Flying standby can be the best way to save money on airfare or to get on an earlier flight. Standby travel means that you do not have an already booked seat but are hoping to snag an open seat at the last minute. Just like most airlines, getting a standby United Airlines flight is simple if you are an elite member of United.
Therefore, if you have a scheduled flight and you booked it via United Airlines, you can also have a flexible flight on the day of your flight if your plans change last minute. So, if you want to make a standby reservation on United but are not aware of it, do not worry; the information regarding that can be located here. This post will describe how to fly standby on United Airlines, including the rules and other important details to make your experience worthwhile.
What is United Airlines Standby Policy?
Standby travel is permitted on United Airlines for customers on flights that depart within twenty-four hours of the original departure time. This policy covers all categories of fares. Furthermore, The specs below apply if you would prefer to confirm a seat on a different flight rather than go on United Airlines Standby:
- MileagePlus elite members are eligible to confirm a seat on the same day with the same origin and destination.
- Non-premier MileagePlus members and general non-members may need to pay for the fare difference.
United Airlines Standby List: Eligibility Criteria
Since you placed yourself on standby, you'll notice that the list is always changing. There is no confirmation that you will get a list if you have listed yourself on standby. To see whether you are eligible for the United standby list, refer to the points below:
1- Involuntary Standby Customers: As per the rules of United flight change and cancellation policy, this term is for passengers who could not fly on their initial flight because their flight was canceled or their itinerary was changed by United Airlines.
2- Voluentry Standby: These customers are the term for the passengers who change or cancel their flight and get on the United Standby flight.
3- Pass Riders: Pass riders are given the last priority and are only assigned seats when all other standby travelers are satisfied given their seats.
How Does Standby Work On United?
While using the United standby flight ticket, you might need to comply with a few terms and conditions. Further, the details about United Airlines standby rules have been explained beneath:
- If a traveler is on the standby list. In that situation, the domestic flight passenger can get a notification 30 minutes before departure, and the international flight passengers can get a notification 60 minutes before departure.
- Passenger can also lose their standby seats if they haven't boarded their flight 15 minutes before for domestic flights and 20 minutes before for international flights.
- As per the United Airlines standby policy, you can get your preferred seats, such as windows or an aisle, but you have to use the United mobile app to enter your reservations.
- If you purchased basic economy fare, you can fly on the same day standby on a flight earlier than your original flight. However, this fare was placed on the standby after all the other fares.
- When your name does not appear on the standby list, you can request through a kiosk machine or by approaching the airport counter service team
- When you are a premier-level passenger, you can get preferences using the standby feature, and the setting gets displayed in the application, or you can check at the boarding gate.
- In the United Airlines standby list, the name mentioned, such as the first three characters of your last name and the initial of your first name.
- When you have signed on the day of the travel destination, then you can get a text or email for the confirmation of standby seats.
You can also read: How To Link Reservations United?
United Airlines Standby Rules For Employees, Family Members, & Friends
United Airlines employees enjoy unlimited opportunities for standby travel and discounted airline ticket prices wherever they fly. Their spouse, parents, and children can travel on domestic travel on standby. The United Airlines standby employees can also get great discounts if they travel to international travel.
Furthermore, employees flying along with their child or spouse are a high priority, while passengers traveling alone with the buddy pass are the lowest priority.
United Airlines Standby Rules For Missed Flight
According to the United Airlines standby policy, If your flight is delayed or canceled or you have missed your connecting flight, you can reach out to the airline to help you. The traveler can look for options for alternate flights through channels like the United kiosk present at the check-in section of an airport or the United website. If you can log in to any of them, then you have to follow any of the following:
- Rebooking your ticket for the earliest flight that still has seats available is one possibility.
- You can check if you can schedule a different flight. Additionally, United Airlines will search for a different flight for you.
- If any of your flights heading to a specific airport are canceled, you can switch to any nearby airport if it suits your ticket plans.
If you find any earlier flights with no available flights, try entering the standby list. In case you don't know how to add yourself to the standby United list, then worry not, the airline will look into the matter and can help you join the flight if the space is open.
If the passenger can join the standby list and United cannot provide you with a confirmed seat on your new flight, then the standby fees will be waived. If you can opt for trip cancellation, then according to the United Airlines cancellation policy, you can contact the United Airport authorities to get your cancellation refund.
How To Add Yourself To Standby United?
You can join the United standby list no more than 24 hours before your original flight. The new flight has to be on the same day and have the same start and end points as your original United flight. So, if you are wondering how to get on the United standby list, then check the below steps to be on standby for a United flight:
Method 1: Get On the United Airlines Standby List Through the Website
In order to get on the United standby flights, you can add yourself to the standby list through the United official website by following the steps below:
- Step 1: First, visit the United Airlines website and click on the flight status option.
- Step 2: Enter either your flight number or the dates of your city pair.
- Step 3: Select a flight on which you will be traveling.
- Step 4: After that, you will see the flight status information for that flight.
- Step 5: The flight standby tab shows you all the names on the United Airlines standby list.
- Step 6: All of the passengers waiting to be upgraded to the forward cabin may be seen on the upgrade standby list tab. The capacity, booking, and check-in numbers will also be displayed.
- Step 7: Next, you will se e the actual seat map of the flight in question. To indicate the types of seats that are available, use the key.
Method 2: Get On The United Airlines Standby List At The Airport
At a kiosk or by speaking with an airline agent at the airport, you may add your name on the United Airlines standby list. Select "View flights" from the airport kiosk's menu, then keep an eye out for your new flight on the screen next to the gate.
To learn more about the standby policy and get detailed information on how to get on standby United, contact an airline agent at 1-800-UNITED-1 or +1-800-865-1848 and get assistance from a travel expert.
Method 3: Get On the United Airlines Standby List Through the App
If you want to know how to join the Standby List United app, follow these steps after downloading it on your Android and iOS devices.
- Step 1: Open the app and click on the flight status link to check the status.
- Step 2: After that, you will see the flight loads when you check in using a non-revenue reservation. For this option, you have to confirm your last name and flight confirmation number.
- Step 3: Enter your flight number and select your travel date.
- Step 4: Click the “Search” button.
- Step 5: If your flight serves multiple airports, then enter the airport from which you are departing. Typically, that field can be left blank as you will be asked to differentiate the flight on the next screen if your United flight traverses multiple airports.
- Step 6: On the next screen, you will see the list of flights, select the one which you will be flying.
- Step 7: After that, you will see the flight status details page. An important feature on this page is the “Where is the aircraft coming from?” link, which will tell you if your inbound United flight is delayed.
- Step 8: The next screen will tell you where you are on the United standby list and whether your cabin is full or has available seats.
- Step 9: You will see a seat number next to your name. You can see your updated seat when you reload your boarding pass.
- Step 10: Click on the icon under the date in the upper right corner to see all your boarding passes and itineraries.
What Is United Airlines Standby Cost?
In order to fly standby on United Airlines, you might have to pay an additional fee for that, which might be around $25 to 80, depending on the type of fare and location. If you are an elite member, you might not get any additional fee to fly standby.
Furthermore, if you need any information regarding this, you can speak with the United customer service at 1-800-UNITED-1 or use this alternate number: +1-800-865-1848 to talk with travel expert.
Final Verdict!
Standby flights were once the best way to save money on plane tickets for people willing to travel with a flexible schedule. I hope now you have a clear understanding of how to get on standby United if you are travelling with United.
However, if you still have any questions and are facing any issues during the process, call customer service at 1-800-UNITED-1. Dial +1-800-865-1848 to speak with an online travel consultant immediately for assistance.
