• Menu
  • Skip to right header navigation
  • Skip to content
  • Skip to secondary navigation
  • Skip to primary sidebar

Before Header

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • RSS
  • Twitter
  • Traveling Dad

TravelingMom

Traveling tips, deals, info from moms and families

  • Destinations
  • Disney
    • Disneyland
    • Disney World
    • Disney Worldwide
    • Disney Cruise
  • Tips & Products
  • Free Fun
  • About Us
    • Our Writers
    • Ask a Traveling Mom
  • Search

Mobile Menu

  • Facebook
  • Google+
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter
  • Destinations
  • Disney
    • Disneyland
    • Disney World
    • Disney Worldwide
    • Disney Cruise
  • Tips & Products
  • Free Fun
  • About Us
    • Our Writers
    • Ask a Traveling Mom
  • Search
  • Traveling Dad
  • Media Kit
  • Write for TravelingMom
  • TMOM Travel Writers
  • Ask Us!
  • Privacy & Terms
  • Site Admin
Home » Blog » Travel Tips » 6 Rules for Flying Standby in Summer

6 Rules for Flying Standby in Summer

June 20, 2012 //  by Christina Bird//  Leave a Comment

FacebookTweetPinLinkedIn

6 Rules for Flying Standby in SummerIt is true that flying standby in the summer isn’t recommended, but that doesn’t mean you have to rule it out entirely. Flexibility is still the key here, even more than you may be prepared for.If you can adjust your expectations according to the following six rules, you just might be up for the challenge:

1. Rule out international travel. Plan to travel within the US because US Airports have far more flights available than International Airports and everyone is flying to Italy and Greece in the summer. Including most of Europe while on Holiday.

2. Realize flying confirmed standby may be a waste of money. Up until about six years ago, airlines allowed passengers to standby on earlier flights at no charge. Now, you will be charged a non-refundable fee, often between $50 and $100 for the chance to fly “confirmed standby,” with no guarantee you’ll get a seat. Airlines are overselling seats and during the summer months, you would be very lucky to board a flight before your originally scheduled flight.

San Diego International Airport3. If flying on a buddy pass, keep your options open. Instead of being set on flying only into San Diego, be open to vacationing in another California destination such as Los Angeles or San Francisco. Have those optional gate numbers and times handy so if you don’t get on the flight to San Diego, you can make the next flight to another destination. This also means not booking your hotel and rental car ahead of time.

OUR LATEST VIDEOS

4. Choose high-traffic destinations with 4 or more flights available every day. Some of the busiest airports are also the easiest to fly into standby. Why? Because of the number of daily flights they have on multiple airlines. If you don’t make one, you’re rolled over to the standby list on the next flight. Each time you’re rolled over, you obtain a higher priority listing among like travelers. For example, if flying on a buddy pass, you’ll still have a lower priority than an airline employee on the standby list, but higher than others holding a buddy pass.

5. Choose off-season destinations. Las Vegas, Dallas, Phoenix and Atlanta are all cities whose off-season is in the summertime. They are also among the highest-traffic airports in the U.S. giving you even greater opportunity to get on a flight.

6. Same rules of when to fly apply year-round. As always, fly Tuesday – Wednesday, and show up for the very first flight available, typically 8am.

Chris a designer, WAHM and pilot’s wife living in Colorado. She writes as Standby Traveling Mom as well as at MamaBirdsBlog.com. Follow her on Twitter as @BirdBanter.

Photos by Sheba_Also and San Diego Shooter


FacebookTweetPinLinkedIn

Category: Travel TipsTag: airports, solo travel, travel tips

You May Also Like

  • TravelingMom Editor Cindy Richards offers family travel tips on "The List."
    Get Family Travel Tips on 'The List'
  • Tips for Flying with a Head Cold
  • Don't let bad weather ruin your summer travel plans!
    Summer Travel Plans and the Importance of Travel Insurance
  • Head out into summer 2017! Follow these TravelingMom sizzling summer travel tips to enhance your journey, save you money, boost your bonding and more!
    Sizzling Summer Travel Tips
  • Flying with baby can be a daunting task. Check out our tips to make it a breeze.
    14 Tips for Flying with a Baby
  • A newly implemented electronics ban limits travelers entering the US from 10 airports. Find out if your flight is affected and what electronics are banned.
    20 Secrets to Successful Summer Travel with Autism
Christina Bird

About Christina Bird

Christina and her family take advantage of her husband's airline employee standby privileges whenever and wherever they can. Even flying as far as Denver to Dubai and back on standby passes. Traveling across the country is currently taking a back seat to discovering all there is to see and do in beautiful Florida though. But, with Orlando as their jumping off point, more travels to new destinations are never off the table!

View Christina's Posts

Previous Post: « Granada, Nicaragua a Lot More Than Just a Colonial Town
Next Post: Sesame Place: Rediscovering Your Childhood »

Reader Interactions

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Primary Sidebar

Yes, Sign Me Up Now!

Free Disneyland ebook!

Trending Posts

Walt Disney World Free
2797

How to Score Free Stuff at Disney World to Save Money!

Scanning your MagicBand to access your Fastpass+ selection is simple for even the youngest guest.
1094

Everything You Need to Know About FastPass+ at Disney World

Disney pin trading tips
919

5 Helpful Tips for Pin Trading at Walt Disney World

Explore 7 California National Park Sites within 4 hours of Los Angeles. With redwood trees, tide pools, and deserts, the parks offer nature at its best.
691

7 National Parks a Road Trip Away from LA

The medieval walled city of Dubrovnik, Croatia is a stunning filming location for Game of Thrones.
463

Dubrovnik, Croatia – Beautiful Location of Game of Thrones

  • Media Kit
  • Write for TravelingMom
  • TMOM Travel Writers
  • Ask Us!
  • Privacy & Terms
  • Site Admin

Copyright © 2019 Traveling Mom · All Rights Reserved · Powered by BizBudding Inc.