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 Rewards members with 35,000 to 70,000 qualifying Southwest points or 25 to 50 one-way flights in a calendar year.
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.
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. When flying standby, however, elite members lose the privilege of priority boarding.
However, some elite status members have reported being able to speak to a Southwest supervisor on the customer service phone line to get the companion (from the Southwest Companion Pass) also moved to the new flight. So it may be on a case-by-case basis, depending on who you talk to. If you are flying standby, the person traveling with you will also be able to fly standby, based on the fares you purchased.
No open seats for a same-day change? No problem. On your day of travel, get on the same-day standby list to grab a seat on an earlier flight between the same airports if one becomes available. To use the same-day standby benefit, you must request to be added to the same-day standby list at least 10 minutes before your original scheduled departure time. Please note, government taxes and fees associated with your changes may apply.
Business Select and Anytime Customers can get on the standby list on the day of travel at airport kiosks. All other Customers can get added to the same-day standby list only in person at the airport on the day-of-travel with a Southwest Agent at the ticket counter or departure gate. If a seat becomes available for you on the flight, you will receive an email or text message (based on the flight status contact preference selected during booking) with a link to check in to receive your new boarding pass via the Southwest app or mobile web. You can also visit a Southwest Agent at the ticket counter or departure gate to request the boarding pass.
Once you are cleared from the same-day standby list, you will need to check in to receive a new boarding position. With same-day standby, you will not lose your boarding position on your original flight unless you are officially moved to the new flight.
It depends on the type of fare purchased. If the fare is Wanna Get Away, same-day change and same-day standby will not be available to non-A-List or non-A-List Preferred Members. If the fare is Business Select, Anytime, or Wanna Get Away Plus, all Passengers will be eligible for same-day change and same-day standby.
On the day of travel, Companion Pass holders who have a Companion already booked and would like to use the same-day standby benefit can get added to the same-day standby list only in person at the airport with a Southwest Agent located at the ticket counter or departure gate. If seats become available for you and your Companion on the flight, you will receive an email or text message (based on the flight status contact preference selected during booking) with a link to access your new boarding pass. You and your Companion will both need to retrieve your new boarding passes via the Southwest app or mobile web or visit a Southwest Agent at the ticket counter or departure gate to request new boarding passes.
With same-day change and same-day standby options on eligible fares, you must change your flight or request to be added to the same-day standby list on the same calendar day as your flight up to 10 minutes before your original scheduled departure time. See how same-day change and same-day standby work.
Business Select, Anytime, and Wanna Get Away Plus fares are eligible for free same-day change and same-day standby benefits. A-List and A-List Preferred Rapid Rewards Members are also eligible for free same-day change and same-day standby. Wanna Get Away Customers (non-A-List or A-List Preferred) can opt into same-day change, but fare differences may apply. See more of the benefits offered by fare type.
There are no same-day change or same-day standby airline fees for Business Select, Anytime, and Wanna Get Away Plus fares. Same-day change and same-day standby airline fees also do not apply to A-List and A-List Preferred Rapid Rewards Members. If you booked a Wanna Get Away fare and make a same-day change, you will need to pay any fare difference (no airline fees, though). If there is a non-airline change, then taxes and fees are applicable at all fare levels (for example, if you go from a direct-flight itinerary to a connect-flight itinerary, then you will be responsible for any taxes and fees).
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 need to check in after you complete your change to get your new boarding position. Once you are cleared for the same-day standby change, you will receive a new boarding position. You will not lose your boarding position on your original flight until you are officially moved to the new flight.
Back in the day, flying standby was the cheap way to go anywhere, anytime. You could go to the airport, buy an extremely discounted ticket for the next available flight to your destination, and wait. Granted, the wait could be hours long, but in the end, you could get a last-minute flight for a less-than-normal cost.
Unlike the standby tickets of old, requesting standby nowadays usually comes with an added fee in addition to the price of your original ticket. Airlines that do offer a free standby option generally reserve that convenience for elite fliers and loyalty program members.
American Airlines, Delta, Frontier, and United offer complimentary same-day standby to high-tiered members in their respective loyalty or frequent flyer rewards programs. American Airlines and Delta charge a $75 fee for standby flights for other passengers. United fees may be as high as $75 and basic economy tickets are not eligible for standby and Frontier charges a $99 fee for standby flights for other passengers.
Mobile Standby ListWe are excited to share the ability to view the standby list is now accessible on your mobile device! All Travelers are now able to see their location on the standby list via the Southwest mobile app (for both iOS and Android) or the Southwest mobile website (mobile.southwest.com).
Whether you missed your flight, need to get out of town early, want to extend your vacay, or are considering last-minute alternatives to your original flight (which you found on Cheapflights.com, of course), check out our tips for flying standby on airlines in the U.S. and Canada.
Domestic flights: Passengers flying within Canada in Business Class (flexible), Premium Economy (flexible), or Latitude fares can standby free of charge. Passengers flying within Canada in Economy Tango, Economy Flex, or Business Class (lowest) can standby for free on Rapidair routes (express daily service offering hourly departures between Toronto and Montreal or Ottawa) and on flights between Calgary, Edmonton and Vancouver. Passengers flying in Economy Latitude on Air Canada Rouge can also standby free of charge.
International flights to the United States: For passengers traveling from Canada to the U.S. in Business Class (flexible) and Economy Latitude can standby free of charge. Passengers flying in Economy Tango, Economy Flex, or Business Class (lowest) can fly standby for free on flights between Toronto Pearson International Airport and John F. Kennedy International Airport, LaGuardia International Airport, or Newark Liberty International Airport.
Other passengers can standby on an earlier flight (AAdvantage elite members may standby for both earlier or later flights) for a $75 fee on flights between the 50 United States, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands as long as the alternate flight has the same origin and destination, is for the same calendar day of departure and is marketed and operated by American Airlines or American Eagle. Passengers cannot change their itineraries to a city with multiple airports or to a different connecting city.
Passengers who miss their flights can travel stan-by, based on seat availability, but it is not guaranteed. Depending on the fare, there may be an additional fee. Passengers can request standby at the airport (it cannot be done over the phone) for the same day only (if traveling out of a city with only one daily flight, passengers can standby for the next day). Passengers must travel stan-by between the same origin and destination cities as the original confirmed seat; however, passengers can travel standby on a connecting or nonstop flight. Passengers traveling on an Even More space seat who choose to travel standby forfeit the seat fee and are not eligible for a refund. Mint customers may travel standby one flight prior to their confirmed scheduled departure, but the Mint experience will not be guaranteed and will be forfeited if unavailable on the new flight.
 38c6e68cf9