- Go to the airport 1 to 2 hours before the standby flight’s boarding time. ...
- Talk to a customer service agent about putting you on the standby list. Go to the airport and visit a customer service agent at the Southwest ticketing counter.
- Pay the fee or difference in ticket price, if required. ...
- Go to the departure gate and wait for standby procedures. ...
How much does it cost to fly standby on southwest?
While Southwest doesn't charge change fees, you'd still have to pay the difference in fare — no matter your Southwest status — to take an earlier flight. How much is standby on Southwest? The same-day standby fee is $75, but is complimentary for Diamond, Platinum, and Gold Medallion Members.
What is the Southwest Airlines standby policy?
Southwest began allowing elite members to fly standby for no extra cost within two hours of their original flight time in the fall of 2016. Additionally, A-List Preferred and A-List members receive priority boarding, which means Southwest checks them in before everyone else 36 hours ahead of the departure time.
How to check the flight status on southwest?
Southwest Airlines - Check Flight Status Check Flight Status Get up-to-date information by completing the form below. Change of Heart? No change fees* Reach us at 1-800-I-FLY-SWA (1-800-435-9792) or online at least 10 minutes before departure time. *Fare differences may apply. Manage my flight
Is it cheaper to fly standby?
Now, standby tickets can help you if you want to get a seat on an earlier flight or if your plane takes off without you and you need to book a later travel time. Generally speaking, standby tickets will have a fee of anywhere between $25 to $75 in addition to the cost of the ticket.
What is same-day change?
Same-day change lets you swap your flight on the day of travel for an alternate one—as long as there’s an open seat and your origin and destination...
What is same-day standby?
No open seats for a same-day change? No problem. Get on the same-day standby list to grab a seat on an earlier day-of-travel flight should one beco...
What is the difference between same-day change and same-day standby?
Same-day change means if there’s an open seat on a different flight that departs on the same calendar day as your original flight and it’s between...
Who can get same-day change and same-day standby benefits?
A-List Preferred and A-List Rapid Rewards Members Business Select, Anytime, and Wanna Get Away Plus Customers Please note: Wanna Get Away Customers...
How do I make a same-day change?
To make a same-day change yourself: Business Select and Anytime Customers can make a same-day change at airport Kiosks, Southwet.com, and in the mo...
How can I get added to the same-day standby list and how do I know if I made it?
Business Select and Anytime Customers can get on the standby list at airport Kiosks. All other Customers can get added to the same-day standby list...
Can I make a same-day change or get on the same-day standby flight the day before my flight?
No. You must change your flight or request to be added to the same-day standby list on the same calendar day as your flight at least 10 minutes bef...
Will I retain my original boarding position on my new flight?
If you are checked in for your flight before you make a same-day change, you will lose that boarding position once you move to a new flight. You'll...
What is the priority order of the standby list?
First, Customers who are re-accommodated following flight disruptions. Next, A-List Preferred and A-List Rapid Reward Members will be prioritized b...
If an A-list Preferred or A-list Member has an itinerary with a Passenger who is not an A-List Prefe...
No. If an A-List Preferred or A-List Member is traveling on a multiple-Passenger reservation, same-day change and same-day standby will not be prov...
What about companions?
If you hold the Southwest Companion Pass, which lets one person fly free with you for up to two years (still have to pay taxes and fees), or if you’re traveling with a companion, there are a few things to consider regarding standby. Even if you are an A-List or A-List Preferred member, your companion is not afforded your same benefits unless they also hold elite status.
How to rebook Southwest flight?
You can try to rebook online or speak with a customer service agent. If you alerted Southwest in time but are unable to rebook away from the airport, then ask at the ticket counter or gate within two hours of your original flight to get onto a standby list, hoping a seat opens up on a later flight.
What happens if you don't make it on a Southwest flight?
If you don’t make it onto a flight as a standby and you’ve missed your original flight, you can still change your reservation and pay only the fare difference as long as you alerted Southwest (at least 10 minutes before your scheduled flight) of your cancellation.
How to change Southwest flight standby?
