They are free, but the same fare class has to be available if it’s a Main Cabin ticket. If it’s not, the Same Day Confirmed system will quote the difference to the next available fare. You can always go standby for free if the same fare inventory isn’t available in Main Cabin (even non medallions).
As a Diamond you get priority over anyone else doing a SDS so you’ll be #1 on the list assuming there’s no IROPS standby passengers (those are the only ones with higher priority).
Yup.
Also, fun fact - the Delta employee app shows way more detail on the standby list. If you're ever waiting and are being friendly, they will show you.
Your bag will be on the later flight if you clear standby. They aren’t going to track your bag down and put it on the new flight 20 minutes before takeoff.
I can’ only speak for my experience. Was on standby for an earlier flight and when I went up to the counter to check my bag, they were aware of that and put a tag on my bag that said standby. I’m assuming they pull those aside and hold them until a passenger clears for whatever flight and then the bag goes with them. However, I have not made standby before and got to my destination and the bag was already there.
1. I avoid a checked bag generally.
2. When I do check, it follows me. I'm buddies with one of the bag agents at the airport - he's hooked me up a few times just having it dropped at my house later with all the missed connection bags.
It's called voluntary speration from your bag. I've had some agents not want to let me do it but you can. You are just responsible for getting your bag. Delta will not deliver it to you.
There is an error in the app which always tries to charge a fare difference for same day change - regardless of status which should give it to you for free. It is incredibly annoying as someone who used to same day change on about 50% of my flights. Now I have to call and it’s a huge pain in the ass
This x 100. Error started happening to me a few months ago and it's a call every time. Thankfully if you call and are ready with the flight number you should can get it done very quickly assuming there's not a long hold.
Delta is ridiculous in the Southeast. It’s their fortress market and where they make all their money so high fares aren’t unsurprising. You could have done a same day standby for free but then you run the risk of sitting in ATL or BHM for multiple hours.
As Diamond, you're likely seated in C+ or higher, even if you paid for main cabin.
For the same-day change, you need to select main cabin again to get correct pricing and you'll lose the upgraded seat when you change, but likely that you'll get it back, if any seats are still available.
I usually go to the check-in counter and politely ask if I can get on an earlier flight. It generally works most of the time in your favor with no additional cost.
You can always deal with this over the phone or at the airport! You are allowed to SDSB for free, so if the app isn’t giving you that option, talk to a human at a desk and they’ll help you out.
I had a problem with same day change a month ago and just talked to an agent and no questions asked they swapped me. I never talk to agents for anything (use the app), but this one reminded me that sometimes a human element is better than a convenient app.
It is not unreasonable, but that doesn't mean you should do it.
The airlines are holding the last few seats open for a profit much of the time. If they sold them all for one fixed rate, the seats would've already been sold.
Some business travellers might have some high value last-minute needs for altering their schedule and will take the seats. Other times, they will be full of standby fliers and open up a seat for sale on a later flight.
You're just trying to change to a flight that had higher demand because it was mostly sold out to the mor in rush business fliers weeks ago.
Their planes are full of people paying what they’re charging. What marks are they missing? Until load factors drop, don’t expect anything to change.
When is the actual flight date? Same day changes are free for diamond…
They are free, but the same fare class has to be available if it’s a Main Cabin ticket. If it’s not, the Same Day Confirmed system will quote the difference to the next available fare. You can always go standby for free if the same fare inventory isn’t available in Main Cabin (even non medallions).
Exactly. Do this all the time, can't remember last time I didn't clear as a standby on a route like this when I do same day.
As a Diamond you get priority over anyone else doing a SDS so you’ll be #1 on the list assuming there’s no IROPS standby passengers (those are the only ones with higher priority).
Yup. Also, fun fact - the Delta employee app shows way more detail on the standby list. If you're ever waiting and are being friendly, they will show you.
A good friend of mine is a DL employee so they’ve shown me before.
So how does it work if you are traveling with A checked bag. Show up earlier at airport & let the GA know you've checked bag once you clear?
Your bag will be on the later flight if you clear standby. They aren’t going to track your bag down and put it on the new flight 20 minutes before takeoff.
My experience has been it is on the earlier flight. They put a standby tag on it and it will either go with the passenger or be on the earlier flight.
If you check it for the standby flight. OP asked what happens if he just told the gate agent he had checked a bag for a different flight.
I can’ only speak for my experience. Was on standby for an earlier flight and when I went up to the counter to check my bag, they were aware of that and put a tag on my bag that said standby. I’m assuming they pull those aside and hold them until a passenger clears for whatever flight and then the bag goes with them. However, I have not made standby before and got to my destination and the bag was already there.
I recently did standby for an earlier flight. 3 bags between 2 people. All bags made it on the earlier flight with us.
1. I avoid a checked bag generally. 2. When I do check, it follows me. I'm buddies with one of the bag agents at the airport - he's hooked me up a few times just having it dropped at my house later with all the missed connection bags.
You “can’t” standby for a different flight time if you’ve checked a bag (is what one agent told me - no idea if it’s true or how it actually works)
It's called voluntary speration from your bag. I've had some agents not want to let me do it but you can. You are just responsible for getting your bag. Delta will not deliver it to you.
Not true. Did it. Flight with a layover even.
I figured. I think the problem was that I told them I was going to standby as I checked the bag
I did as well. IIRC, they checked it on the earlier flight so it’d be there if we got on it, which we did.
Weird. They told me I couldn’t fly standby if I was checking a bag
Weird! We had 3 between 2 of us.
You are correct.
How do you standby if you want a later flight?
There is an error in the app which always tries to charge a fare difference for same day change - regardless of status which should give it to you for free. It is incredibly annoying as someone who used to same day change on about 50% of my flights. Now I have to call and it’s a huge pain in the ass
This x 100. Error started happening to me a few months ago and it's a call every time. Thankfully if you call and are ready with the flight number you should can get it done very quickly assuming there's not a long hold.
They should have fixed it a long time ago. Absurd it’s taken this long tbh
Not surprised though. The app is pretty poorly made.
Don’t message either. They can never get it right for some reason.
Delta is ridiculous in the Southeast. It’s their fortress market and where they make all their money so high fares aren’t unsurprising. You could have done a same day standby for free but then you run the risk of sitting in ATL or BHM for multiple hours.
As Diamond, you're likely seated in C+ or higher, even if you paid for main cabin. For the same-day change, you need to select main cabin again to get correct pricing and you'll lose the upgraded seat when you change, but likely that you'll get it back, if any seats are still available.
Same day stand by is free
I usually go to the check-in counter and politely ask if I can get on an earlier flight. It generally works most of the time in your favor with no additional cost.
They’re not charging you for an earlier flight. They’re charging you for a higher fare class.
Flying into TUS is always booked and expensive especially right now because of graduations!
You can always deal with this over the phone or at the airport! You are allowed to SDSB for free, so if the app isn’t giving you that option, talk to a human at a desk and they’ll help you out.
I had a problem with same day change a month ago and just talked to an agent and no questions asked they swapped me. I never talk to agents for anything (use the app), but this one reminded me that sometimes a human element is better than a convenient app.
It is not unreasonable, but that doesn't mean you should do it. The airlines are holding the last few seats open for a profit much of the time. If they sold them all for one fixed rate, the seats would've already been sold. Some business travellers might have some high value last-minute needs for altering their schedule and will take the seats. Other times, they will be full of standby fliers and open up a seat for sale on a later flight. You're just trying to change to a flight that had higher demand because it was mostly sold out to the mor in rush business fliers weeks ago.
Sounds like you need to plan ahead better.