Standby Secrets: Understanding American Airlines' Standby Travel Policy

Standby travel with American Airlines allows passengers to wait for available seats on a different flight than the one they originally booked, departing on the same day as their original flight. This could be an earlier or later flight, depending on the passenger's status. Standby is a useful option when flights are overbooked or when passengers want to change their travel plans without paying high change fees. Passengers can request standby status online, via the American Airlines website or mobile app, at the airport using a self-service kiosk, or by speaking with a customer service representative.

Standby for an earlier flight

American Airlines allows passengers to stand by for an earlier flight on their departure day at no additional charge. This means that if there is space on an earlier flight, you can board that flight instead of your original one. However, standby does not guarantee a seat on a particular flight. If you are standing by for an earlier flight, you will retain your original flight reservation until you are confirmed on the earlier flight.

How to request to be added to the standby list

You can request to be added to the standby list for an earlier flight online, by phone, at an airport check-in kiosk, or at the ticket counter. Requests can be made 24 hours before departure. At the airport, you can request to be added to the standby list at the departure gate, unless the standby list is already closed.

Who is eligible for free standby?

The $75 standby fee is waived for the following passengers:

• Customers who purchase unrestricted Economy Class fares (Y class of service)
• Customers who purchase Business or First Class tickets
• Active U.S. Military personnel traveling on orders or personal travel
• Active U.S. Military dependents traveling on orders
• American Airlines AAdvantage Executive Platinum, AAdvantage Platinum or AAdvantage Gold members
• Oneworld® Alliance Emerald, Sapphire or Ruby members
• Customers flying on the same reservation as an American Airlines AAdvantage Executive Platinum, AAdvantage Platinum or AAdvantage Gold member or oneworld Alliance Emerald, Sapphire or Ruby member regardless of frequent flier status or fare type
• First and Business Class MileSAAver Awards
• First, Business and Economy Class AAnytime Awards
• Customers who purchase a Choice Plus fare

If you miss a flight because of a cancellation or delay, the airline will try to confirm a seat for you on another flight. If the flights are booked, you can opt for standby instead. You will be placed on the standby list according to priority, with full-fare and elite-status passengers taking priority over discount-fare passengers.

Standby for a later flight

American Airlines allows customers to stand by for a flight at no additional charge. However, for travel on or after March 1, 2024, you'll need to be an AAdvantage® member to stand by for a flight.

How to Request a Same-Day Change or Standby

Starting 24 hours before departure, go to your trips online or in the American Airlines app to request a change. After you check in, you'll receive a new boarding pass and receipt.

Requirements for Standing By for a Later Flight

If you want to stand by for a later flight, your new flight must:

• Depart on the same day, from and to the same airports, as your original flight
• Have the same number of stops, in the same airports, as your original flight
• Be operated by American Airlines or American Eagle

Important Things to Keep in Mind

• Only AAdvantage® status members can stand by for a later flight on the same day
• Same-day confirmed changes and standby are subject to availability on select flights
• If you don't inform American Airlines that you're standing by for a later flight, you risk being tagged as a no-show
• If the later flight is full, you'll be rolled onto the next flight's standby list, which could be the following day

Same-day confirmed changes

American Airlines allows customers to make same-day confirmed changes on select flights for a fee. This means that you can confirm a seat on a different flight on the day of departure, as long as eligible seats are available. However, there are several conditions that must be met for a same-day confirmed change:

• The new flight must depart on the same day, from and to the same airports, as your original flight.
• The new flight must have the same number of stops, in the same airports, as your original flight.
• The new flight must be operated by American Airlines or American Eagle.
• Same-day confirmed changes are subject to availability on select flights.
• Same-day confirmed changes must be requested at least 24 hours before the new flight time.
• Same-day confirmed changes are non-refundable and non-transferable.
• There can be no changes to the departure/arrival airports, number of flight segments, or connection cities.

It is important to note that same-day confirmed changes are not available for all types of tickets. Basic Economy tickets, for example, cannot be changed after 24 hours from the time of purchase. Additionally, award tickets may not be eligible for same-day confirmed changes, depending on the specific type of award ticket.

The fee for a same-day confirmed change varies depending on the route. For flights between the 50 United States, Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands, Canada, and the Caribbean, the fee is typically $75 per direction. For long-haul international flights, same-day confirmed changes are generally not available, except for flights between New York-JFK and London-Heathrow, which have a fee of $150 per direction.

Some passengers are eligible for complimentary same-day confirmed changes, including those ticketed in first or business class, those booked in full-fare economy, and American Airlines Executive Platinum and Platinum Pro elites, plus one companion in the same reservation. Additionally, active U.S. military personnel and their dependents are eligible for complimentary same-day confirmed changes when travelling on orders.

To request a same-day confirmed change, customers can go to their trips online or in the American Airlines app, or they can visit an airport kiosk or ticket counter. After checking in, customers will receive a new boarding pass and receipt.

Standby rules for employees, friends and family

American Airlines employees can enjoy standby travel to any destination the airline flies to. If an employee's spouse, children, or other dependents wish to fly standby, they can do so at no cost, except for international destinations where certain taxes may apply.

American Airlines also has a 65-point plan, which allows retirees to fly for free. However, they must meet the requirement of a minimum of 10 years of active service, and their age plus years of service must equal or exceed 65.

Employees or retirees and their registered companions who wish to travel in business class or above must pay an additional fee, depending on the itinerary. Fees for premium domestic travel within the United States depend on the distance travelled. On the other hand, international premium cabin travel has a flat fee based on the destination.

American Airlines also allocates a certain number of "Buddy Passes" each year to qualifying employees, who can give them to friends or other travel companions who aren't parents, spouses, or children. These Buddy Passes have a lower boarding priority than American Airlines employees on vacation, retirees, and other eligible travellers.

American Airlines employees can also buy full-price tickets with a 20% employee discount applied. This gives the employee or the ticket holder a confirmed, assigned seat, and the passenger will be treated like other passengers who buy tickets with American Airlines.

At JetBlue, the standby benefits of a full-time employee extend to their immediate family (spouse, dependent children, and parents). Airline employees will also receive "Buddy Passes" throughout the year, which they can give to extended family or friends.

Non-revenue travel only applies to non-work travel. Every airline has unique protocols and rules governing non-revenue travel. A non-revenue traveller, whether an airline employee or a family member, will never take priority over a paying passenger. Revenue standby passengers take precedence over non-revenue airline employees.

Standby rules for missed flights

If you miss your original flight with American Airlines, you can ask to be placed on the standby list. While the airline only allows AAdvantage members to standby for a later flight, you may be lucky if you explain your situation and ask politely. You may also have to pay a fee, so be prepared for additional expenses.

If the missed flight is due to American Airlines (for example, if your flight was cancelled or delayed), the airline will try to get you another seat on the next flight. If all flights are booked, you can ask to be placed on standby. If the cancellation or delay causes you to miss your connection, American Airlines will rebook you on the next flight with available seats and reroute your bags automatically when you check in for your new flights.

Remember that you may have to wait for more than one flight until a seat becomes available. Ask the gate or customer service agent about your chances of getting onto a flight as it might be better to reschedule your trip instead of just waiting.

If you are not already on the standby list, you can ask the gate agent to add your name. Making a good impression increases your chances of securing a standby seat.

Frequently asked questions