If you want to fly standby, you must request it at the airport ticket counter. Or if you’ve already checked in, you have to ask at the gate. According to Southwest, you cannot make the request online or by calling. But, Southwest doesn’t charge change fees, so instead of flying standby, you could try to change your Southwest ticket to a different flight with a guaranteed seat. You can do that at Southwest.com, at a Southwest kiosk or with a customer service agent (phone or in person at the airport). If it happens to be within one hour of your original flight’s departure time, you will no longer be able to make changes online.
When did Southwest allow standby?
Southwest began allowing elite members to fly standby for no extra cost within two hours of their original flight time in the fall of 2016. And in 2017, the airline extended the free standby time from two hours to 24 hours ahead of the originally scheduled flight as long as the standby flight is prior to the original flight and on the same day.
Can you fly Southwest without paying extra fare?
Those who have Anytime or Business Select Southwest tickets are allowed to fly standby, without paying an additional fare, between the same cities on the same day if there is an open seat on an earlier flight. These fare types also receive A zone boarding privileges. That means they are the first zone to board the plane and the first passengers to select their seats, but you may forfeit A zone boarding when flying standby.
Does Southwest have standby?
If you ever need to fly standby — catching an earlier or later flight to the same destination if there is an open seat — Southwest has excellent standby policies, especially for Southwest elite status members and those who purchase premium fares. But it’s not an easy process. Here is everything you need to know about how to fly standby ...
How to convert Southwest flight to standby?
Check with the Southwest Airlines ticket agent at the departing airport. She will be able to convert your flight to a standby ticket. She will issue you a standby voucher and direct you to your departing gate.
How to wait for standby on a plane?
Wait at the gate of the flight that you have signed up for, and be ready with your ticket and identification when they begin allowing standby travelers on the plane.
Where to check in for a flight?
Check in at the departing gate. As a standby passenger, check in at the departing gate and wait for your name to be called. Before the flight departs, the ticket agent will determine any seats are available.
Is JetBlue a low cost airline?
JetBlue Airlines is a popular low cost alternative to the many major airliners catering to the United States population. Flying to most major cities in the United States, as well as to the Caribbean and Mexico, JetBlue offers travelers the ability to catch standby flights prior to their originally booked flight at no additional charge. A standby flight has to be between the same departure and arrival cities as the ticket you purchase, be on the same day as your flight, and be any flight before or the one right after your original flight (with some exceptions).
Does a standby ticket secure a seat on a plane?
A standby ticket does not secure a seat on the plane. Traveling standby during the holidays is much more difficult than traveling standby during the rest of the year. Writer Bio. Bridget Everett is a professional Web copywriter.
Can you board a plane with a standby ticket?
If there are any seats on the departing flight, the agent will issue a boarding pass and you will be able to board. A standby ticket does not secure a seat on the plane. Traveling standby during the holidays is much more difficult than traveling standby during the rest of the year.
Does Southwest have standby passes?
Southwest Airlines will issue a standby pass, which will put the passenger in a queue for an actual ticket. (Photo: Jupiterimages/Photos.com/Getty Images ) Unexpected events can cause travelers to at a different time than originally planned. While some airlines allow customers to show up at the airport without a ticket and purchase ...
Can you add a traveler to the Southwest standby list?
Traveler needs to have been added to the standby list. Travelers cannot add, modify, remove, etc. from the standby list on their Southwest mobile app or Southwest.com mobile website. All standby processes and rules remain the same (including fare differences, fees, taxes, etc.)
Is Southwest Airlines mobile standby available anywhere?
Southwest Airlines' Mobile Standby List Now Available From Anywhere!
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What is Southwest Airlines standby phone number?
First I called the Southwest Airlines standby phone number, which is just their regular customer service phone number (1-800-IFLYSWA). The agent quoted the Southwest standby policy and would not budge. I just hung up, figuring I’d have better luck at the airport
Can you cancel Southwest standby flights for free?
So you’d be essentially booking your own Southwest standby tickets. And since you can cancel them for free, just cancel the one (s) that you weren’t planning on using. Unfortunately, Southwest has gotten wise to this trick and will now proactively cancel your flight if you try to book overlapping flights.
Does Southwest allow standby?
