Alternate American Airlines (meaning, what it is, how it works + more)
Are you and your family looking to run away this summer? Maybe you’ve noticed a great vacation, but don’t want to pay a heavy price for airfare.
Flying as a standby passenger might just be the solution you’ve been looking for! Read on to learn more about American Airlines Flight Standby!
American Airlines on standby in 2022
In 2022, American’s Flight Standby is reserved for employees, employees’ families, or AAdvantage Elite members. After those members are seated, the waitlist allows passengers with award tickets or full-fare economy tickets to go to their seats. Certain passengers will be charged $75 based on the fare.
Vacations can be expensive, but flying doesn’t have to be. Learn more about how to save money with American Airlines Standby Flights!
What Does American Airlines Standby Mean?
In-flight standby refers to arriving at an airport without a ticket and purchasing a discounted unsold ticket.
Recently, however, passengers need a ticket to be on standby at American Airlines.
Still, passengers can switch their flights to an earlier flight, upgrade seats or fly to a different airport.
Additionally, flight standby is useful for passengers who have missed their flight or who want to save some money by flying at the last minute.
Additionally, passengers wishing to fly on standby should note that this status is reserved for employees and their families.
After this time, AAdvantage Elite members and premium fare passengers have priority.
Last but not least, if the flight is not full, passengers who purchased a full-fare economy class ticket can be assigned a standby seat.
How does the American Airlines waitlist work?
American Airlines’ waitlist prioritizes employees, employees’ families and AAdvantage Elite members, which means they’ll be the first to board.
However, some flights do not provide standby service. Additionally, passengers are required to pay a fee of $75-150 for connecting flights.
How do I know if I’m on standby with American Airlines?
American Airlines allows passengers to use the American Airlines app to check if they are on a waitlist.
Additionally, the passenger must have requested to be listed. However, passengers need to go to an airport agent to apply for listing.
Additionally, passengers can view the waitlist by clicking on the green bar displayed near the flight information.
When is the best day to fly standby?
According to online reports, the best days for planes to stand by are Tuesdays and Wednesdays, as those are the least busy days at the airport.
Also, holidays like Christmas and Thanksgiving can offer very cheap alternate flights.
Additionally, passengers are advised to leave for the airport early in the morning, as this allows them to take advantage of more no-show opportunities.
Can you stand by in basic economy class?
Passengers can wait for free on basic economy class flights.However, they may have to pay fees depending on the market (domestic, international, etc.)
As usual, employees, employee families and elite members will be prioritized for listing.
How can I get cheap last-minute standby flights?
Passengers flying on American Airlines can stand by for free if:
- Flights must depart and travel to and from the same airport on the same day.
- Flights must have the same number of stops.
- The flight must be operated by American Airlines or American Eagle.
- Any passenger can wait on an earlier flight, but only AAdvantage members can wait on a later flight.
- Flights are subject to availability.
What does the seat on the pending list mean?
Seat Remaining refers to the number of seats remaining on the flight. Additionally, passengers on the waitlist have not yet been seated.
Additionally, these passengers are not guaranteed a seat.
Instead, passengers need to wait until all priority members, such as employees, employees’ families, and elite AAdvantage members, are on board.
American Airlines Pending List App
Passengers can download the AAdvantage app to check their standby status. However, passengers first need to log in. Also, this standby list is only visible when the passenger is on standby.
Additionally, the Upgrade List is another handy page that passengers can view on the app, allowing passengers to see where they are on the waitlist.
American Airlines Spare Priority
American Airlines can put passengers on a waitlist if their chosen flight is fully booked.
Employees, family members of employees, AAdvantage members with elite status (Gold or above), and passengers who have paid the full fare have priority over discounted fare passengers.
American Airlines Alternate Priority Code
American Airlines’ alternate priority codes arrange passengers into an ordered list.
That said, the list is ordered based on a number of factors, including the passenger’s fare type and elite status.
Fortunately, you can see all the code by clicking here.
American Airlines Spare Checked Baggage
Passengers should not check in their luggage while waiting, as their luggage will be carried on the original flight and will not arrive until later.
Instead, passengers are advised to use carry-on luggage wherever possible.
American Airlines Alternate Basic Economy
Passengers can change flights on the same day for a fee of $75. Then, if the seat is not available, the passenger can wait for the seat to become available.
If no seat is found, the $75 fee will be refunded.
Additionally, passengers with unrestricted economy class fares (Y class) do not have to pay the $75 fee. Additionally, many other types of passengers are exempt from this fee.
Spare American Airlines Miles
Passengers on standby flights can still earn AAdvantage miles, and miles will be awarded at the usual rate.
Cancel Standby American Airlines
Passengers can cancel their standby flight at aa.com, at the ticket counter or by calling the reservations office.
Missed Flight Standby American Airlines
If a passenger misses a flight and arrives at the airport within two hours of departure, they can be rebooked as a standby passenger.
In this case, the passenger does not have to pay any fee or fare difference.
To learn more, you can also read our posts on whether American Airlines offers food, whether American Airlines has first class, and American Airlines’ refund policy.
in conclusion
American Airlines is allowing passengers to stand by in a virtual queue on the American Airlines app. Doing so provides passengers with earlier/later flights at lower prices.
Additionally, passengers with elite status in the AAdvantage program will be prioritized when waiting for a flight.
Also, it’s worth noting that passengers wishing to maximize availability and savings should be on call mid-week (Tuesday/Wednesday).
Additionally, passengers are advised to fly on holidays such as Christmas and Thanksgiving and leave early.
