Can you standby on an award ticket? TravelSort reader Sarah writes:
“I'm on an Avios award to Europe and as there are incoming storms, I'm worried about a tight connection I have on the US Airways flight to NYC, where I connect to my international flight. Can I standby on an earlier US Airways flight even though I booked with Avios? I wanted to change my Avios ticket but can't because it departs within 24 hours and the online system and phone agents won't let me. Help!”
I've encountered this situation as well for some of my Award Booking clients, and it's one aspect I don't care for with Avios: no award changes or cancellations 24 hours prior to departure, and no Avios redeposits if you do cancel your award within that 24 hours prior to departure.
Standby Allowed on Domestic American or US Airways Flight, Booked with Avios
To cut to the chase, standby is allowed (based of course on available seats) on US Airways and American Airways flights booked with British Airways Avios.
Check That the Flight You Want Has Space
First look up the load factors, for example using ExpertFlyer. Or, if you can see award availability for the flight you want, using the British Airways site (but can't change it because you're within 24 hours of departure) that's a good sign.
Get to the Airport Early and Go to Check-In for the Flight You Want
While I thought that there might be a standby charge of $75, at least in the case of my clients, no fee was charged and they were accommodated as standbys on the earlier flight they wanted.
Status with the Operating Carrier Can Help…Sometimes
While I've no personal experience with this, I've heard that United 1Ks, even on award tickets, get top priority (well, apart from Global Services I assume) for standby lists.
On the other hand, at least one person on Flyertalk complained of being treated very shabbily by US Airways on an Avios award ticket, even though he is Chairmans Preferred. YMMV.
Standby Not Permitted for International Flights
I'm referring here to the major U.S. carriers and British Airways Avios, but do share in the comments if you have been able to successfully standby for an international flight, and what the carrier was.
And as always, there are certain exceptions. For example, if booked using AAdvantage award miles, most Mexican flights to the U.S. *do* permit standby, but Mexico City does *not.* For whatever reason, Mexican cities other than Mexico City are lumped into “domestic” while Mexico City, logically enough, is considered international, hence no standby allowed. Go figure.
Have you been able to stand by for an earlier flight when on an award ticket?
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