So while it’s accurate that Southwest does allow standby for an earlier flight, in practice, Southwest standby on a Wanna Get away fare is not going to be a great option. I think that the reason for this Southwest standby policy is a direct CONSEQUENCE of the Southwest cancellation policy. If flying standby on Southwest was an easy option, then ...
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Points With a Crew has partnered with CardRatings for our coverage of credit card products . Points With a Crew and CardRatings may receive a commission from card issuers. Other links on this page may also pay me a commission - as always, thanks for your support if you use them
How early can you fly standby?
In most cases, you should plan to arrive at the airport at least two hours before the flight you want to fly standby on. If the airport is particularly busy, or there have been many flight cancellations, you may want to arrive even earlier. This way, you may be able to get on the standby list for more than one flight.
How to travel standby?
Focus on off-peak times. If you plan to travel standby, try to fly at times when fewer people are flying. This is because the more people flying, the less seats will be available on given flights. In addition, more people flying means more competition for the few standby seats that may be available.
How to introduce yourself to a flight?
Introduce yourself at the boarding gate. After you’ve cleared security and arrived at the gate of the flight you want to be on, you should approach the airline representatives at the gate desk and introduce yourself. Let them know that you’re booked for a later flight and want to fly standby on their flight. If you’re not already on a standby list, they may be able to put you on one.
How to get a standby ticket?
Call ahead to increase your chances of getting a standby ticket. If you’re considering traveling standby ahead of time, you should probably call the airline and let them know. In some cases, airlines will be able to put you on a standby list.
What are standby policies?
Airlines like United Airlines and Delta have different policies regarding standby passengers. These policies reflect fees, treatment of checked luggage, and more. As a result, you should take a minute to read your airline's policies.
How much does it cost to fly standby?
If you’re selected as a standby flyer, you will likely have to pay a fee for the privilege. Fees vary by airline, and can range from $25 to $100. However, your fee may be waived if you’re a preferred flyer with that specific airline.
Why is it important to fly standby?
What is cool about standby is that you can save money while adding excitement to your travel experience. However, before you jump into a standby adventure, there are a number of things you should know.
How long before a flight can you cancel a reservation?
Failure to cancel a reservation at least 10 minutes prior to scheduled departure may result in forfeited travel funds.
How many points do you get for every dollar spent on a flight?
You are awarded 10 points for every dollar spent on your base fare. Use those points to book future travel.
How many points do you get on Wanna Get Away?
You are awarded 12 points for every dollar spent on your base fare. That’s double what you earn with the Wanna Get Away fare. Use those points to book future travel.
What is priority lane at the ticket counter?
1 Fly By® priority lane: This priority lane gets you to the front of the ticket counter faster. A-List or A-List Preferred Members already enjoy the Fly By priority lane ( where available ). Fly By security lane: This priority lane gets you through the security line faster. A-List or A-List Preferred Members enjoy this benefit too.
Why do airports have dedicated check in and security lanes?
To help improve your airport experience, dedicated check-in and security lanes help you get to your gate faster. Check to see if these lanes are available at your airport here.
Can I use the Southwest app on a plane?
Enjoy free entertainment onboard. 5 Download the Southwest app to view movies and on-demand content. Inflight messaging only allows access to iMessage and WhatsApp. Apps must be downloaded before the flight. Available only on WiFi-enabled aircraft. May not be available for the full duration of flight.
Does Southwest charge for cancellation fees?
We never charge cancellation fees at Southwest. If you have to cancel a flight, you can use your canceled funds on future travel for up to 12 months from the initial booking date. Anytime and Business Select fares are refundable, meaning you’ll get your money back to your original form of payment. Please note, failure to cancel a reservation at least 10 minutes prior to scheduled departure may result in forfeited travel funds.
How to Fly Standby on Southwest
- Look up your preferred flight online to see if there are seats available. Go to the Southwest online booking page and search for the new flight you want to be on. Then, see if it's sold out or if there are still seats available. If your destination city has multiple airports, be flexible and search for alternative Southwest flights going into each one.[1] X Research source Note that …
- Call the airlines to ask about any available seats before you go to the airport. Ask if your pref…
Elite Status Gets You More Flexibility
What About Companions?
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