How Standby Tickets Work, Why You Should Know

If you’ve ever done research on finding cheap airplane tickets before, you’ve probably come across sites like Kayak.com and Momondo.com that aggregate and compare ticket prices from all the major ticket sites like Priceline.com as well as the airlines themselves. Sometimes, these kinds of price-aggregation sites are simply the best way to get a cheap plane ticket, but not always, as we shall see.

A lesser-known alternative to these sites is to purchase a standby ticket from a place like AirTech.com which is a standby travel system for transatlantic flights to and from Europe (and even flights to Hawaii). This can be MUCH cheaper than any other option. You may not be familiar with how a standby ticket works, and you should definitely understand the concept before you buy one.

How a Standby Ticket Works

1. You purchase a standby ticket from AirTech.com or directly from the airline.
2. You get a range of dates that your flight will leave. Usually this is a 4-day window. (So flexibility is required.)
3. Call the airline the night before the day of your intended departure to confirm your ticket.
4. Arrive at the airport at least 1 hour early, 2 hours early for international flights. (Keep in mind there is a very real chance you’ll be bumped to another flight, such is the nature of standby, so be open to finding accommodations for the day after, just in case.)
5. Don’t check in any luggage unless absolutely necessary. There’s a chance your bags will leave on a different plane than you do (though to the same destination). You’ll be reunited with them eventually, but it’s better to take a carry on. Plus, travelling light lends itself to a more relaxed trip overall.
6. Stay at your airline’s gate and listen carefully for your name to be called.
7. Board the plane feeling awesome that you saved a lot of money.

You Gotta Want It

Basically, flying standby means your ticket is fulfilled when an extra seat is available on a plane to your destination. That means being ready to jump on a flight at almost any time during the day and sometimes having to wait until the next day. So a standby ticket requires you to be flexible. To be safe, AirTech gives you a 4-day window, though it’s very rare to have to wait 4 days.

When you do finally settle on a date and departure city, be mindful of the comments listed under Airtech’s “seat availability” page. Sometimes (and this is rare) tax is not included in the ticket price displayed, and is an extra charge. The comments will contain all this information. The departure cities are also limited to the cities listed on the site, but if you save a few hundred dollars (or if you’re already living in a departure city) this can still be the smartest option. Be aware of the pros and cons, and you can save a lot of money.

Research Pays Off

Depending on your situation, standby tickets can be the cheapest option, especially if you’re staying with a friend in the area or live near the airport. A prime example of savings is the difference between a ticket from Minneapolis, MN to Amsterdam. During an off-season like September the best price you could get from a ticket aggregator (like Kayak.com) is $618. The trip on the same day costs $359 on AirTech.com.

While standby tickets aren’t the answer to every situation, they’re an option you shouldn’t overlook. With some research, you could very well save hundreds of dollars.

Now go, and embrace your freedom.

Recommended Reading:

1. How to Balance Blogging and Travelling