Can Flying Standby Still Pay?
By Amy Ziff, Editor-at-Large December 2, 2002 Remember the old saying, “the customer is always right?” Well, times have changed at today’s airports. Airlines are hungry for your business and they’re even hungrier for your cash. The days of free perks and easy upgrades are gone, and even a simple change of plans can cost you. There is no single policy that can be broadly applied to all the carriers, which means you really need to be familiar with the policies of your particular airline. Read the fine print or consult with your ticketing agent prior to purchasing. Some Rules to Remember If you have a paper ticket and want to make a change, you will most likely need to pay a $20-$25 fee. If you have an e-ticket, non-refundable ticket, or a Web fare, you will probably be permitted to fly standby but will likely be charged about a $100 fee. If you’ve gotten a really great deal on a ticket and want to stay longer, this fee may be worth it to you. In fact, many of the low-cost carriers have b
