A key perk of holding Southwest status, which includes A-List and A-List Preferred, is the ability to fly standby for an earlier flight on the same day as your original flight without paying any difference in the fare price.
Full Answer
How do I view my standby list on southwest?
Once you are on the standby list, you can view it in the following ways: 1. If you have a Rapid Rewards® number associated with your trip: Trip Details on the home screen on the Southwest.com mobile app (see screenshot) My Account >My Trips on the mobile Southwest.com mobile app or Southwest mobile website (see screenshot) 2.
What is southwest’s standby policy?
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.
Does southwest offer priority standby for a-list passengers?
Southwest states: If an A-List or A-List Preferred Member is traveling on a multiple-Passenger reservation, free same-day standby and priority standby will not be provided for non-A-List or non-A-List Preferred Members in the same reservation. As an A-List member you will have access to the priority phone line.
How do standby tickets work on Southwest Airlines?
Standby tickets are only valid between the same city pairs and on the same day for which the ticket was valid. Purchase a Southwest Airlines ticket. Business Select and Anytime tickets allow travelers to change the time of the flight with a standby ticket for no additional fee.
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What does it mean to be on Southwest standby list?
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.
What does it mean to be on standby list for flight?
If you're on the standby list, that means you haven't been given a seat on the plane. And without a seat on the plane, you aren't guaranteed to board. There are many reasons for being placed on the standby list, but here are some of the most common: You or someone you know works for an airline.
Can you go on standby with Southwest?
With the same-day standby option on eligible fares, you must request to be added to the same-day standby list on the same calendar day as your flight at least 10 minutes before your original scheduled departure time. Please note, government taxes and fees associated with your changes may apply.
Who gets priority on standby?
Every airline has its own priority system, but in general, the order for boarding standby passengers is as follows: Full-fare passengers. Commuting flight crews. Standby passengers from the airline (in order of seniority or time of check-in)
Is standby first come first serve?
Check-In Early Also, when it comes to flying standby, passengers are oftentimes chosen on a first-come, first-serve basis, so the earlier you check-in, the more apt you'll be to scoring a seat on the flight.
What does being on standby mean?
phrase. If someone or something is on standby, they are ready to be used if they are needed. Five ambulances are on standby at the port.
Do you pay to fly standby?
The cost of flying standby depends on two things: the flight itself, and who you are to the airline. Most likely, however, there will be a nominal charge of between $25 and $100 to fly standby. receive a free standby flight as compensation.
Can you get on standby list online?
Some airlines will let you phone in or register online to get on the standby list, but these options may only be available for confirmed same-day changes. Others may require you to show up at the airport and speak with an agent or at least use the kiosks at the airport.
How can I get on an earlier flight without paying extra?
Approach the gate agent and ask about miss-connects and inform the agent that you're on the later flight (it will be very helpful if your ticketed flight is full or oversold). Putting you on the earlier flight allows the airline to accommodate the “miss-connects” onto your later flight without hassle or cost to anyone.
What are the best days to fly standby?
The basic rule about choosing the best day of the week to fly is Tuesday or Wednesday. They not only tend to be the cheapest days to fly but less busy as well. Since there are fewer people who would like to fly mid-week, Tuesday and Wednesday are also the best days to fly standby.
What does stby mean on boarding pass?
In essence, flying standby means getting on a flight that you haven't previously reserved a ticket for by taking an empty seat at the last minute when gate agents release any unoccupied seats.
How do you get put on standby?
To fly standby, make sure to purchase a cheap ticket from the airline you want to fly on so you can clear security when you get to the airport. Once you clear security, go to the gate for the flight you want to take and ask the attendant to put you on a standby list.
Why does my Delta ticket say standby?
It means you're standing by for your seat assignment. Your seat will be assigned when you arrive at the gate.
What are the best days to fly standby?
The basic rule about choosing the best day of the week to fly is Tuesday or Wednesday. They not only tend to be the cheapest days to fly but less busy as well. Since there are fewer people who would like to fly mid-week, Tuesday and Wednesday are also the best days to fly standby.
What does standby list mean Delta?
If a Same-Day Confirmed flight change is unavailable, you may be eligible to stand by for an available flight. With standby, you can wait for an open seat on a different flight. Eligibility. Same-Day Standby is only offered if Same-Day Confirmed is not available.
Can an airline put you on standby?
Flying standby is still possible today, just not in the way it once was. Generally, you can fly “standby” if you've already bought a ticket and … You missed your flight. This only applies to certain cases, like if you missed a connection or there were circumstances beyond your control.
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, Southwest.com, and in the m...
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...
Is Southwest Airlines mobile standby available anywhere?
Southwest Airlines' Mobile Standby List Now Available From Anywhere!
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.)
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.
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.
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.
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 ...
Can you fly standby with Southwest Airlines?
Here is everything you need to know about how to fly standby with Southwest Airlines. You can fly standby with Southwest, but it can be better to just change your flight since they’re no change fees. (Photo by Philip Pilosian/Shutterstock)
Can I change my Southwest flight from nonstop to multistop?
For same-day flight changes for Business Select and Anytime fares, you will not have to pay any difference in fare as long as the flight is earlier than your originally scheduled flight and is between the same cities. You may also change from nonstop to multi-stop flights or vice versa with no penalty. If the new flight is after the originally scheduled flight and you alerted Southwest at least 10 minutes prior to your original flight that you would need to change or cancel, you will pay the difference in fare price, if there is one.
When can you stand by for a flight 2020?
