[Flying] Standby Flights

X Fares is for college aged flyers(18-22)

flying standby can be the easiest experience ever or it could be the worst nightmare you've ever had to deal with.

I've had both. flying standby around holidays is a no-no. also going to cities with big events where everyone else is flying to is difficult. For instance, it is going to be difficult to get a seat this week from L.A. to Austin because everyone is going for SXSW. next weekend however, flights are WIDE open (I've been looking into using a Continental buddy Pass from a friend, but it would not be a wise decision to take that gamble)

I used to fly XFares all the time... you might get stuck in ATL for an hour or two, but you'll eventually get your flight out if you are patient.

also, be very kind to the agents, dress nice, and will yourself onto that plane!

 

I flew via X-Fare many years ago in my youth when suddenly some Ryder Cup tickets became available to me. I flew from Houston to Boston for around $59 each way. But I had to connect in Atlanta and that leg also cost $59. The whole thing came around $200. Not bad for a last minute fare.

 

From where. You can get flights from Houston to Atlanta for less than 200 dollars round trip.

 

I worked at Continental for almost 20 years. Flying standby was awesome and I miss those flight benefits. I believe they still offer "buddy passes" for non-family friends that aren't that cheap anymore. It used to be a great program back in the day.

You can fly standby any time of the year, including holidays, you just have to know what you are doing. Example: Thanksgiving is the busiest time of year, but I would simply fly out early Thanksgiving Day and return on Saturday or Monday. The key is that when you plan a trip, make sure you can get back. If you get bumped going out, no biggie. Just go back home to your normal routine. But getting stranded in Honolulu, D.C, New York, Orlando, etc can be a nightmare if you have to be back to work on a certain day.

The best thing is if you know someone at the airline who can log in and check availability. Then the key is knowing how to interpret availability based on how many seats are booked vs. the amount available.

I would never fly standby without having some access to knowing how full the flights are.

 

i flew to alaska this past summer on a buddy pass getting there was the easy part but getting home was tough.
i was stuck at the 3 different airports for 2 and a half days and ran out of money. almost the worst experience of my life.
i paid 223 for a round trip but when i went to new jersey back in 2006 it only cost 50 bucks 1 way double that and that and that was round trip

 

Sounds like a nightmare.

Why fly standby when by doing your due diligence, there are tons of cheap flights available anyways?

 

i wasnt the one paying for my flight and thats they way the wanted to go so she called our aunt up had it arranged.

 

Oh sorry, I wasn't referring to you. I was asking the OP why he doesn't just get a regular ticket. Tickets are real cheap these days. =P

 

Define cheap. Depends on when and where you want to go.

 

I've never had a problem flying standby at all but I have always used buddy passes from my uncle or aunt at Continental.

My sister hates standby. She flew on AirTran two months ago and got stranded in Atlanta for 2 days of course this is when everybody was returning from Christmas and New Year's breaks so it was understandable.....except to her. She has used buddy passes before too though and has had a run of bad luck with them as well.