In the coming days, American Airlines will be making updates to its standby policy, and the changes are unarguably negative…American’s new limitations on flight standby
Currently, American allows all customers in eligible domestic markets to standby for a different flight on the same day. As of March 1, 2024, we’re going to see two new restrictions introduced:
In order to be eligible for standby, you’ll need to be an AAdvantage member (or an elite member of a oneworld partner frequent flyer program — simply being a member of a partner frequent flyer program isn’t sufficient)
You’ll only be able to request standby via aa.com and the American Airlines app, so it’s not something that a human can help with anymore; the exception is that top-tier elites, including Concierge Key, Executive Platinum, and Platinum Pro members, can continue to make this request through an agent
The cutoff for requesting standby will be 45 minutes prior to departure for most passengers, and 15 minutes prior to departure for Concierge Key, Executive Platinum, and Platinum Pro members
The first change isn’t exactly a high barrier to being able to request standby. American is making a bunch of changes to the AAdvantage program this year, and overwhelmingly they’re about being sure that people are enrolled in the program.
Airlines are better able to generate more revenue from customers who are also members of the loyalty program, so American is doing everything it can to encourage people to join the program. That’s largely coming in the form of taking away things from non-AAdvantage members, and making them exclusive member benefits.
The second change is perhaps more problematic. Airport agents will no longer be able to add you to the standby list, so you’ll have to make that request yourself, or it’s not happening. I’ve certainly had situations where there were tech issues preventing requesting standby, so I find that to be quite a frustrating policy change. It’s especially strange since Platinum Pro members and above can make the request, while Platinum members and below can’t.I’m curious what motivated that change about not being able to request standby with an agent. Is it just about trying to limit the work that airport agents have, or is it to prevent frustration when people try to get added to the standby list at the very last minute, after the cutoff?The interesting history of American’s standby policy
It’s interesting to look back at how American’s standby policy has evolved over the years:
In 2010, American eliminated free standby for non-AAdvantage elite members, so it became a benefit exclusive to status; non-elite members could just pay to make a confirmed same day flight change
In 2020, American added back free standby for all passengers, at a time when flexibility was more valuable
So with this latest change, we’re still better off than we were between 2010 and 2020, but not as well off as we’ve been the past few years.Bottom line
As of March 1, 2024, American is adding new restrictions to standby. Standby is being limited to AAdvantage members, and on top of that, most members will only be able to request standby via aa.com or the American Airlines app. The AAdvantage membership requirement isn’t a huge deal, though I find it kind of silly that it will no longer be possible to request standby with an airline representative.