11-17-2020 02:52 PM. There is the flat tire rule. within 2 hours of your original flight time, then the airline will normally allow you to stand by for a later flight - with no guarantee that you will actually be on that flight.
Why don't I take a flight on Southwest?
The risk is that you don't take a flight because all the standby slots get used up. If that happens, I don't know if Southwest tries to put you out the next day or not. Even if so, the risk having to spend an extra night somewhere IMO reduces the viability of playing the flat tire game.
Can you standby on a SW flight?
That's why SW allows people to standby for earlier flights - if you don't get on an earlier flight, then you have your original itinerary . Try that with a later flight and fail and you are out of luck.
What are the Southwest A-List Benefits?
So now that you know how to qualify, you might be wondering what all of the A-List perks are. Here are the Southwest A-List benefits.
When will Southwest make companion passes?
Southwest is also making it easier to earn tier status and the Companion Pass in 2021 by giving members the following boosts:
What is A list preferred?
A-List preferred is the upper tier of elite status with Southwest Airlines and so as you would expect it is a little bit tougher to get.
What is Southwest priority card?
The Southwest Priority card is the ultimate Southwest credit card. That is because in addition to the TQP benefit, it also comes with some seriously valuable perks which include:
Does Southwest A-List have lounge access?
No lounge access (there are also no lounges or special alliance partner benefits to take advantage of) So the benefits for Southwest A-List are not going to hold the same type of value that you would find with elite status for a legacy carrier, and A-List is more similar to what you’d get with JetBlue Mosaic .
Can you get A list on Business Select?
If you are flying Business Select, you can achieve A-List with just a handful of flights and I will illustrate how below.
Does A-List offer complimentary upgrades?
A-List does not offer complimentary upgrades to Southwest Business Select.
How much is Southwest A-List status worth?
Since Southwest offers all passengers two free checked bags anyway, and there’s no such thing as a Southwest first class lounge (heck, there’s no such thing as Southwest first class, period), Southwest elite status is worth much less than the value of elite status with most other airlines.
How many tiers of elite status does Southwest have?
Southwest has two tiers of elite status: A-List and A-List Preferred. Southwest elite status perks vary by tier.
How long does Southwest have to check in before boarding?
All passengers included on your reservation will receive priority boarding (meaning Southwest will automatically reserve a boarding position 36 hours prior to the flight, though you and passengers on your reservation will still need to check in within 24 hours of scheduled departure to retrieve your boarding passes).
What is the A list?
A-List is the lower of the two tiers of Southwest elite status.
What is the difference between A-List and A-List preferred?
The biggest difference between A-List and A-List Preferred: With the latter, you earn way more points per flight booked with Southwest, which means you’ll rack up points toward future flights even faster. Additionally, you’ll get free in-flight Wi-Fi.
What islands does Southwest fly to?
The list of international island destinations that Southwest flies to also includes Grand Cayman and Montego Bay. The airline also serves the Mexican destinations of Cancun, Cabo San Lucas, Cozumel and Puerto Vallarta.
How many qualifying points do you need to fly to get A-List preferred?
How to earn A-List Preferred status: If you fly 50 qualifying segments or earn 70,000 qualifying points per year, you will earn A-List Preferred status.
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Summary
Is A-List status worth it on Southwest? We give a rundown of the benefits and tips for earning it faster.
A-List status
In order to qualify for A-List status, Southwest travelers must fly 25 one-way qualifying flights on Southwest Airlines or earn 35,000 tier-qualifying Southwest Rapid Rewards points per calendar year. Southwest defines a one-way qualifying flight as a one-way revenue trip traveling from an origin city to a destination city.
A-List Preferred status
The next tier up on the Southwest elite status totem pole is A-List Preferred. In order to qualify for A-List Preferred status, Southwest travelers must fly 50 one-way qualifying flights on Southwest Airlines or earn 70,000 tier-qualifying Southwest Rapid Rewards points per calendar year.
Companion Pass
It’s important to note that Companion Pass status is separate from A-List or A-List Preferred status. To qualify for a Southwest Companion Pass, travelers must earn 125,000 Companion Pass qualifying points or fly 100 qualifying one-way flights on Southwest Airlines per calendar year.
Shortcuts to Southwest A-List status
There aren’t many easy shortcuts for earning A-List or A-List Preferred status if you have a business card or plan on applying for one. If that’s the case, though, we have a few suggestions for obtaining elite status faster with Southwest:
Bottom line
Southwest is a fantastic airline for both professional and leisure travelers, even without the elite status perks and benefits.
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.
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 show up for Southwest without a ticket?
While some airlines allow customers to show up at the airport without a ticket and purchase a standby ticket, Southwest Airlines requires standby passengers to have previously purchased a ticket. Standby tickets are only valid between the same city pairs and on the same day for which the ticket was valid.
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.
How to Fly Standby on Southwest
Elite Status Gets You More Flexibility
- A key perk of holding Southwest status, which includes A-List and A-List Preferred, is the ability to fly standby for an earlier flight on the same day as your original flight without paying any difference in the fare price. The airline gives A-List and A-List Preferred status to Southwest Rapid Rewardsmembers with 35,000 to 70,000 qualifying South...
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. However, …
Bottom Line
- Flying standby is not a simple procedure on Southwest and probably best avoided, which shouldn’t be hard, since Southwest doesn’t have any change or cancellation fees. So if you find yourself needing to catch an earlier or later flight, try to rebook yourself online or by calling Southwest customer service, especially if you have elite status or hold premium fares and thus …