early as possible, even if you have completed your check-in online. When ticketing is done, move to the gate agents podium and request for a position on the waiting list. The person who adds name to the list first will be nearer to the top of the list than the person who adds name later. Ideally, look for gates that are not as crowded and sign up for a number of standby lists just to be on the safe side. Gaze at the boards in the airport and see which flights have the most seats left and target them.

Stay Flexible

In other words, to fly standby, there is really no plan, which means that all assumptions must be abandoned. It is important that the standby process be unstable and irregular by its very design. This means that sometimes you can make the first flight out, while other times you may have to spend the whole day and night waiting. This way, passengers will be able to move around quickly in between flights and terminals without having to carry large bags with them. Take some food along with you and be sure to carry some reading materials or games to help pass the time. Do not plan to plan once you get there, meaning that one cannot make fixed plans that cannot be altered. Expect the unexpected, and you will be willing to take whatever comes your way.

Learn More About Qualifications for Companion and Elite Status

If you are checking in with other people or are a frequent flyer who has attained a certain status, it's helpful to verify rules concerning companions and elites. Will your travel buddy be able to sit idly nearby with you on the same flights? Do you have confirmed upgrades in other cabins or any other standby privileges due to being an elite member? Are the passengers who are boarded in the first class and the passengers who are boarded in the last class recruited from the same pool? It is advisable to familiarize your self with these restrictions before the flight day so that one is prepared.

Have Backup Options

It is rather unwise to almost completely depend on standby tickets. You suddenly may be left stranded at the airport with nowhere to go. When it comes to standby, it is always wise to have a back up in case it doesn't work out as planned. Book that original flight you are trying to take an earlier copy of as your backup. You will still proceed with your travel as planned, even though you may have expected to depart at an earlier time. It is also possible to look for the backup flight with another airline, bus/train or rental car service.

Some of the insights that the stakeholders might derive from Standby include

That it is still possible to secure a standby seat is a plus since the flexibility when arranging your travels is a plus if managed properly. Take it and switch to an earlier flight back home instead of hanging around the airport for several hours waiting to board the flight you had booked earlier. In case of an itineraries change at the last minute, continue waiting on an alternative path free of charge in form of changes fees or fare differences. Feel spontaneous? Stand on the list of persons to be placed on the next flight to an enticing destination.

By reading through the content above, it is my hope that you will be able to adequately use standby ticketing to your advantage for your travel wants. Oh yes, one more thing: do not forget your patience because even the best laid plans can run into problems. Happy flying!